Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24.45.77.96-20140326042831

1. I don't know much about the Metal Gear series. I've done a bit of research on it, but not really in depth.

2. MGS:R was the first Metal Gear game I ever knew about

3. I get the gist of most of the deal with Raiden.

I like Armstrong because not only is he charismatic, intelligent, and strong, but while nuttier than a fruitcake, his philospohy has some interesting aspects. Not good mind you but interesting.

Armstrong feels that America has literally just become a machine, that even with SOP gone it still runs on the war economy. Men die for reasons they really don't believe or understand. Ironically, Armstrong not only has to pretend to be exactly what he hates. It's only when facing Raidan that he reveals his true colors. He wants America to fight for a reason again, a purpose. He wants each man to have achieve their dreams through strength of their own will.

But the problem his, no civilized society can survived like that. 'Might makes right' is created the Feudal systems of Japan, and that didn't speed up technology or anything. Basically, Armstrong's philosphy, if executed, would probably turn America into a Wasteland.

But then again, Armstrong's philosophy ironically is never disproven. Might makes right is exactly what occurs in Raidan and his battle. He leaves a succesor in Raidan. Armstrong's   philosophy, whether Raidan admits or not, does effect him. Armstrong was right about the PMC's and war economy, and when Raidan beats him, Raidan gain a certain appreciation for Armstrong.

While Armstrong's philosophy had some good elements, they were ultimately contimnated by the fact that Armstrong had no limits. He was willing to kill anyone, everyone, to achieve his goal, which would lead to anarchy and chaos. Whether Armstrong admits or not, he was bloodthirsty, and looking for a war that could make him a symbol. He  couldn't see the line that would turn his dream of men fighting their own wars into anarchy and madness.

When Armstrong states that he'll leave a worth succesor, he's right.

Raiden has accepted the Ripper, his dark nature, and has seemingly accepted the fact he'll never live a normal life. He understands now that he must exist outside the system in order to fight it, but unlike Armstrong, he understands that the bloody beast inside of him is also dangerous. Raidan can see the line Armstrong couldn't.

Before we get into my final point about Raiden, lets talk about what happened in the world of Metal Gear. PMC's are now fully emotion supressed, instead of subtly removing fear in Metal Gear Solid 4, technology has reached a point where PMC's literally say on thing while their subconcious mind says another.

Another point is that PMC's are going to rise because of Armstrong's actions. And as they gain more influence in the world again, PMC's like World Marshall will manipulate the media, economy, and even Politics like Armstrong did to keep in control of the economy.

Cyborgs need constant maintence even after the inital cost of becoming one.

Adding into the fact that most of these PMC soldiers are now cyborgs, not only are they emotion supressed completely, but they are basically stuck in PMC forever.

And civillians won't question it, due to fact their to focused on the new 'war' on terror that has begun once more.

Basically, the world is becoming a place where men don't question anything, where they follow orders they don't understand or even believe in. And if they don't question, how can they make choices? And if they can't make choices, how can they question their choices, if they already made by someone else? This wordl is becoming more mechnical more, dehumanising. Just like a cyborg.

And finally Raiden now exists. He has evolved beyond what he was before. In battle, in his nature, and finally his philosophy. Raiden understands that in order to stop such a perpetual cycle, he has to be outside it. He understands the line he must balance, the Ripper and the hero, and he knows in order to succed, some must die. He is evolved, but untamed.

Their were many discussions about memes in the game, and so I think it's fitting to end my post here: Armstrong, in his death passed the only good memes had, the main part of his philosophy: Men should fight for what they believe. 