The Metal Gear Solid video game franchise is more than just a collection of amplified conspiracy theories, over-the-top battle scenes, and larger-than-life bipedal weapons of mass destruction. It's a series focusing on the human element and the best and worst traits that bubble to the surface in times of conflict and war.
Many of the main characters in the series each have a quote that best sums up who they are during these key periods in the timeline. Some show their reluctant heroism, while others bask in their evil and ruthlessness. In the middle are those characters who sit in the moral gray zone, unsure of where they will end up.
“It Doesn’t Feel Right To Shoot An Unarmed Man, But I’ll Get Over It.” - Revolver Ocelot
This quote demonstrates much of what makes up Revolver Ocelot's personality. Easily the most ruthless character in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, Ocelot spent years living multiple lies in order to throw off those in his circle, purely to get closer to his main objective of controlling the world.
Yet, he took no pride in offing his enemies without a good fight. When he first squared off against Naked Snake in Metal Gear Solid 3, he lamented the fact that he would have to kill a man who wasn't capable of giving him a decent challenge. This was glimpsed in the first Metal Gear Solid game when Ocelot clearly enjoyed battling Solid Snake at a disadvantage.
"I've Got To Go Swat Down A Couple Of Bothersome Flies!" - Liquid Snake
Liquid Snake began life as a child soldier on the battlefield, before rising through the ranks to become the leader of FOXHOUND. It was then that he put his master plan into effect, turning on the government to trigger the Shadow Moses incident. To him, it was all for the sake of revenge and conquest.
In fact, his hatred for his genetic "father" Big Boss was so strong that it enveloped everything he was. Liquid utters this quote at the beginning of the original Metal Gear Solid to demonstrate two things - his nonchalance during battle, due to his skill, and his complete disregard for human life. The character would later resurface in the prequel episode Metal Gear Solid V during a plot twist that everyone saw coming.
"You Like Castlevania, Don't You?" - Psycho Mantis
Psycho Mantis was originally conceived to feature into one of the wildest moments of the entire Metal Gear Solid franchise, and Hideo Kojima succeeded beyond his expectations. In addition to forcing players to swap controller ports, and throwing them off by artificially messing with the signal of their TV set, the fight was a mind-bender of epic proportions.
However, it all started with this quote, uttered by Mantis if gamers happened to have a Castlevania: Symphony of the Night save game file present on their PlayStation memory card. It was a clever trick that summed up his personality, and his penchant for using psychic attacks to confuse and overwhelm his enemies.
"Excellent, Snake! Age Hasn't Slowed You Down One Bit!" - Roy Campbell
Former FOXHOUND commander and Colonel Roy Campbell was no stranger to hiding things from his subordinates, and he could just as easily schmooze them into doing what he wanted. He played on Solid Snake's former comradery and friendship, while simultaneously blackmailing him into the Shadow Moses mission.
At the same time, Campbell praised Snake at almost every turn, starting with this quote which was uttered shortly after he infiltrated the disposal facility. It was typical of Campbell to praise his soldiers in an attempt to move them forward, while at the same time using them as pawns in a greater scheme.
"A Cornered Fox Is More Dangerous Than A Jackal!" - Gray Fox
Gray Fox was thought to have died during the Zanzibar mission in Metal Gear 2, before making a reappearance in Metal Gear Solid as the iconic cyborg ninja. From the start, it was clear that his mental state was fragile, no doubt brought on by his traumatic wounds and psychological scars.
This quote sums up Gray Fox perfectly as a lethal killing machine that could do immense damage if cornered. With several entities out for his head, Fox clearly understood the implications of those words better than anyone. Those who tried to go up against him met their end at the tip of a razor-sharp katana blade.
You Mustn't Allow Yourself To Be Chained To Fate; To Be Ruled By Your Genes." - Naomi Hunter
Naomi Hunter started out as a seemingly benevolent comrade in Metal Gear Solid, only to reveal herself as a viper in the grass. It was she who injected Solid Snake with the original FOXDIE virus, which was designed to pick off specific targets of interest, and it was also her way of getting revenge on Snake, himself.
Later, she softened her stance towards Snake and urged him to defy his own genetic background. She told him not to identify himself with his genetic heritage as Big Boss's clone, and also not to allow the FOXDIE virus to dictate his future. In the end, her words ended up having more impact than even she might have realized.
"In The End, You Have To Choose Whether You’re Going To Live As A Soldier, Or Just Another Man With A Gun." - The Boss
The Boss clearly had her reasons for becoming a double-agent in the service of both the U.S. government, and the evil Colonel Volgin, but the steadfastness of her views never seemed to waver. The Boss viewed both war, and life as a soldier, through a remarkably philosophical lens.
Having imparted all her knowledge and training to Naked Snake, she gave him this logical ultimatum - either fight for something or end up as another man holding a weapon, following orders whether they make sense or not. This sentiment would end with her death in one of Metal Gear Solid's most tragic moments.
"Do You Think Love Can Bloom, Even On A Battlefield?" - Otacon
As corny as this quote sounds, it is the one that most Metal Gear Solid fans identify with, to this day. Otacon is no soldier, but his entire life has been wrapped up in the horrific legacy of his own family's involvement in nuclear weapons and arms proliferation.
He asks this question of Snake in the first Metal Gear Solid game, which understandably catches him off guard. Snake's reply fills in the gaps, reminding the audience that finding their significant others can happen anywhere, at any time, regardless of the circumstances. In that regard, it's a touching sentiment.
"It Was Never Going To Work Out For Me. It Even Rained The Day I Was Born." - Raiden
Raiden might have started out as a fairly happy character in Metal Gear Solid 2, but a series of events pushed him to the brink. He adapted cybernetics in order to beef up his strength, turning himself into a lethal one-man wrecking ball with a razor-sharp katana who would star in some of Metal Gear Solid's most impressive cutscenes.
His personality shift from MGS2 to MGS4 was the byproduct of his experiences. Having taken on a far more defeatist and pragmatic attitude than before, Raiden uttered this quote which summed up his entire mood at that time. It was Solid Snake who convinced him that he was actually the lightning in that rain; the shining beacon through the darkness.
"It’s Easy To Forget What A Sin Is In The Middle Of A Battlefield." - Solid Snake
Solid Snake was, for all intents and purposes, the perfect super soldier. His DNA was inherited from the genes of Big Boss, making him one of the most lethal combat soldiers ever to see deployment on a battlefield. Despite his skill at killing and infiltration, Snake didn't take any joy in it.
At multiple times throughout the MGS franchise, Snake lamented killing altogether, viewing it as little more than a necessary evil. This quote sums up his attitude about war in general, and how easy it is to lose sight of humanity in the midst of so much violence and death.