Legacy is a difficult thing to manage. Whether it's Marvel movies, Grand Theft Auto games, or British royalty, the weight of the past compounds the pressure for the future. Creators must grapple with fan expectations, many of whom have an encyclopedic knowledge of the lore, along with the creative impulse to evolve into something new and satisfying. Producing a legacy’s prequel is exponentially harder because even minute decisions must have a consequential echo somewhere. But when one nails a prequel, it can change everything. That’s what happened 20 years ago when Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater instantly became the standard for judging every other title in the series.
Released on November 17, 2004, Metal Gear Solid 3, the third title on PlayStation, but fifth in the series, was an instant hit for Konami and further cemented director Hideo Kojima’s legacy as gaming’s premier auteur. His signature stealth-action style is complimented by superb dialogue and a gargantuan narrative arc that does justice to the origins of Big Boss, the villainous centerpiece of the sprawling and complex saga at the heart of the franchise.
