Cardboard box



A cardboard box is an industrially prefabricated box, primarily used for packaging goods and materials. Special forces operatives Solid Snake and Raiden, as well as the legendary Big Boss were known to often use a corrugated cardboard box as an infiltration aid.

Use by Naked Snake/Big Boss
FOX agent Naked Snake managed to procure a cardboard box during Operation Snake Eater in Tselinoyarsk, and could use it to hide from enemy forces in urban environments. He also used variations of the cardboard box to disguise himself as cargo. When using it, he felt he had found his own "inner peace," and even requested that Sigint try it when asked.

During the San Hieronymo Takeover, the Sneaking Unit within Big Boss's resistance group utilized cardboard boxes to evade enemy detection during missions. As their stolen truck also contained several cardboard boxes, the soldiers also made use of them when sneaking in as a group.

During the Peace Walker Incident in 1974, Big Boss managed to procure a cardboard box when sneaking through the Puerto del Alba shipping facility. Kazuhira Miller, the subcommander of Big Boss's private military group, the Militaires Sans Frontières, was baffled when he noticed Big Boss procure it. Big Boss, after failing to stop Peace Walker, infiltrated the U.S. missile base near Lake Nicaragua, which Peace Walker was last headed towards, by posing as cargo onboard a truck. Some MSF R&D members also came up with the idea to create a cardboard box shaped like a tank, to which Big Boss liked the proposed idea, with him also implying that he wants to congratulate the person who came up with the idea. When Zadornov escaped for the sixth time and was tracked down to the Mine Base, he also hid himself in a cardboard box and presumably left two decoy cardboard boxes in an attempt to dissuade the MSF soldiers/Big Boss from pursuing him. The MSF also used cardboard boxes for transporting goods. In addition, the MSF's R&D Team has a tendency to play around with cardboard boxes.

Use by Solid Snake
"Cardboard box? Are you moving house or something?"

- Big Boss to Solid Snake, during Operation Intrude N313

In 1995, Solid Snake procured a cardboard box during his infiltration of the enemy fortress, Outer Heaven. By hiding himself within the box and remaining inconspicuous, Snake used it to escape the notice of enemy sentries and surveillance cameras.

During Snake's infiltration of Zanzibar Land in 1999, he located a cardboard box that was labelled as inbound for the military fortress. Snake used the box to infiltrate Zanzibar Land's tower building, after his commanding officer, Roy Campbell, suggested that he disguise himself as cargo and hide aboard an enemy truck. After the Bridge of Sorrow was destroyed, Snake was forced to use the box disguise to travel between the tower building and detention camp, since the only available route was via truck.

During the Shadow Moses Incident, Solid Snake located several cardboard boxes, each addressed to a different location, allowing him the option of either hiding from enemies, or traversing the Shadow Moses disposal facility more quickly, via enemy cargo truck. Master Miller and Snake both reminisced on its use during the Zanzibar Land Disturbance, while Meryl Silverburgh was surprised to learn that the stories she had heard from her uncle, Roy Campbell, were true. It is also implied in the same mission that Master Miller was the one who taught Snake the concept of using common appliances, such as the cardboard box, to hide from the enemy and survive in a sneaking mission.

The cardboard box again came to Snake's aid during both the Tanker and Big Shell Incidents. Aboard the dummy tanker USS Discovery, Snake located "The Orange" box in a pantry, and later found a wet box on the ship's deck, which had become drenched in the rain. Aboard the Big Shell, Snake used the box to evade enemy detection, though he was spotted on one occasion by mercenary leader Olga Gurlukovich near the Shell 2 Connecting Bridge. Reporting the strange sight to her superior, Solidus Snake, he remarked that he had "seen someone use that box trick before." During a Codec conversation, Snake professed his affinity for the box to Raiden, informing him of its value during infiltration. He also implied in the same conversation that there were several other agents besides himself who used a cardboard box.

During Snake's assassination mission to the Middle East, a cardboard box filled with watermelons served as a distraction to two unmanned Gekko units, while Snake himself hid from them using his new OctoCamo suit.

Use by Raiden
Raiden located several cardboard boxes within the facility, allowing him the option of quickly travelling to different areas via a conveyer belt system. He likewise learned about Snake's (or, as he knew him at the time, Pliskin's) affinity for the cardboard box, as well as there being other people who used it. When trying it out, he later felt some sense of content, later informing Rosemary as much.

