Hideo Kojima’s seminal 1998 PlayStation action game, Metal Gear Solid, is legendary for a variety of reasons. Its narrative and characters are often praised for their depth and complexity, but one should not forget how revolutionary the gameplay was. The stealth mechanics were perfect, providing an unparalleled level of interaction with the world.
To remind players just how versatile the environment was for the time, the following list will point out ten lesser-known actions Solid Snake could do during his romp through Shadow Moses. While sequels expanded upon the protagonist’s abilities, the series’ first foray into 3D will always remain a classic.
10 C4 On People’s Backs.
One of Snake’s more explosive weapons is C4, which are planted and detonated separately. While it is perfect for traps, a more proactive player can plant it on someone’s back. The easiest place to do this is in the first basement of the nuclear storage facility, the same floor where one encounters Psycho Mantis.
The floor also contains a bathroom where soldiers go to relieve themselves. While they are in their most vulnerable state, plant one on their back and give them an explosive ending.
9 Meryl Without Pants
Some take issue with the way women are depicted in Hideo Kojima’s games, and this entry probably doesn’t help matters in his defense. There are two opportunities where the player can see Meryl without her pants. The first is in the ventilation duct when going to rescue the DARPA Chief.
Snake will see her doing sit-ups, but if he leaves and goes back, she will be doing different exercises. Eventually, she’ll be doing the exercises in her underwear. The second time occurs when you find her disguised as the enemy. She will run to the bathroom, and if the player goes after her fast enough, the cutscene will play with her in her underwear as well.
8 Tuxedo
The game adds incentive for multiple playthroughs, with the two endings provide different rewards for new games. Otacon’s ending gives snake camouflage to essentially make him invisible, while saving Meryl gives Snake the infinite ammo bandanna.
Doing both starts Snake off with a tuxedo, because even a grizzled soldier has to look stylish out in the field. Meryl also comments on his attire during the ending escape from Shadow Moses.
7 The Wolves
A short jaunt in caves sees Snake dealing with wolfdogs. While he worked with dogs, these particular beasts don’t fancy him, though they take a liking to Meryl. Snake can interact with them in a number of ways.
Hitting Meryl will cause them to attack, but if Snake equips the box, they will instead relieve themselves on the soldier’s favorite piece of stealth technology. Additionally, this section is significantly easier if Otacton gives Snake the handkerchief later in the game. Because it contains Sniper Wolf’s scent, the animals will not bother Snake if he has it equipped.
6 Ways Of Escaping The Cell
While enduring Ocelot’s torture, the player has several means of escaping confinement. Several codec calls and visits from Otacon provide clues on certain methods, but it is ultimately up to the player to figure it out for themselves.
Grey Fox will save Snake if he survives the torture three times. Otherwise, the player can also hide under the bed while the guard is in the bathroom, or use the ketchup Otacon gives them. The hardest part isn’t finding a way out; it is surviving Ocelot’s torture sessions for the Meryl ending, which is done through a button-mashing minigame.
5 Psycho Mantis
Everyone knows about changing the controller to the second slot, but that’s not the only trick one can use when fighting Psycho Mantis. When he is reading your mind, he will read your memory card and comment on certain games one has saved.
The dialogue will also change depending on one’s play style. Psycho Mantis will comment on whether one is lethally going about their time in Shadow Moses or if they are often saving or not.
4 Ghost Pictures
One can document their time in Metal Gear Solid with an in-game camera. However, snapping a picture of the right angle can net a ghostly secret. The developers put their images in the game in the form of phantasms who can only be seen in these photos.
A number of them exist throughout the game, and while getting them doesn’t affect gameplay, it is a nice and worthwhile Easter egg for those who want to see everything the game has to offer.
3 Stun Grenades In The Tower
One section sees Snake climbing a communications tower while countless guards bombard him. In a lethal playthrough, one simply equips the FAMAS and lets it ride while running up the stairs.
One looking to either conserve ammo or complete the game without killing enemies can use stun grenades during this segment. With a decent supply and the right timing between throws, one can get through this section without taking so much as a scratch.
2 Rats
The unwelcome rodents populate Shadow Moses, and Snake can kill time destroying them at the base of the communications towers or in the blast furnace.
Don’t expect to shoot them without repercussions, however, since he starts to receive Codec calls from his support team, most of which condemn the player’s actions. Killing the terrorists who took over the facility is fair game, but rats just want a place to live and reproduce.
1 The Minefield
Before Meryl is shot by Sniper Wolf, she helps Snake navigate a small minefield. Following her path works, but one can just as easily run in a straight line from where Snake starts and make it across safely in just a few seconds.
If one wants to take more time, they can always crawl on their belly and collect the mines for themselves. Explosives aren’t super useful, because using them usually sets off an alarm, but it is fun setting traps for guards once the player recognizes their patrol routes.
