Meme

A meme is an idea that is able to spread and adapt over time. This is similar to how genes behave. The Metal Gear Series has many memes that occur regularly in the games.

Missing Mentor
This is where a character is trained by a legendary soldier who then suddenly leaves. The character is left feeling abandoned and that their training is incomplete. Although in some cases it may be that what is left they can only learn on their own.

The Boss
The Boss left Naked Snake until they met again during Operation Snake Eater where it became clear that she had defected. Snake was then forced to kill her. This resulted in the Philosophers legacy being passed onto the United States and eventually The Patriots. Although she had inspired both Big Boss and Zero they were unable to carry out her vision for a united world.

Examples

 * Big Boss - Liquid Snake
 * Solid Snake - Raiden
 * The Boss - Naked Snake
 * Solid Snake - Meryl
 * Roy Campbell - Meryl

Twin Brothers
This is where two characters that are mirror images of one another compete against each other. Usually one of them has gained a legacy that the other feels he deserves.

Liquid / Solid
Liquid believes that Solid Snake is the superior clone given that he killed Big Boss and gained his reputation because of that. By creating Outer heaven he can regain the legacy that is rightfully his. He also wants to claim Big Bosses physical legacy by killing Snake. In a literal sense this is shown by his demand for the Corpse of Big Boss.

Examples

 * Solid Snake - Liquid Snake
 * Naked Snake - Major Ocelot
 * Big Boss - Gene
 * Solid Snake - Liquid Ocelot
 * Big Boss - Zero

Trapped Scientist
The is always a scientist that is able to help Snake complete his mission. Because of this they are protected by a group of guards. This is often turned into a trap for Snake

Examples

 * Otacon
 * Emma Emmerich
 * Sokolov
 * Naomi Hunter