With the launch of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, we’ve compiled this record of the franchise’s most iconic moments. From Snake Eater to the Sons of Liberty, you’ll undoubtedly really feel a way of nostalgia as you relive these memorable scenes or be taught a number of new issues if you happen to aren’t solely aware of the collection. So, let’s dive into Metal Gear Solid’s intensive timeline and world.
*Careful, Snake! There are spoilers forward for the Metal Gear Solid collection up to MGS4.*
The Boss’ Betrayal (Metal Gear Solid 3)
The Boss is considered one of the most beloved characters in the collection as the mentor to the well-known Naked Snake, also referred to as Big Boss. During the Virtuous Mission in MGS3, we see her in a number of Codec Calls the place she helps Snake rescue Dr. Nikolai Stepanovich Sokolov, a Soviet rocket scientist who has just lately defected to the United States. But, simply as we step onto a bridge to get away, The Boss all of the sudden exhibits up to intercept Sokolov, in the end betraying Snake and the total nation.
This epic second shifted the total storyline of the franchise because it led to Naked Snake changing into Big Boss, thus making a domino impact for the remainder of the installments. Her defiance utterly comes as a shock for any participant. It certainly was for me, and it continues to be considered one of my favourite gaming moments, irrespective of how heartbreaking it may be.
Last however not least, we are able to’t overlook how the scene ushered in the origins of the well-known bandana, as Snake pulls off the garment from his previous grasp. It shall be surreal to expertise this once more, and it’ll undoubtedly be much more tragic with the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid Delta.
The Intense Elevator Fight (Metal Gear Solid 1)
Before Solid Snake fights with the legendary Sniper Wolf, one thing goes amiss the minute he steps inside a mysterious elevator. Despite being the just one aboard, the alert for the weight limits goes off, complicated the character as to why that is taking place.
Otacon calls Snake shortly after to clarify how 4 stealth prototype fits have gone lacking, hinting at what’s to come for the heroic protagonist. By the time they understand the connection between the fits and the elevator’s weight restrict, it’s already too late, as Otacon yells, “Look out, Snake! The guys who stole my stealth prototypes are in there with you!!!”
When I first performed this as a teen, it was considered one of the most scary and thrilling battles I’ve skilled, particularly since older video games weren’t as forgiving with game-overs. Hopefully, now, as an grownup, I can lastly redeem myself with the Master Collection and take down these invisible foes with ease.
The Legendary Ladder Scene (Metal Gear Solid 3)
Amidst all of Metal Gear Solid’s heavy fight and numerous gameplay, the ladder scene in MGS3 is presumably the most talked-about topic in the franchise.
While Snake is on his manner to see EVA (AKA Tatyana), he comes throughout an peculiar ladder that leads him to her location. Simple sufficient, proper? Wrong.
As gamers proceed climbing up, the principal theme of the recreation, “Snake Eater,” begins to play, with no finish in sight. Since that is the solely manner to get to EVA, you have got to level your analog stick up for about two to three minutes and hope that the odd however humorous scene finally ends.
This side of the recreation could also be extremely easy, however that’s what makes it so unforgettable as a result of it was so random and in contrast to something we’ve seen earlier than. After you play this, you might by no means find a way to take a look at ladders the identical ever once more.
Raiden’s Fight Against Vamp (Metal Gear Solid 2)
Vamp is a significant antagonist in each Sons of Liberty and Guns of the Patriots due to his supernatural talents and immortality.
Although Vamp has many fights inside the franchise, we’ll give attention to the memorable showdown between him and Raiden in MGS2. In the previous, Raiden had failed to remove him repeatedly, however now the two are alone with none distractions.
With the Master Collection, we are able to dwell by way of this combat once more in the latest-gen consoles. Rather than merely taking pictures at him, you’ll want to time your bullets proper and discover a manner to “injure” him every time he dives underwater. Of course, the showdown doesn’t fairly go how we would like, however we’ll simply have to wait till the Master Collection Volume 2 launch to attain the closing conclusion of this epic combat.
The Redemption of Raiden (Metal Gear Solid 4)
Although Metal Gear Solid 4 didn’t make it to the Master Collection’s first quantity, it’s anticipated to arrive in the following section to full the assortment. With that stated, I had to embody Raiden’s redemption arc, given his rocky historical past with the franchise.
Hideo Kojima’s character portrayal of Raiden in MGS2 initially obtained blended critiques primarily due to the followers’ loyalty to Snake. But, after the launch of MGS4, nobody questioned him ever once more since he performed a big half in the struggle towards Liquid Ocelot and his frightful military.
