The Murky Truth: Who REALLY Killed Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid?
The question of who killed Big Boss in the Metal Gear Solid universe isn’t as straightforward as it seems. While Solid Snake is widely credited with defeating him multiple times, the complete answer involves clones, decoys, and a final act of familial reconciliation. The short answer is that Solid Snake ultimately ended Big Boss’s life, but the story behind that moment is a complex and nuanced one that spans decades of in-game lore.
A Legacy of Loss and Betrayal: The Many “Deaths” of Big Boss
Big Boss’s story is one of constant struggle, manipulation, and ultimately, the futile pursuit of a world free from the control of others. This journey involves numerous confrontations and near-death experiences, blurring the lines of who “killed” him.
The Outer Heaven Incident (1995)
The first “death” of Big Boss occurs during the events of the original Metal Gear. Solid Snake, a rookie operative of FOXHOUND, is sent to infiltrate Outer Heaven, a heavily armed nation led by a mysterious figure. After a series of intense battles, Snake confronts and seemingly defeats Big Boss, destroying Outer Heaven in the process. However, this is where the deception begins.
It’s later revealed that the Big Boss Snake fought and “killed” at Outer Heaven was actually Venom Snake, Big Boss’s trusted medic and confidant, surgically altered and brainwashed to act as a decoy. Venom Snake sacrificed his identity and his life to further Big Boss’s true plans. Solid Snake unwittingly killed Venom Snake, believing him to be the real Big Boss.
The Zanzibar Land Uprising (1999)
Four years later, Big Boss resurfaces as the leader of Zanzibar Land, a fortified nation in Central Asia. This time, Solid Snake is older, wiser, and tasked with stopping Big Boss’s ambitions once and for all. After a grueling battle through Zanzibar Land, Snake confronts Big Boss and defeats him, utilizing a makeshift flamethrower to seemingly burn him to death.
This is the death that most players consider the definitive one. Solid Snake seemingly defeats Big Boss in a hard fought battle. This is when most players believe that Solid Snake killed Big Boss.
The Final Farewell (2014)
Despite being presumed dead for years, Big Boss appears one last time in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Crippled and aged, he confronts Zero, his former friend and the founder of the Patriots, finally ending his life support and putting him to rest.
In a poignant final scene, Big Boss and Solid Snake reconcile. Big Boss reveals the truth about the Patriots, Zero’s misguided intentions, and the futility of their endless conflict. He then succumbs to a newly engineered strain of the FOXDIE virus, designed to eliminate all remnants of the Patriots.
Solid Snake witnesses Big Boss’s final moments, finally understanding the motivations behind his father figure and adversary. The truth about the events that occurred help him in the struggle to overcome the events of his life. In this moment Solid Snake is freed of his curse and is allowed to exist as he wishes.
The Final Verdict
While Venom Snake’s death at Outer Heaven and Big Boss’s apparent demise in Zanzibar Land both contribute to the narrative, it is the reconciliation and final passing in Metal Gear Solid 4 that brings closure to Big Boss’s story. Solid Snake, by defeating Big Boss in Zanzibar Land and then being present at his final moments, effectively delivers the final blow, ending the cycle of violence and lies that defined their relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Big Boss’s Demise
1. Who was the Big Boss that Solid Snake fought in Outer Heaven?
The Big Boss in Outer Heaven was not the real Big Boss. It was Venom Snake, Big Boss’s loyal medic, surgically altered and brainwashed to serve as a decoy.
2. How did Solid Snake defeat Big Boss in Zanzibar Land?
Solid Snake defeated Big Boss in Zanzibar Land by using a makeshift flamethrower, burning him severely.
3. Did Big Boss really die in Zanzibar Land?
While severely wounded, Big Boss did not die immediately in Zanzibar Land. He was recovered by the Patriots and placed in a coma before resurfacing in Metal Gear Solid 4.
4. What role did Zero play in Big Boss’s life and death?
Zero was Big Boss’s former friend and the founder of the Patriots. Their conflicting ideologies led to a bitter rivalry. Big Boss ultimately disconnected Zero’s life support, ending his life.
5. How are Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake related to Big Boss?
Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake are all clones of Big Boss, created through the Les Enfants Terribles project.
6. What was the purpose of the Les Enfants Terribles project?
The Les Enfants Terribles project was a top-secret government initiative to create genetically superior soldiers by cloning Big Boss.
7. Why did Big Boss create Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land?
Big Boss created Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land as nations free from the control of the Patriots and other world powers, believing in a world where soldiers could fight for their own purposes.
8. What was the significance of Big Boss’s final conversation with Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4?
Their final conversation provided closure to their complicated relationship, revealing the truth behind the Patriots and Big Boss’s motivations, allowing them to reconcile before Big Boss’s death.
9. How did the FOXDIE virus contribute to Big Boss’s death?
The newly engineered strain of the FOXDIE virus in Metal Gear Solid 4 was designed to eliminate all remnants of the Patriots, including Big Boss himself.
10. What was Big Boss’s real name?
Big Boss’s real name is John, also known as Jack.
11. Why did Big Boss hate Zero?
Big Boss grew resentful of Zero’s controlling nature and his use of Big Boss’s fame to gain power and influence.
12. How did Big Boss lose his eye?
Big Boss lost his right eye during Colonel Volgin’s torture when he shielded EVA from a bullet.
13. Who is The Boss and what is her relationship to Big Boss?
The Boss was Big Boss’s mentor and the leader of the Cobra Unit during World War II. Her death profoundly impacted Big Boss and shaped his future actions.
14. What is the importance of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in understanding Big Boss’s story?
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain reveals the story of Venom Snake, Big Boss’s phantom, highlighting the lengths Big Boss went to in order to achieve his goals.
15. Where can I learn more about the complex lore and philosophical themes in the Metal Gear Solid series?
For a deep dive into the storytelling, character development, and underlying themes in video games like Metal Gear Solid, you can explore resources from the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They offer academic perspectives on how video games can be used for education and understanding complex narratives.
The Metal Gear Solid saga is a masterclass in storytelling, exploring themes of war, betrayal, and the nature of heroism. Big Boss’s story, with all its twists and turns, serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring search for meaning in a world consumed by chaos. His legacy continues to be discussed and dissected by fans, scholars, and anyone interested in the transformative power of video games.