David Hayter Finally Plays Metal Gear Solid V and Praises Its Gameplay

David Hayter's Long-Awaited Playthrough of Metal Gear Solid V

For years, fans of the iconic Metal Gear Solid series have known David Hayter as the voice of Solid Snake. However, a notable shift occurred with the release of 2015's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, where Kiefer Sutherland took over the role. This change led to Hayter famously avoiding the game, once describing the prospect of playing it as enduring “60 hours of humiliation.” Now, nearly a decade later, Hayter has finally experienced The Phantom Pain for himself, and his reaction might surprise many.

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, conducted ahead of the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid Δ, Hayter opened up about his decision to finally dive into MGSV. He admitted his initial reluctance stemmed from a feeling of personal slight but acknowledged that enough time had passed to move past it. “I didn't want to play this game because I thought it would hurt my feelings,” Hayter explained. “And then, you know, ten years went by and I thought, ‘Oh, screw my feelings. Who cares?’

As a writer, I make my living by constantly being fired, meaning sooner or later I'm literally fired from any project I've worked on, and I'm not a kid. I thought, 'Don't be a kid and play it.' And I played it. Beautiful game.”

A Newfound Appreciation for the Gameplay

This personal playthrough also offered Hayter a new perspective on the game’s dedicated fanbase. He confessed that it used to sting when fans cited Metal Gear Solid V as their favorite entry in the series, a game he wasn't part of. “I used to ask fans, ‘Which Metal Gear do you like the most?’ And when they said Metal Gear Solid V, I thought, ‘Damn, what the hell? Well, like, thanks. Do you want to scratch me too? Maybe spray lemon juice on the wound?’” he recounted. But now, having played it, his tune has changed dramatically. “And then I played it and I was like, ‘This is probably my favorite gameplay in the series.’”

Hayter specifically praised the game’s tactical depth and replayability. He highlighted how the ability to restart scenarios and choose different routes or attack tactics against predictable enemy movements made the experience feel akin to “time travel.” This flexibility and freedom in approaching missions clearly resonated with him, leading to a personal sense of closure. “So yeah, it was cool. Personally, I've forgiven everything,” he concluded.

Importantly, Hayter also reassured fans that he holds no ill will towards Kiefer Sutherland. The two actors have even met and shared a pleasant time together, showing a mature understanding of their professional roles.

This revelation from David Hayter adds an interesting chapter to the legacy of Metal Gear Solid V and the series as a whole. With the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid Δ, a remake of MGS3, set to launch on August 28 for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series (complete with Russian subtitles), fans have much to look forward to, including Hayter’s return to the role in the remake.