I'm having a hard time getting past how intensely I agree with everything in your post, TC.

Metal Gear is some kind of magic. I've never agreed with so many people about anything, but MG Mania is thick since Monsieur Ryckert came on the scene. Both very exicted to hear Keifer in full game and for Snake to generally just talk less. There's always the old games when I need Davey.

Confusion?

DAMMIT!

Big Boss: "TELL ME WHERE METAL GEAR IS!"

Guy: "Sure, sure! It's uh..."

Big Boss: "NO TIME!!"

I feel like Hayter's VO work was on a decline with the last few games. I'm really okay with something different.

I have never seen 24, is that a good or bad thing?

Have the Japanese Big Boss and Solid Snake VA's been different this whole time? As far as I know, the Japanese VA for Big Boss is remaining the same, which would make this seem more to me like just a decision by the localization team/Konami, instead of Kojima being a crazy guy. It just wouldn't make sense to me to be doing this weird bait-and-switch with the English actor if they weren't doing anything for the Japanese as well. IIRC the Japanese VA for Snake is fairly popular as well, and is friends with Kojima (he was on his podcast when I listened to it, which was once about two years ago). The whole thing confuses me. I'll miss Hayter though if he's really gone.