In a celebration of the past, Hideo Kojima surprises all with the future of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.
It was a reveal that if you were following live via Twitter (like I was) caused an abrupt silence that lasted well over five minutes. And for good reason, as those in attendance at Konami’s Metal Gear 25th Anniversary event on Thursday night, Japan time, saw the first ever footage of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.
Footage, I sadly must report, the viewing public at large won’t be seeing for quite some while, possibly until the Tokyo Game Show in September (all your getting is promotional art, seen above and fully below). Boo-urns, indeed, because from the first-hand accounts of those present at the Metal Gear solute – a classy one with dinner and wine, I should add – the demonstration was amazing.
I know. I know. That doesn’t really tell you much. I’m about to get to that by unloading what I’ve gathered, info wise, from different *whispers* industry sources. First, the next MGS game – which I should note currently has no release date or platform – will be running on the Fox Engine, the cross-platform game engine that will power future Kojima Production titles.
One of the supposedly big advantages for the Fox Engine is how flippin’ spectacular games will look on either current systems (PS3 or 360), or whatever new bleeding-edge tech console is around the next-generation bend. Now, will it look like this official piece of game art down below? I guess we’ll find out in due time.
What more do we know about Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zero? It will be the first open-world MGS game, promising free roaming stealth through an expansive, atmospheric area. The demo centered on a military base during a nightly rainstorm – the weather effects, I’ve heard, were also fantastic – with Snake venturing in and disposing of his prey in traditional sly fashion.
Mind you, all of the gameplay during the demo was player motivated with hardly a cut-scene to be seen (yet), furthering the game’s grand open-game motive.
One interesting part to the demo though, was when the super solider called in a helicopter to make his escape, although only temporary, as he then descended quietly back into the fray. Seamlessly, and again, from those who saw it with their own two eyes, truly awesome to see. There was even a spot where Snake hopped into a jeep to travel around the base, too.
KojiPro head, the famed Hideo Kojima, who was there in person for the ceremony, expressed that Ground Zeroes will “add a new spin to the stealth genre.” Tall words for sure, but when its from the mouth of the guy who brought us the industry shaking Metal Gear Solid, I believe it! Well, that is until I see it for myself… but my point still stands!
I truly hope we get to see what was shown of Ground Zeroes from Thursday night; it sounds cray cray. In a good cray cray way, of course. Although if you want to know what else is “cray cray,” then stay here on Walyou for all sorts of geekiness, like this real-working NES toaster and a Pac-Man watch to go along with your everyday apparel.
