Question: Do you think MGS2's themes and ideas are actually still relevant?

[2generic4you]

For me, I think MGS2 isn't really about AI, I don't think that's the best analysis that can be made of the game and it's thematic relevance to today.

MGS2 itself has proven to be fucking prophetic for life in the 21st century; the problems that the AI in the final conversation (which are genuine AIs, not LLMs) highlight that humanity is siloing itself; choosing to listen to voices and 'truths' that reinforce what we already believe and are biased towards. 'Truth' dies there; our critical thinking dies there, and our species die. This is as true with liberals and conservatives; although I'd argue moreso with the right but the left is not immune to this phenomenon. That's how humanity dies; not with a bang, but a whimper.

If you think about MGS2 through that lens, it might be the most important game of the 21st century in outlining where we were headed.

"Life isn't just about passing on your genes. We can leave behind much more than just DNA. Through speech, music, literature and movies... what we've seen, heard, felt... anger, joy and sorrow... these are the things I will pass on. That's what I live for. We need to pass the torch, and let our children read our messy and sad history by its light. We have all the magic of the digital age to do that with. The human race will probably come to an end some time, and new species may rule over this planet. Earth may not be forever, but we still have the responsibility to leave what traces of life we can. Building the future and keeping the past alive are one and the same thing."

I do agree with your statement but I'd argue that MGS4 got a lot more stuff right at the of the day. It's crazy how Kojima is the only game director managed to predict so much about the future in his works.