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The Metal Gear Solid franchise stands as one of the most intricate and storied series in video game history, characterized by its deep, multi-layered narratives that span decades of game releases. From the mind of creator Hideo Kojima and his team, this series has captivated players worldwide with its unique blend of action, espionage, and existential themes, interweaving the destinies of soldiers, secret organizations, and nations.
In this retrospective, we explore the saga’s timeline as laid out by Kojima himself, offering a coherent view of events that unfold across multiple games, spin-offs, and volumes. Here, we’ll attempt to shed light on the pivotal moments of the Metal Gear universe, highlighting key characters, factions, and the complex relationships that drive the plot forward.
The Origins of Conflict: Philosophers and Legacy
The true origins of the Metal Gear saga stretch back to the end of World War I, when the world's three major superpowers—Russia, the United States, and China—formed a secretive organization called the Philosophers. Pooling their financial resources and political influence, they sought to dominate the globe in the post-war world. However, following the deaths of the organization’s founding members, their wealth, known as the "Philosophers' Legacy," was hidden in banks around the world, sparking the series' ongoing conflict.
The events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops center around this legacy, particularly with Colonel Volgin, a Russian military leader who illicitly gained control of the Philosophers' treasure. The tug-of-war over this wealth would set the stage for the battles between the world's superpowers and serve as the foundation for the saga’s expansive narrative.
Snake’s Saga Begins: From 1964 to 2014
The central character of the Metal Gear series, Snake, embarks on his epic journey in 1964, beginning with the events of Snake Eater. From there, the narrative follows him through his transformation from a covert operative into the legendary Big Boss, leading to the climactic events of 2014, which mark the conclusion of his long and arduous journey.
In Metal Gear Solid 3, the series focuses on the philosophical and physical trials of Snake as he embarks on Operation Snake Eater to eliminate his mentor, The Boss. This mission is not only critical for Snake’s development but also the foundation of the geopolitical and ideological struggles that reverberate throughout the series.
The Patriots and the Rise of Big Boss
After the events of Snake Eater, the Fox Unit—led by Big Boss—becomes entangled in a series of betrayals and political maneuvering, eventually disbanding and evolving into the infamous Foxhound unit. The narrative of Metal Gear chronicles Big Boss’s rise to power and influence as he establishes a series of military organizations, such as Outer Heaven, that seek to challenge the dominance of governments and secretive organizations like the Philosophers and their successors, the Patriots.
The Patriots, an organization formed by Major Zero, Ocelot, and Big Boss, are a shadowy cabal that seeks to control the world from behind the scenes. Their influence extends across decades, orchestrating events such as the creation of cloned soldiers from Big Boss's DNA, known as the "Les Enfants Terribles" project. This results in the birth of Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake, key players in the future of the saga.
Operation Snake Eater and Aftermath
In Metal Gear Solid 3, the game reveals that Revolver Ocelot, a significant recurring character, is the son of The Boss and The Sorrow, born during the Second World War. Ocelot's manipulations play a central role throughout the series, and his alignment with the Patriots and various governments makes him one of the most enigmatic figures in the story.
After Big Boss kills The Boss and secures a portion of the Philosophers' Legacy, he retires from the Fox Unit, passing leadership to Gene, a product of the successor project aimed at creating the ultimate battlefield commander. This event sets the stage for Portable Ops, where Gene leads an uprising using a prototype Metal Gear in a bid to challenge the Philosophers.
Metal Gear D and the Inception of Rex
The Metal Gear narrative arc connects both science and politics, culminating in the development of Metal Gear technology—bipedal walking tanks capable of launching nuclear missiles. Ocelot uncovers blueprints for Metal Gear D and Metal Gear Rex, which become pivotal technologies in later games like Metal Gear Solid.
The timeline follows a linear progression of military coups, betrayals, and technological advancements as factions vie for control over the ultimate weapon, Metal Gear. Snake himself plays a role in these events, battling his way through various military outposts, often uncovering dark secrets about his past, his comrades, and his enemies.
The Les Enfants Terribles Project
A major turning point in the series is the revelation of the "Les Enfants Terribles" project, a government-funded initiative to clone Big Boss. Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake are the results of this experiment, each embodying different aspects of Big Boss’s genetic legacy. Solid Snake, the series' main protagonist, inherits the recessive genes, while Liquid, who is obsessed with proving his superiority, receives the dominant traits.
This genetic rivalry plays a central role in the events of Metal Gear Solid and beyond, with Liquid Snake attempting to usurp his "father's" legacy and establish his dominance through military force, only to be thwarted by Solid Snake in a series of iconic battles.
The Patriots' Control and Global Intrigue
By the time Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4 roll around, the Patriots have cemented their control over global affairs. Their role as unseen puppet masters directing world events becomes a critical theme, as characters like Revolver Ocelot, Solid Snake, and Raiden attempt to uncover and dismantle their influence.
Ocelot, who grafts Liquid Snake's arm onto his own body, becomes a vessel for Liquid's psyche, leading to the creation of the villainous Liquid Ocelot. This dual persona is emblematic of the deep and often convoluted narrative threads that run through the series.
The Legacy of Metal Gear
The Metal Gear series leaves a profound legacy within the gaming industry, not only for its gameplay but for its ambitious storytelling. It blends political intrigue, military drama, and philosophical reflection in ways that challenge the traditional boundaries of video game narratives. From its beginnings with Snake’s adventures in the jungles of 1964 to the culmination of his journey in the battle against the Patriots, Metal Gear has etched its place as a monumental saga in gaming history.
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