Metal Gear Solid: Every Snake Ranked

With only having known conflict his life entire life, Raiden was already born damned as a pawn in a war driven economy. His life is a casualty and example of what the world would be under Liquid's twisted incarnation of Outer Heaven - a world in never-ending conflict.

Early in his life, Raiden was recruited as a child soldier and led to believe violence resolves conflict, grappling with his naivety and idealism similar to Solid Snake when the world left him disillusioned. In this moment of need, Solid Snake shared his epiphany to help sway him into serving himself and creating his own purpose. Tragically, he was captured by The Patriots where they transferred his spine and head into and exoskeleton, stripping him of his humanity and symbolizing the dehumanization of war.

Raiden received insufferable hate for his character debut in MGS2, but Revengeance found his redemption amongst fans. His appearance in MGS2 was apt not only for Kojima commenting on a meta-narrative of video game sequels and expectations, but also thematically expressing the power the next generation to correct the mistakes of the former generation. In addition, it was a warning of the manipulation of younger generations in following icons as a means of influence and ideological recruitment.