The Metal Gear timeline can be confusing for players to grasp, specifically when games like MGS4 take place. It’s a convoluted series of events that spans decades. Speaking of which, many of us have waited almost two decades to experience MGS4 again. With the recent announcement of the Master Collection Vol. 2, new players to the franchise may be trying to grasp where the iconic game lands in the story. If you are looking to know where Snake’s biggest mission takes place in the timeline, you’re in luck. We are here to make sure you are prepped lore-wise for MGS4.
When Does MGS4 Take Place?
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots takes place in the mid-2010s, more specifically, the year 2014. The series itself takes place in an alternate history where the Cold War went on much longer. While Snake may look much older, it is actually only around nine years after Metal Gear Solid. And five years after Metal Gear Solid 2.
Because of this, MGS4 is actually the latest game in the series timeline. Aside from the side game, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. Some instances detail the game taking place during 2014. The most recent example is actually in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 2. At the bottom of the timeline of games is a blanked out 2014 date being the latest entry, which is MGS4. However, jumping right into MGS4 as your first title may leave you with more questions. So playing the previous entries may be a good idea.
Which Games Do You Need to Play Before MGS4?
It’s best to play Metal Gear Solid 1, 2, and 3 to get a basic understanding of what’s going on in MGS4. However, if you want to learn everything, it’s a different story. In this case, playing the games in chronological order is best. Besides Ground Zeroes and MGS5, the rest can be played through both the Master Collection Vol. 1 and 2. Therefore, the following way is the best to play the games before MGS4:
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater/Delta (1964)
- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (1974)
- Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (1975)
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (1984)
- Metal Gear (1995)
- Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1999)
- Metal Gear Solid (2005)
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2007-2009)
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2014)
As you can see, the timeline of the Metal Gear Solid series takes place over several decades. From the beginning of the Cold War to the distant future (in the series). The story is in-depth, and playing all of those games listed gives you a full grasp of what is happening in the narrative. Not just that, but you will see characters from different games and know what their roles in the series are. The series has great storytelling of various iconic soldiers fighting for what they think is right. And with Metal Gear Solid 4 finally arriving on more platforms this summer, many will get to experience the series conclusion.
