XMAS SPECIAL: Metal Gear Solid - Games Every Designer Should Play

Welcome to a Special Christmas Episode of Games Every Designer Should Play, the podcast that explores the world of game design by analysing some of the greatest games of all time. Join game design lecturers Stuart Lilford, Adrian Mills, and David Grant as they return to Shadow Moses to unpack the legacy of Metal Gear Solid — one of the most influential and idiosyncratic games ever made. 🚨 Spoiler alert for the game! We strongly recommend playing Metal Gear Solid before listening. In this episode, we explore how Metal Gear Solid blends cinematic storytelling, memorable characters, and inventive stealth mechanics to create a landmark experience. We discuss its iconic boss fights and how they subvert player expectations, the way it famously breaks the fourth wall, and how countless small details — codec calls, animations, sound design, and contextual interactions — elevate the entire experience. On the critical side, we examine the game’s portrayal of female characters, questioning how well it has aged, and debate whether the second disc adds meaningful tension or feels like unnecessary padding. We also reflect on how its setting, tone, and ambition defined The Rule of Cool. 🎧 Featuring listener feedback and the verdict: Is Metal Gear Solid still a must-play for every designer? 📧 Email us your comments or questions on the game discussed in the next episode at [email protected] Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share! #GameDesign #Podcast #GamesEveryDesignerShouldPlay #MetalGearSolid #StealthGames #NarrativeDesign Thank you for tuning in — and happy holidays! 🎄🎧✨ We are @ShouldPlayPod on Instagram, Twitter, BlueSky, Threads, and YouTube. === CREDITS === Music by Vasil Trofimov from Pixabay. Sound Effects by floraphonic from Pixabay. Thanks to Gary Mitchell for Technical Support.