9 Best Fan Service Moments In Video Games

7. Rex vs. Ray - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Rex Vs Ray Mgs4
Konami

There’s an argument to be made that Metal Gear Solid 4 is the reigning champion of fan service and how to do it right.

The grand conclusion of Solid Snake’s journey is handled with such expertise and intensity that it’s no wonder the game nails its subtle and not so subtle nods to fans just as well. The game is riddled with returning fan favourite characters like Otacon and Eva, there are a number of epic showdowns fans had been waiting for, the ending is flawless, and the return to Shadow Moses Island in its entirety is very cool.

We’re honing in on one particular moment in that sequence though and that’s Snake and Liquid facing off while operating Metal Gear REX and Metal Gear RAY respectively.

This is actually the only time you really get to use a proper Metal Gear in the whole franchise so, you know, enjoy it.

The fight is epic as all get out, as you’d expect given you’re housed in an enormous mech fighting another mech. The conclusion with Raiden is also really cool. This entire encounter was designed to make fans happy who had been wishing for a Rex vs. Ray stand off and it absolutely succeeded.

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Jess has been a journalist and content creator in the games industry for over 15 years and has been WhatCulture's resident Australian import and sorry cop since 2020, upping the quotient of swearing and apologising in WhatCulture Gaming's annual blooper videos considerably. She previously worked at GameSpot for 10 years, most notably hosting GameSpot News in addition to E3 live shows, and PAX panels. She regularly livestreams a variety of games on her 'jessmcdonell' YouTube and Twitch channels and hosts the 'Do It On The Day' podcast. She has won awards for her news and feature work in gaming as well as an accolade for her comedic writing (likely an admin error). She can be found on X at @jessmcdonell and Instagram at @jessicamcdonell sharing her current videogame fixations, industry insights, and videos of her cat, Karma.