While this would be a shocking turn of events for Kojima Productions, it does not seem impossible. The game could benefit from Game Pass as well as funding from Microsoft, and Kojima could take full advantage of the power provided by the Xbox Series X. However, there is one big downside that could be seen if Kojima leaves the PlayStation brand behind. If there is one clear advantage that the PS5 has over the Xbox Series X, it is the DualSense controller — and seeing someone as clever as Kojima being unable to make use of it would be a shame.
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Kojima’s Past Controller Creativity
Even with older controllers, Hideo Kojima has shown extreme levels of creativity. A clear example of this can be seen in the iconic encounter with Psycho Mantis from the original Metal Gear Solid, as one of the methods for defeating the foe was directly tied to controllers. Back before controllers were wireless, gamers had to have them connected to one of the console’s ports at all times. With Psycho Mantis being a mind reader, Kojima designed his abilities around reading controller inputs. As such, he countered everything the player did, with the eventual solution seeing fans unplugging their controller and putting it into the second port.
This genius fourth-wall break was mentioned inside Metal Gear Solid 4, though this time, Kojima’s strategy for surprising Metal Gear Solid fans was different. During the Screaming Mantis battle, Psycho Mantis appears, wowing players once again with his craftiness. Directly asking those on the other side of the screen to place the DualShock 3 on the floor, the character made each end of the controller vibrate to essentially have the controller walk towards the screen. A mind blowing moment with a hidden variant for players not using a controller with vibration functionality, the sequence is a highlight of Metal Gear Solid 4.
The Potential of PS5’s DualSense
Cleary, Kojima has a knack for making good use of a console’s controller in his games, and it would be amazing to see what he could do with the DualSense technology. Adaptive triggers would be a great way for Kojima to add weight to certain moments, while haptic feedback would surely be used in a creative way. While developers have shown the strengths of the DualSense via gunfire, different floor textures, and other small tricks, a creative mind like Kojima could surely take things further. Having the touch pad available is yet another benefit.
With Hideo Kojima’s next project rumored to be horror-related, DualSense could have been even more impactful. Feeling each footstep as some kind of monstrosity searches for a player could have been horrifying, while the haptic feedback could simulate heavy breathing or a heart beat as well. Adaptive triggers could add tension to gunfights or weight to melee weapon swings, while more creative uses could see them no longer resisting once an enemy is strangled. With Kojima surely able to think of something more off-the-wall to do with the controller, too, not seeing it used would be a shame.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with the Xbox Series X controller, it is largely the same as the one seen for the Xbox One. As such, it lacks the more intriguing features of the DualSense, limiting those making games for the platform when it comes to controller-based creativity. While Kojima Productions working on something new for Xbox fans is exciting, especially if it is horror-related, it is hard not to think about the lack of the DualSense controller becoming a downside. While the game would surely still be great, it might just let longtime Kojima fans down in terms of its controller tricks.
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