What is Snatcher, Hideo Kojima’s Classic Sci-Fi Game?
Sophie Laurent 
Key Takeaways
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- Snatcher, directed by Hideo Kojima in 1988, was a groundbreaking cyberpunk game that introduced character voice acting to the gaming industry.
- The story of Snatcher is set in a post-apocalyptic world following a catastrophic bioweapon release known as The Cataclysm, which occurred in 1996 and resulted in an 80% population decrease.
- J.u.n.k.e.r., a special task force established to combat the Snatchers, is formed by combining the Polices Special Anti-Snatcher Task Force and Rug Hunt, a government intelligence agency. Players control Gillian Seed, a member of J.u.n.k.e.r., in the games post-Cataclysm world.
- Snatcher was heavily influenced by iconic 80s sci-fi films such as Blade Runner and The Terminator.
Hideo Kojima’s Groundbreaking Cyberpunk Game, Snatcher – Pioneering Voice Acting and ’80s Sci-Fi Influence
Snatcher, a cyberpunk adventure by Konami, was released in 1988. Directed and written by Hideo Kojima, it debuted in Japan that same year on NEC PC-8801 and MSX2. It was re-released in 1992 for the PC Engine and in 1994 for Sega CD, the latter being the only version available outside Japan. Further releases also occurred for PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Ahead of its time, Snatcher was one of the first fully cinematic games, with its PC Engine and Sega CD versions pioneering the introduction of character voice acting. Thanks to dedicated fan efforts, it has been translated into numerous languages. Its inspiration stems from iconic ’80s sci-fi films such as Blade Runner and The Terminator.
Hideo Kojima’s Snatcher Epidemic and J.u.n.k.e.r.’s Birth Post-The Cataclysm
On June 6, 1996, a blast at the Chernoton Research Center near Moscow released a deadly, secretly developed bioweapon called Luciferalpha into the atmosphere. Carried by monsoons, it spread across Eurasia, wiping out 80% of the population. The contaminated region remained uninhabitable for decades until Luciferalpha mutated into a non-lethal form. This catastrophe became known as The Cataclysm. Fifty years after The Cataclysm, strange artificial life forms, known as bioroids, were discovered among the casualties of an air crash. These entities, part living tissue and part machinery, perspire and bleed, making them nearly indistinguishable from humans. They appear during winter, killing their victims before taking over their lives. They are called Snatchers, named for their practice of abducting victims and assuming their identities. In 2047, a new threat prompted the government to establish a special task force called J.u.n.k.e.r. This acronym stands for “Judgement Uninfected Naked Kind Execute Ranger” in Japanese and “Japanese Undercover Neuro Kinetic Elimination Ranger” in the English game version. This task force was formed by combining the Police’s Special Anti-Snatcher Task Force and Rug Hunt, a government intelligence agency.
Hideo Kojima’s Post-Cataclysm Journey with Gillian Seed in J.u.n.k.e.r.’s Neo Kobe
Players control Gillian Seed, who, along with his amnesiac wife Jamie Seed, was discovered in a neutral Siberian zone in 2044 D.C. They were subsequently placed under protective custody by the 17th Investigative Force of Siberia. In 2045, Gillian separated from Jamie after losing contact with her and suffering from a mental fog. Following extensive military training, Gillian is then ordered to report to J.u.n.k.e.r. headquarters in Neo Kobe.
In Case You Missed It
For those intrigued by the world of gaming and its visionary creators, we have a fascinating piece that delves into the life and career of Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind “Death Stranding 2.” Published on July 29, 2025, Bruno Pferd’s insightful article offers a comprehensive look at Kojima’s journey from his early days at Konami to establishing his own studio. From Metal Gear Solid to Death Stranding and beyond, this blog post captures the essence of one of gaming’s most influential figures. For those following the latest twists and turns in the gaming industry, Sophie Laurent’s recent post on Players for Life is a must-read. Published on July 8, 2025, her article “Od Game by Kojima Survives Layoffs at Xbox” delves into the survival of Hideo Kojima’s mysterious project amidst Microsoft’s major layoffs and canceled projects. As the fate of Od hangs in the balance with Microsoft’s new AI investment strategy, fans are left wondering what this means for one of gaming’s most anticipated collaborations. If you’re a fan of Hideo Kojima’s universe, be sure to dive into “The First Hours of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach are a Delight” by Marcus Thompson (published on July 8, 2025), where he explores the early gameplay and narrative twists of this highly anticipated sequel. With insightful analysis from Pedro Zambarda and Ana Lesnovski, the post delves into how Death Stranding 2 diverges from its pacifist predecessor to embrace more action-packed elements while maintaining a compelling storyline centered around Sam Porter Bridges. Dive into the story of Hideo Kojima (read more Who is Hideo Kojima, Creator of Death Stranding 2 on the Beach?) and discover what makes him a legend in the industry. Dive deeper into the uncertainties surrounding Kojima’s latest venture by checking out Od Game by Kojima Survives Layoffs at Xbox and don’t miss out on this fascinating read The First Hours of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach are a Delight.
About the Author
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