Policenauts references in the Metal Gear Solid series

[absolutboy]

In MSG 2 in the mail room on shell one all the machinery has tokugawa written on it

[HydroAlexis]

Something i noticed on a recent playthrough

When you are escaping with drebin near the end of act 1 the mech used by the soliders there looks very similiar to the mech's for the police in policenauts

[dsasuke]

for those who don't know there an english fan-traslation available just google it.

I played the game with it and its awesome :)

[jshawn777]

whats the name of the music?

[YaowBucketHEAD]

I'd think a PSN release of this and Snatcher, translated (doesn't even have to be dubbed for the audio parts) would do surprisingly well.

I'd purchase it in a heartbeat.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@YaowBucketHEAD I would too.

[jimmicrackhead12]

whats the music?

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@jimmicrackhead12 I believe I got it from the free music list that YouTube provides and I've since forgotten its name. Sorry.

[Zero421KojimaSnake]

Hey do you know which character was remove on MGS2 from policenauts?

[GirianSeed573]

@ 3:41 I heard Jonathan of Rat Patrol 01 was of Korean decent, where as in Policenauts, only his wife, Lorrane, was of any Asian decent.

[RAZRfreak]

What's the name of the song? It's very romantic, perfect for a candlelight dinner. LOL

[HilariousOperation]

Don't forget that, in reference to Metal Gear, One of the neon signs in the Policenauts opening says, "Solid Snake."

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@HilariousOperation Yeah, I've heard about that one, but I wanted to focus on Policenauts references in Metal Gear, not the the other way around.

[Speekies]

There's a poster in MGS2 while playing as raiden in where u r using an enemy suit and an AK... over the office in the first shell, B1.

[xrs9697]

2:28 wtf which mgs is that in?

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@xrs9697 I believe it is the Gamecube remake of MGS1

[goatgoat]

very nice video, I hope kojima does translate it =)

[baseballfuries08]

@goatgoat There's a translation already! A couple of guys did it, google it and you'll find it.

[jstanl]

I really appreciate your vid, and I certainly hope for an official release as well. I really think Kojima wants to deep down, which is why he's leaving MGS somewhat after 4. I think he only oversees some of the games now. I'm not sure. I definitely would love a reboot of Policenauts and Snatcher or at least a re-release.

[Zignant]

What about snatcher?

Are there any other references besides metal gear MK?

[HydroAlexis]

Awesome game i am at ACT 5 now once completed i need to track down a copy of snatcher.

[iloveconfetti]

makes sense his name would be dave after all since dave always had a thing for meryl buying her ellis and what not.

[Eneru89]

What is the name of this song?

[Konicava]

Do anyone think it's a pro-policenauts video?

to me it was an antiMGS video...

[totoroslayer]

Another small similarity, the rolling scanlines you see in the BBC news video clips mimic the rolling scanlines you see in the character portrait/videos during the codec sequences in MGS.

[NeoHoshi]

It'sd sure be nice to see one of the many japanese gems that were never given to western gamers translated and released here.

On a side note, i always took Snakes real name of David to come from the voice actor's name, David Hayter.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@NeoHoshi Kojima still insists that that was a lucky coincidence.

[DaGleese]

@JamesTobiasStewart just like christopher randolph, who looks exactly like otacon in real life, went to voice snake and was not what they were looking for, but got the part of otacon, because he basically IS otacon

[NoLeftThumbs]

you can find just as many Snatcher references in the series. Also the name "David" has nothing to do with Policenaughts, it's to do with the biblical themes in MGS.

[KazuoKiriyama666]

@NoLeftThumbs "Policenauts". And I think you'll find MGS owes a lot to Policenauts.

[NoLeftThumbs]

@KazuoKiriyama666 my mistake, it was late when I posted that. My point stands though, there are a LOT more Snatcher/Escape from/Bond references in the seriers.

[filipeflower]

NoLeftThumbs ,I'm sorry about replying to your comment after 11 Months, but who the hell told you that Solid Snake's real name (David) has to do with Biblical themes or his American voice actor ? You haven't done your research, have you ?

[NoLeftThumbs]

@filipeflower hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahah­aha oh my god. MGS is FULL of biblical themes. Solid is the inferior clone to liquid, yet overcomes him = david and goliath. John, Adam, Eva etc are all biblical names too fuck, even snake can be interpritated as a biblical link. I'm not sure where you got the idea I was referring to david hayter anywhere, but then again, you seem to be pretty arrogant so i cant say i'm surprised that you just added things in.

