Reflecting on the Unexpected Twist of Metal Gear Solid 2

Article Key Points

The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is a treasure trove of classic gaming moments from one of the most impactful franchises, despite its flaws.

The bait-and-switch in Metal Gear Solid 2, where players begin as Snake but then switch to Raiden, is considered one of the most significant surprises in gaming and would be challenging to replicate in today's landscape. Despite initial dissatisfaction from some players, Raiden's perception improved in subsequent games, and the switch in protagonist in Metal Gear Solid 2 continues to be an unparalleled gaming surprise.

The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is a treasure trove of classic gaming moments from one of the most influential franchises in the medium, despite its flaws. These games, the first three installments of Metal Gear Solid, embody a nostalgic era of gaming with their cinematic style and bizarre elements, which are trademarks of the series' creator, Hideo Kojima. One particularly surprising moment in the collection is the unexpected switch of protagonists in Metal Gear Solid 2, which leaves players in awe. Initially, fans were excited to once again take on the role of the legendary soldier, Snake, especially with the advancements in hardware. At the time, Metal Gear Solid 2 was a dream come true. It fully realized the potential that the original game had promised, and Kojima's decision to keep the true protagonist a secret was one of the most remarkable twists in gaming. Nowadays, with leaks and the internet's constant analysis of upcoming titles, executing such a surprise would be considerably more challenging.

Metal Gear Solid 2's Big Twist is Just One of Several Memorable Series Moments

The unexpected switch from playing as Snake to Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2 is a prime example of Kojima's knack for surprising his audience. However, the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection contains numerous other instances where Kojima toys with fans' expectations. Even prior to the major twist in Metal Gear Solid 2, there's the unforgettable encounter with Psycho Mantis in the original game. During this boss fight, Psycho Mantis reads players' memory cards and makes amusing comments about their gaming habits, particularly if they have any other Konami-published titles.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is not only the finest entry in the series, but it is also the game where Kojima escalates the weirdness to an unprecedented level. The majority of the game's bosses are truly remarkable, which is quite impressive considering the high quality of boss enemies throughout the series. One standout boss battle is the iconic fight against The End, where players can manipulate the in-game clock to accelerate time and witness the foe eventually succumb to old age without engaging in direct combat. Considering Kojima's inclination to play with the player's perception and expectations, it should come as no surprise that Metal Gear Solid 2 took an unexpected turn by altering an integral aspect such as its protagonist.

The Lasting Impact of Raiden as a Core Metal Gear Character

The drawback of players hoping to once again control Solid Snake but being forced to play as Raiden was that many strongly disliked the character. In comparison to Snake, he lacks the iconic status and confidence, and the intense conclusion of Metal Gear Solid 2 does little to redeem his image as a true hero. Fortunately, Raiden's perception has significantly improved in the years following the release of Sons of Liberty, thanks to the enhanced character development he receives in both Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Rising.

The true nature of the protagonist in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is cleverly concealed in the original packaging, which deliberately omits any screenshots or artwork featuring Raiden. The lead-up to the game's release guarded the hero's identity closely, resulting in an unprecedented surprise in the gaming world. Unlike other games that have attempted to switch up their protagonists, Metal Gear Solid 2's bait-and-switch stands as a remarkable and unrivaled surprise.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1

Konami's compilation package includes several titles from the Metal Gear franchise, such as Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid, Sons of Liberty, and Snake Eater. The package is available on various platforms including PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. The release date is set for October 24, 2023, and the developer and publisher of the game is Konami. The genre of the game is action and stealth, and it is rated M for Mature 17+ due to its content, which includes blood and gore, drug reference, partial nudity, sexual themes, and violence. The game can be found on the Playstation Store, Steam, and Xbox Games Store.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the unexpected twist in Metal Gear Solid 2. On the one hand, I appreciate the boldness and originality of the move. It was definitely a shocking moment when I first played the game and realized that I was no longer playing as Solid Snake. On the other hand, I can understand why some fans were disappointed by the switch. Raiden is a very different character from Snake, and he doesn't have the same level of charisma or appeal.

Overall, I think the twist in Metal Gear Solid 2 was a positive one. It helped to keep the series fresh and unpredictable, and it allowed for some interesting new gameplay experiences. I'm glad that Kojima had the courage to take such a big risk, and I think it paid off in the end.