Metal Gear fans rejoice – the legendary stealth series lives. Konami officially announced a remake of 2004’s PlayStation 2 classic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater during the 2023 PlayStation Showcase. The long-rumoured remake is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It’s titled “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater” and its release date hasn’t been confirmed. However, as the prequel story that details the series origins, the Snake Eater remake is the perfect starting point for people new to Metal Gear. But anyone unfamiliar with the franchise may be wondering why Snake wasn’t wearing his trademark eyepatch in the reveal trailer. So, how did Snake lose his eye in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater?
Before we explain that, we should note that this article will contain major spoilers for the original PS2 version of Snake Eater. Therefore, any story details below will likely spoil the plot of the upcoming remake.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is the critically acclaimed stealth video game directed by series creator Hideo Kojima. Released 19 years ago, it acted as the first chapter in the Metal Gear franchise’s long and complex narrative.
It takes place in 1964 and follows Naked Snake (known as Big Boss in later games) on a mission in the Soviet jungle. Snake is tasked with rescuing a Soviet scientist called Sokolov. He has been put to work on a mysterious weapons project called the Shagohod.
Snake encounters a memorable cast of allies and enemies during his deadly mission in the jungle. This includes antagonists Ocelot, Colonel Volgin (who can control electricity), and Snake’s former mentor The Boss. The relationship between The Boss and Naked Snake serves as the greater underlying story of Snake Eater.
But how does all this factor into Snake losing his eye?
How did Snake lose his eye? (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)
This is how Snake lost his eye in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater:
Snake lost his eye after infiltrating the military fortress Groznyj Grad to find Sokolov and the Shagohod. He is captured by Colonel Volgin and mercilessly tortured. When Tatyana (actually Snake’s undercover confidant EVA) is being threatened by Ocelot, Snake tries to intervene to protect her but is accidentally shot in the eye.
Snake eventually escapes Groznyj Grad and rendezvous with EVA behind a waterfall in the jungle. There she gives Snake his trademark eyepatch which he wears for the rest of his life.
The eyepatch is perhaps most recognisable from the graveyard scene at the end of the game. After being forced to fight and kill The Boss, Naked Snake is awarded the title of “Big Boss”. He then visits her grave and salutes it.
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