Spoilers
I've been wanting to write this for a long time,
but after some trips to Gaf, reading user reviews, and the
metalgearsolid.net website (where 99% of the hardcore MGS fans now HATE
the series after 4) it seems split that one half (or less) will enjoy
the story, and the rest will think it's crazy.
Now, if you enjoyed it, what made you enjoy it, and if you hated it and were a fan before, what made you turn?
Here's my take:
The universe of Metal Gear Solid is one that is compelling and dense, albeit shallow in its execution.
I think it's the greatest story ever told in the history of video games
for the simple fact that I acknowledge that the Metal Gear Universe
takes place in one that is not our own, but rather, is very alike our
own. It is my suspicion that when the story takes a turn away from
reality, that people get turned off, when I believe the case is that
the series is purposefully steered away from reality while maintaining
a framework that appears and acts like our reality in normal
circumstance.
However, here's the bottom line. It is a
fictious story. One that precludes Psychic Powers, Impossible
technology, and Important government members that have never existed.
There was no hovering platforms in the 1960, The Boss never went into
outer space, there is no proof of psychic power or spirit mediums,
there was no president George Sears, and there never was a Darpa Chief
called Donald Anderson. There was no soldier cloned in the 1970's and
there were no twins called Snake.
So why is it that people
go apeshit when some explanations for certain things don't fall within
a parameter that is comfortable to them when something is over the top
or just downright unbelievable? Big Boss IS still alive, nanomachines,
vamp's immortality, an AI running the country. The story just utilizes
our own real history as a template. Simple as that.
That's all I wanted to say.
To summarize for people who don't like wall of text:
1. Metal Gear is F-A-K-E. None of the events of Metal Gear ever happened. Ever.
2. If there's an explanation or resolution that doesn't sit well with
you because it's outside "comprehension", refer to point 1. The story
is a work of FICTION, just because they throw around fancy history
terms or real world concepts, does not mean it's meant to be taken
literally at all.
3. I enjoyed Metal Gear because I didn't
question a single thing. It was not complicated and people who look too
deeply into it are the ones who get spoiled from what is relatively, a
very simple story.
Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics version 1.6.1 update has now been released.
New Rosalina and Samus Nintendo eShop cards have been revealed, and a sale is happening that can save you a bit of cash on eShop credit.
James Bond fans can pre-order the 007 First Light DualSense, but the lack of Nintendo Switch accessories is sad, considering Bond's gaming heritage.
100 % agreed with u on this blog...
* MGS Universe is out of this world but somehow feels like inside of it.
* Wile most things in the game are impossible, the game makes it feel like reality.
* Every chapter is mind blowing and wile some ask 4 tears others simply make u go WOW...
Just like Big Boss Said: The world is a better place with no Snakes...
meaning a new chapter shall begin its curse =D
Nice Blog Dr Pirate
And Thanks to Kojima for his Hard work and dedication to such masterpiece =P
I agree with you, it`s the combination of realism and fiction that makes MGS-games so compelling story wise. You know it`s fake, but it feels like something that could`ve happen.
I must say that MGS4 was a disappointment in terms of story. Probably mostly because of the whole Patriots thing, which was a hard mess for Kojima to get out of. I do think people should be allowed to be critical of turns in the story and when Kojima takes things too far as well. As the AI running society. I don`t think the hovering platforms was needed in MGS3 either, but it`s not that big part of MGS3, so... My point is that even in fiction as MGS, things still have to be believable to some degree.
I guess i didn`t like the fact that MGS4 removed some of the elements established in the previous games either. As Ocelot just faking to be Liquid was just unnecessary, and just felt as a plot twist to have a plot twist, although i understand Kojima`s attempt to correct a weird (but in my opinion cool) plot twist from the past. In the sense of realism according to "our own" world, it makes much more sense, but in the game i liked the possessed arm explanation more. It could `ve given the final fight more depth (perhaps you could`ve cut of his arm or something) and more interesting plot developments during the game as Ocelot and Liquid fights for control etc.
In the end, i feel MGS-games walk a thin line between realism and fiction and somethings just don`t work, even in a fictional space, because they`ve taken too far. At other times it`s stuff that isn`t believable in the "real world", but more "right" within the fiction itself. It`s a hard balance getting it right though, and in my opinion done better in MGS1 and MGS3, than in MGS4.