War & Pacifism in “Metal Gear“ Games

Support me on Patreon for exclusive content, works cited, podcasts, Q&As, and more! ​​ Follow FSP on Twitter: ​​ Hideo Kojima’s series METAL GEAR SOLID is well known around the world for its idiosyncratic and iconic military stealth action. But how could this same series also be the most consistently anti-war in the industry? In this video essay, we look at each METAL GEAR in turn, focusing on what it had to say on the subject of war & peace. By the end, I’ll make the case for why the Metal Gear series should be recognized more widely for its ability to convey a ’solid’ set of principles, yet ultimately leave the final meaning as something for the player ourselves to find. *********************** “The Metal Gear franchise follows the story of protagonist Solid Snake as he tries to rid the world of Metal Gears and atone for his sins. The Metal Gear series is well-known for its elaborate, complex plot-lines and large amount of cutscenes. The majority of games in the franchise fall under the Metal Gear Solid series. Another sub-series is the Metal Gear Acid series.“