David Hayter Finally Played Metal Gear Solid V and Called It “Amazing”

David Hayter, the longtime voice of Solid Snake and Naked Snake in the Metal Gear series, appeared in eight titles — including four mainline games, a remake, and three handheld spin-offs — before Konami replaced him.

For Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and its sequel The Phantom Pain, the role was handed to actor Kiefer Sutherland, marking the first major entry in the series without Hayter. At the time, Hayter openly admitted he couldn’t bring himself to play the games, calling it “60 hours of humiliation” in a 2016 interview with Game Informer.

Now, nearly a decade later, Hayter has revealed that he finally played Metal Gear Solid V — and came away impressed.

“There was reluctance,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to play it because I figured it would hurt my feelings. But after 10 years I thought, ‘to hell with my feelings.’ I’m a screenwriter — I get fired for a living. So I stopped being a baby, played the game, and it’s amazing.”

He even acknowledged that he now agrees with fans who call it their favorite installment:

“I used to get insulted when people said Metal Gear Solid V was their favorite. Now I’ve played it and I’m like, yeah, this might be the best gameplay in the series. The freedom, the strategies, it feels like time travel. It’s badass.”

Hayter also revealed that he eventually met Kiefer Sutherland at a bar in Dallas, where the two shared drinks.

“He’s a great guy. No ill will — all is forgiven.”