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Looking Back at the Legacy of Snake Eater

When Konami first announced that Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was getting a remake, the news was met with excitement from both gamers and the industry. We were going to re-experience one of the greatest games of all time. At the same time, a remake promised to take us into a more detailed and rugged Tselinoyarsk jungle. Describing Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater as one of the most anticipated and ambitious titles is an exageration. This is a remake of one of the greatest video games ever released for the PlayStation 2.

Metal Gear is one of the most iconic game series, with each new entry receiving universal praise. Even though each new entry has been met with success and praise, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater stands out as the crown jewel. It’s hailed as one of the most iconic titles of the PlayStation 2, with its story still ranking among the best. The game began as a way to make amends for the backlash over Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, while also tapping into an emerging trend. Rather than settle for a game that panders to popularity, Hideo Kojima crafted an origin story exploring complex themes within the political climate of the 1960s. The game required players to do more than just sneak through a battlefield—they had to live off the land.

November 17 marks the 20th anniversary of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater‘s release on the PlayStation 2. This is a look back at how it redefined storytelling in gaming, pioneered a new genre, and introduced gamers to the story of Big Boss.

Welcome to the Jungle

The development history of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was unique, as it began as Hideo Kojima’s way of making amends with fans outraged over the “bait-and-switch” in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Additionally, the success of Vietcong had sparked a trend of military games set in jungle environments.

It might be hard to believe now, but Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was incredibly divisive upon release. Though it was one of the most anticipated games of 2001, it quickly became one of the most polarizing titles in gaming history. This was due to a marketing strategy that concealed the biggest twists ever seen in games. Fans expected to play as Solid Snake but instead found themselves controlling Raiden for most of the game. This approach allowed gamers to explore Solid Snake’s story from a fresh perspective, inviting players to critically assess the actions of their beloved hero. In practice, however, fans were not thrilled at the time. Replacing Snake with Raiden wasn’t the game’s only issue; the story was packed with so many twists and subplots that players were often left bewildered. What starts as a straightforward mission to save the President from terrorists quickly spirals into revelations about a facility built to house an AI super-weapon controlled by a shadow organization. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that everything is a simulation designed to test Raiden’s abilities. Meanwhile, Ocelot pursues his own agenda, and themes of control, hidden motives, and nanomachines further complicate the plot. Over time and after multiple revisits, both fans and critics have developed a renewed appreciation for the game and its underlying message. This sentiment has only strengthened with the dominance of social media, information brokers, and the recent rise of AI. Meanwhile, Raiden has gradually become a beloved character among fans.

Another key factor in shaping Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater’s setting was the influence of Vietcong’s success. The early 2000s were dominated by WWII shooters set in the European theater, but this popularity was beginning to wane as players sought fresh settings. Vietcong, a tactical military shooter set in the jungles of Vietnam, offered that change. Lauded by critics and successful on PC, Vietcong inspired studios to explore jungle warfare and the Vietnam War as new themes. Between 2004 and 2005, titles like Men of Valor, Battlefield: Vietnam, and Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault emerged. Among them was Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which Kojima crafted as more than a trend-chaser. Instead, he delivered an origin story that explored the political climate and pop culture of the 1960s. Players weren’t simply sneaking through the jungle; they were surviving off the land, effectively establishing the survival genre in gaming.

The Cold War of 1964

The year is 1964, and global tensions are high as the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union threatens world peace. At the same time, Nikita Khrushchev’s leadership faces a threat from the Military. The GRU faction led by Colonel Volgin is plotting to replace him with Leonid Brezhnev. Amidst this turmoil, the FOX Unit initiates the Virtuous Mission to bring Dr. Nikolai Sokolov to the West. A young Special Forces operative, code-named Naked Snake, is deployed to find Dr. Sokolov. The mission goes smoothly until it’s revealed that The Boss—Snake’s mentor and the Mother of Special Forces—has defected to the Soviet Union. The situation escalates further when Volgin’s forces steal the Shagohod, a mobile nuclear ballistic missile system, and destroy the research facility with a nuclear strike using the Davy Crockett.

