One of the Greatest PS1 Games Released on This Day 27 Years Ago

The PS1 era in the 90s was defined by experimentation as developers explored how 3D was changing the game industry. Games became more than just entertainment and leaned heavily into the narrative side. Gameplay mechanics expanded and became more engaging. Visuals became more cinematic, emotional stakes rose, and new ways to interact with game worlds were implemented. It was a transformative moment for the gaming industry as the line between film and video games began to blur. One series exemplified this with a new release on the PlayStation, a series that is still alive today and has had a major impact on gaming.

Out of the PlayStation’s creative era came a game that redefined expectations for the industry. It popularized a genre like no title before it. It combined tension, strategy, and narrative ambition. It immerses players in a world where each step has to be carefully planned, and rushing in with guns blazing is not an option. On September 3rd, 1998, Metal Gear Solid was released, forever changing the stealth action genre.

From Metal Gear to Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid was not the first entry in the series, as Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake first introduced players to Solid Snake and his nemesis, Big Boss. They established the idea of stealth and tactics over firepower and mowing down endless enemies. Konami and Hideo Kojima’s 2D adventures showcased a world in which players must sneak, plan, and conserve resources. However, these titles largely remained in Japan, gaining only a small cult following for the rest of the world.

It wasn’t until Metal Gear Solid was released that the series gained mainstream appeal. Its launch on the PlayStation introduced the series in full force. Kojima took the ideas of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake and rebuilt them from the ground up for a new generation, fully embracing 3D graphics, voice acting, and the PlayStation’s cinematic capabilities.

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Metal Gear Solid wasn’t just a sequel; it was marketed as a fresh beginning and introduced the concept of tactical espionage as an action genre. The Solid in the title didn’t just signal a shift in direction, but rather how solid the entire gameplay philosophy was, and it paid off tremendously. Hideo Kojima may not be a part of it anymore, but the Metal Gear Solid series is still going strong today, as Metal Gear Solid Delta was recently released.

Metal Gear Solid’s Gameplay Defined a Genre

Beyond its new 3D graphics and cinematic flair, Metal Gear Solid’s gameplay set a new standard for stealth. The two previous titles hinted at avoiding detection and set the foundation for the stealth action of the series. But the transition to PlayStation fully realized these mechanics, ones that other stealth games would imitate for years.

The overhead camera, combined with 3D environments, created multitudes of new stealth options. Players could sneak through vents, hide in boxes, use sound to distract guards, and so much more. Enemies operated on line-of-sight detection, and discovering the player led to the iconic “!” alert system. Boss fights tested ingenuity as much as reflexes, often requiring players to think outside of the box. Literally, as one boss physically required you to switch controller ports.

Metal Gear Solid wasn’t just about stealth. It emphasized freedom, allowing players to approach problems in multiple ways to solve them. Patience and planning were the intended route, but players could engage in shootouts if discovered. This made Metal Gear Solid approachable for fans of both types of gameplay and offered replayability.

The Legacy of MGS Still Endures Today

Over 27 years ago, Metal Gear Solid birthed a classic series. It went on to sell over six million copies worldwide, solidifying itself as one of PlayStation’s defining titles. It became a cultural moment that helped legitimize video games as a serious storytelling medium and laid the foundation for their sequels. These continued to push the boundary, especially regarding its narrative.

To this day, the Metal Gear series has some of the most dedicated fans and is still alive. Hideo Kojima gave the world a blueprint for stealth action games and created an unforgettable story. Metal Gear Solid leapt into the gaming industry with cinematic ambition and innovative gameplay, solidifying itself as one of the era’s most groundbreaking titles.