17 Gaming Secrets Only Losers Discover
3. Ocelot's Time Paradox (Metal Gear Solid 3)
After subverting gamers’ expectations with the experimental and eerily prophetic Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, series mastermind Hideo Kojima created the more conventional and coherent Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Starring future antagonist Big Boss – otherwise known as Naked Snake – and set in 1960s Russia, Snake Eater is arguably the franchise’s peak.
Because it’s a prequel, some familiar faces show up, with a much younger version of cocky gunslinger Revolver Ocelot being a standout inclusion. As one of main baddie Colonel Volgin’s right-hand men, Ocelot has numerous run-ins with Naked Snake across the journey.
Near the end of the opening (Virtuous) mission, for instance, Naked Snake is tasked with recusing Soviet defector Nikolai Sokolov from a factory that’s being guarded by Ocelot and his men. Naturally, Ocelot confronts Naked Snake and does some fancy six shooter showmanship before the two fight. After knocking out Ocelot, Naked Snake continues his assignment.
Or, at least that’s what the developers want to happen.
If gamers kill Ocelot during the mission, they’ll be met with dramatic music; a game over screen that says, “Ocelot is Dead”; and the ensuing voiceover from Colonel Campbell: “Snake, what have you done? You’ve changed the future!! You’ve created a time paradox!”
Unsurprisingly, this also occurs in the 2025 remake, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater.