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Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The six strangest games Hideo Kojima made before Death Stranding 2
Death Stranding 2 is out soon but Hideo Kojima's gameography is full of weird games, from Penguin Adventure to a stock market simulator. It would be reductive to describe Hideo Kojima's video games simply as weird, but it's the obvious place to start. He's very much aware of how they come across, and plays up to the commentary about them, to the point where he was worried the upcoming Death Stranding 2 wasn't divisive enough. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, the sequel to the original 2019 hit, promises to be another bizarre experience, with a stop-motion animated puppet as part of its main cast, a villain wielding an electric guitar as a weapon, and a very blatant stand-in for Solid Snake from the Metal Gear games. With the sequel's launch right around the corner, we wanted to look back through Kojima's gameography and highlight the ones that stand out as the weirdest of the lot. This one deserves recognition not so much for its content but for the fact that it was designed to be played outside. That's because this 2003 action role-player for the Game Boy Advance had a light sensor built into its cartridge, with certain mechanics requiring you to make use of real sunlight, since the gameplay was all about fighting vampires. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. It's certainly a novel idea, although anyone who owned a Game Boy Advance knows it's next to impossible to see what's on-screen when out in the sun. Also, it just flat out didn't work most of the time in the gloomy UK. Nevertheless, the game did well enough to justify three sequels, although the last one for the DS removed the light sensor. The first Metal Gear Ac!d game was already weird for being so far removed from the main series, as it merged stealth action with a turn-based collectible card game, while also setting up its own continuity. We have to give the point to its follow-up, though, since it's not even technically a sequel and is itself set in another separate continuity. If that's not quite nutty enough for you the PSP version came with a cardboard box called the *Solid Eye*, that you can look through to get a stereoscopic image. While he didn't direct this one, and instead served as producer, Kojima's influences are still all over this game, particularly in regards to its overly complex narrative. It was quite good, but unfortunately it's not available on any modern formats and the only other version was a Java ME port for non-smartphones. Penguin Adventure is only weird in retrospect, since it's Kojima's professional debut in the games industry and is so unlike anything else he's made since, being a platformer for MSX home computers, where you play as a cartoon penguin. A deeper dive unveils some humorously child unfriendly details, like one of the weapons being an actual gun and one of its multiple endings seeing the princess you're meant to save die. Despite its status as Kojima's first game, though, he downplayed his involvement in a 2014 social media post, saying he only worked on it for a short while and didn't contribute much beyond ideas for some of the boss fights and gimmicks. Even so, a penguin with a gun is still pretty weird. What makes Snatcher so strange is that there was truly little else like it when it came out. It's technically an adventure/visual novel, but Kojima's love of film meant it had a far more cinematic flair than its contemporaries. The influences it takes from sci-fi films like Blade Runner, Terminator, and Akira are laughably obvious, but this was many players' first real exposure to cyberpunk stories. Although it was a commercial flop, it's long since been vindicated as a cult classic. Perhaps the weirdest thing about it is that there's no modern re-release, although there was a radio play prequel that Kojima made with Suda51 and is, predictably, Japanese only. Although he didn't direct Zone Of The Enders or its sequel, Kojima is credited as the series' creator and certainly had a lot of influence over it, with a 2003 interview translated and archived by schmuplations stating he was responsible for its world and backstory. He also appeared to have enough creative control to be the one to scrap plans for a Zone Of The Enders 3, after the less than stellar HD collection botched remasters of the first two games. That's a shame as Zone Of The Enders is a fun giant robot sim, although its mechs are much zippier than you'd expect. More Trending Incredibly niche outside of dedicated fan circles, and growing obscurer by the day, Zone Of The Enders' story is perhaps even more impenetrable than Metal Gear's, with all the cut scenes and characters it throws at you; although the sequel wasn't quite so bad. Even some diehard Kojima fans may not have heard of this one and we wouldn't blame you, since it only ever released in Japan on the DS. You're not missing out, though, since this is no stealth action adventure but instead a stock market simulator. While Nintendo was busy with its blue sky strategy, of expanding gaming beyond the normal core audience, Kojima's response to games like Brain Training was what translates as Stock Transaction Trainer. It was a serious simulator, using real Tokyo Stock Exchange data, and successful enough to spawn two sequels. None of them were ever localised for the West though, probably because so much would need to be changed beyond just the dialogue. Or maybe Konami's US division just thought it was too weird. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima explains why he'll never retire MORE: Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear spiritual successor won't be out this decade MORE: Hideo Kojima put a secret stash of game ideas on a USB stick for when he dies
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
If Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid ever crossover, Kojima knows who should be a porter, even though they "won't be able to carry things so much"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A crossover between Death Stranding and Metal Gear Solid is pretty unlikely. Hideo Kojima and Konami split on seemingly acrimonious terms, and we've only seen remakes and re-releases from the latter series for years now. Still, should it happen, Kojima has a notion about who'd manage the tricky job of being a porter the best. When asked by IGN during a Death Stranding 2 event who from the Metal Gear canon could make the jump over to delivering across the KNOTS, he named Dr. Hal 'Otacon' Emmerich, tech genius and Solid Snake's trusted friend. "Maybe Otacon!" Kojima laughs. "But he won't be able to carry things so much." Sadly, he's probably right. Physical strength and endurance are necessary qualities for any good delivery person in the wasteland of Death Stranding, and Otacon doesn't appear to have much of either. But, he's excellent and solving problems and knows a thing or two about improvising under pressure. Stuck somewhere with BTs hanging around, Otacon would find a way to somehow escape without taking too much damage. Same for Demens, who'd probably be left perplexed by some gadget or other by the military scientist. Otacon is the kind of guy you want around in a pinch, even if he's not the person you'd like assigned to your delivery. Unlike Sam Porter Bridges, Hal's backpack isn't getting too full. But maybe he's the sensible one in that regard, given how much of Death Stranding you spend picking up and re-Tetris-ing your own overfull pack of goods. This is all extremely hypothetical, and the Death Stranding games aren't in need of the boost. The second, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, arrives on June 26, taking place predominantly in Mexico and Australia instead of the US. Aside from having whole other countries and continents to wander, Sam gets more hands on this time, helping communities he encounters in different ways. As it's a Kojima Productions game, most narrative elements are protected through esoteric teases. There's a talking ventriloquist's dummy, though! Never change, Kojima. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater comes out on August 28, 2025. Hideo Kojima already has a Death Stranding 3 pitch that could relate to a DS2 plot device, but "I am not going to make it myself"
Metro
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Hideo Kojima put a secret stash of game ideas on a USB stick for when he dies
The creator behind Metal Gear and Death Stranding wants his studio to continue to make new games after his death, so he's left some ideas on a USB stick for them. Hideo Kojima's games might not be everyone's cup of tea, as seen with the divisive Death Stranding, but he certainly has plenty of interesting ideas. The famed developer, who founded his own independent studio, Kojima Productions, in 2015 is best known for the Metal Gear franchise, which he worked on at Konami. His next title is Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which looks set to amp up the weirdness with doll-like characters, Solid Snake lookalikes, and more baby-protecting shenanigans. Kojima, who turned 60 during production on the sequel, has explained how he became more aware of his mortality after falling ill during the pandemic, which caused him to re-evaluate his studio's future. Speaking in an interview with Edge magazine, Kojima said: 'Turning 60 was less of a turning point in my life than my experiences during the pandemic. I fell seriously ill at that time, and also had an eye operation. Until then, I didn't think I was old, you know? I just didn't feel my age, and I assumed I would be able to create for as long as I live. 'But then I became sick, and I couldn't create anything. And I saw lots of people around me passing away at that time. I was confronted with death. Of course, I recovered, but now I was thinking, 'Wait, how many years do I have left to make games or a film? Perhaps I have 10 years?' This illness led Kojima to reassess his career priorities. At one point, he wanted to direct a film, but directors Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn – who both appear in Death Stranding – are said to have encouraged him to stick to video games. In the interview, Kojima explained how his studio's already confirmed future projects – the Metal Gear inspired Physint and Jordan Peele collaboration OD – were borne out of a desire to provide a stronger future for Kojima Productions beyond his lifetime. These thoughts for his studio's future have taken on a physical form via a USB stick Kojima has filled with his ideas, so Kojima Productions can continue to make new original games after his death. 'I gave a USB stick with all my ideas on it to my personal assistant, kind of like a will,' he added. 'Perhaps they could continue to make things after I'm gone at Kojima Productions… This is a fear for me: what happens to Kojima Productions after I'm gone? I don't want them to just manage our existing IP.' Kojima has recently talked about some of his cancelled, and slightly mad, concepts on his radio podcast KOJI10. In the latest episode, he discussed one idea where the passage of time in real life would be a mechanic, where you would start out being born and 'then gradually over time you become an adult', which would affect your abilities. 'If you keep playing the game, you will become a 70 or 80 year old man,' Kojima explained. 'However, at this age you will be weaker, your eyesight will worsen. When you are a teenager you'll be able to run faster but by the time you reach 60 you'll slow down a bit.' While your character would be in better physical condition when they're younger, the older you get the more knowledge and experience you possess. He added: 'But no-would buy it!' More Trending Elsewhere, Kojima proposed a game where your character gradually forgets important information and abilities, like 'how to fire their gun or what their job is', if you take too long a break from it. 