You Won’t Believe These Metal Gear Locations Are Real!

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Summary

  • Metal Gear blends fiction with real-world locations like Big Shell, Outer Heaven, and Groznyj Grad to create heightened events.
  • Sons of Liberty’s USS Discovery and Shadow Moses Island are intricately designed locations inspired by real-world counterparts.
  • Metal Gear Solid’s balance of bombastic storytelling and real locations has contributed to its enduring popularity since 1987.

Since its initial release on the MSX2 home computer in Japan back in 1987, the Metal Gear series has emerged as one of video gaming’s most acclaimed and impactful franchises. A significant factor behind its lasting appeal is the unique blend by creator Hideo Kojima of authentic historical events and settings with extravagant, larger-than-life sci-fi military narratives. This mix has been a hit since day one, and remained so up until the latest mainline game in 2015 titled Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.

In a unique and captivating mix, the mythology and characters within Metal Gear intertwine with actual geographical locations, resulting in a striking amalgamation of fantasy and fact. This peculiar fusion gives the narrative an intensified quality, allowing Kojima’s imaginative flair and meticulous craftsmanship to truly shine. Remarkably, numerous Metal Gear games unfold within settings that draw inspiration from our own world, some rooted in military history while others are derived from civilian locations accessible at any time.

1. The Big Shell

Influenced By British WW2-Era Anti-Aircraft Facilities

In an intriguing epoch for video gaming, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was unveiled, frequently hailed as a pioneer of transformation within the industry. This game heralded the advent of richer, more sophisticated gaming experiences due to advanced hardware. One of the numerous ways Kojima leveraged this technological leap was through the creation of the environment, an offshore decontamination facility named the Big Shell, situated in Manhattan.

The Big Shell, an intriguing video game environment, is constructed from a network of support beams linked by bridges and submerged docks, reminiscent of World War II anti-aircraft facilities. This resemblance is intentional as it draws inspiration from real military history and the physical landscape of New York City. The gripping story of Raiden and Snake within the Big Shell during Sons of Liberty remains compelling, paying homage to the historical structures that served as its blueprint.

2. Outer Heaven

Influenced By Several Real-World PMCs

Back in the day, I first dived into the world of Metal Gear, and boy, did it open up a vast, intricately woven mythology! One of the recurring hubs in this narrative is Outer Heaven, an imposing fortress nestled deep within South Africa’s heartland. Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind this series, took inspiration from various real-world mercenary groups and organizations to sketch out this strategic stronghold.

Outer Heaven shares a striking resemblance with two notable militia groups – FARC and the Republic of Biafra. These groups have left indelible marks on geopolitical events for decades, making them significant players in global politics.

Subsequent installments of the series would reinforce the resemblance between Outer Heaven and actual geographical sites, with “The Phantom Pain” placing its precursor fortress in Colombia, where Big Boss and the Militaires Sans Frontieres become entangled in battles set in authentic locations such as Afghanistan and the Angola-Zaire border. Kojima frequently anchored Outer Heaven in real, tangible places, which adds a sense of authenticity and believability to the group.

3. Groznyj Grad

Based On Numerous Historical Soviet Bases

During the peak of the Cold War, leveraging the intense tension between the United States and the Soviet Union as a backdrop, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a pulse-pounding espionage tale, largely set in an area reminiscent of Russia. One of the most notorious locations featured in Snake Eater is Groznyj Grad, a massive structure that the player must penetrate upon vanquishing The Fury in an underground tunnel, which serves as the gateway to this complex.

Groznyj Grad exhibits a distinct resemblance to Soviet-era military bases, notably reminiscent of Chelyabinsk-70 as mentioned by Colonel Gurlukovich in Metal Gear Solid 2. This setting bears an uncanny similarity to towns and cities used for nuclear research by the USSR, thereby lending a sense of authenticity that seamlessly merges truth with fiction, a characteristic that has long defined the series. One of Snake Eater’s most intricate, captivating segments, Groznyj Grad ranks among the franchise’s most iconic locations.

4. The USS Discovery

The Big Apple

Throughout the entire span of Sons of Liberty, the action unfolds on the Hudson River. Solid Snake concludes a leisurely walk across the George Washington Bridge with an impressive jump that finds him on the rear deck of the USS Discovery, a ship suspected to be harboring a fresh version of Metal Gear. The USS Discovery bears a resemblance to several ships from that time period, and the Tanker Chapter, set smack in the middle of Manhattan, beautifully complements Kojima’s investigation into postmodern unease.

The Discovery is meticulously crafted and dedicated to creating an authentic atmosphere, making its cramped corridors feel like they’re part of a genuine, living environment. On the other hand, the exterior of the Discovery is nothing short of amazing, offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and George Washington Bridge, seamlessly blending the game world with reality. Various elements in MGS2 explore the tension between artistic freedom and real life, but the legendary Tanker Chapter stands out for its awe-inspiring depiction of a fictional tale unfolding within a convincing reality.

5. Shadow Moses Island

Based On A Real-World Archipelago

Metal Gear Solid remains among the most captivating and gratifying stealth-action games ever made, with no better setting for Snake’s infiltration than Shadow Moses Island. Modeled after the actual Fox Islands in Alaska, Shadow Moses has preserved its status as one of the Metal Gear series’ most memorable and impactful locations for over two decades.

In Metal Gear Solid, though the game calls it the Fox Archipelago, it bears a strong resemblance to Alaska’s islands, part of the Aleutian chain, around 1,200 miles from the U.S. mainland. Despite being a greatly exaggerated portrayal of the Fox Islands, Shadow Moses still pulls inspiration from its real-world counterpart. This grounding in reality is one reason why Metal Gear Solid’s story and atmosphere have been consistently acclaimed, making it more compelling overall.

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2025-05-18 10:44