Revengeance
Raiden managed to procure a cardboard box during one of his missions for Maverick post-reconstruction. Because the cardboard box he procured was originally meant to store pharmaceuticals, and thus had metallic foiling inside to retain the internal temperature, it also gave him an added benefit of hiding from even the infrared sensing equipment of various cyborgs and unmanned gears owned by Desperado Enforcement LLC.

Behind the scenes
The cardboard box is one of the trademark items of the Metal Gear series. It is used to help hide the main character from enemy sentries or surveillance cameras. Snake covering himself with a cardboard box is an homage to the titular character of Abe Koubou's novel Hako Otoko (Box Man), of which series director Hideo Kojima is a fan.

Gameplay
Wearing a cardboard box in the wrong place or running around while wearing a box will raise a guard's suspicions, while being in a guard's patrol route or being discovered by troops clearing an area can lead the soldiers to expose Snake. Namely, if they bump into the box, they will wonder what a box is doing nearby and investigate by pulling up the box, leading to the player's discovery. The only exception to this rule is in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater while Naked Snake is disguised as Major Raikov: If the player during this time hides in a cardboard box and the personnel walks into it, the soldier will remove it, but will instead salute Snake after removing the box, due to their belief that he is Major Raikov. During modes of gameplay such as "Evasion" and "Alert", it is likely that a sentry coming into the path of the box will become inquisitive and investigate the cardboard box. In the "Evasion - Clearing" mode, soldiers are liable to fire directly at the box or remove the box from the ground for inspection. Sometimes, moving around in a cardboard box in front of a guard will make a guard shoot at it. If the player stops moving, the guard may lose interest and resume his patrols.

Cardboard boxes may be destroyed from too much gunfire or physical assault. Wet cardboard boxes will break apart faster. In Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots it is strongly advisable to not hide under a cardboard box while fighting the B&B Corps in their Beauty forms. They will break it apart instantly, wasting a box. Furthermore the tactical use of a cardboard box has somewhat been reduced, as Old Snake could rely on his Octocamo suit or a drum can to avoid detection.

Metal Gear series
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- Cardboard box description in Metal Gear

"An ordinary cardboard box. According to the label, it's bound for Zanzibar Land. Its use is unknown."

- Cardboard box description in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

In Metal Gear, the player can use the cardboard box to avoid detection from surveillance cameras and guards. Its use often being the only means of avoiding an Alert in certain areas. If Snake equips the box and remains motionless, he will remain unnoticed. However, the player risks taking health damage if positioned in the path of a patrolling guard, since enemy character sprites that makes contact with Snake will reduce his health, as with normal gameplay.

In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, the cardboard box can again be used to evade detection. Enemy soldiers, however, will fire their weapons at the box upon its discovery, resulting in Snake receiving some health damage. Snake can be transported around the enemy fortress by climbing aboard conveyor belt-loaded trucks, with the box equipped. In addition to the cardboard box, Snake can also utilize a washbucket as an effective hiding spot.

Metal Gear Solid
In Metal Gear Solid, climbing into the back of a cargo truck and then equipping one of the three boxes will cause a guard to arrive, who then drives the truck to the destination that is labelled on the box: Cardboard Box A goes to the Heliport; Carboard Box B goes to the Nuclear Warhead Storage Building; and Cardboard Box C goes to the Snowfield. The boxes can still function as a disguise, similar to previous games.

The box can also double as wolf repellent. Immediately prior to the boss fight with Sniper Wolf, attack Meryl Silverburgh in the wolf cave, then quickly equip a box. Meryl will whistle for the wolves to attack Snake. Instead, the wolf pup will urinate on the box in order to mark its territory. For the rest of the game, the wolves will recognize the scent and will not attack Snake as long as he has this specific box equipped.

"(Cardboard Box A) < To Heliport > written on it."

- Cardboard Box A description in Metal Gear Solid

"(Cardboard Box B) < To Nuclear Storage Building > written on it."

- Cardboard Box B description in Metal Gear Solid

"(Cardboard Box C) < To Snowfield > written on it."

- Cardboard Box C description in Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear: Ghost Babel
In Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, the player must use three different colored boxes on a color-coded conveyor delivery system to access the different areas of a building.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
In the Tanker chapter of Metal Gear Solid 2, Snake can find a wet box on the hull of the ship. It falls apart more easily than other boxes and is generally less conspicuous.