[filipeflower]

First of all, you have to realize that the idea of introducing Biblical themes only appeared in the sequels later. The closest thing to a "Bilblical refference" you can find in the first 'Metal Gear Solid' is this line: "God's got a sense of humour, alright".

As for His name beeing David, it's already been established that Hideo Kojma took the name from 2 fictional characters: David Bowman ('2001: A Space Odyssey') and Dave Forrest ('POLICENAUTS'). Otacon's real name was based on the Computer.

[NoLeftThumbs]

@filipeflower 1) I never mentioned otacon, eeryone knows that HAL is the computer in 2001. 2) Kubrik took david from biblical stories as a name for his character 3) There has been biblical themes since mgs1, arguably even in metal gear 2 solid snake with the whole second coming of big boss. Kojima has stated that biblical works had a big impact on mgs.

[filipeflower]

1-) Isn't that what I just said ?

2-) And what does Kubrik has to do with this ?

3-) And what information source did you use for that ?

[NoLeftThumbs]

@filipeflower

1) But why did you say it? No one mentioned otacon, you're 'correcting' me on something I never disagreed with

2) Since kubrik directed 2001, a big influence on mgs, i'd say he has plenty to do with name inspiration

3) Interviews, the games themselves etc etc

[filipeflower]

1-) Just to make sure you caught it .

2-) If you're talking about Snake's real name (David) beeing taken from the astronaut David Bowman, then yeah.

3-) You have to be more specific than that.

[NoLeftThumbs]

@filipeflower I don't think it's possible to be more specific than "the games" combined with that list I wrote you highlighting some very basic running biblical themes, but payton and shinkawa have both stated that there are running biblical themes in mgs. Fuck, even Eva mentions running biblical themes in mgs3 and again in 4.

[filipeflower]

I ask for your specific information sources (that you supposedely have) and you only provide me with vague information. That makes me doubt your credibility. If you want me to check that out by myself, specify your information sources (instead of vague information like "interviews, the games themselves, etc."), so I can know where you (supposedely) found that. And in case you haven't noticed, 'Metal Gear Solid 3' and 4 didn't exist in 1998, so that refference of yours doesn't count. Unproven .

[benjamillion]

i think the policenauts footage was taken out in the gamecube version of the first metal gear solid when otacon mentions anime

[121BigRed]

@benjamillion It was. Zone of the Enders footage was in its place.

[baseballfuries08]

There is a translation (a patch) for playing it in English...

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@baseballfuries08 Yes, but I can't get the actual game to use the patch with.

[baseballfuries08]

@JamesTobiasStewart @JamesTobiasStewart you could just download the game already patched...

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@baseballfuries08 Where could I do that?

[baseballfuries08]

@JamesTobiasStewart i'll send you an MP, i can't put links on Youtube's comment box

[QwoPhasaArius]

@JamesTobiasStewart Or, you know, torrent the game or find it on a warez forum. It's not that difficult. It should be up on warez.bb or just google "Policenauts torrent". Not rocket science! Hope this helped, if you haven't got your hands on it yet.

[jthmguitarist]

You could just skip the entire Meryl section with "Same character".

Another reference that my friend noticed: When it shows Becker for the first time, Johnathan says something like "So you're the Big Boss around here" and Gates also looks like Solidus.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@jthmguitarist I suppose that is true, but I decided to show why they're the same character.

I hadn't known that one, thank you.

[JohnKiller118]

I'm a huge fan of Hideo Kojima's "Metal Gear" series, and I feel like I'm missing out on his other works.

I tried to play Snatcher via Sega CD emulator, but... it just doesn't do it for me. Maybe if I use Custom Firmware on my PSP and play it as a portable game. It does feel like one of those "pick up and play" games.

After I beat that, I'll play this game.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@JohnKiller118 I've been trying to do that, but I can't get it work.

[adventjust1n]

don't both meryls have a foxhound tattoo on their left arm? you see MGS meryl's paint tattoo in MGS1

[saneroner]

there is a translated version out already. google it and you will find it. im playing it now on my psp.

[MiDSinister]

Thank God for the Policenauts fan translation. :D :D :D

[RockNrollBowl]

If Konami released an English translated version of Policenauts on the UK PS3 network, I wouldn't hesitate buying it !

I completed Snatcher last year and thought the game was pretty awesome. However, I've read online that people prefered Policenauts compared to Snatcher.

Good video btw (Y)

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@RockNrollBowl I'd get it fast if I had the chance.

Thanks!

[wirelessoptical]

Great film, thanks for giving us policenauts fans something cool!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@wirelessoptical Happy to do it! Thank you!

