Iconic Horror Game was Strong Inspiration for Stranger Things

Key Takeaways

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Stranger Things creators, the Duffer brothers, drew significant inspiration from Japanese pop culture and video games for the creation of the Upside Down and other elements in the series. Notable influences include Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Metal Gear Solid.
Hideo Kojima acknowledged that Stranger Things reminded him of works that inspired many of his own games, such as those from the 1980s. Ross Duffer specifically cited Kojimas bold creative choices in Metal Gear Solid as a source of inspiration for the series.
The influence of Japanese culture on the creation of Stranger Things extends beyond just video games and anime, with works such as Akira and Elfen Lied also being cited as principal sources of inspiration.
Upcoming events related to Stranger Things include the release of the next three episodes of Season 5 on Christmas Day, with the finale arriving on New Years Day. Fans are also examining newly released Rockin Robin playlists on Spotify for clues about the upcoming season, while Naughty Dogs Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is slated for release in 2027.

Stranger Things’ Upside Down and Silent Hill Connection Unveiled in Duffer-Kojima Chat

While Stranger Things has become a pop culture icon known for its homages, its creators also drew inspiration from lesser-known sources, including Japanese pop culture and video games. During a trip to Japan to promote the premiere of Stranger Things Season 5, Matt and Ross Duffer spoke with Hideo Kojima, revealing that Konami’s Silent Hill significantly impacted the creation of the Upside Down. Kojima responded that Stranger Things reminded him of the 1980s works that inspired many of his own games. The Duffers acknowledged that Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, and Stephen King were their primary influences. However, in a special documentary, they revealed that video games such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear Solid also inspired the series. Ross Duffer specifically cited Kojima’s bold creative choices in Metal Gear Solid as a source of inspiration.

Influence of Japanese Works on Stranger Things’ Creations Unveiled, Including Metal Gear Solid and More

The Duffer brothers explained that Japanese works significantly impacted the creation of Stranger Things. Matt Duffer stated that he and Ross consumed Japanese culture—anime and games—as youngsters, which proved equally influential. They cited Akira, Elfen Lied, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid as principal sources of inspiration. They filtered these elements through their youthful experiences and unique cultural perspectives to inform Stranger Things. Matt Duffer recalled being captivated by Metal Gear Solid at age 14. In related news, the next three episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 will be released on Netflix on Christmas Day, with the finale arriving on New Year’s Day. Fans are also examining newly released Rockin’ Robin playlists on Spotify for clues about the upcoming season, while Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a follow-up to The Last Of Us, is slated for release in 2027.

In Case You Missed It

In our gaming world today, there’s plenty to explore and celebrate. First up, Sophie Laurent has been busy unraveling mysteries from two highly anticipated titles. In “Death Stranding 2 is Kojima’s Magnum Opus,” published on December 20th, she digs into Hideo Kojima’s recent interview with Wired, revealing how the upcoming masterpiece Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has become his magnum opus thus far, promising improved cinematics and gameplay mechanics Death Stranding 2 is Kojima’s Magnum Opus. But that’s not all; Laurent also uncovers an unexpected truth in her latest Cyberpunk 2077 piece, “Long-Standing Theory Officially Confirmed by Studio: Night City as Cyberpunk 2077’s Antagonist,” published just yesterday. She delves deep into the game’s narrative intricacies, revealing how Night City serves as both protagonist and antagonist, straight from CD Projekt Red themselves Long-Standing Theory Officially Confirmed by Studio: Night City as Cyberpunk 2077’s Antagonist. Meanwhile, Jonathan Dubinski celebrates the magical success story of Hogwarts Legacy in his latest insight, “Hogwarts Legacy Passes 40 Million Sales, Sequel Can Proceed Unperturbed,” published on December 21st. He explores how this blockbuster hit is reshaping the gaming landscape and what it means for Warner Bros. Games Hogwarts Legacy Passes 40 Million Sales, Sequel Can Proceed Unperturbed. It’s an exciting time in gaming, and these articles offer a wonderful deep dive into some of the most talked-about titles right now.

Specification
Official Name	XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Brief Summary	XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics. The original XCOM is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made and has now been re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will expand on that legacy with an entirely new invasion story, enemies and technologies to fight aliens and defend Earth. You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.
Platforms	Xbox 360, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 3, Android, Mac
Released	October 9, 2012
Genre	Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Play Modes	Single player, Multiplayer
Content Rating	18
Languages	Czech, English, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil)
Genre	Firaxis Games
Genre	2K Games, Feral Interactive
Ratings	86/100 (549 reviews)