Physint is stirring up plenty of buzz as one of three intriguing projects from Kojima Productions currently under wraps. Unlike OD and the much-anticipated Death Stranding 2: On the Beach slated for release this year, Physint remains shrouded in mystery. What’s certain, though, is the palpable excitement around Hideo Kojima’s return to familiar creative grounds.
For years, fans have clamored for a new Metal Gear game. Though Kojima no longer holds the reins to that iconic franchise following his split from Konami, Physint emerges as a beacon of hope for enthusiasts. It promises to channel the spirit of the beloved spy thrillers. There’s also speculation that Physint might borrow cues from Kojima Productions’ own Death Stranding series, famously dubbed a “strand-type game” by Kojima himself. Should Physint embrace this genre, it would come with its own set of advantages and potential pitfalls.
A strand-type game, at its core, emphasizes connectivity within a solo gaming experience. In Death Stranding, players often encounter traces left by others, like helpful structures, well-trodden paths, and lost cargo. This creates a unique connected yet solitary experience. Whether through leaving ladders or gifting items to fellow players, Kojima’s strand-type games build on the groundwork laid by Dark Souls in new and innovative ways.
Interestingly, Death Stranding 2 is also in the pipeline for this year, although its exact release date remains under wraps.
The idea of making Physint a strand-type game is appealing because it could weave in the communal gameplay style that Death Stranding championed. Though Dark Souls pioneered communal single-player gameplay, Death Stranding took it to new heights, embedding it into its core theme. While Physint might not be directly linked to Death Stranding, maintaining strand-type features across several projects could help cement Kojima Productions’ unique identity.
Yet, there are valid reasons to tread carefully. Should Physint be inspired by the Metal Gear legacy, it will likely require a more linear narrative as opposed to the expansive world of Death Stranding. Spy thrillers thrive on tightly woven stories and intense, stealthy tension, which might be diluted in an open-world format demanded by strand-type mechanics.
Moreover, it might be challenging for a spy thriller to focus on connection themes akin to those in Death Stranding. While Kojima could take an unconventional route with an espionage narrative, overly relying on Death Stranding’s mechanics might detract from the game if it feels out of place.
Meanwhile, Kojima is also immersed in another project, OD, a chilling horror game for Xbox.
Even though the mysteries surrounding Physint’s development are still largely impenetrable, there’s hope that new insights are not far off. Casting was stalled by the SAG-AFTRA strike, but now with that hurdle cleared, announcements could be imminent. As we edge closer to the year’s end and anticipate Death Stranding 2’s arrival, there’s palpable excitement over the possibility of Kojima shedding more light on what Physint has in store.
