Hideo Kojima's games are known for exploring complex topics such as false information, loneliness, and nuclear warfare. With Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, Kojima takes a deep dive into the role of language and, specifically, how English has grown to be the world's lingua franca. The game does this in both overt and subtle ways, and if gamers aren't observant, they may miss out on some of the clever commentary being made.

To the disappointment of fans, it appears that Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain will be the last entry in the series. However, it is quite a replayable game, and gamers can always find new details within it. By paying close attention to characters like Code Talker and Quiet, players can better understand some of the complex topics Kojima is attempting to tackle.

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Metal Gear Solid 5 and Language

Quiet from Metal Gear Solid 5

In Metal Gear Solid 5, Venom Snake leads a group of soldiers called the Diamond Dogs to seek revenge against those responsible for MSF's destruction. Along the way, they cross paths with Code Talker, a genius parasitologist who modifies the mysterious vocal cord parasite to use it as a biological weapon. When it is unleashed, it ravages Snake's Mother Base, causing many of his soldiers to fall ill. However, not all his staff are afflicted, so it is up to players to figure out precisely which individuals the virus is targeting.

For most players, the answer is far from obvious at first. Staff with differing specialties seem to be dropping like flies. Keen-eyed gamers eventually figure out that the common denominator is the language that the staff uses. Everyone that speaks Kikongo, a language common in Congo, is vulnerable to the virus. If players quarantine all staff who speak this language, the spread of the virus is stopped. This is a clever puzzle MGS 5 included, and it also ties into many of the main themes of the game.

Metal Gear 5 and the English Language

big boss on a motorbike smoking a cigar

It's no new trick for Kojima to interrogate complex topics in his games. MGS 5 attempts to make a lot of commentary on the role of English in the modern world, and how it has come to hold a dominant position. In many ways, this is a good thing, as it has allowed people from different countries to speak together. However, English domination can also lead to the erasure of native languages, and by extension, cultures, as the two are inextricably tied. This is seen in the game Code Talker, who is a Native American. However, he is sent to an American Indian boarding school where he is given the name George and taught that his native language, Navajo, is dirty.

Kojima has not limited these ideas to his video games. Loyal Kojima fans will have noticed that he is quite capable of speaking English, as shown in the example above. Nevertheless, when speaking to Western media, he always uses a translator. Given the way Kojima has carefully handles his public image, it is impossible not to conclude that this is an intentional decision. While it would be quite easy for Kojima to speak English, it appears that he has been making conscious choices to stand against English domination and proudly speak his native tongue.

Fans of Kojima can look forward to more cryptic games from the creative auteur. Kojima has announced that he has an Xbox game coming up, and clues from the developer suggest that a sequel to Death Stranding is on the way. Although there has been no official announcement made, past events suggest that the next chunk of news will arrive at the upcoming The Game Awards.

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

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