Make Sure You Play These Games Before Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
The upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater promises a faithful recreation of one of the most beloved entries in Hideo Kojima’s iconic stealth-action series. For newcomers and veterans alike, preparing for this reimagining involves more than just brushing up on your CQC techniques. Experiencing the preceding games in the Metal Gear saga will enrich your understanding of the characters, the overarching narrative, and the core themes that resonate throughout the entire franchise. To truly appreciate the nuances and references woven into Snake Eater, we strongly advise delving into these crucial titles before embarking on your Delta mission.
Metal Gear (MSX2, 1987): The Genesis of Tactical Espionage
While chronologically set after Metal Gear Solid 3, the original Metal Gear on the MSX2 (and later ported to other platforms) is the foundational text of the entire series. Stepping into the boots of Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND operative, players are tasked with infiltrating Outer Heaven, a heavily fortified nation-state in South Africa, to neutralize a weapon of mass destruction known as Metal Gear.
Understanding the Roots of Stealth Gameplay
Metal Gear established the core mechanics that define the series: stealth, evasion, and resource management. Players are encouraged to avoid direct confrontation, utilizing cardboard boxes for cover, distracting guards with carefully placed sounds, and navigating complex environments with a keen eye for patrol patterns. The game’s emphasis on non-lethal tactics, while rudimentary compared to later entries, laid the groundwork for the series’ anti-war themes and moral ambiguities.
Introduction to Key Characters and Concepts
Beyond gameplay, Metal Gear introduces pivotal characters that would become integral to the series’ mythos. Big Boss, initially portrayed as Snake’s commanding officer, unveils his true role as the antagonist and leader of Outer Heaven, setting the stage for a complex and often adversarial relationship with Snake across multiple games. The game also explores themes of betrayal, the dangers of nuclear proliferation, and the moral complexities of warfare, all of which would be further explored in subsequent titles. Although its narrative is simple by modern standards, the foundation for future storylines is clearly established.
Accessing and Experiencing the Original
While not readily available on modern consoles, Metal Gear can be accessed through various emulators and compilations. The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection includes Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which also contains emulated versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Experiencing the original, even in its pixelated form, offers invaluable context for appreciating the evolution of the series’ gameplay and narrative.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (MSX2, 1990): A Quantum Leap in Storytelling and Gameplay
Directly following the events of the first Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake represents a monumental leap forward in both storytelling and gameplay complexity. Set in Zanzibar Land, a heavily militarized state in Central Asia, Snake is tasked with rescuing Dr. Kio Marv, a scientist who has developed OILIX, a microorganism capable of producing petroleum using minimal resources, thus breaking the world’s dependence on oil.
Expanding the Stealth Arsenal and Enemy AI
Metal Gear 2 significantly expanded the stealth mechanics introduced in the original. Snake can now crawl, punch walls to distract guards, and utilize more sophisticated camouflage techniques. The enemy AI is drastically improved, with guards exhibiting more realistic patrol patterns, heightened awareness, and the ability to communicate with each other. These advancements created a more challenging and engaging stealth experience.
Deeper Narrative Complexity and Character Development
The narrative of Metal Gear 2 delves into more complex themes, exploring the consequences of war, the manipulation of soldiers, and the ethical dilemmas of scientific advancement. The game also introduces memorable characters such as Gray Fox, who returns in a dramatically altered state, and Nastasha Romanenko, a nuclear disarmament expert who provides crucial support to Snake. The relationship between Snake and Big Boss is further explored, revealing deeper layers of betrayal and ideological conflict. The story is told through extensive codec conversations, which became a hallmark of the Metal Gear series.
The Significance of its Absence in Modern Compilations
Despite its importance, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake is often overlooked due to its initial limited availability outside of Japan. While included in some compilations like the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, it’s not always as readily accessible as other entries. However, its impact on the series’ narrative and gameplay cannot be overstated. Playing Metal Gear 2 provides critical context for understanding the events and motivations of characters in later games, particularly Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation, 1998): Bringing Tactical Espionage to a New Generation
Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation revolutionized the stealth-action genre and cemented the Metal Gear series as a cultural phenomenon. Stepping into the role of Solid Snake once again, players infiltrate Shadow Moses Island, a remote Alaskan facility seized by a rogue FOXHOUND unit led by Liquid Snake.