[arturito46]

Hi!

I`m a great fan of Policenaut, and I have a new curiosity, in the firts scenes, you could see in a restaurant when you`re figthing versus Redwood, when he killed Lorraine, a Solid Snake poster.

A really good video, thanks!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@arturito46 Yes I think I've heard that one, but because I still haven't been able to play Policenauts, I have focused on Policenauts references in the Metal Gear series, but maybe if I get to play the game some day I can do the opposite. Thank you for your comment!

[Robygol89]

very interesting video really... you must be a great fan of the metalgear saga and of kojima as well, just like me... congratultions again...

[JamesTobiasStewart]

@Robygol89 I am a fan yes, thank you!

[zaciroth]

A psp version or a PSN one wouldn't be that hard since it was released like that in Japan.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Exactly. It would be that hard, so why not do it.

[Kyoshiro1902]

The reason that Snake's name is David, is because his voice actor was David Hayter, but besides that everthing fits together well.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Actually Kojima has spent years denying that that is the reason, apparantly he picked it before David Hayter was cast.

[banasrab]

His name was David in the Japanese version as well. Kojima drew reference from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Dave and Hal.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Indeed, the David Hayter thing was coincidence.

[DezuReborn]

Playing Policenauts (the translated version) at the moment. I'm a huge fan of the Metal Gear franchise, it's good to play Kojima's other work. Thanks for the upload.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Your welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I tried getting the translation but at present I can't get it to work. Is it good?

[DezuReborn]

It's very good. You can't get it to work? Try the pSX 1.13 emulator. It fully emulates a PS1, and everybody says Policenauts work perfectly on it. Emulators such a ePSXe are just a bunch of plugins combined to make specific games work, while pSX is basically a PS1 on its own. It doesn't even support plugins because everything works perfectly.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Need any kind of special hardware to make that work or is it all software?

I like to be clear.

[DezuReborn]

It's a program which is like... 2 MB. You start it, you choose File > Open CD image > You open your ISO (you can also run the original disc) and you just play it on your PC using keyboard controls.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

So you need to get the game disc somehow? I don't have it at the moment.

[DezuReborn]

You can just download the ISO. If you want a good link, PM me.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Thanks.

I tried messaging you, but you have friend only set.

[Dilmar]

LOOOL your completly right

its like copy and paste

but still konami is greate

anyway i will rate it awesome

THANKS

PEACE

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Thank you very much for that.

Konami is still very cool.

[Legohood]

has to be the gayest song in man history

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well I got it from the audioswap system.

[DezuReborn]

I think it's okay.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Why thank you.

[NanomanKanae]

What about the posters on the wall in mgs1?, in the room where yo fight ninja, Otacons lab?

[JamesTobiasStewart]

I thought I'd mentioned that.

[NanomanKanae]

oh really? opps soz didnt c it.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

It's near the end.

[1994Powerslave]

I always believed that MGS has complicated story and even more so complicated origin. Thank you very much JamesTobiasStewart, now this make lot more sense to me. And, btw, I love song from Policenauts ending, I hears for the first time in MGS1, and that song was waking me in the morning, and till one month ago I thought that this song was originaly from MGS, but anyway cool song. As I said great video. Greetings from fans of Kojima's work in Serbia! Peace!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Thank you very much for your kind word, glad you enjoy Kojima's work so much!

[1994Powerslave]

Oh My God!!!! I

[AgentEntropos]

Although I knew of a lot of these before this video, I didn't know of the Tokugawa Heavy Industries/Cyborg Ninja exoskeleton reference and I didn't notice that Meryl's jumpsuit in MGS1 is the same as Dave Forrest's in Policenauts. Well spotted.

[AgentEntropos]

I always just assumed Solid Snake's name, David, was based on the voice actor, David Hayter, but in retrospect that doesn't make a lot of sense because he would have been picked during the localization process. It could be a reference to Dave Forrest but like someone said in the comments section, it is most likely a reference to 2001 (well spotted, whoever that was)

[AgentEntropos]

You should really find some way of getting your hands on the fan translation though. You could try purchasing a Japanese PS1 or picking up a modded one, or in the worst case scenario you could play it on emulator. It is honestly one of the best games ever made and in my opinion even betters the mighty Snatcher.

[AgentEntropos]

I'd like to see it get ported to the DS but I can't see it happening. I'd say the reason it wasn't ported was because there wasn't enough demand at the time. On a mainstream scale, next to no one knows about Snatcher outside of Japan so it could have been a huge risk for them. These days games like these are more accepted overall. Just look at the Phoenix Wright series, it took Capcom years to port it to the rest of the world but when they did there was a big demand for it so you never know.

