Gaming icon Hideo Kojima hails Hong Kong Kowloon Walled City film as ‘phenomenal’

Metal Gear video game series creator says ‘no end’ to the things he loved about action film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

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Hideo Kojima has said one of his favourite aspects of the film is that Louis Koo’s (pictured) character runs a barbershop. Photo: Handout

Published: 2:09pm, 17 Feb 2025Updated: 6:01pm, 17 Feb 2025

Legendary Japanese video game designer Hideo Kojima has heaped praise on Hong Kong blockbuster Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, describing it as “absolutely incredible” as the film took off in Japan.

Kojima, best known for the award-winning video game series Metal Gear and Death Stranding, said on Sunday that he recently saw the movie after eagerly waiting for so long.

“I finally got to watch it! And wow, it was absolutely incredible! Just pure excitement! I feel so energised now! This is entertainment!” Kojima said on social media.

“As someone who grew up watching Hong Kong films, I can’t even begin to describe how happy this made me. Welcome back! No matter how much time moves forward, some things never change.”

He added there was “no end” to the things he loved about the movie.

The neo-noir thriller directed by Soi Cheang Pou-soi and set in the infamous Kowloon Walled City has been a huge hit in Japan. It raked in 100 million yen (US$659,700) in the first three weeks after opening on January 17, making it the highest-grossing film from the city in the country in five years.

The film, set in the 1980s, follows a troubled migrant from mainland China caught between rival gangs as he finds a second home in the Walled City.