Metal Gear Solid V: Ranking The Missions From Worst To Best

9. The White Mamba (Episode 23)

Overview: Eliminate the militants at Masa Village who have been pillaging nearby settlements. They are said to all be children. Extract their commander, the "White Mamba", and the group will fall apart. This is a thoroughly enjoyable mission because, once again, it requires you to use non-lethal or stealth methods due to the area being surrounded by child soldiers. Using Quiet to tranq the entire base of kids is itself pretty hilarious, and then when you finally reach the boat at the back of the map, you'll come face-to-face with the White Mamba, who is of course Eli aka a young Liquid Snake. A "boss battle" ensues, where the player has to taken Eli down several times with CQC, after which point they can extract him via chopper, something that's decidedly easier if you've made sure to knock out all the kid soldiers in the area. The Eli fight is far too easy (but then again, it's a man vs. a child, so how hard can it be?), but it's a welcome change of pace and finally brings the much-anticipated character into the fold.