Since Metal Gear Solid 2 is going to be released in a mere 9 weeks, I felt it appropriate to recap the entire saga and refresh the memories of those who have played it long ago, or present the series anew to those who have yet to experience its greatness. However, if you have yet to play any of the Metal Gear games, with the exception of Snake\'s Revenge, then please feel free to go out and find them, buy them, and experience them. These words that I will spew will be fruitless and no real match for the truly original experience that will unfold before your eyes. Control Snake. Live through Snake. Be one with Solid Snake.
***I will be revealing the entire plot and story details in these upcoming sections of this special. If you have yet to play the games ever and plan to do so at some point, please turn away now unless you don\'t mind if a feeble minded editor, such as myself, ruins the entire story for you. This will be the first and only warning in this 9-part series.***Part I: The Beginning[/b]
Metal Gear---1995---
It\'s a hot day, but the day is just beginning.
Deep underground where the heat is nowhere near as nullifying as it is on the surface, a form of steal and armor is being constructed. This weapon is the ultimate battle tank capable of traversing nearly every terrain Mother Earth has to offer, every inch of Earth surrounded by ocean, with the ability to change the face of an entire nation with a force equal only to the power of the sun.
Surrounding this huge mass is an incredible facility built deep within South Africa only newly known to the world as \'Zanzibar.\' In Zanzibar walks a mass of highly trained mercenaries prepared to deal with any foe who dare opposes their regime or beliefs, capable of starting their own mini war if the need calls for such a dastardly deed.
To combat this fierce global killing machine and its hardened troops, the United States military sent their best soldier from the special force unit codenamed Fox-hound: Grey Fox. However, shortly after Grey Fox began the mission, a communiqué was received from within the Zanzibar facility. The message came from Grey Fox and said only two words: "
Metal Gear."
Desperately seeking closure on the situation, the commanders of the US military again turned to the special Fox-Hound unit and requested assistance. Big-Boss, the Commander of Fox-Hound, assigned Solid Snake, a virtual rookie to the entire unit, to examine the situation in Zanzibar and obtain information on "Metal Gear" and determine if it is a lethal threat. If said information is correct, destroy it.
After infiltrating Zanzibar, which the mercenaries now refer to as "Outer Heaven," Snake found and rescued Grey Fox, Doctor Petrovich and his daughter, Elen. The Doctor was the chief engineer behind the Metal Gear project and his daughter was being held captive until he completed his work on the battle tank. However, Snake was too late in reaching the Doctor for he had already completed his work. Metal Gear was now operational. The mammoth beast, which resides on sub-level 100 of the main Outer Heaven facility, did have one fatal design flaw. Dr. Petrovich relayed the flaw to Snake and prayed Snake could use the information to his advantage and destroy this national threat.
With his mission objectives now clear, Snake headed to sub-level 100. Once reaching his destination, he encountered the walking battle tank. Injuring his arm, Snake fought valiantly against this metal beast until it finally lurched over and exploded in an orange ball of steal and wires. Snake was victorious. Battered and wounded, Snake headed towards the elevator to make his way to the surface until he encountered a single solitary soul -- Big Boss.
Big Boss explained to Snake that he was just an expendable asset all along. how Snake, being the rookie that he was, should not have made it this far into the complex and subsequently destroying Metal Gear. Astounded by his performance and his abilities, Big Boss engaged Snake in final hand-to-hand combat. However, before the battle had begun, Big Boss triggered a self-destruct sequence that would decimate the entire facility.
When the dust finally settled, Snake was the only human left standing. The Metal Gear, the trained mercenaries, and Big Boss himself were enveloped by the smoldering ruins of Outer Heaven. Snake, standing alone in this small country living a story no common man would hear about, had done the impossible and defeated a living legend and his dreams, all while saving the world.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake---1999---
Despite all the people present on Earth, there are times when it feels completely desolate.
The Earth is nearing death. The world that provides us with the black blood that fuels our motors, heats our homes, and powere our electronics is running incredibly low. The threat of nuclear disaster is a low one, but the world now faces the very real threat of human stupidity. However, one human has invented a product that is capable of increasing the potency of this petroleum so smaller amounts can do several times as much work as they do now.
