A solider coming out of retirement for a job too big to ignore…
A scientist using gene therapy to patch together a past…
A colonel brokering negotiations between his former unit and the President…
A weapons specialist from Prypiat working tirelessly to prevent nuclear warfare…
A sniper seeking revenge on those who turned a blind eye to Kurdistan…
A telepath whose mind control techniques got the best of him…
A rookie recruit who lives through her family’s war stories…
A data analyst who watches violence from behind a screen…
An engineer obsessed with mechas that designs the perfect weapon…
Maybe it sounds familiar, as if these people and events exist in real life, which is why I decided to write about Metal Gear Solid in the next installment of Alto+, a miniseries that explores various media content through interpersonal and intercultural communication lenses.
Written by Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid follows Solid Snake, a solider who infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility in order to rescue hostages and neutralize a terrorist threat by a rogue military unit. What makes Metal Gear Solid stand out as a video game is the realistic dialogue, conflicted characters and eerie real-life foreshadowing. It’s a compelling story that makes us question absolute power, military-industrial complex, government secrecy and humans’ need for connection.
Since there is so much to digest with this game, and to avoid story spoilers, I will be focusing on the major themes. There were two previous games in the series, and in them, Snake was recruited, trained and was deployed as part of FOXHOUND, a U.S. Army special forces unit. These two games are referenced throughout as turning points in his career and what ultimately led to his retirement. He was pulled out of retirement in order to complete this mission.
Snake initially claims he has no family or friends, doesn’t remember life before active duty and possesses zero interest in a greater cause. Trauma for the characters, via combat and psychological manipulation, is shown through interpersonal disengagement and blindly going through the motions.
As the game progresses, however, he shows an emotional side and sympathizes with the other characters, even providing heartfelt advice and discussing matters of love. Even in the darkest moments, there are glimmers:
Snake: No matter how far data technology advances, you’ll never be able to penetrate the human heart.
Mei Ling: You’re wrong. It’s just a matter of time…
Snake: But first you have to understand human emotions, Mei Ling.
Mei Ling: And how do I do that?
Snake: You have to allow yourself to fall in love with someone.
The storyline takes place in a fictional 2005 with the Cold War stretching into the 1990’s. While this time is considered “peaceful,” there are still superpowers looking for the next military advancement and smaller countries seeking to quell regional uprisings and terrorism. Early in the game, it was revealed that there is a potential treaty between the U.S. and Russia, albeit a façade, as both countries are secretly developing sophisticated weaponry utilizing existing nuclear warheads and experimenting on soldiers to develop a stronger army. Metal Gear “Rex” is one part of the equation.
Campbell: Yes. And tomorrow the President and his Russian counterpart are scheduled to sign the Start 3 Accord.
Snake: I get it. That’s the reason for the deadline.
Naomi: That’s right, Snake. And that’s why we can’t let the terrorist attack go public.
Campbell: We still haven’t even ratified Start 2 or dealt with the issue of TMD’s (theater missile defense). This has to do with the President’s reputation and America’s place as the dominant superpower.
Snake: So patriotism is your excuse for circumventing the Constitution?
Snake seems to be “tough on the outside, soft on the inside” and while it could be concluded that he “grows” the game, I don’t believe that’s the case. Snake values connection even if it’s fraught and intangible, and it’s possible to separate the political from the personal. He understands that the folks he interacts with all carry trauma, and from his perspective, it’s all due to states who seek power and control over the people. Therefore, he doesn’t ascribe to national pride, as there is nothing to be proud of.
Metal Gear Solid is a sober reminder that the only victors in perpetual war are those who can politically and economically benefit. As for the rest of society, the only way to overcome this is to build a community: seek new connections, ask appropriate questions, uncover ways to learn from each other and lean into the neutrality (and positivity). Solid Snake may not appear to be your typical champion for intercultural competence, but that’s where we need to leave our assumptions behind.
Have you played this video game? Are there are unlikely champions of intercultural competency and inclusion that you can think of?