Hideo Kojima’s reputation has been marred by lengthy cutscenes in recent years; conversely, he once demonstrated greater restraint in their use.
Many gamers have a strong aversion to prolonged cinematic sequences. Isn’t that the point of playing sports in the first place? Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind Metal Gear Solid, has long since shed his reputation as a perfectionist, but his latest endeavor is set to shatter that notion once more. The fourth installment in the espionage series boasts an unprecedented achievement: its longest continuous cutscene clocks in at a staggering 71 minutes, defying conventional gaming norms. Surprisingly, Kojima was not always enthusiastic about incorporating lengthy cutscenes into his games. According to an interview with Famitsu conducted in 1997 and unearthed by Shmupulations for GamesRadar, Hideo Kojima, the legendary game designer, discussed various aspects of Metal Gear Solid prior to its release on the original PlayStation.
Harking back to a discussion on cutscenes, Hideo Kojima shared his thoughts: “A pitfall I’m keen to avoid is these interminable scenes where characters spew forth dialogue for an excruciating four to five minutes. If only Kojima were aware of the monumental tasks awaiting him, he would surely tremble with anticipation. Having helmed 71 minutes of cinematic mastery – an achievement in itself – it’s hardly surprising that his other titles boast similarly impressive cutscenes.
Despite his passion for cinema, he expressed trepidation about incorporating cutscenes, admitting he was “frightened” by the prospect of a cinematic presentation. In order to optimize the course’s productivity, I firmly believe that incorporating unavoidable cinematic sequences would be essential. While the Metal Gear narrative may be complex and intricate, one might assume that cutscenes would be a necessary component to effectively convey its intricacies.
As we witness Hideo Kojima’s unconventional approach to cutscenes, it remains to be seen whether he will surpass himself with Dying Stranding 2 in the next year, boasting an innovative photomode alongside its release, only time will tell. Let’s hope that’s the case, for our amusement alone would make it worthwhile.