Along together with his many different scenes in the recreation, the one which shines the most is his iconic return in the all-out Gekko battle, displaying his swift actions together with his sword and easy power. By the finish of the combat, Raiden turns to the previous Solid Snake, his former comrade, and says, “Snake, It’s my turn to protect you,” solidifying his significance to the storyline.
The Brothers’ Showdown (Metal Gear Solid 1)
You wouldn’t count on two shirtless males to be preventing it out with the countdown of a lethal nuclear module, but that’s exactly what occurs throughout the occasions of MGS1, on prime of a mech, no much less. While the battle could be irritating at instances, given its restricted area and time period, it’s an opportunity to get all of your frustrations out on Liquid in yet one more hand fight battle.
Besides Liquid’s highly effective punches, gravity can work towards you, in which you’ll in the end end up falling off the machine when making the improper transfer. Even those that do finish in triumph will understand that the battle isn’t over but with the thrilling automotive chase scene that happens shortly after.
It’s the final time we ever see Liquid in this state (nonetheless shirtless, in fact), setting the stage for the remainder of the franchise.
Boss Battle Against The End & All the Other Members of the Cobra Unit (Metal Gear Solid 3)
The Cobra Unit was as soon as a commanding drive throughout World War II, together with the members: The End, The Sorrow, The Fury, The Fear, The Pain, and their chief, The Joy (also referred to as The Boss). In return, we get these terribly intricate boss battles that usually immediate you to suppose creatively and strategically, like the combat towards The Sorrow, which doesn’t have any fight in any respect.
While I can go on about all the members of the Cobra Unit, The End continues to be my favourite boss battle of all time, showcasing quite a lot of methods to defeat this one enemy. For instance, after Volgin torments Tatyana, gamers can use a sniper to shoot him earlier than his battle even takes place, together with many different strategies.
If you need to check out the commonplace combat, you’ll embark on a showdown of long-range fight, the place The End camouflages his physique with the greenery and silently takes you down from a substantial distance. It shall be curious to see if any newcomers to the recreation will uncover alternative routes to kill this legendary sniper, and I can’t wait to select which technique to make the most of subsequent.
The Tanker Incident (Metal Gear Solid 2)
Even if Raiden is the star of the present in Sons of Liberty, you may nonetheless witness Snake’s elite sneaking abilities throughout the first a part of the recreation. Here, we get to see the brutality of Metal Gear firsthand as Ray unleashes a horrific scream for all of Manhattan to hear.
Considering that it’s a sneaking mission, gamers can expertise the recreation in its full kind without having fight. Nevertheless, you’ll nonetheless get your fingers soiled in Olga’s boss combat or any guards who stand in your manner.
One of my favourite Easter Eggs could be found right here, involving the photograph phase of the quest. In explicit, if you happen to take an image of considered one of the mannequin posters, Otacon will blush at the sight of it and mock you for snapping this sort of photograph. Yet, it doesn’t finish there, with the a number of different photographs you may take to set off these distinctive dialogue scenes.
Big Boss’ Arrival in Post-Credits Scene (Metal Gear Solid 4)
What makes Big Boss’ triumphant return so implausible is the indisputable fact that it’s recognized to be the longest cutscene in online game historical past, which was confirmed by the voice actor of Snake, David Hayter.
Not solely does the second showcase varied particulars about the story’s timeline, however it additionally produces an emotional scene between Big Boss and his clone, Solid Snake, a soldier who was at all times beneath his shadow. In this dialog, he tells Snake, “Don’t waste the life you have left fighting,” and proceeds to specific his respect for him as a soldier and a person.
In Big Boss’ final moments, he stands in entrance of the grave of his mentor and salutes her one final time, a callback to an epic scene the place Naked Snake cries at her loss of life in MGS3. It won’t essentially have any gameplay, but you may’t assist however shed a tear throughout this bittersweet conclusion.
Psycho Mantis’ Unique Battle (Metal Gear Solid 1)
Psycho Mantis’ duel has to be considered one of the most unusual fights out of the franchise and presumably in the gaming world, contemplating its fourth-wall-breaking mechanics. In the first interplay, he reads your console’s reminiscence card and deciphers your character primarily based on the sorts of video games you play. During my time with it, he even teased me for not saving as a lot as I ought to have, making me really feel embarrassed simply by the phrases of a online game character.
As the combat continues, gamers can have problem damaging the supernatural character since he can learn their “mind,” as he beforehand did with the reminiscence card interplay. One of the solely methods to beat him is by bodily unplugging your controller and plugging it into the second port of your console, a method by no means seen earlier than. It could play out a bit in another way in the Master Collection, so we’ll have to see how he’ll learn our minds this time round.
