Hideo Kojima is one of the most legendary game developers, producers, directors, and writers in history, whose influence on the gaming community as a whole will be felt for generations to come. The creator of theMetal Gearfranchise,Hideo Kojima, has crafted gritty war storiesset in a bizarre America that has advanced past the point of no return, exploring controversial concepts and futuristic themes that combine multiple genres into a single masterpiece.
Hideo Kojima has since begun a new story with theDeath Strandingseries that is proving to be just as rich narratively and gameplay-wise as his previous works. Hideo is responsible for some of the most complex, engaging, and controversial characters in the gaming industry. Here are some of his best creations, ranked by complexity and originality.
8Quiet
A Surprisingly Impactful Character Of The Metal Gear Franchise Without Words
Debuting inMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain,Quiet first appears as an assassinsent to kill Snake at all costs. What begins as an antagonistic relationship turns into one of the strongest friendships in the series. Quiet is, as her name suggests, a mute in the series, but speaks volumes with her actions. As an altered human, Quiet has a unique genetic trait that forces her to breathe through her skin.
She also possesses a range of abilities, including enhanced speed and strength, regeneration, and the ability to camouflage herself, making her a formidable assassin. Narratively, Quiet’s story is a masterful telling of trust and loyalty, as she and Venom Snake developed mutual respect and affection for one another.
7Sam
The Face Of The Next Generation
Sam is the main protagonist of Kojima’s newest franchise,Death Stranding. In the series, Sam serves as a porter who delivers vital materials across a post-apocalyptic America. After a devastating event blurred the lines between life and death, Sam must brave treacherous events, environments, and hostile specters to accomplish his tasks.
Players follow Sam on his journey as he is used by a corporation to mend the broken paths between humans by using his unique ability to return to life after death. Throughout the story, Sam’s motivations and perspective are explored, and although he is more of a reluctant hero, Sam’s quiet personality and ability to keep on keeping on make him a rockstar who walks his own path to bring such a significant impact on the game.
6Revolver Ocelot
A Legendary Piece Of The Puzzle
Ocelot is one of the most complex and alluring characters that Hideo Kojima has ever created. First appearing inMetal Gear Solid, Ocelot makesmultiple appearances throughout variousMetal Geartitles, playing a wide range of roles, including antagonist, supporting character, and triple (and often quadruple) agent. Ocelot’s history is nearly as convoluted as Solid Snake’s, as he has been an ally and adversary to most of the characters in the story. As a skilled fighter and expert marksman, Ocelot is also one of the most dangerous gunmen in theMetal Gearfranchise, who keeps his personal motives close to his chest. However, over the years, Ocelot has remained a fan favorite for his charisma, tactical prowess, and unwavering loyalty to Big Boss.
5Higgs
An Interesting Counterpart To The Main Character Of Death Stranding
Higgs takes the position of one of the main antagonists inDeath Stranding, who has an enigmatic presence throughout the game. Higgs was a porter until he grew tired of human beings repeating their mistakes, and now works full-time to try to bring about their extinction with the Last Stranding. Higgs is a deviant, a sadistic villain who takes pleasure in the suffering of others, which shows how crazed and despicable he can truly be with his strange powers to combat Sam’s mission of uniting America. From design to personality, Higgs is an intriguing villain who engages perfectly with the game’s narrative. With teleportation and BT control, Higgs is a prominent threat who may have some solid ground for his motivations, and makes an evenbigger impact inDeath Stranding 2.
4The Boss
The Shadow That Houses The Entire Universe
The Boss is an almost mythic figure in theMetal Gearfranchise, having only appeared in a few games. If Big Boss is the foundation of theMetal Gear Soliduniverse, The Boss is the Bedrock. The Boss, also known as The Joy, is the mother of special forces and the mentor of Big Boss.
She is single-handedly the most influential force inMetal Geardue to how her ideologies shape the narrative of the story of every game, thanks to her teachings of her student, Jack, which would provide him with the principles and influence to create a haven for soldiers as Big Boss.The Bossis the most decorated soldier in history and has been involved in every major conflict since World War 2, and her tragic service to her country makes her tale a tearjerker, bolstered by her legacy known only to a few.
3Raiden
The Perfect Wingman To The Series
While Raiden’s entry into theMetal Gear Soliduniverse inMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertywas met with backlash due to many fans feeling cheated by a returning protagonist of Solid Snake, Raiden easily cements himself as one of the best characters created by Kojima. The complexity of Raiden’s character encompasses the horrors of war, trauma, freedom, and identity as he undergoes a metamorphosis of sorts from a loyal war dog to a cybernetic mercenary.
With a past that mirrors that ofWolverine from Marvel Comics, Raiden was a child soldier who rebelled against his master once he discovered the truth. While not written by Kojima, Raiden’s character really came into his own inRevengeance. After a near-lethal event, Raiden was repaired, rebuilt, and released on his new path with a much colder disposition toward the type of actions he would take going forward.
2Solid Snake
The Perfect Soldier And The First Snake
Solid Snake is the main protagonist of multiple games in theMetal Gearfranchise and the backbone of the narrative of the many overarching stories in the series. Solid Snake is the original clone and pseudo-son of Big Boss, manifesting a need to rebel against his origins and not be a tool for destruction. Solid Snake is known for rebelling against those who made him and his so-called destiny to be the perfect weapon.What makes Solid Snake such an interesting characteris the struggle he faces while trying to do the right thing, even if it aligns with his initial purpose. Solid Snake has been a constant thorn in the side of Big Boss and the Metal Gear project, acting as a one-man army to prevent the next nuclear holocaust as a hero running out of time.
1Big Boss
The Main Snake In A Pit Of Vipers
Big Boss is the foundation on which the entireMetal Gearfranchise is built, as the origin of all Snakes leads back to his doorstep. Big Boss is the founder of the Diamond Dogs and Outer Heaven. He has led and created numerous organizations that deal with international espionage, assassinations, and terrorist attacks. While every character is the villain in someone’s story, Big Boss is more than just a maniac seeking conflict. Hideo has written the character as a true freedom fighter who decides to step into the mud to wash the world clean. Big Boss is seen as a malicious war profiteer and someone who uses child soldiers, but he is far more complex as a patriot fighting for freedom and for an army without borders to fulfill the Boss’s dream.
