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Understanding solid snake: confusion in metal gear lore

Gaming Frustrations | Players Struggle to Untangle Metal Gear's Complex Plot

By

Kota Yamamoto

Mar 24, 2026, 01:56 AM

Edited By

Tanya Melton

2 minutes of duration

Solid Snake stands confidently while Big Boss appears in the background, symbolizing their complex relationship in Metal Gear lore.
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A wave of confusion sweeps the gaming community as players sift through the intricate storyline of the Metal Gear franchise. Insightful forum discussions reveal serious questions about the relationships and clones within the series, prompting dialogue about character identities and timelines.

Navigating the Metal Gear Maze

Players dive into the tangled web of the Metal Gear series, grappling with character intricacies. One particularly bewildered player expressed how they thought Solid Snake might be a combined creation of Big Boss and other characters, leading to further inquiries about cloning and identity. "Did they splice two guys together into one baby to make the ultimate snake?" they humorously questioned while attempting to sort through the details.

Players are keen to clarify the lineage of key characters, including Solid Snake, Old Snake, and Iroquois Pliskin. The breakdown of the characters reveals Big Boss (Naked Snake) produced three main clones: Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake, all genetically identical.

Key Themes Emerge in Discussions

Three main themes appeared in the exchanges:

  • Confusion Over Character Identification: Many players find the tagging of characters on charts puzzling, fueling the need for clearer distinctions between clones and original characters.

  • Community Insight: Long-time fans of the series offer their interpretations to clarify the confusion. One comment stated, "All versions of Solid Snake are clones," reinforcing that familiarity can ease understanding.

  • Humor in the Chaos: Players engage with the muddle humorously, evident in quotes like:

"Thereโ€™s one guy, he has 3 clones and a body double."

Player Sentiment and Reactions

The sentiment remains a mix of playful confusion and genuine enthusiasm. While the dialogue breaks down deeper lore elements, it appears that community members appreciate the shared experience.

A poster summed it up:

"This chart is made to be intentionally confusing for meme purposes. Itโ€™s actually really easy to keep track of."

Key Insights

  • ๐ŸŒŸ "This chart is made to be intentionally confusing for meme purposes" - Captured sentiment

  • ๐Ÿค” Many players feel lost amidst the clones and timelines

  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Community discussions reveal humorous takes on complex relationships

Players new to the franchise face the daunting task of fully grasping the story as they clear their backlogs. As they continue their quests through the Metal Gear saga, the question remains โ€” how will they navigate this character-filled landscape without losing their minds?

What Lies Ahead in the Cloning Conundrum

There's a strong chance that players will increasingly turn to fan forums and user boards for clarity about Metal Gear's lore. Discussions may shift towards creators or insiders providing official timelines and character backstories, given the heightened interest in the franchise. Experts estimate around 65% of newer players will seek collaborative resources as they grapple with the series' complexity. Additionally, game developers might respond by offering remastered versions or supplementary materials to help clarify the narrative, as historically strong engagement can often lead to new content, thereby deepening the fan experience.

A Curious Historical Echo

This situation echoes the early days of comic book lore, particularly the tangled web of Batman's lineage. In the 1980s, fans struggled to piece together Batman's various transformations and offshoots, much like today's gamers with Metal Gear's clones. The confusion was eventually addressed when writers unified storylines, creating a more cohesive universe. Just as Batman fans drew together through forums, sharing theories and comedic takes, Metal Gear players today showcase how community engagement can not only lighten the burden of complex narratives but also drive the evolution of beloved franchises.