The Birth of Cinematic Storytelling in Gaming
Metal Gear Solid set a new standard for cinematic storytelling in video games. The game’s use of cutscenes, codec conversations, and detailed character animations created a deeply immersive and engaging experience. The story explores themes of genetic engineering, the legacy of war, and the psychological toll of being a soldier. The plot twists, memorable characters, and philosophical musings captivated players and established the series’ reputation for complex and thought-provoking narratives.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics and Boss Battles
Metal Gear Solid introduced a plethora of innovative gameplay mechanics, including the ability to hide in cardboard boxes, use distractions, and utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets. The game’s boss battles are particularly memorable, each requiring unique strategies and tactics to overcome. Encounters with Psycho Mantis, Sniper Wolf, and Metal Gear REX showcase the game’s creativity and ingenuity.
Understanding the Legacy and Connections to Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid establishes Solid Snake as a legendary soldier and delves into his connection to Big Boss, who is revealed to be his genetic father. The game explores the themes of fate, free will, and the burden of legacy, which are central to the overarching narrative of the Metal Gear series. Playing Metal Gear Solid before Snake Eater provides context for understanding the origins of Solid Snake and his complex relationship with Big Boss, who is the protagonist of Snake Eater. Certain characters and organizations introduced in Metal Gear Solid also have ties to the events and characters in Snake Eater, enriching the overall experience.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PlayStation 2, 2001): A Postmodern Masterpiece of Deception
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is perhaps the most controversial and intellectually ambitious entry in the Metal Gear series. The game is divided into two distinct sections: the Tanker Chapter, where players control Solid Snake, and the Plant Chapter, where they control Raiden, a rookie soldier tasked with infiltrating the Big Shell, a massive offshore cleanup facility seized by a group of terrorists.
Challenging Player Expectations and Exploring Meta-Narrative
Sons of Liberty is renowned for its complex and often confusing narrative, which explores themes of memes, information control, and the dangers of blind faith. The game deliberately subverts player expectations, challenging their understanding of the Metal Gear universe and forcing them to question the nature of reality. The introduction of Raiden as the protagonist in the Plant Chapter was particularly divisive, but it ultimately served to highlight the game’s central themes of identity, manipulation, and the cyclical nature of history.
Advanced Gameplay Mechanics and Environmental Interaction
Sons of Liberty built upon the gameplay mechanics introduced in Metal Gear Solid, adding new features such as the ability to hold up enemies, use first-person aiming, and interact with the environment in more dynamic ways. The game’s AI was also significantly improved, with enemies exhibiting more realistic behavior and reacting more intelligently to player actions.
The Patriots and the Seeds of Intrigue in Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 2 introduces the Patriots, a shadowy organization that controls the world through information and manipulation. The game also hints at the origins of the Patriots and their connection to the events of Snake Eater. Playing Sons of Liberty before Snake Eater provides crucial context for understanding the political and ideological forces that shape the Metal Gear universe. The game’s exploration of themes such as legacy, manipulation, and the control of information resonates throughout the series, adding depth and complexity to the narrative of Snake Eater.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PlayStation 3, 2008): The End of an Era
While chronologically set far in the future, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots provides a crucial culmination of the themes and characters introduced throughout the series. As an aged Solid Snake, now known as Old Snake, players are thrust into a world consumed by private military companies (PMCs) and nanomachines. Snake must confront Liquid Ocelot, who seeks to control the Patriots’ vast network and reshape the world in his image.
Bringing Closure to Character Arcs and Unraveling Mysteries
Guns of the Patriots serves as a conclusion to the Solid Snake saga, tying up loose ends and resolving long-standing mysteries. The game delves into the origins of the Patriots, the nature of Big Boss’s legacy, and the ultimate fate of Solid Snake. The game’s emotional and philosophical themes resonate deeply, providing a satisfying conclusion to the characters’ journeys.
Advanced Combat and Stealth in a War-Torn World
Guns of the Patriots features a refined and expanded gameplay system, allowing players to utilize a variety of weapons, gadgets, and stealth techniques. The game’s environments are dynamic and reactive, with battles unfolding amidst the chaos of a world consumed by war. Snake’s physical limitations as an aging soldier add a layer of challenge and realism to the gameplay.