In the Plant chapter, Raiden will witness a man hiding beneath a cardboard box if the player heads immediately to the CD connecting bridge, after the meeting with Peter Stillman in Strut C. As the player approaches, the man in the box will run away. The box itself can also be destroyed by shooting at it, something which is later mentioned in a conversation with Iroquois Pliskin. If Raiden finds his own cardboard box, Pliskin will tell him to "treat it with love"; he'll also comment, "Y'know, I've lost a couple thanks to you," if the player shot at him on the CD connecting bridge, prior to the conversation.

Climbing onto the conveyor belts in Strut E has a similar effect as the trucks in Metal Gear Solid, although there is no writing on the box; the player must make his/her best guess as to where the box will be sent, based on its appearance (for example, a box meant for holding food would be sent to Strut C).

Saving the game in the Plant chapter with a cardboard box equipped will result in a conversation with Rosemary, during which she ridicules Raiden for wearing "that stupid box."

If the player traverses onto an electric floor while wearing the cardboard box, the cardboard box will catch on fire.

In a commercial for the Japanese version of Metal Gear Solid 2, a businessman hides from his various coworkers (presumably to avoid giving them a raise) via various Metal Gear-like hiding methods, including the cardboard box trick. He is finally found by his coworkers at the end of the commercial.

One of the cardboard boxes used for the Big Shell Strut E had the Z.O.E. logo adorned on it.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
In Metal Gear Solid 3, calling Sigint whilst having the box equipped will result in an amusing conversation from Naked Snake, saying that it was his destiny to be in the box, he also states that he finds true peace while inside the box. Equipping a box during the battle with Ocelot causes the Ocelot Unit to laugh at Snake. The box can be used to move aound the Groznyj Grad fortress via cargo truck, in a similar fashion to Metal Gear Solid. It also raises Snake's camo index when used indoors. Each box weighs 0.6 KG.

"Cardboard Box A: Equip to wear. Says "To the Weapons Lab: East Wing" on the side."

- Cardboard Box A description in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

"Cardboard Box B: Equip to wear. Says "To the Weapons Lab: Hangar" on the side."

- Cardboard Box B description in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

"Cardboard Box C: Equip to wear. Letters on the side cannot be read."

- Cardboard Box C description in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Online
In Metal Gear Online, the cardboard box can also be used for surprise attacks. If the player's stamina is low, getting in a cardboard box and staying still will replenish it. In the original version included in Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, the box served little purpose as the player's name would still appear above it. This was fixed in Metal Gear Online ' s latest incarnation, with the player names removed when in a box, and other boxes scattered around areas to give the camouflage some value. It is also used for "box dodging." This allows the player to dodge headshots if it is equipped very fast while running, then removed in less than a second after its been equipped; When the player catches fire, equip this nifty item to immediately extinguish it. A bonus equipment could also be unlocked called the box hat, which is a cardboard box that's small enough to be worn in a similar manner to a helmet, by preordering any of the game's expansions.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
''"A cardboard box. Big enough for a grown man to fit inside."

- Cardboard Box item description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops  In Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'', teammates will hide in one while the selected character is in the field. Dragging an unconscious soldier over to one and phoning a certain frequency will instantly transport the fallen soldier to the truck to quicken recruitment efforts.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
In Metal Gear Solid 4, the cardboard box makes an appearance alongside a new, similar item, the Drum Can. In Act 1 of Metal Gear Solid 4, the new era of Metal Gear Solid is symbolized by Snake's usage of it as purely a distraction rather than a disguise, actually using his OctoCamo to hide elsewhere. Writing on the box reads "NO PLACE TO HIDE" and "NO PLACE FOR HIDEO." When hiding in the box, Snake's psyche will heal quicker than usual. Although regular Gekkos can detect Snake inspite of his cardboard disguise using thermal imagery, the scanning beam of a Dwarf Gekko is not so advanced; they will only raise the alarm if the cardboard box is moving while being scanned. The purpose of the box also seems to have dwindled. As even when Snake is hiding inside a cardboard box indoors, a guard will ask "What's this box doing here?" and check it, thus leading to Snake's discovery.

"A generic cardboard box. It may look pedestrian but it's light, sturdy, and has a hundred and one uses -- how can we get by without them? A good cardboard box is a soldier's best friend -- having one handy can mean the difference between life and death."

