Whether you’re revisiting the franchise from the very beginning or just want to catch up on the latest events, the Metal Gear series remains one of the most intricate sagas in video game history. Packed with political intrigue, shocking twists, and unforgettable characters, here’s a full summary of the Metal Gear story across all main entries.
Metal Gear (1987)
Set in 1995, a young soldier named Solid Snake, a member of FOXHOUND, is sent to infiltrate the fortified base of Outer Heaven in South Africa. His mission: destroy the walking nuclear tank Metal Gear TX-55.
During his mission, Snake discovers that his own commander, Big Boss, is the mastermind behind Outer Heaven. The game ends with Snake destroying Metal Gear and defeating Big Boss in a tragic father-figure confrontation—laying the foundation for their rivalry in future entries.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
In 1999, Snake is deployed to Zanzibar Land to stop the creation of Metal Gear D and rescue a key scientist. Along the way, he fights elite mercenaries, including his friend-turned-foe, Gray Fox.
Snake learns that Big Boss survived and now leads the project. Their fiery final battle ends with Snake defeating him once more—or so it seems—cementing Snake’s reputation as the world’s top covert operative.
Metal Gear Solid (1998)
In 2005, rogue FOXHOUND agents seize a nuclear facility on Shadow Moses Island in Alaska, threatening the world with Metal Gear REX. Retired Snake is called back into action to infiltrate the base, rescue hostages, and neutralize the weapon.
Snake uncovers a wider conspiracy tied to the cloning project Les Enfants Terribles, learning that the leader of the terrorists, Liquid Snake, is his twin brother. After duels against foes like Sniper Wolf and Psycho Mantis, Snake finally defeats Liquid and averts nuclear disaster.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
The story begins with Snake investigating a tanker carrying Metal Gear RAY. After a mysterious attack, control shifts to a new protagonist: Raiden, who is deployed to the Big Shell facility to stop a terrorist group calling themselves “Sons of Liberty.”
The plot unravels into a massive conspiracy run by the secretive Patriots, who manipulate global information. Themes of truth, freedom, and media control dominate, while Snake resurfaces to save the day in crucial moments.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Set during the 1960s Cold War, the game serves as a prequel, introducing Naked Snake (who later becomes Big Boss). His mission: stop the Soviets from using a nuclear weapon called Shagohod.
Snake confronts his mentor The Boss, who appears to betray him but is revealed to be sacrificing herself for her country. Forced to kill her, Snake inherits the title of Big Boss and begins building the foundation of Outer Heaven.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
By 2014, an aging Old Snake suffers from accelerated aging due to cloning. He faces one last mission against Liquid Ocelot, who aims to control the world’s weapons through the SOP network.
Snake reunites with allies like Meryl and Raiden, and ultimately destroys the Patriots’ control system. The story closes with an emotional farewell to a hero who spent his life trapped in endless conspiracies.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
In 1974, Big Boss leads his private military company, Militaires Sans Frontières, responding to a nuclear threat in Costa Rica. He faces the autonomous weapon Peace Walker, designed to launch nukes without human input.
Though he stops the threat, Big Boss takes a step closer toward building his vision of a nation for soldiers without borders.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014) & The Phantom Pain (2015)
In Ground Zeroes (1975), Big Boss rescues hostages from a Cuban camp, but his base is destroyed in a brutal attack, leaving him in a coma.
Nine years later in The Phantom Pain, he awakens to form Diamond Dogs and seeks revenge on Skull Face, who unleashes deadly parasite weapons.
The shocking twist: the character you control isn’t Big Boss at all, but his double, Venom Snake, while the real Big Boss disappears into the shadows—setting the stage for the original game.
FAQs about Metal Gear Story
What is the main story of Metal Gear?
A decades-long conflict to stop nuclear weapons known as “Metal Gear,” exploring themes of war, identity, and control.
Why is it called Metal Gear?
The name comes from the massive bipedal nuclear tanks that form the central threat of the series.
Which Metal Gear game sold the most?
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the best-selling entry worldwide, thanks to its modern gameplay and open-world design.
Who is the main character of MGS1?
The legendary soldier Solid Snake.
Who is the cyborg ninja in MGS2?
It’s Olga Gurlukovich, who dons the ninja suit to secretly aid Raiden.
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