Listed below is the basic storyline of the Metal Gear series, dating back to the release of the first Metal Gear game in 1987. Metal Gear Solid Online strongly encourages you to visit the Characters section as well, as you follow the game from its very beginning.
What is "Metal Gear"? ... Metal Gear first went on sale in Japan on July 7, 1987. That game was born with the following notion: "Fighting alone does not make a game; stealth is more important!". Metal Gear had a huge impact on gamers and manufacturers alike. Not only was it a new and original game design, but its story, full of plot twist and intricate human drama, garnished praise from the critics and made it into a huge international hit. The sequel, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, released later, also received high praise. The release of Solid Snake would mark the last time that Metal Gear appeared on any platform. Nevertheless, the Metal Gear series continued to be widely discussed as a visionary masterpiece. Today, the true vision of Metal Gear has been unveiled to fans across the world in the form of Metal Gear Solid, only for the Playstation game console.
Outer Heaven Revolt ... A small, but powerfully armed nation called "Outer Heaven" emerges from deep within South Africa. NATO learns that they are designing a nuclear-equipped walking battle tank called "Metal Gear," and they send in one of their best agents, Gray Fox. But, he is taken hostage, and they are forced to send in the newest member of Fox Hound, Solid Snake. He rescues Gray Fox and forces the surrender of Outer Heaven. As Solid Snake escapes, he is confronted by one man. It's FOX-HOUND's commander, Big Boss! It seems that Outer Heaven was a mercenary company and Big Boss was the mastermind behind it. Big Boss had intentionally chosen his most inexperienced agent, Solid Snake, thinking he would fail. Having seriously miscalculated, Big Boss is forced to fiercely battle Solid Snake, with the latter eventually defeating Boss as the Outer Heaven burns around him.
Zanzibar Riot ... In 1999, Dr. Kio Marv, inventor of the oil refining microbe, OILIX, was taken hostage by Zanzibar, a heavily armed nation in central Asia ruled by a minority ethnic group. Zanzibar was planning to gain political and military hegemony over a world suffering under the cruel weight of a worldwide energy crisis. Roy Campbell, commander of FOX HOUND, called Solid Snake, then in retirement, back to active duty to infiltrate Zanzibar and recover Dr. Marv. Solid Snake made it past ZanZibar's impressive steel wall and penetrated deep into its interior. Once inside he destroyed Metal Gear, which had been completed after being transported from Outer Heaven, and defeated Gray Fox, former member of FOX-HOUND and then leader of the Zanzibar mercenary corps. He was also successful in retrieving the OILIX manufacturing process. Finally, he would once again meet his destiny with the man who was pulling the strings in Zanzibar, Big Boss! He had survived Outer Heaven and created Zanzibar in order to make a world rife with conflict and war, a world in which soldiers such as himself would always have a place. After defeating Big Boss for the second and final time, Snake gave up on war and retired to the peaceful Alaskan wilderness.
The Dawn of the 21st Century ... The nuclear weapons disposal facility on Shadow Moses Island in Alaska's Fox Archipelago is attacked and captured by Next Generation Special Forces led by members of FOX-HOUND. The terrorists have secured hundreds of nuclear warheads and are demanding the government hand over the remains of Big Boss. They warn that if their demands aren't met within 24 hours, they will launch a nuclear weapon. Solid Snake is once again called back to duty in a top-secret mission to deal with the greatest terrorist threat the world has ever seen. First, he must single-handedly infiltrate the nuclear weapons disposal site and rescue two hostages, DARPA Chief Donald Anderson and the President of ArmsTech, Kenneth Baker. Secondly, Snake has to eliminate the terrorist threat and prevent a nuclear launch with the clock ticking. Once again, Snake heads into the battle... alone.
Goal of the Game ... "Infiltrate without being seen by your enemies." You are Solid Snake and you have to single-handedly infiltrate the nuclear weapons disposal facility which is being occupied by a group of terrorists. If the enemy spots Snake, they will call in reinforcements and go after him. You can't win in a fire fight against superior numbers, so try to avoid unnecessary battles whenever possible.
Snake has two missions ... Solid Snake has two mission during Metal Gear Solid. They include the following:
1. Infiltrate the nuclear disposal site. Determine the nuclear launch capabilities of the terrorists and prevent a launch at all costs.
2. Rescue the DARPA Chief and the ArmsTech President. Both continue to be held hostage by the terrorists.
When the game begins, your first goal is to find the DARPA Chief.