- Cardboard box description in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Several different types of boxes are in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, such as a "Tank Box" and a "Love Box." Gameplay previews had suggested that these new boxes will accommodate two players at a time. On the second gameplay trailer of ten that were released before the Japanese release of Peace Walker, it was revealed that the Tank Box can be used as an offensive weapon against enemies by firing shells from the muzzle as if it were a real tank. Two additional boxes were revealed in the third gameplay trailer: One is the Bomb Box, which detonates in front of an enemy, and the other is the Rescue Box, a Box designed to resemble an Ambulance (complete with a siren) to revive fallen comrades in shorter time than using CPR.

In addition, the Peace Walker Assassin's Creed trailer revealed the existence of another variant of the cardboard box: The Assassin's Straw Box. Although fans initially assumed that it was an april fools joke due to the humorous tone of the commercial, the timing of its airing, as well as the airing of a similar commercial around the time of Metal Gear Solid 4's development, its existence in-game was later confirmed. The Assassin's straw box is acquired by going to the Mine Base during the story mission Travel to the Mine Base, going onto the roof of the southeastern most building, and then doing a dive known as the Leap of Faith (also taken from Assassin's Creed) into the box when prompted. It also requires at least one open space in the equipment menu, as otherwise, the player will "bounce off" the Assassin's strawbox. Upon procuring it via the soaring dive, Miller will contact the player and give a "historical account" on the usage of the Assassin's Straw Box. Keeping the Assassin's straw box to the end of the level upon first acquiring it will also result in it being included with Mother Base's menu and mass produced. When the player equips and uses the Assassin's strawbox, the player will, if approached by a soldier and when prompted, drag the soldier into the strawbox and beat him up severely. If it is used in this manner during CO-OP, the other player will also send the soldier they beat up away via fulton recovery to be recruited into MSF. The assassin's straw box is also fragile, with overuse or a roll attack being enough to disintegrate it.

During the story, an unimpressed Kazuhira Miller shows the tank box design to Big Boss, who proceeds to claim that the design is brilliant, with Paz Ortega Andrade in agreement.

Besides as a hiding place, cardboard boxes can also be used in the story as supply containers, if the player either uses a support strike marker of any variety, or in the case of Monster Hunter missions on Isla del Monstruo, having various Felynes dig underground and throw a cardboard box with supplies inside. The latter aspect also comes with an animal footprint.

Play Arts KAI recently released a bonus figurine set of Kazuhira Miller, Big Boss, and a Love Box, which is available in various stores in Japan, as well as the New York Comic Con outside Japan.

Other appearances
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in addition to appearing as a trophy, all of Snake's taunts involve him hiding underneath a Cardboard Box, which he removes after a few seconds. Other characters can remove the box while Snake hides under it. Hiding under the box will also cause the player number icon above Snake to disappear when in a multi-player match.The box also says Smash Bros and has a "!" on the front.

Snake also hides under the box twice during the course of The Subspace Emissary. The first time, Snake stows away on the Halberd by hiding within the Cardboard Box. The second time, Snake hides beneath his box upon seeing Lucario and Meta Knight approaching; however, Lucario uses his Aura powers to see Snake beneath the box and takes it off, surprising Snake (complete with an exclamation mark appearing above his head and Metal Gear's trademark alert sound).

Removing the cardboard box at the end of the taunt deals a minor amount of damage and knockback, making Snake's taunt one of the few that can double as an attack. Crazily enough, the damage dealt by the box this way will actually instantly break a smash ball if it manages to hit a Smash Ball as it flies by. Similarly, the box has enough knockback to instantly defeat an enemy on Super Sudden Death mode if Snake manages to hit them with the box.

The cardboard box also appears as a trophy in Brawl; its description is as follows:


 * A common, run-of-the-mill cardboard box that is somehow very effective at preventing detection by enemies. Hide inside it and enemies will walk on by. But put it somewhere too odd and you'll be discovered. You can move while in the box, but if anyone sees the box moving, you're in trouble. Both Liquid and Solid Snake have a deep affection for cardboard.
 * First Game: Metal Gear, 1987

In a trailer for Rayman Raving Rabbids, the Rabbids attempt to get inside a building inside a cardboard box, but they are spotted by a guard with the trademark alert sound. The guard then calls his superiors, accompanied by a Codec sound effect.

The cardboard box also appears in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood on a strange visitor mission by the wall and disappears if eagle vision is used and 216 florins are gained.

