20 Best Cutscenes In The Metal Gear Solid Franchise

The official canon for Metal Gear Solid is the path where Meryl lives. However, if players make Snake submit during the torture scene with Ocelot, they can obtain the stealth camouflage and bear witness to one of the finest moments in Metal Gear Solid: Meryl’s death.

As Solid faces Liquid on top of the destroyed Metal Gear Rex in a fistfight, Meryl lays prone on the sidelines. Liquid states that if there is enough time, Solid may have one tender moment before the base is destroyed by the US Government. The final battle is hard-fought, but upon beating Liquid, Snake immediately runs over to his fallen love interest.

Of course, if players didn’t succumb to the torture scene earlier in the game, Meryl lives and all is hunky-dory. But, if players decided to submit (and let’s face it, get the better completion perk), Snake gives a monologue asking for forgiveness for being unable to withstand the torture.

Tappi Iwase’s solemn piano score adds so much weight to this poignant scene, and it leads to a tender moment between Snake and Otacon. Having to endure seeing his own love interest die earlier on in the game, Otacon says, ‘death is not defeat,’ and shows quite a significant amount of character progression. Otacon’s interaction persuades Snake to continue living, and the ending is bittersweet.

While this is not the official ending, there is a higher level of realism to it. Snake will not be able to save everyone, not even those he loves. However, the Disney ending of the canon, makes his later choices seem a little more implausible.