Board Thread:Metal Gear Solid V/@comment-64.33.250.214-20150828085310

There's a leak going around claiming that Venom Snake isn't Big Boss. According to a leaked strategy guide which looks like the official Piggyback strategy guide for Phantom Pain, there are hints in the game that Venom is the Medic.

I've seen leaked footage from the game, specifically the hospital portion of the game. The doctor explains to Venom after he wakes up that he's been in a coma for 9 years. Venom freaks out and is sedated. When he wakes up again, a week has passed. The doctor explains to Big Boss that his body contained over 100 fragments from an explosion, and fragments in his brain which couldn't be safely removed. After watching this hospital scene it got me thinking...

The leaked strategy guide only hints that Venom isn't Big Boss and is Medic, without outright stating so. Some people may only vaguely remember this, but months back there was a story about a head transplant doctor who resembles the actor whose likeness was used for the doctor in Phantom Pain (which many believe was an elaborate publicity stunt). For more information follow this link: http://kotaku.com/meet-the-head-transplant-doctor-at-the-centre-of-a-meta-1699686702

With the possibility of head transplant appearing or being mentioned in the game, could it be possible that Big Boss received a head transplant? There appears to be conflicting information based on recent plot leaks and what players are now seeing in actual leaked gameplay. Commenters on reddit have been saying the game suggests we may indeed be playing as Big Boss, while information gathered from the leaked strategy guide suggests we are the Medic.

Now here is a theory I have concluded after considering all current information: What if Venom is Medic AND Big Boss. He has the body of the Medic, but the head and brain of Big Boss. This could explain why, according to the strategy guide leak, Venom failed a DNA test to prove Eli (Liquid) is his clone. Why characters treat him differently as though he is not Big Boss. It would also explain the title of the game "Phantom Pain". Big Boss may literally be missing his whole body.

There's one other piece of evidence which supports that we are still playing as Big Boss. The young Mantis lookalike in the hospital attacks Venom with a figure who looks like Volgin. Volgin would mean more to the original Big Boss than he would to a body double. As most fans know, Mantis attacks people by reading their minds and finding their weaknesses. 