With the turn of the century gaining upon us quickly, one man turned this perpetual chaotic situation into an issue that humanity would soon forget. This Czechoslovakian bioligist, Doctor Kio Marv, had invented a substance known to all as Oilix. This formula could purify petroleum and allow a car to travel a thousand miles on a single tank of gas. However, before Dr. Marv could demonstrate his new discovery to the world, Dr. Marv dissapeared.
Nations, desperate for the new catalyst that could change the planet, sent out massive search parties in order to locate Dr. Marv and more importantly, his new formula. However, during their search, a few leads led them to a name that had been buried deep within the white house files for four years. That name was Zanzibar.
In Central Asia in 1997, a group of nationalists formed together and began raidinga specific area of land that they would deem as their own. Responding quickly, Russian CIS Troops were sent in to supress the uprising. Upon the first battle between these nationalists and the Russian troops, , the Nationalists hired a large number of highly skilled mercenaries to fight the battle for them. Repeatedly, the Mercs. fought and won against the CIS troops and the nationalists deemed their new piece of land called "Zanzibar Land." These wars that were fought for this land would soon be known as
Mercenary Wars and the winning nationalists fortified their new position by constructing a large fortress around their plot of land.
Now, it has been reported that the members of Zanzibar Land have kidnapped Dr. Marv and have taken his all new Oilix formula. Their plans are to fortify themselves as an independant country that holds the beating heart of the world in their tiny grasp. Additionaly, early reports also indicate that Zanzibar Land contains a small arsenal of nuclear weapons and ICBMs at their disposle.
Understanding the situation, Roy Campbell, the newly appointed leader of special unit Fox-Hound, was called upon by the US military to circumvent these terrorists and rescue Dr. Marv and obtain the new Oilix formula. Campbell, a former member of Fox-Hound himself, called upon Solid Snake to undertake this dangerous mission.
Infiltrating the fortress of Zanzibar Land, Snake quickly came into contact with Dr. Petrovich, previous designer of the once acclaimed global killing machine, Metal Gear. Discussing the situation with Solid Snake, Petrovich revealed two vital pieces of information. One being that he was developing a much improved Metal Gear model, but more importantly that Big Boss, former commander of Fox-Hound and deceased traito of the United States, was behind the entire coup.
After rescuing Dr. Petrovich, Snake headed to the last known position of Dr. Marv. En route, Snake crossed a small narrow bridge, but before he could reach the other end, the bridge was hit by a large missile completely destroying it. Snake managed to survive, but Dr. Petrovich was recaptured. Just as Snake turned to see where the missile came from, Snake saw a huge hulking beast in the distance. Metal Gear. As he prepared himself for the fight of his life, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey Snake. We\'re good buddies. I can let you go, Just leave this place at once."
It was Grey Fox! Snake replied in kind.
"Fox! I will not give up!"
After a bit of running and searching, Snake finally made it to Dr. Marv\'s cell only to find Petrovich and the corpse of Dr. Marv. Snake then received and emergency call informing him that Dr. Petrovich was actually there of his own accord and was a traitor. Snake quickly dispatched Dr Petrovich and obtained the Oilix formula.
Snake, now with Oilix in hand and attempting to escape the facility, encountered Metal Gear being piloted by Grey Fox. Snake, just as before, destroyed Metal Gear. However, being the true warrior he was, Grey Fox challenged Snake to a hand-to-hand duel. The two soldiers, both performing their duty, battled to the last breath in a mine field. Snake, winning the battle, left Grey Fox for dead.
Again, just as before, Big Boss finally showed his evil face. "I am giving you something to live for Snake, and that something is war." Just as he uttered those words, Snake sprung into combat and fought Big Boss for the last time. Defeating him, Snake escaped from Zanzibar Land.
"Whoever wins, our battle does not end. The loser is freed from the battlefield, the winner must remain there and the survivor must live his life as the warrior until he dies."
Snake then disappeared into Alaska.