Connecting the Dots: Snake Eater’s Relevance in the Finale
Guns of the Patriots heavily references the events and characters of Snake Eater, particularly the legacy of Big Boss and the origins of the Patriots. Playing Snake Eater before Guns of the Patriots provides a deeper understanding of the motivations and actions of the characters in the latter game. The game’s exploration of themes such as legacy, patriotism, and the cyclical nature of history directly connects to the events and characters introduced in Snake Eater.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PlayStation Portable, 2010): The Genesis of Outer Heaven
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, originally released on the PlayStation Portable, bridges the gap between Snake Eater and Metal Gear. Taking place in Costa Rica in 1974, the game follows Naked Snake (Big Boss) as he establishes Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF), a private military organization, and confronts a new threat: a nuclear-equipped AI weapon known as Peace Walker.
Building Militaires Sans Frontières and Understanding Big Boss’s Ideology
Peace Walker introduces the concept of Mother Base, a customizable offshore platform that serves as the headquarters for MSF. Players can recruit soldiers, develop new weapons and technologies, and expand their military capabilities. The game also delves into Big Boss’s ideology, exploring his vision for a world where soldiers are free from political manipulation and can fight for their own causes.
Co-operative Gameplay and Enhanced Combat Mechanics
Peace Walker features a unique co-operative gameplay mode, allowing players to team up and tackle missions together. The game also introduces new combat mechanics, such as the ability to Fulton soldiers, which allows players to extract them from the battlefield and recruit them into MSF.
The Road to Outer Heaven and the Importance of “The Boss”
Peace Walker lays the groundwork for the establishment of Outer Heaven, the fortified nation-state that serves as the primary antagonist in the original Metal Gear. The game also explores Big Boss’s complex relationship with his former mentor, The Boss, whose sacrifice and ideals continue to influence his actions. Playing Snake Eater before Peace Walker provides crucial context for understanding Big Boss’s motivations and the events that lead to the creation of Outer Heaven. The game’s exploration of themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the legacy of war directly connects to the events and characters introduced in Snake Eater. The game’s ending is important for setting up Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, 2015): The Unfinished Symphony
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the final entry in the Metal Gear series directed by Hideo Kojima. Set in 1984, nine years after the events of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, the game follows Venom Snake, a soldier who serves as Big Boss’s phantom, as he seeks revenge against those who destroyed MSF.
Open-World Stealth and Base Building on a Grand Scale
The Phantom Pain features a vast open-world environment, allowing players to explore Afghanistan and Africa with unprecedented freedom. The game introduces advanced stealth mechanics, such as the ability to use binoculars to scout enemy positions, call in air support, and utilize a variety of gadgets and weapons. Mother Base returns, allowing players to expand their military capabilities and develop new technologies.
The Truth of Big Boss and the Legacy of Revenge
The Phantom Pain delves into the complex relationship between Big Boss and Venom Snake, revealing the truth behind Big Boss’s legend and the creation of Outer Heaven. The game explores themes of revenge, identity, and the consequences of war. The game’s narrative is fragmented and often ambiguous, leaving players to piece together the full story through careful observation and analysis.
Tying Up Loose Ends and Reflecting on Snake Eater’s Themes
The Phantom Pain provides a final glimpse into the world and themes established in Snake Eater. The game explores the consequences of The Boss’s sacrifice and the legacy of Big Boss, offering a thought-provoking conclusion to the Metal Gear saga. The game emphasizes how the themes of revenge, war and nuclear proliferation has influenced the Metal Gear Solid universe, making Snake Eater an important piece of information. While the overarching plot of The Phantom Pain can at times feel disconnected from the series as a whole, the ending is an important piece to the overarching Big Boss story line.
Conclusion: Preparing for Delta
While Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater aims to deliver a faithful recreation of the original, understanding the broader context of the Metal Gear saga will significantly enhance your appreciation for the game’s narrative, characters, and themes. By experiencing the titles outlined above, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the world of Snake Eater and the motivations of its characters. Embrace the legacy, and prepare for Delta. Remember, tactical espionage demands preparation, and your journey through the Metal Gear universe starts now.