At the end of a trailer for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Raiden is seen cutting a cardboard box in half with his sword, scaring an enemy mercenary who was hiding in it. A podcast as well as an interview regarding the E3 Demo revealed that these types of soldiers will be prevalent within the game, acting as a role-reversal of enemies hiding from the player, instead of the usual method of the player hiding from enemies. They also stated that the player is also given the option of sparing them or executing them samurai-style. In addition, the player themselves can utilize the cardboard box as an equippable item as well. If the player equips the cardboard box while wearing the sobrero and poncho disguise, the sombrero will be seen on the top of the box. The Playstation Blog article "Another Slice of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" jokingly stated that Raiden must have had the cardboard box on loan from Old Snake.

"A container made for delivering pharmaceuticals. The metallic-foil lining is designed to help maintain the temperature inside the box, but has the added benefit of shielding its contents from infrared vision, making it a great place to hide from UGs and cyborgs."

- Cardboard box description in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

A variant appears in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 for XBox 360. The achievement "Solid Snape," a pun on Solid Snake, can be unlocked by hiding in a barrel as Professor Snape. In this instance, the barrel is a substitute for the iconic cardboard box, although its overall usage is closer to the drum can.

Types
"A bigger cardboard box. Might be able to fit two people. (Rank 1) Select from the Equipment window and press the L button to "DROP" in order to set (for hunter control type, press <). (Ranks 2-5) Modified to improve durability. "DROP" to set."
 * Cardboard Box: (Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear Solid 4)
 * Love Box: A box that fits two. Big Boss procured this for the MSF while sneaking through Puerto del Alba with the intent of investigating the CIA's suspicious activities in Costa Rica. (Peace Walker)
 * Rescue Box: An ambulance that gives health. The MSF gained the blueprints for it from Zadornov after capturing him for the fifth time. (Peace Walker)
 * Tank Box: A box shaped like a tank that in CO-OP shoots grenades. The MSF gained the blueprints for it from Zadornov after capturing him for the second time. (Peace Walker)
 * Stun Tank Box: A tank box that fires stun grenades in CO-OP. The MSF gained the blueprints for it from Zadornov after capturing him for the second time. (Peace Walker)
 * Smoke Tank Box: A tank box that fires smoke grenades in CO-OP. The MSF gained the blueprints for it from Zadornov after capturing him for the second time. (Peace Walker)
 * Box Bomb: A love box that when damaged or looked under explodes. CAUTION: Also inflicts damage on user. The MSF gained design specs at Puerto del Alba while attempting to search for Zadornov who escaped for the second time. (Peace Walker)
 * Stun Box: A love box that when looked under or damaged explodes and releases a blinding flash and loud bang. CAUTION: Also stuns the user. The MSF procured design specs for this while searching for Zadornov in the Miner's residence after he escaped for the sixth time. (Peace Walker)
 * Smoke Box: A love box that when looked under or damaged explodes and releases a large cloud of smoke. CAUTION: Also affects the user if in close proximity. The MSF procured the design specs for it while searching for Zadornov after he escaped for the fifth time. (Peace Walker)
 * Assassin's Straw Box: A love box designed to look like a bale of hay, can pull patrols into it instantly knocking them out. If a co-op partner in the box has fulton recoveries equipped, anybody brought into the box will be instantly fultoned away. (Peace Walker)

- Love Box description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

"Cardboard box that explodes if damaged or if someone tries to see what's inside. Will inflict damage if you are inside. "DROP" to set."

- Box Bomb description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

"Cardboard box that explodes and stuns anyone nearby if damaged or if someone tries to see what's inside. Will inflict damage if you are inside. "DROP" to set."

- Stun Box description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

"Cardboard box that explodes and releases smoke if damaged or if someone tries to see what's inside. Will inflict damage if you are inside. "DROP" to set."

- Smoke Box description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

"A cardboard box made of straw. At first glance it may look like just an ordinary box, but if an unsuspecting enemy gets too close he might find himself dragged inside and knocked out cold. In addition, if you have a CO-OPs with the Fulton recovery system equipped, you can send the victim straight back to Mother Base."

- Assassin's Straw Box model viewer description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

"Miller: (Codec) Back in the time of the Crusades, members of the order of Assassins used what is called the Assassin's Straw Box to hide and get close to their enemies."

- Miller's description of the Assassin's Straw Box upon obtaining it in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

"Special box that speeds your LIFE recovery when you are inside or a teammate's when giving CPR.(Ranks 2-5)R&D has increased LIFE recovery. (all ranks) "DROP" to set."

- Rescue Box description in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker