The possibility of Metal Gear Solid 6 is one of the biggest mysteries in gaming. I can’t help but wonder if we’ll ever see a true continuation of the legendary franchise. Ever since Hideo Kojima’s departure from Konami, the fate of Metal Gear has been uncertain. While Konami has revived the older titles with Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection and is working on Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the question remains—will we ever get an actual sequel?
One of the biggest challenges for a potential Metal Gear Solid 6 is the absence of Kojima. His unique vision, storytelling, and attention to detail were the heart of the series. Without him, any new Metal Gear game risks feeling like a soulless imitation rather than a true successor. We saw this with Metal Gear Survive, which completely missed the mark, turning the franchise into a generic survival game that lacked the charm, depth, and narrative brilliance of its predecessors. If Konami wants to make MGS6 a reality, they would need to assemble a team that understands what makes Metal Gear special.
If Metal Gear Solid 6 were to happen, the biggest question is where the story would go. MGS5: The Phantom Pain left a significant gap in the timeline, revealing that players had actually been controlling Venom Snake, a body double for Big Boss, rather than the real character. While this twist was unexpected, it left the story feeling incomplete, as it never fully bridged the gap between The Phantom Pain and the original Metal Gear games. A sequel could explore what happened next, focusing on the true Big Boss as he builds Outer Heaven and prepares for his eventual clash with Solid Snake. Another possibility is a direct continuation of Solid Snake’s story. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots wrapped up his journey, showing an older Snake who had seemingly lived out his final days. However, Metal Gear has never shied away from unexpected twists, and there could still be ways to bring him back into the spotlight. Some fans speculate that a prequel featuring The Boss or a spin-off starring Raiden could be another direction, but whether Konami would take such a bold risk remains to be seen.
Gameplay is another area where Metal Gear Solid 6 would need to evolve. MGS5 introduced an open-world structure, giving players unprecedented freedom to approach missions in their own way. While the sandbox-style stealth was incredibly well-designed, some fans felt that the open world lacked the detailed, cinematic level design that defined earlier titles. If a new game were to combine MGS5’s gameplay mechanics with the narrative depth and intricate mission structure of MGS3 or MGS4, it could be the perfect balance between player freedom and cinematic storytelling. There’s also the question of who would voice the characters. David Hayter, the iconic voice of Solid Snake, was controversially replaced by Kiefer Sutherland in MGS5, a decision that divided the fanbase. If a sequel were to focus on Solid Snake again, bringing Hayter back would be a major win for longtime fans. On the other hand, if Konami continues to follow the Big Boss storyline, they may opt to keep Sutherland or introduce a new voice actor altogether.
Konami’s current strategy suggests that they are more interested in remakes and re-releases rather than developing an entirely new Metal Gear game. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the first major step in their revival of the franchise, and its success could determine whether they are willing to invest in a full sequel. If MGS Delta does well, it might give Konami the confidence to explore new stories within the Metal Gear universe. The question remains: should Metal Gear Solid 6 even happen? Without Kojima at the helm, there’s always the risk that it won’t live up to expectations. But at the same time, Metal Gear is too legendary to be left dormant forever. If Konami can assemble the right team, respect the series’ legacy, and craft a compelling narrative, a new entry could be worth it. Until then, fans can only speculate and hope that one day, we’ll hear those famous words again: “Kept you waiting, huh?”
