Why Does Snake Have a Horn? The Truth Behind the Shrapnel

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The “horn” on Snake’s head, as seen in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (MGSV), is not a horn in the traditional, biological sense. It’s a piece of shrapnel embedded in his skull, the result of an explosion that occurred at the end of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. This shrapnel remains lodged in Snake’s head throughout the game, visually signifying the trauma and events that shape his character’s journey. Furthermore, the size of the shrapnel increases depending on the player’s actions, reflecting a descent into villainy based on choices made in the game.

The Origins of the Shrapnel “Horn”

The explosion that leads to the shrapnel being lodged in Snake’s head is a pivotal moment in the Metal Gear Solid storyline. It’s triggered by a bomb implanted within Paz Ortega Andrade, a character Snake had rescued earlier in the game. The blast sends Snake and Big Boss into a coma, lasting nine years. During this time, Snake undergoes significant alterations, including facial reconstruction and brainwashing, to become a mental doppelganger of Big Boss. The shrapnel, irreversibly embedded in his brain, serves as a constant reminder of this traumatic event and the subsequent manipulations he endures.

The “Demon Points” System and Horn Growth

A unique mechanic in MGSV is the “Demon Points” system. This system tracks the player’s actions and assigns points based on their morality. Actions such as killing enemies indiscriminately, harming animals, or developing nuclear weapons contribute to the player’s Demon Level. As the Demon Level increases, so does the size of the shrapnel embedded in Snake’s head. This visual representation of moral degradation adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, forcing players to consider the consequences of their choices. At the highest Demon Level, Snake is permanently covered in blood, symbolizing his descent into darkness.

Snake, Big Boss, and the Phantom Pain

It’s crucial to remember that the “Snake” we see in MGSV is, in fact, Venom Snake, a medic who undergoes extensive surgery and brainwashing to become a decoy for the real Big Boss. This deception is central to the game’s plot, highlighting themes of identity, sacrifice, and the creation of legends. The shrapnel in Venom Snake’s head serves as a constant physical reminder of his forced transformation and the burden he carries as the “phantom” of Big Boss. The Games Learning Society explores these themes of narrative and player agency within gaming experiences. For more information about narrative in video games, please visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Snake’s Horn

Here are some common questions about the horn and its significance in the Metal Gear Solid universe:

1. Is Snake’s horn removable? No, the shrapnel is lodged in Snake’s brain in such a way that removing it would cause irreversible brain damage. It is essentially a permanent fixture.

2. Why is the horn sometimes bigger than other times? The size of the “horn” is directly related to the player’s Demon Level. Negative actions increase Demon Points, causing the shrapnel to grow larger.

3. Does the horn affect Snake’s gameplay abilities? The horn is primarily a visual indicator of the player’s moral alignment. It doesn’t directly impact gameplay abilities, although the increased Demon Level can influence certain aspects of the game.

4. Is the blood on Demon Snake permanent? Yes, when Snake reaches the highest Demon Level, he becomes permanently covered in bloodstains that cannot be washed off through normal means.

5. How do I reduce my Demon Level and shrink the horn? To reduce your Demon Level, you need to perform positive actions, such as rescuing animals, avoiding unnecessary kills, and dismantling nuclear weapons.

6. Why does Big Boss have a horn if he wasn’t in the explosion directly? Big Boss was also caught in the explosion that injured Snake, but it’s Venom Snake, the medic who underwent brainwashing and facial reconstruction, who carries the largest piece of shrapnel in his head throughout The Phantom Pain.

7. Did Venom Snake know he wasn’t the real Big Boss? Initially, no. Venom Snake believed himself to be Big Boss. The truth is revealed to him later through a tape, leading to his acceptance of his role as a phantom.

8. What is the significance of the horn’s placement on Snake’s head? The placement of the shrapnel is symbolic, representing the deep psychological trauma and manipulation that Snake has undergone. It’s a constant reminder of his lost identity and the role he is forced to play.

9. What is the “Les Enfants Terribles” project mentioned in the lore? This project was initiated by Zero to create clones of Big Boss. The project aimed to replicate Big Boss’s skills and abilities to maintain control and perpetuate his legacy.

10. Why did The Boss betray Snake? The Boss’s betrayal was a cover-up orchestrated by the United States. She was tasked with stealing Volgin’s treasure and then being killed by Snake to avoid a conflict between America and the Soviet Union. Her actions were meant to ensure world peace.

11. What happened to Venom Snake after the events of MGSV? Venom Snake continues to serve as a decoy for Big Boss, playing a crucial role in the establishment of Outer Heaven, the military nation that serves as a counterforce to the Patriots.

12. How long can a snake live without its head? While a mammal will die almost immediately if decapitated, snakes and other ectotherms can survive for minutes or even hours because they don’t require as much oxygen to fuel the brain. However, this doesn’t apply to the character of Snake and his shrapnel.

13. What is Outer Heaven? Outer Heaven is a military nation founded by Big Boss (and supported by Venom Snake) as a haven for soldiers, free from the control of governments and ideologies.

14. Why did Big Boss hate Zero? Big Boss’s hatred for Zero stemmed from Zero’s attempt to control and manipulate him, particularly through the “Les Enfants Terribles” project, which used Big Boss’s DNA without his consent.

15. What is the most venomous snake in the world? The inland taipan, native to Australia, is considered the most venomous snake in the world, based on its median lethal dose (LD50) tests on mice. This information is unrelated to the character of Snake and his shrapnel.

The shrapnel “horn” on Snake’s head is more than just a physical injury; it’s a visual metaphor for the themes of identity, trauma, and moral ambiguity that define the Metal Gear Solid series. It serves as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made and the path taken by both Big Boss and Venom Snake, solidifying its place as an iconic element of the game.