[RadiantSilvergun3]

I think some of these are a stretch like Snake and David Forrest sharing the sam first name, and Jim Housemen being modeled after the old guys whose name I forget.

[DeathattacksReviews]

that because hideo kojima was the Designer

for Policenauts

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Then you'd think he'd support an official release in the English speaking nations and beyond.

[DeathattacksReviews]

he made metal gear before policenauts

but think a about for min here do you want

Konami milk off this as well metal gear.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well I am curious to have the chance to play it myself. Plus from what I've heard its not a story that could have sequels, though obviously I'm not certain.

[exammaster]

Dude, I hope that if Kojima translates Policenauts in the english speaking nations that he puts it on PS3 and Xbox360. Great video by the way!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Likewise and thank you very much.

[exammaster]

I think that Policenauts would be great on the wii as well but that's just me. I know SNATCHER would be. ^ ^

[JamesTobiasStewart]

I don't own a wii, but I would buy one if it meant the chance Policenauts and Snatcher for myself.

[Yarsh52]

Kojima is just taunting us haha.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Maybe he is, I really hope not though.

[Yarsh52]

Really great video by the way.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Thanks a lot!

[mafiaz187]

I learned a lot of new stuff from this vid, thank you!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

No problem, happy to.

[ico128]

Also,according to the document of mgs2,there was suposed to be a news broadcast during the credits in wich a news anchor called "Karen Hojo" stands before the statue of liberty and tells that arsenal gear has moved the statue during the crash.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Yeah, but since it didn't actually go into the series proper I couldn't use it.

[hcl11]

You know? in MGS2 are a moment were the words POLICENAUTS can be read when you are sending the pictures of metal gear to otacon

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Thats cool I didn't know that.

[Jehuty77]

You know policenauts has already been translated by the fan community right

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Yes, but when I made this, they weren't finished, and I for one can't use it.

[TheRussianGestapo]

Oh, Kojima does love his references. Metal Gear MkII in MGS4 (as well as the hilarious codec convo where Otacon insists that it'll help in around 50 years' time...a bit more than that by the time of Snatcher, mate), Snake's Gillian Seed disguise in the third act of MGS4, and "Cunningham" of Portable Ops being a reference to Benson Cunningham in Snatcher.

Indeed, I thank you for filling in the bits of Policenauts trivia I don't already know! I'm glad someone has their facts straight!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Why thank you!

[stewemaster3212]

And what about David Hayter? I meen he is the the voise of Solid and that's because his name is david.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Kojima has always insisted that that was a coinsidence.

[Bijoucat13]

Actually, Snake's real name (David) was based off of the Space Oddyssey. Hal (The computer) and Dave. There's even a reference to this at the end of the 1st game :)

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Quite possibly yet, but there are similarities between Dave and Snake.

[Bijoucat13]

There are, but Kojima even said himself that he got his name from Dave in the Space Odyssey. What with the team Hal and Dave. But that's not to say he can't be both.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

I think it is that, a bit of both.

[Bijoucat13]

indeed

[karbonus]

"However due to the decline of the 3DO hardware, development of the game shifted to the PlayStation shortly after it was released."

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Thanks for the info.

[karbonus]

Relation between this game e Metal Gear Solid. This one is in Wikepedia:

"Kojima originally planned the third Metal Gear game, to be called Metal Gear 3, and to release it for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in 1994. Conceptual artwork, by illustrator Yoji Shinkawa, of the characters Solid Snake, Meryl Silverburgh, who was also a character in the adventure game Policenauts, and the FOXHOUND team, were included in the Policenauts: Pilot Disk preceding the release of the full 3DO game in 1995

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well I know that Meryl was in Policenauts, but that is interesting.

[karbonus]

You ask why Konami didn't translate Policenauts... There various reasons:

1 - Remember Snatcher? It's a nice game, but didn't sell very well. They feared that Policenauts would fail too

2- Actually the translation did begun in some part, but

apparently Kojima disliked the voices (maybe just a excuse)

3- And Konami favored games in 3d that time

(like Metal Gear Solid)

That's it!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

That annoying, really annoying.

Thanks for this information.

[frankinberries]

sorry to post more but you have to look deeper. Look at Snatcher the game before Policenauts. That is referenced in a few of the games.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

I didn't want to involve Snatcher in this, that another video for the future.

[frankinberries]

In your video there said to be no English translation in sight. There is an English patch. I've been watching and waiting for it for over 4 years.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

The patch wasn't ready when I made this.

