Is Killing Okay in MGSV? Exploring the Morality of Lethal Actions in Metal Gear Solid V
The question of whether killing is “okay” in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (MGSV) is complex and ultimately depends on the player’s interpretation and engagement with the game’s mechanics and narrative. There is no inherent moral judgement system within the game’s core mechanics that dictates killing as inherently “bad”. While the game presents consequences for lethal actions, these are largely related to in-game mechanics and progression, rather than a deep, overarching moral framework. Essentially, you can play through the entire game as a ruthless killer or as a stealthy pacifist, and the main story will remain largely the same.
The game’s design allows for a highly customizable approach. You can choose to eliminate every enemy in your path, employing a variety of lethal weapons and tactics, or you can opt for a non-lethal approach, focusing on stealth and tranquilization. Neither path alters the core narrative, but both lead to very different player experiences. So, while killing is permissible and functionally accepted by the game, it’s the player’s engagement with the consequences and self-imposed moral code that shapes their experience and perspective.
The Mechanics of Lethality
In MGSV, your actions are primarily measured through mission ratings, heroism points, and the visual representation of your Demon Value. These metrics, while not strictly moral, provide a feedback loop that can impact the way you play.
Mission Evaluation and Bonus Points
Each mission is graded based on various criteria, including time taken, alerts triggered, and number of enemies killed. Lethal actions typically result in a reduction of bonus points, encouraging players to adopt a more stealthy and non-lethal approach if they wish to achieve the highest rankings. This system doesn’t prohibit killing, but it does incentivize players to consider alternative strategies.
Heroism and Its Effects
Heroism is directly influenced by your in-game actions. Positive actions like rescuing hostages or successfully completing missions without raising alarms increase your heroism, while killing enemies indiscriminately decreases it. Higher heroism leads to better-skilled soldiers volunteering for Mother Base. This mechanic highlights the connection between your actions and the strength of your forces, subtly suggesting that a more benevolent approach yields greater long-term benefits.
The Demon Value and the “Demon Snake”
The game features a hidden “Demon Value” system that is directly tied to a player’s use of lethal force. The more lives the player takes, the more this value rises, which is visually represented by the growing shrapnel in Venom Snake’s head. The more violent you are, the more monstrous Venom Snake becomes, turning him into “Demon Snake.” This is the game’s most direct consequence for a high body count, and it is a visual representation of the potential degradation of Snake’s morality. However, this is primarily an aesthetic change with no significant gameplay alterations.
The Narrative and Moral Ambiguity
Despite the mechanical consequences, the narrative of MGSV remains largely consistent regardless of your lethality. You are always the leader of Diamond Dogs, and the ultimate goals of the story remain the same. The main story does not change whether you decide to play as a cold-blooded killer or a savior.
The Lack of Direct Narrative Consequences
The game’s story doesn’t react in meaningful ways to the player’s killing habits. There are no major plot points or ending changes dependent on your kill count. This is a departure from games with stricter morality systems, where actions have a direct impact on the unfolding narrative. This system allows the player to engage with the game as a moral arbiter themselves rather than rely on the game to define their morality.
The Case of Quiet
Even with characters like Quiet, there are limited narrative consequences to the choice of killing. Killing Quiet only prevents the player from experiencing her character arc, her cutscenes, and the additional cassette tapes she provides. You can later get her back by replaying a mission, reinforcing the idea that player choices, while important for the player experience, don’t dramatically alter the core story. This mechanic allows players to experience all aspects of the game regardless of earlier choices.
Conclusion
Ultimately, killing in MGSV is a choice. It’s a choice that might impact your score, your resources, and your visual representation in the game, but it will not fundamentally alter the story’s conclusion. The game doesn’t definitively declare killing as “wrong”. Metal Gear Solid V encourages players to reflect on the implications of their actions within the game’s complex political and military context. The true moral dimension is shaped by the player’s individual choices and the reasons behind them. The game provides the tools, but the player defines their own morality within the world it creates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main penalties for killing enemies in MGSV?
The primary penalties for lethal actions are: loss of bonus points during mission evaluations and a decrease in heroism points.
2. How does heroism affect gameplay?
Heroism impacts the stats of soldiers you find and the stats of soldiers that volunteer to join your Mother Base. High heroism typically attracts better-skilled personnel.
3. Does killing Quiet in MGSV affect the story?
No, killing Quiet does not change the main storyline. However, it means you miss out on her cassette tapes and cutscenes. You can bring her back later through gameplay.
4. How do you get Quiet back after killing her or completing mission 45?
To get Quiet back, you must replay Mission 11 seven times, ensuring to spare her when given the choice. After defeating her a seventh time, she will return to Mother Base. After mission 45, you also need to complete mission 11 the same way to get her back.
5. What happens if a Mother Base staff member is killed?
Ocelot spoils the ending if you kill a Mother Base staff member. Be cautious of your actions on your base.
6. How many times do I need to defeat Quiet to get her back?
You need to defeat Quiet in Mission 11 a total of seven times to have her return to Mother Base.
7. Why can’t Quiet speak English?
Quiet is infected with a version of the vocal cord parasite that activates when the infected person speaks English. This is why she remains silent for most of the game.
8. What happens if Quiet speaks English?
If Quiet speaks English, the parasite would activate, killing both her and anyone else nearby speaking English.
9. What should I avoid doing in MGSV?
It is wise to avoid leaving bodies lying around. Discovering dead bodies may alert the enemy, so they should be moved or disposed of properly.
10. What happens if Snake doesn’t shower in MGSV?
Not showering leads to flies accumulating around Snake’s head and characters reacting negatively to his odor. Eventually, Ocelot will throw water at you to cleanse you.
11. Why does the shrapnel in Snake’s head grow?
The shrapnel grows as Snake’s Demon Value increases, reflecting the cruelty of your in-game actions. The more lethal the player, the longer the shrapnel becomes.
12. What do you get for 100% completing MGSV?
There is no in-game reward for 100% completing MGSV beyond the satisfaction of completion. There is no special weapon or anything of the kind.
13. What was the real Big Boss doing during the events of MGSV?
During MGSV, the real Big Boss was building Zanzibar Land, a direct parallel to the Outer Heaven that Venom Snake is working towards.
14. Why does Quiet hum?
Quiet hums to indicate she has acquired a target. Using the “Cover me.” command allows her to fire at will, stopping the humming.
15. Why does Quiet disappear after Mission 45?
Quiet disappears to prevent the spread of parasites, realizing that her presence on Mother Base is a danger to its inhabitants after a second outbreak. She also leaves due to a need to be away from Diamond Dogs as she doesn’t want to be a threat to them.