The trajectory of the career of Hideo Kojima after leaving Konami has been an unconventional triumph in which his risks have paid off so far. Death Stranding has managed to be built up as an IP which can potentially rival the prior prestige of MGS, but the lingering desire for a new entry in that franchise has led Kojima to return to its genre on his own terms. Even though this creative freedom tends to lead him towardsimitating film elements and an increasingly open-world design focus, it might be even better to be more directly inspired by the game that truly established a legacy.

Kojima Productions' OD Teased Actors, But Its In-Game Visuals are Where It Needs to Show Off

OD is one of Kojima Productions' most mysterious projects, and when more news is revealed, its visuals should take the spotlight.

The Development Timeline of Physint Calls the Direction of Kojima Productions into Question

Following the Examples of Death Stranding and MGS5 Risks Redundancy

Kojima has directly stated that he intends to make Physint comparable to a movie due to its realistic, cinematic presentation, and this has become a predictable direction for his studio. After the landmark changes to MGS5's formula which made it more of a photorealistic, open-world experience, these design trends have been carried over to Kojima Productions. Use of motion capture and third-person action is to be expected, but emphasizing a different style of gameplay would only help to diversify the studio's games at this point.

Forming Three Pillars Alongside DS2 and OD Requires Distinction

While it may be following its contemporaries by heavily utilizing mo-cap, the upcoming Kojima Productions horror game OD hasn't been confirmed to be featuring the same third-person camera angle as the likes of Death Stranding. Leaks have made it seem possible, but it would still be setting itself apart through distinct survival horror mechanics. If Physint truly hopes to stand on its own against these other two IPs, it can employ one meaningful difference, which would be a welcome callback.

Returning to the Isometric Stealth Style of the Original Metal Gear Solid in Physint Would Cement Hideo Kojima's Legacy

Honoring Nearly Four Decades of Metal Gear Presents an Opportunity

Long before it became a blend of open-world and mission-based, MGS began with a level-based structure seen primarily from a top-down camera angle. This tactical viewpoint largely became less prevalent with each following entry, to the point that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater's difficulty settings are now set to be based around the third-person versus isometric dynamic. Physint has been conceptualized as a return to espionage, and moving away from the more purely action-oriented perspective of being right behind the protagonist's back could send a powerful message about Kojima's lengthy career.

After the messy circumstances which led to the departure of Kojima from Konami, it's understandable that he would be far more interested in looking ahead with his own franchises. It will probably be years before Physint makes it to market though, and leaning into the nostalgia of an isometric camera is a decision that would transcend trends like open-world design. Following decades in the industry, the inevitable reflection of the origins of Metal Gear Solid manifesting in Physint would act as a fitting homage to Hideo Kojima's evolution.