As a result, the world teeters on the brink of war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The only way to prevent nuclear catastrophe is for Naked Snake to embark on a difficult mission: eliminate The Boss. Redeployed to the Soviet Union, he must infiltrate Colonel Volgin’s base, neutralize him, and destroy the Shagohod. Along the way, Snake must also summon the courage to confront his former mentor. From the tragic aftermath of Operation Snake Eater, the legacy of Big Boss will ultimately take shape.

The Title of Big Boss

At the time of its release, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was universally praised by both gamers and critics. Its story was lauded for raising the bar with a thought-provoking narrative that explored several powerful themes. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the narrative delves into unquestioned patriotism and its consequences, as well as the bond between mother and son. The gameplay not only redefined the stealth genre but also pioneered a new one—survival. Breaking from traditional stealth action setups, the jungle environment presented a fresh challenge. It wasn’t just about avoiding detection; Snake had to survive by living off the land. This would ultimately lay the foundation for what would become the survival genre.

A decade after its release, it was hailed as one of the greatest PlayStation 2 games, with its story regarded as one of the most memorable in gaming history. Today it’s still fondly remembered as not only the best game in the series but one of the best of the PS2 and a staple of the console. It’s also one of those classic games that has stood the test of time. From a visual standpoint, the original version still holds up, while the remasters add a nice polish. The same can be said for the controls, as the HD version makes slight adjustments to accommodate modern controllers.

For Love and Honor

One of the reasons that Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is still highly praised is because of its narrative direction. This comes down to how it uses the backdrop of the Cold War as a way to explore themes regarding the politics of its time along with elements of a more personal nature. Specifically on how the story explores the themes of unquestioned patriotism and its consequences along with the bond of a mother and son.

The consequences of unquestioned patriotism are most significant due to its influence on American politics during the Cold War. McCarthyism eliminated the concept of questioning authority, while blind obedience to the government dominated the political landscape. It should also be noted that America was once again going through such a phase in the aftermath of 9/11 and the build-up to the Iraq War. For her country, The Boss was forced to make life-changing sacrifices, including giving up her only child and killing her lover. In the end, she was asked to defect to the Soviet Union and then allowed to be killed by her protégé for being a “traitor.” Snake begins down a similar path, following orders without question. Unlike The Boss, he seeks answers and harbors doubts. After the success of Operation Snake Eater, Snake learns the truth about The Boss and the immense sacrifice she made. He begins to question his own patriotism after witnessing how his mentor was abandoned by the country she swore to protect. This marks the turning point for Big Boss, who ultimately rejects his homeland to create a new one where warriors are not treated as disposable tools for governments.

The bond between mother and son is a powerful theme explored during Operation Snake Eater. Snake constantly struggles with his mission to eliminate The Boss, as their connection runs deep. Their relationship transcends that of student and master; it mirrors the bond between mother and child. Like a mother, The Boss nurtured Snake as they fought together, deeply influencing his character. This dynamic is evident when The Boss easily subdues Snake multiple times during their encounters. On the surface, it may seem like Snake lacks the skill to defeat a seasoned soldier. However, the truth is that Snake cannot bring himself to harm his mother figure. He only defeats her after overcoming his emotions, but this comes at the cost of his principles. As later titles reveal, the emotional burden of killing his mother figure shapes Snake’s actions and decisions in profound ways.

It’s these powerful themes that make the story of Snake Eater a compelling narrative. It’s an emotionally driven work of art. Rarely had a video game at the time featured a story that impacted players emotionally like Kojima’s did.

I’m Still in a Dream

Describing Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater as an ambitious remake is an understatement, given its immense legacy. The development team is tasked with recreating one of the greatest titles that redefined a genre and set new standards in storytelling. Not since Resident Evil 2 has a remake of such a revered game presented such a daunting challenge. However, from what we’ve seen, it’s not only promising but appears poised to truly honor the legacy of one of the defining titles of the PlayStation 2.

Looking back at the legacy of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater puts this monumental task into perspective. It started the journey of an iconic anti-hero, told us an unforgettable story and created a new genre. It has truly earned the praise and respect it receives to this day.

Did you play Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for the PlayStation 2 or the HD remake, or as part of The Master Collection? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

8Bit/Digi is an independent news outlet that provides insight into the video game and fandom community of the San Francisco Bay Area.