The story of the series is a complex, decades-spanning saga centered on the legacy of the legendary soldier Big Boss and his "sons," most notably Solid Snake . It explores themes of genetics, political manipulation, the cycle of war, and the evolution of AI control. The Prequel Era (Big Boss)
The story shifts to the modern era, focusing on , a rookie soldier introduced in the original Metal Gear (1987). The Complete Lore and Timeline of Metal Gear Solid
The narrative chronologically begins during the Cold War with (1964).
: Naked Snake (later Big Boss ) is sent to Russia to rescue a scientist and assassinate his mentor, The Boss , who has supposedly defected. After killing her, he becomes disillusioned with government manipulation.
: In later years (seen in Peace Walker and Metal Gear Solid V ), Big Boss establishes mercenary groups to live out The Boss's perceived will, eventually falling into a "phantom" identity struggle that sets the stage for his descent into villainy. The Solid Snake Saga
