Celebrating 25 years of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Celebrating 25 years of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty! On November 13, 2001, Director Kojima’s masterpiece arrived on PlayStation 2 in North America and changed video games forever. From its groundbreaking visuals and stealth gameplay to a story that still gives us plenty to think about, its impact remains undeniable.

Even now, there is something special about stepping back onto that tanker in the rain. The atmosphere, the music and the attention to detail made the leap from the original Metal Gear Solid feel enormous. You could spend ages experimenting with the smallest things before getting back to the mission.

That freedom was a huge part of the appeal. Aiming in first person, holding up guards for their dog tags and finding another way past a patrol gave us more reasons to keep coming back. It was exciting to discover just how much you could do within those environments.

A story we are still talking about

Then there is the story. Kojima took a massive creative risk with Raiden and our expectations of playing as Solid Snake. We were put in the position of someone who admired Snake, while gradually being forced to question the mission and the information we were being given.

Its questions about digital information, manipulation and what we choose to pass on have stayed with us. In Konami’s original introduction to the game, Kojima described its theme as passing memories and ways of life to future generations. Twenty five years later, we are still having those conversations, and MGS2 still has so much to say.

For us, that is why this anniversary means so much. The incredible work of Kojima and the team gave us a game we can enjoy for its stealth and spectacle, then spend years thinking about after the credits. Happy 25th anniversary, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. A masterpiece then, and a masterpiece now.

Kojima looks back on the anniversary

Kojima has also shared our anniversary tribute on his Japanese X account. Looking back to the game’s 20th anniversary on November 13, 2021, he posted in Japanese: “なんと、あれからもう20年？！！！” In English: “What, has it already been 20 years?!!!” Five more years have flown by since that message.

In another post that day, he remembered how much the team took on with MGS2: research trips to New York and tanker ships, military training, the push for 60 frames per second and motion capture with props and wires. He also recalled bringing in Kyle Cooper for the opening titles and visiting Hans Zimmer’s studio to ask Harry to work on the music. So much talent and ambition went into making this game what it is.

Sources

Hideo Kojima: 20th anniversary message, November 13, 2021
Hideo Kojima: Making MGS2, November 13, 2021
Konami: Original Metal Gear Solid 2 introduction
Konami: Metal Gear Solid 2 online manual, dog tags
Konami: Yoji Shinkawa’s MGS2 art interview
Our 25th anniversary post and artwork on X