I mean, Kojima’s known for being a bit wacko and eccentric, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that the general reaction when he unveiled the chicken hat item that lets you skip entire sections of the game that you find too difficult was to be taken aback a bit. I mean, having the game let you skip parts that you find difficult isn’t exactly a new concept- Nintendo’s been letting you do it in various forms in its platformers since New Super Mario Bros. Wii, and it lets Kojima focus on game design and making sure it remains exacting without having to dumb it down to accommodate more casual players.
But why in the world is it a chicken hat?
Konami has finally explained the mystery.
Basically, it’s a chicken hat so that if you do choose to use it, you are constantly reminded that you are, in fact, just what you are dressed up as for skipping an entire portion of the game that you may find difficult- a chicken. Yes, they’re letting you skip past a portion of the game you may find difficult, but they aren’t exactly hiding their disdain about it.
I like this approach.