Unveiling the Hidden Secrets: 7 Lesser-Known Details of Metal Gear Solid Exclusively Known to Sequel Players
Unravel the intricate Metal Gear Solid canon with these 7 exclusive details that only become apparent in the sequels Delve into the connections between characters, shocking revelations, and the true ending that shapes the entire storyline
Article Key Points
Metal Gear Solid on PS1 is a solid entry point for newcomers with its recent re-release in the Master Collection, allowing fans to relive the joy of playing it.
The sequels offer further insights and connections to the overarching narrative and incidents, unveiling crucial information about key individuals such as the Darpa Chief, Miller, and Dr. Clark.
The game features two distinct conclusions, wherein the President is portrayed as a reluctant tool of the Patriots and also a perpetrator of war crimes.
Metal Gear Solid, originally released on the PlayStation, served as the initial introduction to the franchise for many fans, despite being the third canon installment. Even today, it remains a strong starting point for newcomers interested in exploring the series. Thanks to the recent re-release of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1, fans now have the opportunity to revisit the joyous experience of playing this game.
Having already gained knowledge from the sequels, players are able to view the events and characters from a fresh perspective. While the game holds its own as a standalone experience, it is the insights provided by its sequels that establish connections to the overarching story and events depicted in both its sequels and prequels.
The sequels refer to the events of Metal Gear Solid as the Shadow Moses incident, based on the location where the game takes place.
7. The Darpa Chief Is Sigint From Metal Gear Solid 3
Metal Gear Solid 3 introduces an entirely new ensemble of characters who play a crucial role in the overall storyline of the series. Among them is Donald Anderson, commonly known as the Darpa Chief, who served as a founding member of Cipher, a group that later transformed into the Patriots. Anderson's significant contributions include his involvement in the development of GW, an advanced artificial intelligence system that becomes active towards the conclusion of Metal Gear Solid 2.
6. Miller Knew Big Boss And Was Likely Murdered By Ocelot
The protagonist and Ocelot were adversaries in the covert struggle throughout the franchise. While officially labeled as a torturous accident, subsequent installments unveil Ocelot's deliberate involvement in his demise.
Players familiar with Peace Walker and The Phantom Pain have a deeper understanding of McDonnell Miller compared to what is revealed during Snake's mission on Shadow Moses Island. This is primarily because the character portrayed in the 1998 game is not Miller, as the final act discloses. The prequels unveil his true identity and backstory, eventually revealing that he has lost an arm and a leg and has partial blindness.
The conclusion of The Phantom Pain suggests that
5. Dr. Clark Is Para-Medic
intends to oppose the real Big Boss after feeling betrayed by the revelation that the game's protagonist was an imposter. This effectively justifies his demise within the larger narrative, presumably orchestrated by Revolver Ocelot. Furthermore, it explains why he served as a secondary character in Metal Gear 2 instead of the first Metal Gear, where the imposter Snake served as the primary antagonist.
5. Dr. Clark Is Para-Medic
It's difficult to fathom, considering Para-Medic's seemingly innocent nature in Metal Gear Solid 3, that she could ever inflict harm on anyone. Yet, it is she who bears responsibility for the experiments that transformed the nearly lifeless Frank Jaeger, also known as Gray Fox, into the formidable cyborg ninja.
4. Saving Meryl Is The Canon Ending
He manages to flee and eliminate Dr. Clark, as this was a premeditated action orchestrated by Ocelot and Eva, a prominent character from Metal Gear Solid 3. This collaboration was established due to her alignment with Zero in the Patriot's scheme. It would be intriguing to witness her transformation from a medical professional to a deranged scientist in the future, although no such information currently exists in the Metal Gear lore.
4. Saving Meryl Is The Canon Ending
Metal Gear Solid offers players two unique endings depending on their success in resisting Ocelot's torture following Snake's capture after the initial battle with Sniper Wolf.
3. The President Is An Outright War Criminal And Unwilling Pawn Of The Patriots
If players resist the torture, they will be rewarded with an ending where they successfully rescue Meryl from danger and make their escape from Shadow Moses together. On the other hand, if the torture is unsuccessful, Meryl tragically loses her life while Snake manages to escape alongside Otacon. The former ending is later confirmed to be the definitive one in Metal Gear Solid 2, and it is worth noting that Meryl goes on to play a crucial role in the events of Metal Gear Solid 4.
3. The President Is An Outright War Criminal And Unwilling Pawn Of The Patriots
The post-credits scene of Metal Gear Solid uncovers a stunning revelation: the President of the United States is none other than Solid Snake's brother, the third child of the Les Enfants Terribles project. What's more, it is disclosed that the Patriots orchestrated his rise to power and forced him to step down shortly after the events at Shadow Moses.
2. Ocelot Is A Significant Character To The Overall Canon
Solidus Snake, also known as the protagonist in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, has a primary objective to liberate himself from the control of the Patriots and reside in a world that he perceives as truly free. Moreover, he actively participated in the Liberian civil war and committed atrocious acts of war crimes.
2. Ocelot Is A Significant Character To The Overall Canon
Revolver Ocelot in Metal Gear Solid rocks a Wild West-inspired outfit while effortlessly twirling his pistols. However, it is only towards the end that his true significance in the game's plot unfolds. As the sequels progress, his character evolves to become a pivotal figure in the game's lore.
1. Meryl Finds Out The Campbell Is Her Father Anyway
Initially serving as a CIA double agent, this young soldier later joins Cipher, only to eventually abandon them and ally with Big Boss. Their shared objective is to dismantle the Patriots and foil Major Zero's scheme. Throughout the subsequent sequels, the protagonist's every move is driven by the desire to eliminate the opposing Cipher operative and dismantle Zero's pervasive system.
In the initial iteration of the game, it is only when Meryl fails to survive that Colonel Campbell discloses his identity as her biological father. However, Metal Gear Solid 4 uncovers that she eventually becomes aware of this truth, following the events at Shadow Moses.
She ultimately develops a strong aversion towards Roy Campbell as a result and only manages to overcome her hatred towards him towards the conclusion of the game in 2008. Moreover, despite the canonical ending portraying Meryl and Snake riding off together, their relationship rapidly deteriorates, with their paths crossing once again in Metal Gear Solid 4, almost a decade after the events of Metal Gear Solid.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the lesser-known details of Metal Gear Solid that are only revealed in the sequels. On the one hand, I appreciate the way these details add depth and complexity to the story. On the other hand, I feel like they can be a bit overwhelming for new players who haven't played the sequels.
I think it's great that the sequels provide more information about characters like the Darpa Chief, Miller, and Dr. Clark. These characters are all important to the overall story, but they don't get a lot of development in the original Metal Gear Solid. The sequels also do a good job of fleshing out the overarching narrative and explaining how the events of Metal Gear Solid fit into the larger story.
However, I can also see how these details could be confusing for new players who haven't played the sequels. The sequels introduce a lot of new characters and plot points, and it can be difficult to keep track of everything. I think it would be helpful if the original Metal Gear Solid did a better job of foreshadowing these events.
Overall, I think the lesser-known details of Metal Gear Solid that are only revealed in the sequels are a good thing. They add depth and complexity to the story, and they help to make the sequels more rewarding for fans who have played the original game. However, I think it would be helpful if the original Metal Gear Solid did a better job of foreshadowing these events.