Due to Psycho Mantis’ recognition round the neighborhood, he ended up showing in MGSV as a child and MGS4 as Screaming Mantis. Each battle nonetheless proves to be an entertaining preventing sequence identical to the first one, demonstrating that Mantis is right here to keep.
The Eerie Codec Call From AI Roy Campbell (Metal Gear Solid 2)
Codec calls are a obligatory mechanic to make it easier to with the recreation and have pleasant conversations with totally different characters. Yet, issues take a darkish flip when the AI model of Roy Campbell repeatedly contacts you, ensuing in bizarre conversations, fourth-wall-breaking gameplay, and Raiden being… bare?
At one level in the scene, AI Campbell says, “Raiden, turn the game console off right now!” and “You have played the game for a long time. Don’t you have anything else to do with your time?” Playing this as a child was actually scary with Roy and Rosemary’s quite a few calls. It additionally didn’t assist that I used to be sporting the same shade shirt to the random girl displayed on the codec name display screen, ensuing in me pondering that the recreation was recording me.
Thankfully, the bare Raiden does get his gear again from Snake finally, triggering a hilariously awkward scenario between them.
Flashbacks of Shadow Moses Island (Metal Gear Solid 4)
Old Snake’s return to Shadow Moses Island showcases an enormous quantity of nostalgic scenes and callbacks to MGS1. If you’ve performed the recreation, you’ll go down reminiscence lane as Snake recollects previous conversations with Naomi, Mei Ling, and Colonel Campbell.
Before you even get to the space, Old Snake desires about the occasions in MGS1, a sequence the place the participant goes again in time and performs as the character in the basic PS1 model. In this a part of the storyline, you’ll relive the mission that began all of it and abruptly return to the previous model of Snake in the current timeline.
On prime of all these references to MGS1, there’s a hysterical scene that breaks the fourth wall, in which Otacon calls him by way of Codec to warn Snake about switching his console discs (an motion that the participant beforehand had to do in MGS1 when coming into the Blast Furnace of Shadow Moses). Then, he laughs at his mistake and realizes that the instances have modified, expressing his admiration for Blu-ray discs and the enchancment in know-how.
Raiden Versus Metal Gear Rays (Metal Gear Solid 2)
With all the franchise’s battles and showdowns, there should at all times be an final duel between man and machine, together with Solid Snake’s battle with the first ever Metal Gear of the collection. Joining alongside him is Raiden’s combat towards not one however a number of gigantic robots.
While Raiden rages towards the machines, he should keep away from getting hit by missiles and stomped on by their legs. The solely helpful weapon gamers can make the most of right here is the helpful Stinger, focusing on particular elements of the Metal Gear to deplete its virtually impenetrable armor.
To finish all of it, Olga (now the successor to the Cyborg Ninja) comes to the rescue and helps you in MGS2’s closing moments; with out her, Raiden could not have made it out alive.
The Splitscreen Fight Against Vamp & an Army of Gekko (Metal Gear Solid 4)
Vamp as soon as once more makes it on this record, however this time in a brand new model inside MGS4, that includes Old Snake versus Gekkos and Raiden versus Vamp.
Since Vamp is principally immortal from his accelerated nanomachines, Snake first makes use of the Syringe to dampen his therapeutic talents. As a end result, Raiden takes benefit of this and partakes in an final blade duel, whereas Snake defeats hordes of machines.
In order for the participant to see each showdowns, the gameplay shifts right into a split-screen view of the two characters, permitting you to utterly expertise the combat as an entire. It’ll make for a wonderful showdown for the Master Collection’s Volume 2, the place we may doubtlessly get an entire remake like MGS3.
The Destruction of Colonel Volgin and the Shagohod (Metal Gear Solid 3)
After Snake experiences Colonel Volgin’s sadistic torture and interrogations, he lastly retaliates in the iconic showdown close to the finish of MGS3. This duel comes in three waves: a fight combat in Groznyj Grad, a chase scene with the Shagohod, and a mixture of the arsenal’s weapons and Volgin’s electrical energy.
Similar to The End, you may also carry out varied methods in the first wave, reminiscent of utilizing the Raiden masks to confuse the Colonel and taking the Fake Death Pill to trick him into pondering you’ve died. However, you’ll nonetheless have to watch your again since he’s considered one of the harder bosses in the recreation.
