We have entered a new era of Marvel’s gaming. Sony’s Spider-Man kickstarted a brand new franchise. Marvel’s Avengers attempted a new style of game for the franchise. Now, many of us wondered if we could see any other games based on iconic characters. Spider-Man had the advantage of learning from the games that were released years ago. So, I started wondering if there is any template that would be perfect to use for the Marvel universe. At one point, I was replaying Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, and I then realized it. Hideo Kojima could bring us an amazing game based on the spy organization S.H.I.E.L.D. I do doubt he would ever tackle a third-party IP like this but it is still a fun experiment. So, here are the reasons I believe that Kojima would be perfect to bring Nick Fury and the spy organizations into the gaming world.
Tactical Espionage Action
So, the most obvious reason is the stealth-gameplay from the Metal Gear Solid. Just imagine being able to take control of iconic S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Quartermaine, or Jimmy Woo. You’ll have a set of different characters available with unique aspects. Quartermaine might be more of a combat-focused character. He has more ammunition available while Jimmy can hack specific doors. You can access different missions where you infiltrate locations from comic history like an underwater HYDRA base. Maybe you even have to sneak through the Avengers mansion. They are spies so they will do anything to get access to the information they need. They also are regular people so they won’t be able to just take on superpowered individuals. So, it makes sense that they are more stealth-based.
Let’s imagine a scenario of Maria Hill having to get her hands on valuable intel. It would reveal the whereabouts of Baron Zemo, who has gone off their radar. So, you infiltrate the location while stealing one of the soldier’s uniform. Halfway through the base, you realize you don’t have the required key card to continue. So, you have multiple choices. You can use Maria’s knack for disguises to take over from a higher ranking member. Of course, you have to learn the enemies’ patterns and find the perfect time to steal it. Or, you try to squeeze your way through an air duct through which you uncover a discussion between Zemo and the Grim Reaper. You could risk jumping in to take them out, or you focus on your mission.
Heroic World Building
There is one more reason that Kojima‘s approach to storytelling would work well with a S.H.I.E.L.D.-based game. He has this style that easily blends supernatural worlds with military action. To give an example, the original MGS focuses on the character of Solid Snake. The story slowly eases us into a world filled with supernatural characters. Many players fondly remember the moment Psycho Mantis takes over our controller. The entire game ends in a battle on top of a giant Metal Gear mech. He isn’t a stranger to this type of storytelling that would help players jump into a world filled with superheroes, magic, and other dimensions. Plus, he has a way of handling even the most absurd characters. Even S.H.I.E.L.D. has its fair share of strange members like Dum Dum Dugan sticking around since the 1940s.
It would be such a perfect opportunity to let Kojima‘s sometimes insane writing style enter this expansive world. Marvel already did all the world-building over its history. Death Stranding is quite a confusing story, but it does work on an incredible world-building. You start a simple espionage story before you realize people aren’t who they seem to be. You are facing villains with abilities beyond your comprehension, but there is no way around them. Some of your teammates are Skrulls in disguise. It also lets the boss fights get crazier as the story progresses. It opens up the question if S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes too dependent on the heroes to come to the rescue. Nick Fury wants to take things into his own hands and prove that humans are capable of so much more. If there is anyone that can keep the balance of realism and surrealism.
Just a Pipe Dream
Even as I write this article, I know it is a pipe dream. Kojima Productions is focusing on unique IPs. Marvel would supervise soo much that Kojima would get flashbacks to the times working at Konami. Moreover, Konami still has the rights to the Metal Gear Solid franchise. A similar build would get the attention of their lawyers. Still, a part of me hopes that this concept could see the light of day at one time. They can create a roster of unique characters that would include Inhumans or Mutants. Your roster grows as the game’s world starts to expand with new threats. You can be part of S.H.I.E.L.D. growing throughout the game and seeing it adapt to the world around it. It also forces you to adapt your playstyle along the way, as each new mission or encounter comes with its own new challenge. In a world filled with wonders, wouldn’t you want to prove the world you can stand among the mightiest?
