Metal Gear Solid 6 Protagonist Splits Gamers

Since the first Metal Gear entry released all the way back in 1987, many protagonists have led the charge in the beloved stealth games by none other than Hideo Kojima himself. From Solid Snake to his “genetic” father Big Boss (also known as Naked Snake), as well as the iconic Raiden and, more recently, Venom Snake, it is not easy to stay on track with all of these different snakes. However, with the franchise being widely regarded as one of the best, its fans make sure to stay on track with its ongoing lore and setting.

Now consisting of 17 total games, not including remakes, remasters, or ports, the Metal Gear franchise most recently welcomed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in 2015, but with no official confirmation of a potential Metal Gear Solid 6 by Konami, fans are left wondering what the future holds.

More importantly, fans have been speculating who could be our next protagonist if the franchise does continue. Will an old favorite such as Solid Snake or Raiden return? Or is it finally time for a brand-new protagonist, whether that means a familiar face taking up the mantle, or a new character entirely?

At the time of writing, we do not know, but that has not stopped fans from speculating. Over on r/metalgearsolid, one user asked, “How would you feel about MGS6 with a new protagonist?” However, with Kojima parting ways with Konami back in 2015 following the launch of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, a lot of fans are not looking forward to another entry without his expertise.

“I’d rather a spiritual successor myself,” one comment read. “MGS needs to rest; Its story has just finished on Kojima’s terms.” Another said, “I said this ten years ago, and I’m still saying it now. A complete reboot is fine. Don’t try and continue the canon with new stories, just start fresh. Scrap everything except the character of Solid Snake and the concept of a Metal Gear. All new characters, all new settings, all new stories. Put Metal Gear in the title, but call it something other than Solid. Establish it as a separate entity from the Kojima games.”

However, over on another thread, one user suggested that Meryl should become our brand-new protagonist in Metal Gear 6. “I don’t know how many people would feel about this, but there is an opportunity to make that character be better than how she was portrayed before.

In this hypothetical MGS6, it would take place ten years after MGS4. She and Johnny will work together in a similar way as Snake and Otacon. Johnny would still be the comedic levity of this new hypothetical MGS6….

There would of course be more detailed references to Snake and his final days. Maybe even a fond memory Meryl has of Snake revisited from previous games. An older Raiden, Sunny, and even Drebin could also make an appearance.”

Johnny and Meryl talk in a cutscene during an action sequence in Metal Gear Solid 4

With it becoming more and more common for female protagonists to take over later on in a franchise, much like in The Last of Us Part II and The Witcher IV, it would be exciting to see Meryl heading the charge in the next Metal Gear game. However, we can already hear the complaining from certain “fans.”

With suggestions of a new protagonist ranging from Psycho Mantis to Liquid Snake, to The Boss and Gray Fox, it seems as though the options would be endless if only Konami confirmed a potential Metal Gear 6. For now, however, the franchise has been left in the dust following Kojima’s departure.