4. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Id give my life, not for honor, but for you/In my time, therell be no one else. When these lyrics first appear in Snake Eaters James Bond-esque title song, players the world over rolled their eyes, wondering if the Metal Gear series had finally lost its way. But for those of us who finished the game, that same song gives us chills like a snake slithering under our skin. And thats a good thing. It may be called Metal Gear Solid 3, but the events of this story take place in the 1960s, decades before the first two games. You play as a Naked Snake, who later becomes Big Boss, genetic father of Solid, Liquid, and Solidus Snake. Snake is tasked with tracking down and eliminating The Boss, his former mentor and lover, a supposed traitor to the U.S., and one of the best female characters in gaming. Although they face-off many times throughout the game, Snake is unable kill the Boss - not just because shes a stronger warrior, but because he loves and respects her. However, he knows that if he lets her live, the Soviets will declare war on the United States. Their final battle takes place in a field of white flowers where Snake Eater quietly begins to play, and it complements the scene perfectly. Any other day, Snake would die for The Boss, but here, she has to die for him. After the unfortunate deed is done, Snake learns that The Boss never betrayed her country. She allowed herself to be killed by Snake after the Soviets blamed her for a crime she didnt commit. Her death was the ultimate act of patriotism, as it saved the two nations from the horrors of nuclear war. Once Snake is given the title of Big Boss, he visits his heros unmarked grave and sheds a manly tear. In this moment, Big Boss silently swears off his allegiance to any government, and an infamous terrorist is born. Its an ending that stays with you forever. Nearly 10 years later, were still in a dream, Snake Eater.