10 Shocking Video Game Bait-And-Switches You'll Never Forget
1. Solid Snake Is Not The Main Character - Metal Gear Solid 2
In a piece of shock marketing genius, Hideo Kojima decided to make it appear as though Metal Gear Solid 2 was shaping up to be a very straight-forward sequel with minimal surprises. In so doing, he guaranteed that people would talk about the game even more after its release than on the lead-up.
At the centre of Metal Gear Solid’s wild, weaving and truly immersive plot was Solid Snake and his connection to FOXHOUND. Naturally, fans were eager to see Snake’s next journey and where it would take him.
And then, about an hour into the game, the character is seemingly killed off onboard a sunken tanker and the gaming community’s collective jaws hit the floor. Not leastwise because suddenly they were playing as the clean-cut, baby-faced Raiden with his soft voice and flowing locks - the aesthetic antithesis to Solid Snake.
Naturally, of course, Snake isn’t dead but either way Raiden becomes the game’s leading man.
After over 20 years since it’s release, people still discuss today the very nature of this infamous bait and switch and its impact, with many appreciating the balls it takes to make such a shocking move with others decrying that it was a cheap tactic that betrayed consumers’ trust.
Either way, Raiden was nowhere to be seen in the promotion for the game despite the fact that he was the true protagonist of one of gaming’s most anticipated sequels.