The Metal Gear series is still vivid in the memories of fans, but Konami has a big task ahead of it: to put past scandals and poor games behind it.

Previous leaks had fans guessing, but now the release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has been officially announced. The new game marks a major return for the Metal Gear series after the popular Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain in 2015 and the controversial Metal Gear Survive in 2018. Fans are eagerly awaiting the classic game with modern graphics, but Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater has a lot to prove before its release.

The Metal Gear series was once one of the biggest names in stealth games, but has lost popularity since the release of Metal Gear: Survive. Metal Gear Solid Delta will have to prove not only that the series is still going strong, but also that it can continue to exist without Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima, who has split from Konami. While Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is exciting, the success of the entire series may depend on it, and that may seem an impossible task.

Along with Metal Gear: Survive, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will be the first modern Metal Gear game developed without Hideo Kojima. Kojima has been working on the Metal Gear series since its inception, and has made a name for himself with his unique play style and fantastic storylines. His style helped make the series so beloved by so many, and he even had talent in the next Silent Hill game, but things quickly fell apart as the release neared.

The series’ publisher Konami announced a corporate reorganisation in response to rapid changes in the digital entertainment industry, but did not mention Hideo Kojima in press releases. The publisher then quietly removed the names of Kojima and Kojima Productions from official Metal Gear Solid promotional materials, and eventually removed Kojima’s name from Kojima Productions Los Angeles. Kojima and Kojima Productions executives were also reportedly barred from access to the company’s internet, email and phone.

Apparently, Hideo Kojima and Konami had a huge disagreement in the background and the publisher was pushed to the wind. Konami even banned him from The Game Awards after Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain was nominated, and Kojima eventually left the company to form a new independent studio developing Death Stranding. After his departure, Konami developed Metal Gear: Survive, the first game without Kojima’s involvement since 1990’s Snake’s Revenge. The game was panned by critics, underperformed and put the series in jeopardy.

Metal Gear Sold Delta: Snake Eater will be the second Metal Gear game since Hideo Kojima’s departure, and it has a lot of scandals to overcome. Not only does it have to live up to the standard set by Kojima, but it also has to make fans forget about the years of scandals and the weak Metal Gear: Survive. This game is Konami’s chance to show fans that it can handle the IP without Kojima, but if it fails, the Metal Gear series may be on a long hiatus.

Although Metal Gear Solid Delta is struggling mightily, nostalgia is still on its side. The story has been written, the gameplay has been fleshed out, and there’s a huge fanbase waiting to get their hands on the remastered game. Rebooting one of the best games in the series was a safe bet for Konami, and now they just need to deliver. Expectations for the project are high and only time will tell if it’s really worth playing through.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is currently in development for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Source : GameRant