Metal Gear Solid V: 9 Insane Spoilers That Just Got Leaked

3. Ishmael Is The Real Big Boss

Of course, this raises one immediate question: if the Big Boss we play as during the game is a fake, then what happened to the original one? Well, the guide is again prohibited from outright stating who Ishmael is, but there seems to be some heavy hints that he is in fact the real Big Boss, and his identity is apparently revealed in an optional mission after the end of the main story. One thing you can forget about is the fan theory that Ishmael is imaginary: the guide confirms that this isn't possible because he's also seen by Quiet, and that a major clue in determining Ishmael's identity lies in the Star of Bethlehem lilies present in Ahab and Ishmael's hospital room. What does this mean? Well, The Boss died in a field of these very same flowers at the end of MGS3 by Big Boss' hand, so it would make sense that the real Big Boss would have a sentimental attachment to them, and so that would seem to further the idea that Ishmael is the real Big Boss. As for how Ishmael's presence plays out later in the game and what the real Big Boss spends most of the game doing? That remains to be seen...