Kojima did not cook. Rather, he showed his brain is fried. This sequel didn't need to exist. While the gameplay is improved it's in service of a lazy narrative that feels more like an obligation than Kojima actually having something worth saying. In fact I'd argue he basically just rehashed the original but this time put in more action and combat in the believe that burgers would appreciate his original message if he pandered to them more, since he was infamously supremely butthurt at the reception DS1 got. The celebrity friends bullshit is getting obscene and it's actually insane that the guy who started out with just blatantly making Big Boss's portrait in MGS1 Sean Connery ended up right back there. The wacky juvenile bullshit feels completely out of place when the game has a such somber tone, moody setting, and a soundtrack that just seems to be the Depressed White Girl playlist on Spotify. The constant MGS callbacks are just disheartening given how Kojima has for years huffed and puffed about being chained to Metal Gear and yet apparently even leaving Konami isn't enough for him to mentally leave the plantation so look, here's Snake and REX and "It's Not Over Yet". I hope his horror game will be a new leaf but considering he put a tranny in it I think he really may just be done.