Metal Gear Solid 5 Is Still Missing Something
While Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is remembered as a groundbreaking title in the gaming world, it left behind a profound sense of incompleteness. The story’s incomplete nature, the exclusions, and the turbulent relationship between Konami and Kojima make the game a subject of debate to this day. Even a decade later, these omissions remain among the most pressing questions for series fans.
The Neverending Story of Metal Gear Solid 5
The Phantom Pain was released in 2015 to great anticipation. While the game received technical praise, it was immediately apparent that the story was rushed and some key elements were cut. While the “Episode 51” video included in the collector’s edition reveals a crucial episode involving Eli and the child soldiers, this content was never included in the game, leaving the narrative feeling incomplete.
The rift between Kojima and Konami also paved the way for the game’s unfinished state. Konami’s budget constraints and pressure for a rapid release put the development team under pressure. The removal of Hideo Kojima’s name from the box art and the cancellation of the Silent Hills project highlighted the turbulence of this period. All these events prevented the full realization of Metal Gear Solid 5’s vision.
The game’s second act was filled with harder versions of missions from the first. While this approach seemed to compensate for the cut content, it created a sense of repetition for players. Furthermore, rumors of a third act, known as “Peace,” further reinforced the feeling of incompleteness. However, to date, no definitive proof has been found that this act actually exists.
Despite everything, Metal Gear Solid 5 is considered one of the most important titles in gaming history for its gameplay mechanics, open-world design, and unique atmosphere. While its shortcomings were disappointing for fans, they also made the game even more iconic. Like a “Phantom Pain,” this absence, nonexistent yet felt, became perhaps the most powerful narrative element Kojima has ever unintentionally created.
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