Once gamers survive by way of the phases, an ironic bolt of lightning hits Volgin, ending his reign of terror and the elimination of the lethal Shagohod. Naked Snake and EVA can’t assist however maintain one another in a heat embrace as they victoriously accomplish their mission of taking down the Colonel and destroying a working Metal Gear prototype.
The Microwave Hall (Metal Gear Solid 4)
The split-screen sequence with Snake’s notorious microwave corridor and the remainder of the characters battling towards enemies is considered one of the most heartbreaking and unforgettable scenes. Through this cinematic model, we see the journeys of assorted characters, reminiscent of Meryl and Johnny preventing for survival, Mei Ling’s battleship warzone, and Raiden versus the Haven Troops.
Of course, we are able to’t overlook about Old Snake, a person keen to give it his all whereas dying from FOXDIE and the warmth from the scorching rays. During this scene, I discovered myself yelling at the display screen for Snake to stand up as I quickly pressed the Action button to transfer.
Everything pays off as soon as he makes it to the “graveyard” of GW, one other impactful second of the collection that lastly eliminates the risk of the Patriots and the eventual loss of life of Liquid.
Metal Gear Battle on Shadow Moses (Metal Gear Solid 4)
Series followers have persistently battled Metal Gear as both Raiden or Snake, however nothing compares to the second you truly management and combat with one in MGS4.
In Solid Snake’s return to Shadow Moses Island, he faces Liquid and yet one more Metal Gear, reflecting what occurred earlier than in the first installment. However, this time, he takes over Rex from MGS1 to combat towards Liquid’s Ray from MGS2. Once the battle begins, gamers will harness the powers of the Metal Gear, wielding the Gatling Gun, AT Missle, and FE Laser.
If the final robotic battle doesn’t impress you sufficient, then perhaps the reveal of Outer Haven (an enormous battleship) will. We even have to take into account Raiden’s brave warrior spirit when he stops the arsenal from crushing Snake, utilizing his uncooked power alone.
Gray Fox’s Sacrifice (Metal Gear Solid 1)
It’s arduous to determine which Gray Fox second to choose when selecting the most iconic one, particularly since there are a selection of unbelievable scenes showcasing his abilities. However, the one which shines the most has to be his sacrifice at the finish of MGS1.
Until this level, Gray Fox’s recollections and sense of self had been clouded due to the experiments performed on him after Snake killed him in Zanzibar Land. Fortunately, the Cyborg Ninja remembers his life, and the two comrades share an emotional change simply earlier than he dies from Metal Gear Rex.
Although it is going to be saddening to play this second in the Master Collection, its impactful that means nonetheless holds true with Gray Fox’s commemorable sacrifice.
Ocelot and Solid Snake’s Showdown (Metal Gear Solid 4)
While Old Snake and Liquid Ocelot haven’t at all times seen eye-to-eye, their closing combat scene is considered one of the most heart-wrenching and thrilling storylines in the franchise’s historical past. The momentous duel doesn’t even characteristic any weapons or hidden methods, only a easy showdown, man-to-man.
During the brothers’ showdown, the essence of Liquid begins to diminish as Ocelot regains his spirit with each punch. At the identical time, the well being standing of the characters modifications all through the combat in the model of earlier installments. In explicit, when Ocelot slowly will get his character again, the life bar modifications from MGS1 to MGS3’s artwork model. Moreover, previous songs of the franchise could be heard to enhance the feelings much more, together with the songs Snake Eater, MGS1’s principal theme, and the soothing guitar of MGS4.
You may have a tissue field by the finish of the combat as soon as Ocelot does his trademark hand sign and basic line of “You’re pretty good.”
The Boss and Naked Snake’s Final Battle (Metal Gear Solid 3)
The battle between The Boss and Naked Snake has all of it: breathtaking surroundings, action-packed fight, and the good embodiment of what it means to be a mentor and a pupil.
If you understand The Boss’s true intentions for the Snake Eater mission, this combat hits you proper in the feels once you understand how a lot she sacrificed for her nation regardless of her presumed defection. Not solely is it tough for her to do together with her personal pupil, however it additionally closely impacts Snake’s perspective on the horrors of the world, main to what occurs in Peace Walker.
Once Snake kills her in the finish, he’s by no means the identical after this and mourns her loss to the day he dies. In his closing moments in MGS4, he states, “Ever since the day I killed The Boss with my own hands, I was already dead,” making their showdown considered one of the most iconic moments of the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
Now that we’ve gone over the record of monumental storylines in the collection, you may create some new recollections in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection. Whichever manner it performs out, we simply hope that it’s “pretty good.”
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