[ultimus6665]

I thought Snake's name was David because of him being voiced by David Hayter...

[JamesTobiasStewart]

No according to Konami its just a coincidence.

[Gumbydunzeeto]

Just play the game with the fan translation patch.

Konami had their chance to translate and they didn't.

Screw 'em/

[JamesTobiasStewart]

I've got the patch, it's the actual game I don't have.

[legacycz]

I have something. In the beginning of the game, there is a bar called "Solid Snake". I think I don't have to tell anything about it:-D.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Ah yes, I remember, I didn't put that in because I was going for Policenauts in MGS not the other way around.

[legacycz]

So that's why you changed my codename:-D. Anyway, your video is cool:)

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Why thank you.

[SoloWing3844]

I don't think Policenauts and the Metal Gear Solid series are set in the same universe.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

They're almost certainly not but Kojima created both and likes to put references from the one into the other.

[drunkensailor112]

I think there are more similarities between akiba and david forrest than snake and david. akiba/david loves maryl but seems to be afraid although had skills that you wouldn't expect.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Maybe so but Akiba doesn't have an obvious Policenauts counterpart.

[drunkensailor112]

true. but I don't see a counterpart for dave either. he doesn't look in anyway like snake. but the rest of it is correct. kojima likes to play with our minds sometimes and have characters come back in various games

[JamesTobiasStewart]

The inclusion to use his name and pair Snake with Meryl is unlikely to have been coincidence, but yes personality terms they are different, but then, Jonathan and Ed's MGS version are pretty different to the originals.

Not to say you haven't got a point and yes, Kojima does do that quite a bit.

[johnnysasaki]

another thing that both Meryls have in common is that they're voiced by the same person in Japanese(Kyoko Terase,who also voiced Olga in MGS2)also,Jonathan and Ed from MGS4 have the same Japanese voices of Jonathan(Hideyuki Tanaka,who also voices Otacon) and Ed(Shozo Iizuka,who also voiced Psycho Mantis/Beast in MGS4,and Peter Stillman,whose design was also based on Ed from Policenauts,in MGS2)

[favianutube]

nice job james, you seem to know your shit!!

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Why thank you, I enjoy making stuff like this.

[Retsiemnexeh]

I dont know Policenauts but some things just don't fit. For example Snakes name isn't David... the man that Speaks him is named David. Snakes name is John...

[JamesTobiasStewart]

His name is David, Big Boss AKA Naked Snake is named John. The end of MGS1 and a conversation in MGS4 reveal that Snake's name is David.

[Retsiemnexeh]

But for Example in Part 2 he say's that his name is J. J. Pliskin, if i dont mess up things there

[JamesTobiasStewart]

He gives the name Lieutenant Junior Grade (JG) Iroquois Pliskin, which is a fake name that translates to "Snake Snake", he's not going to use his real name while undercover.

[kimgulle]

Big Boss' name is not John, it's Jack...

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Jack is sometimes a nickname for John.

[HaohmaruHL]

many people just don't know that snake in mgs1-mgs2 and in mgs3 is NOT the same person))

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well I'm sorry, but I can't help that.

[ihearduliekgoatse]

Nice vid, a lot of stuff I didn't know.

I'm playing the fan translation converted to a psp eboot. it's great so far. still I'd love an official one.

[thesunfiredblanks]

fan translation is now out m8. rated 5

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Really?

[moneraa]

its true actually

[cotaku]

Well, I'm playing Policenauts at the moment. I'm in Act 5. The story is interesting, but it's a bit boring game for todays' standards. Plus, I'm playing it on the PSP (it was released as a download in the Japanese PS Network) and moving the pointer with the analog stick can be frustrating sometimes in the shooting scenes.

I don't think it's gonna sell much if translated, so I guess Konami doesn't wanna waste money....

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well I wish it was all the same, I'd certainly got it, especially if the plot is good, an interesting plot is crucial to me.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well thats why I want it translated, so I can play it.

[JamesTobiasStewart]

Well s/he may speak Japanese, but

i'm still waiting for the translation.

[KazuoKiriyama666]

Do you know about the Policenauts fan translation mate? That's almost done.

Plus, I can think of another reference for you. The Policenauts theme music can be found in MGS4 by accessing Otacon's lab and entering a code.

That, and Karen Hojo from Policenauts was originally going to appear in MGS2 (talking on the news broadcast) in a scene that was cut out. The scene was sort of re-inserted in the MGS2 Digital Graphic Novel as she appears in that!

Good work researching!