The Phantom Ending: Unveiling Metal Gear Solid 4’s Scrapped Finale

The unused ending of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots involved Solid Snake and Otacon turning themselves in to the authorities for their actions throughout the series. In this original conclusion, they would be tried for their crimes, found guilty, and ultimately executed. This dark and somber ending was ultimately deemed too bleak by the majority of the development staff at Kojima Productions and was subsequently replaced with the more nuanced and arguably bittersweet conclusion that made it into the final game. Let’s delve deeper into the what-ifs and ramifications of this almost-was ending.

The Road Not Taken: Why Scrap an Execution?

Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the Metal Gear franchise, is known for his willingness to explore morally complex themes and push the boundaries of storytelling in video games. This proposed ending certainly fits that bill. The reasons for rejecting it are multifaceted, but primarily revolve around maintaining a certain level of hope and closure for the characters and the player.

An execution, particularly for beloved characters like Snake and Otacon, would have left a decidedly negative and potentially unsatisfying taste in the mouths of players who had invested years into following their journey. It would arguably undermine the themes of redemption and finding purpose that resonated throughout the Metal Gear Solid series.

Furthermore, while the series tackles weighty topics like war, genetic manipulation, and the corruption of power, it also offers moments of camaraderie, love, and even humor. A straight-up execution might have felt tonally inconsistent with the overall feel of the saga.

Echoes of Morality: The Approved Ending

The final ending of MGS4 is far more intricate. It sees Snake and Otacon facing the consequences of their actions, but with a sense of hope for the future. Snake, aware of his rapidly declining health due to accelerated aging, chooses to live out his remaining days advocating for a better world. Big Boss’s return and subsequent death at Snake’s unintentional hand (due to a mutated strain of FOXDIE) provided closure for the central conflict of the series, revealing that Zero’s control was the ultimate evil behind the Patriots. This ending offered a sense of resolution for Snake and allowed the player to bid farewell to the characters on a more optimistic note.

Alternate Paths: The Ripple Effect

The original draft raises fascinating questions:

• How would the series legacy have been affected by such a dark ending?
• Would the ending have been more daring or simply depressing?
• Could this ending have provided a more poignant statement on the cycle of violence and the futility of war?

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Metal Gear Solid 4 Lore

Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the context and characters of Metal Gear Solid 4, considering the complexities that might be altered or highlighted by the unused ending.

1. How is Zero alive in MGS4?

In 2014, Big Boss awakens and discovers Zero in a persistent vegetative state, kept alive solely by life support equipment. The Patriots used him for their own ends even in this state.

2. Who was in the wheelchair at the end of MGS4?

The individual in the wheelchair at the end of MGS4 is Major Zero, also known as David Oh. He is shown in a coma, unable to communicate or control his body.

3. Why did Naomi betray Snake in MGS4?

Naomi Hunter’s motivations for her actions in MGS4 are rooted in the past. After Solid Snake defeated Big Boss and crippled Frank Jaeger (Gray Fox) in Zanzibar Land, Naomi harbored intense hatred for Snake, blaming him for Frank’s suffering and vowing revenge.

4. Did Raiden survive MGS4?

Yes, Raiden survives the events of MGS4. Although he sustains severe injuries throughout the game, including the loss of limbs, he is ultimately saved by the destruction of the Patriots’ AI network, which disables the nanomachines controlling his enemies.

5. Why is Raiden armless?

Raiden lost both of his arms during the Twin Suns sequence in MGS4. He willingly severed his right arm to save Solid Snake from the collapsing Outer Haven, and he lost his remaining arm when he was crushed by the debris.

6. Why is Raiden missing his jaw?

Raiden’s missing jaw is a result of a battle with Samuel Rodrigues (Sam) on a train. During the fight, Sam slices at Raiden’s face, causing severe damage around the jaw area.

7. Why is Raiden’s blood white in MGS4?

Raiden’s blood is white because it’s an older type of artificial blood called “white blood,” used by the military. It requires dialysis and filtering after prolonged use, as explained by Naomi Hunter.

8. Why do Gekkos bleed in MGS4?

Although Gekkos are bio-mechanical, they have a circulatory system that utilizes blood to nourish their legs. The legs contain living muscle tissue, producing lactic acid, which needs to be expelled periodically. Therefore, when cut or shot, the legs will bleed.

9. Why did Snake lose his eye?

Big Boss (Naked Snake) lost his right eye during Colonel Volgin’s torture. A muzzle burn from a gun blinded him after he intercepted a bullet meant for EVA (Tatyana), rupturing his cornea and lens.

10. How was Big Boss still alive in MGS4?

After his supposed death, Big Boss’s body was recovered by the Patriots. They kept him in an induced coma, using him for gene therapy to design the Next-Generation Special Forces.

11. Why did Zero betray Big Boss?

While Zero initially shared a vision with Big Boss, he eventually became power-hungry, exploiting Big Boss’s fame for his own gain. Big Boss grew resentful of Zero’s methods, leading Zero to fear his departure and seek to control him.

12. Why does Snake look old in MGS4?

Snake’s accelerated aging is a consequence of being a clone of Big Boss. The clones were engineered to age faster than normal, described as a “gift from the old man.” It also symbolizes the themes of mortality and the passage of time prevalent in the series.

13. Who is the grave in MGS4?

At the beginning of MGS4, Solid Snake salutes Big Boss’s grave. At the end, he visits it again, noticing the grave beside it, which is that of The Boss.

14. What does Snake inject himself with in MGS4?

Drebin provides Snake with an injection of nanomachines that allow him to use any weapons he purchases. However, Drebin secretly injects Snake with a new strain of FOXDIE programmed to kill former Patriot members Big Mama, Liquid Ocelot, and Big Boss.

15. Is Snake Raiden’s dad?

No, Snake is not Raiden’s biological father. He is, technically, Raiden’s adoptive uncle.

The Enduring Legacy

Even though the original ending of Metal Gear Solid 4 was scrapped, its existence offers a valuable insight into the creative process behind the game and the complex moral questions it explores. The final ending, while different, preserved the spirit of the series and provided a fitting conclusion to the saga of Solid Snake. Understanding these nuanced aspects of game development provides a broader context for media literacy. To gain deeper insights into how games affect learning, be sure to visit Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.