Metal Gear Solid's mixture of tactical action, stealth-based gameplay, and over-the-top conspiracy theory storylines have turned it into a popular video game franchise, but it hasn't been a perfect run. As series creator Hideo Kojima's ambitious narrative grew, so too did it become more convoluted. This was most evident in the series' fourth entry and its marathon length cutscenes.
There are a lot of storylines that fans would have rather Kojima left on the cutting room floor, while expanding on others. With so many characters, time periods, and scenarios that make up the franchise's timeline, sometimes superfluous elements get drawn out, while others aren't given nearly enough attention.
10 Expand The Boss's Storyline
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was a pleasant curveball moment for the franchise. It temporarily lifted players out of the modern timeline, depositing them decades in the past where a future Big Boss would get his first big solo outing. This expanded the series with a separate, yet congruent timeline tacked on to the original story.
The Boss was one of many sequel characters that became a big hit with Metal Gear fans when she was unveiled as Big Boss's combat teacher and mentor. While her storyline is an intricate one, it would have been nice to see her survive into another Metal Gear Solid title where her true goals would finally be revealed. As it stands, her story feels a bit too rushed for such an influential character.
9 Cut The Raiden Storyline From MGS2
Although fan opinion on this issue has softened over the years, there's still no denying the animosity that lingers over the bait-and-switch that took place in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It was assumed that the story of Solid Snake would continue uninterrupted in a brand new sequel, but this was just a ruse.
In the end, Snake ended up taking a backseat as players were forced into a stranger's role. His character has evolved into a total badass over the years, sparking a very popular Raiden cosplay phenomenon that continues to pay dividends. At the time of MGS2's release, however, most fans would have preferred to leave him on the cutting room floor.
8 Expand Liquid Snake's Storyline
Liquid Snake was a fascinating villain, for many reasons. First, he's Snake's genetic clone, making him an instant winner. There's nothing better than watching a fan favorite hero battle his own nightmare mirror image. Liquid's storyline got a solid treatment in the original Metal Gear Solid, but after he dies in that installment, his story fizzles out.
Yes, part of the essence of the character soldiers on in Metal Gear Solid 4, but it's not the real deal. Liquid would make a semi-return in Metal Gear Solid V, but it would have been nice to see his story end in a draw in the original, so that he could return in full form to drag out the conflict in future games.
7 Cut The Venom Snake Storyline
Metal Gear Solid V was a technical masterpiece, especially from a gameplay perspective. Few stealth games offered that level of open-ended gameplay, but it came at a cost in the form of the story. While not terrible, it was by far the least eccentric and outrageous of all the games, opting instead for a low key narrative.
Part of the problem is Venom Snake, a guy who everyone thought was Big Boss, who actually turns out to be a combat medic crafted into a decoy. The entire plot premise feels too far fetched and absurd. Once again, it feels like the Snake/Raiden bait and switch from MGS2.
6 Expand The Snake/Meryl Romance
Not much is known about what happens between Snake and Meryl following the end of the original Metal Gear Solid. It's strongly implied that the two end up pursuing some sort of a relationship, though nothing concrete is ever laid down. One thing is for certain - the two did have chemistry, and went through a lot on Shadow Moses.
The story ends abruptly, with Metal Gear Solid 2 leaving her out completely. Several references are made, but Meryl wouldn't make another appearance until MGS4, where she's clearly not involved with Snake anymore. Instead, she marries Akiba, a running gag character responsible for one of the funniest moments in Metal Gear Solid history.
5 Cut The Patriots Arc
The original Metal Gear games, including the first Solid title, are very straightforward when it comes to storytelling. That changed in Metal Gear Solid 2, one of the best games Hideo Kojima has ever produced, yet plagued with a far more convoluted and difficult set of plot arcs.
Though subsequent games have made enough connections between past and present to make the narrative work, the Patriots plot arc is definitely the one that fans wouldn't mind seeing either cut, or reworked. The latter might be a better option, provided it's not completely out of the realm of reality. As it stands, this story arc quickly became a mess of AI red herrings and double-speak.
4 Expand Big Boss's Storyline In MGS4
While it's true that the character of Big Boss took on a life of his own beginning with Metal Gear Solid 3, the simple fact is that his story arc was heavily dependent on Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and Peace Walker, both of which debuted on the PSP. Those who waded into MGSV were left confused by some of the characters and plot threads.
In truth, this was the fault of Metal Gear Solid 4. While the attempt was made to clear up the Boss's story once and for all, the character didn't actually show up until the end of the game. Had he been more actively involved with the story, it might have made his character arc more palatable, especially in the games to follow.
3 Cut The Skull Face Storyline
Skull Face features prominently in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain as the principal antagonist, and a man standing in direct opposition to Zero, who was a much greater threat. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough of Skull Face to flesh out a compelling narrative, especially given MGSV's light-on-story approach.
As such, the character doesn't feel particularly interesting, or unique. It would have been better to cut this plot out of the game entirely, and focus more on an ailing Zero and his plans, which would eventually give rise to a Patriots arc. It also would have gone a long way towards cleaning up a littered timeline.
2 Expand Fox Hound
The first Metal Gear Solid game is undoubtedly the best in the series, with MGS2 coming in at a very close second. Fans will forever remember the action, the stealth mechanics, pacing, and of course, the storyline and colorful characters. The various members of Fox Hound that Snake fights are inventive and fascinating, even to this day.
The limited technology of the time probably prevented a fleshing out of their respective storylines. While some characters like Vulcan Raven didn't really have a lot going for them, others like Sniper Wolf and Psycho Mantis would really have benefited from some expanded content. Alas, gamers barely knew them before they checked out.
1 Cut The Liquid Ocelot Arc
Liquid Snake's demise definitely left a hole in the series, but Hideo Kojima decided to concoct a sequel storyline where he took control of Revolver Ocelot's mind, after the latter grafted the former's arm onto his body. This created the highly divisive "Liquid Ocelot" story arc, one of the most unexpected moments in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
The premise is not only far-fetched, but a colossal letdown for MGS fans who grew to love Liquid as a villain. It also had a detrimental impact on Ocelot's character, a triple agent with enough lies under his belt to tell a thousand interesting stories. Ocelot should have taken center stage, without any Liquid business getting in the way.
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July 27, 2021 at 12:00AM