'Players would have to take a week off work or school to play it,' he joked. While these ideas appear to be just for podcast giggles, Kojima has experimented with real-time mechanics in the past. In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, food you acquire would go off after a few days had passed in real life. An elderly boss, named The End, would also die of old age if you waited a week and booted up your save. A similar mechanic almost made its way into Death Stranding 2. 'Originally in Death Stranding 2, I was going to have Sam's beard gradually grow out over time, and the player would have to shave it. If they didn't, Sam would end up looking unkempt,' Kojima said. 'However, as Norman Reedus is a big star, I didn't want to make him look uncool!' Death Stranding 2 is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: GTA 6 delay is to give Rockstar 'no limitations' as Take-Two commits to new date MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 will overtake PS5 as 'primary partner' for third party games predict analysts MORE: The worst video game ever made is coming to PS5, Switch and Xbox this month
The Spinoff
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
The ABCs of stand-up comedy etiquette
Going to a show at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival this month? Here are some useful tips. Applause: 'Please clap,' as Jeb Bush famously asked his unresponsive crowd to do at his rally. Applause is great after a fantastic joke has been said and also at the end of the show, as long as both of those are done in a genuine and not sarcastic fashion. Beaming: You don't know the comedian personally but when they're on stage, act like it's your child who's finally ridden a bike without training wheels. When the comedian sees you grin ear to ear, it will give them an extra spring to their step. Crying: Some shows delve into deep and emotional topics so it's OK to cry, you are in a safe space with like-minded audience members. You can also join in a crying circle with the comedian afterwards if the show has gone badly for them. Drinking: Either do it from one of the insulated water bottles that's all the rage these days or drink an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage from the bar that is attached to the venue. Eating: Most performers prefer that any eating is done before or after the show but if you have to eat, make sure it's something that doesn't make a crunching sound or send an aroma around the room. Crispy chicken noodles are out, vanilla ice cream is in. Flowers: Giving the comedian flowers metaphorically will motivate them for the rest of their run, or if their season has finished it will make them feel like all their hard work preparing for the show was all worth it. You can literally give them a bouquet of flowers as well but that will feel a bit stalkerish. Group: Enter the communal spirit of the audience by laughing together as a group. Heckling: Best to refrain from doing this unless the comedian explicitly invites the crowd to do this. Most heckles are so bad that the heckle itself deserves a heckle so this will set off a chain of heckling best not started. Instagram: Save any photo or video taking to either right before the show starts or at the end of the show unless the comedian lets you post during the show. This gives you a valid alibi for your whereabouts if the cops come a knockin'. Jam: See Eating, a viable thing to consume during a show. Knife: They say don't bring a knife to a gunfight, also don't bring a knife to a comedy show, there's no use for a knife here. Laughing loudly: This is acceptable in the realms of a killer gag just being delivered, although any type of laughter including ones with the volume of a mouse are happily received. Making eye contact: Don't be scared to do this as this notifies the comedian that they're successfully engaging with the crowd. This isn't flirting, honestly. Needing to pee or do number 2/3s: If you're busting to go, it's your fault for not going before the show started, however if you simply must go, try to make your exit in the quietest way possible, do it as if you're Solid Snake doing a stealth mission in the Metal Gear Solid video game series. Ovations: See Applause. Phones: Please put them on silent, I know for a fact that 0% will switch their phone off, we can do without the phone ringing but also make sure any notification lights are hidden away from the person on stage. Quoting: If you hear something funny that's worth repeating, say it at a volume that only you and the person you are talking to can hear, the performer probably doesn't need to hear it as they've already said it just before you did! Recommending: If you enjoy a show you've just witnessed, please recommend it to friends and family as a lot of shows rely on word of mouth, they'll be grateful for people coming along to their shows. Shushing: If your enjoyment of the comedy show is getting ruined by fellow audience members talking, don't be afraid to give them a shush, accompanied with a stiff finger over pursed lips and unbroken eye contact with them until they stop talking. Time: Try to turn up on time as many venues in the festival have multiple shows on so any delay to the start of shows will carry on for the rest of the night so it's best to be punctual, also don't look at your watch and tap on it repeatedly during the show. Understanding: If you didn't get the reference of a joke that everyone seemed to, still laugh and then Wikipedia the reference later so you won't get caught out if someone quizzes you about it. Vocabulary: If you didn't understand a word that everyone seemed to, still laugh and then Wiktionary the reference later so you won't get caught out if someone quizzes you about it. Xylophone: The only one at the venue should be the one belonging to the performer, don't bring one yourself and play it during awkward silences. Yawning: When you're in the crowd with no lights on, it does sometimes feel like it's late at night and the feeling of yawning can overcome you. If you have to, please cover your mouth as the comedian may see you and think you are bored. Even if you are, cover your mouth and at least someone who sees you will think you are just trying to conceal a Covid cough. Zoo: If possible don't make any sounds like an animal from the zoo, it's quite distracting.
