David Hayter Plays Metal Gear Solid V After 10 Years; Here’s What Happened
Carlos Mendoza 
Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- David Hayter overcame his decade-long reluctance to play Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, citing maturity and a desire to move past his feelings as the reasons for playing.
- After playing, Hayter found new appreciation for the gameplay in MGSV and stated that it might be his favorite in the series.
- He praised the games design for allowing players to take different routes or attack strategies, likening it to jumping through time.
- Hayter met Kiefer Sutherland, who replaced him as Snakes voice actor in MGSV, and described him as a cool guy with no hard feelings.
David Hayter Overcomes Decade-Long Reluctance, Plays ‘Metal Gear Solid V’ Despite Past Frustrations
David Hayter, the long-time voice of Solid Snake and Naked Snake in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, recently played Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain—a decade after its release. This was the first game in the series where Kiefer Sutherland replaced Hayter as Snake’s voice actor. Initially, Hayter had expressed strong reluctance to play the game, famously telling Game Informer in 2016 that he considered it “60 hours of humiliation I can’t bear.” He harbored some resentment towards the game and his replacement. However, Hayter eventually had a change of heart. Speaking to PC Gamer, he reflected on his decision to finally play, stating, “There was some hesitation… I didn’t want to play because I thought it would be tough. But then, after ten years, who cares about my feelings? I’m a writer, but I always end up getting fired to make ends meet… I thought: Time to grow up and play the game. So I did.”
David Hayter Rediscovers ‘Metal Gear Solid V’, Finds New Appreciation for Gameplay and Kiefer Sutherland
His experience with Metal Gear Solid V proved transformative. Hayter admitted that he had previously felt “a bit miffed” when fans cited MGSV as their favorite in the series, quipping, “I’d ask fans, ‘Which Metal Gear is your fave?’ If they said MGSV, I’d shoot back: ‘Really? You think I need a paper cut too?'” Yet, after playing, he concluded, “This might just be my favorite gameplay in the series.” He lauded the game’s design, noting, “The fact that you can enter the same scene each time, with the soldier doing the same thing, but you can take different routes or attack strategies, feels like jumping through time. So yeah, it was amazing.” Adding to this newfound perspective, Hayter also revealed he met Kiefer Sutherland at a bar in Dallas. Describing their interaction, Hayter stated, “Yep, he’s a cool guy. No hard feelings. Everything’s forgiven.” Ultimately, Hayter no longer holds any grudges towards Metal Gear Solid V or Kiefer Sutherland, instead praising the game’s design and even calling its gameplay his favorite in the franchise.
In Case You Missed It
For all fans of classic gaming who are eagerly anticipating the return of iconic titles with modern twists, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest piece on Players for Life is a must-read. Published on August 22, 2025, “Metal Gear Solid Delta Includes Mini-Game Produced by PlatinumGames” details the exciting collaboration between Konami and PlatinumGames to bring back the beloved Guy Savage mini-game in Metal Gear Solid Delta. This thrilling update promises to captivate both nostalgic players and newcomers alike. Don’t miss out on this fascinating development; head over to the post Metal Gear Solid Delta Includes Mini-Game Produced by PlatinumGames for all the details! If you’re a fan of the Metal Gear Solid series and curious about the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding voice actors, be sure to check out “David Hayter Enjoyed Playing Metal Gear Solid 5” by Jonathan Dubinski (published on August 17, 2025). This insightful piece delves into David Hayter’s journey from reluctance to redemption with MGSV: The Phantom Pain. From his initial feelings of sadness to his current admiration for the game and reconciliation with Kiefer Sutherland, this story is a must-read for any gamer interested in the human side of video games. David Hayter Enjoyed Playing Metal Gear Solid 5! For all you Metal Gear Solid fans out there, Sophie Laurent recently dug into the latest news from Konami with her post titled “Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Delta Remake Reveals Gameplay Igniting Excitement” (June 9, 2024). She explores how this highly anticipated remake is addressing previous criticisms and bringing back original voice actor David Hayter to reprise his role as Snake. Dive into the action-packed details at Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Delta Remake Reveals Gameplay Igniting Excitement to see what makes this remake a must-watch for gaming enthusiasts!
About the Author
Bruno Pferd 
Jonathan Dubinski 
Sophie Laurent 
