Physint, the upcoming action-espionage game from Kojima Productions, seems poised to break a pattern that the studio has established with its innovative projects thus far. Hideo Kojima led the experimentalDeath Strandingto success and is likely to continue this bold style with its sequel and the horror gameOD, but the third IP that his studio has announced is oriented around treading the familiar ground historically covered byMetal Gear Solid. While it appears that the cinematic style of Kojima’s other recent projects will carry over intoPhysint, it might be best for it to lean all the way into its nostalgic presentation.
The trajectory of the career ofHideo Kojima after leaving Konamihas been an unconventional triumph in which his risks have paid off so far.Death Strandinghas managed to be built up as an IP which can potentially rival the prior prestige ofMGS, but the lingering desire for a new entry in that franchise has led Kojima to return to its genre on his own terms. Even though this creative freedom tends to lead him towardsimitating film elements and an increasingly open-world design focus, it might be even better to be more directly inspired by the game that truly established a legacy.
The Development Timeline of Physint Calls the Direction of Kojima Productions into Question
Following the Examples of Death Stranding and MGS5 Risks Redundancy
Kojima has directly stated that he intends to makePhysintcomparable to a moviedue to its realistic, cinematic presentation, and this has become a predictable direction for his studio. After the landmark changes toMGS5’s formula which made it more of a photorealistic, open-world experience, these design trends have been carried over to Kojima Productions. Use of motion capture and third-person action is to be expected, but emphasizing a different style of gameplay would only help to diversify the studio’s games at this point.
Forming Three Pillars Alongside DS2 and OD Requires Distinction
While it may be following its contemporaries by heavily utilizing mo-cap, theupcoming Kojima Productions horror gameODhasn’t been confirmed to be featuring the same third-person camera angle as the likes ofDeath Stranding. Leaks have made it seem possible, but it would still be setting itself apart through distinct survival horror mechanics. IfPhysinttruly hopes to stand on its own against these other two IPs, it can employ one meaningful difference, which would be a welcome callback.
Returning to the Isometric Stealth Style of the Original Metal Gear Solid in Physint Would Cement Hideo Kojima’s Legacy
Honoring Nearly Four Decades of Metal Gear Presents an Opportunity
Long before it became a blend of open-world and mission-based,MGSbegan with a level-based structure seen primarily from a top-down camera angle. This tactical viewpoint largely became less prevalent with each following entry, to the point thatMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’s difficulty settings are now set to be based around the third-person versus isometric dynamic.Physinthas been conceptualized as a return to espionage, and moving away from the more purely action-oriented perspective of being right behind the protagonist’s back could send a powerful message about Kojima’s lengthy career.
After the messy circumstances which led to the departure of Kojima from Konami, it’s understandable that he would be far more interested in looking ahead with his own franchises. It will probably be years beforePhysintmakes it to market though, and leaning into the nostalgia of an isometric camera is a decision that would transcend trends like open-world design. Following decades in the industry, the inevitable reflection of the origins ofMetal Gear Solidmanifesting inPhysintwould act as a fitting homage to Hideo Kojima’s evolution.
