The Codec conversations in theMetal Gear Solidseries were a great optional way for players to learn more about the game world and its characters. It was also a respite from the tense gameplay. For example, saving inMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eateralways gave players a pleasant conversation with Para-Medic about movies.
Her friendly demeanor in these conversations only makes it more shocking that she eventually became a mad scientist who experimented on Frank Jaeger and created the cyborg ninja.All of the movies beloware classics any cinephile should watch and some of them even connect to the series thematically.
To experience all of these conversations in the game, be sure to save every room or after every cutscene. Just saving many times in a row will not trigger all of these conversations.
Godzilla: King Of Monsters
Director: Ishiro Honda, Release: 1954
This is the first movie Para-Medic talks about and where she espouses her love of the medium. It’s comedic that she talks about 2004 beingGodzilla’s 50th birthdayas if that exact date would be relevant to Snake and not only to the gamers playing the game on release in 2004.
From Russia With Love
Director: Terence Young, Release: 1963
Turns out Major Zero is also ahuge James Bond fan.During the conversation, he interrupts and muses about Snake using a snake-shaped gun. Ultimately, Snake is not fascinated with the character and believes it is all fantasy.
The Creature From The Black Lagoon
Director: Jack Arnold, Release: 1954
As far as classic monster movies go, this one excels because of how sympathetic the audience is towards the creature, something the sequels expand upon. Para-Medic also talks about the early use of 3D in the movie theater.
It Came From Outer Space
Director: Jack Arnold, Release: 1953
Here Para-Medic goes on about how great 3D was in the 1950s. Unfortunately, she would not live long enough to see the new 3D boom of the 2000s with films likeAvatar.
She also talks about upcoming home video technology, comparing it to records only with film on it instead of music.
The Last War
Director: Shue Matsubayashi, Release: 1961
This Japanese movie is about a nuclear war, a relatable theme forMetal Gear. The conversation ends in a rather nihilistic tone, with Snake concluding that the average person cannot stop nuclear armageddon by themselves.
Forbidden Planet
Director: Fred M. Wilcox, Release: 1956
This science fiction B-Movie from the 1950s interests Snake because of an invisible monster, leading Para-Medic to wonder whether the technology will come along one day. Snake does not believe it will ever happen, though. Turns out he was wrong.
Earth Vs. The Spider
Director: Bert I. Gordon, Release: 1958
This movie’s summary is all described in the title. When Snake points out the absurdity of it all, Para-Medic decries Snake as a party pooper and says he needs to suspend disbelief more often.After encounters with The Fear, Volgin, and The End,it is hard to believe Snake still has his doubts about what is and isn’t possible.
On The Beach
Director: Stanley Kramer, Release: 1959
This movie from 1959 is about another nuclear apocalypse. The movie takes place in 1964, though. Had Snake failed his mission, perhaps the nuclear winter would really have started in 1964 in theMetal Gearcanon.
The War Of The Worlds
Director: Byron Haskin, Release: 1953
Whether one reads the book, watches the movie, or listens to the radio play,The War of the Worldsis an all-time classic about a Martian invasion everyone needs to experience. The Steven Spielberg remake is also an underappreciated gem.
For A Fistful Of Dollars
Director: Sergio Leone, Release: 1964
Para-Medic does not get into the details of the movie, but anybody who likes westerns owes it to themselves to see it. It was followed byFor a Few Dollars MoreandThe Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
