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Solid Snake
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===Critical response=== Critics have commented on his traits and appearance, often praising Solid Snake for his appealing personality.<ref name="1up"/> Rich Knight and Gus Turner from ''Complex'' acknowledged him as one of the best video game mascot, praising his "deep, human emotion that other characters fail to match."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/08/best-video-game-mascots/ |title=Best Video Game Mascots |magazine=Complex |date=2013-08-23 |access-date=2014-01-14}}</ref> ''IGN'' also remarked their rivalry, saying "Few rivalries in games have spanned as massive and confusing a timeline as Solid Snake and Liquid Snake".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/19/the-top-25-video-game-rivalries?page=3| title=The Top 25 Video Game Rivalries | date=November 19, 2013 | publisher=[[IGN]] | access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> Among the several characters he encounters, critics noticed that Snake's friendship with Otacon was one of the best parts of his character due to the contrast it has with enemies as well as how he Snake comforts him in ''Sons of Liberty''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/Play_Issue_279_2017_03_Imagine_Publishing_GB_a/page/54/mode/2up|title=Ten Examples of Mad Genius Metal Gear Solid|publisher=Play|access-date=December 13, 2023|year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/10/16/moments-snake-and-otacon-39-s-handshake-in-mgs2.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019025424/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/10/16/moments-snake-and-otacon-39-s-handshake-in-mgs2.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=October 19, 2012|title=Moments: Snake And Otacon's Handshake In MGS2|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 13, 2023}}</ref> His rivalry with Big Boss was also popular according to journalists, especially when they are compared as son and father and genetic heir.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gagne |first=Ken |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2541492/you-can-run--but-you-ll-only-die-tired--gaming-s--baddest--villains.html |title=You can run, but you'll only die tired: Gaming's 'baddest' villains |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207002607/http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9022399&pageNumber=3 |date=December 7, 2008 |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |website=[[Computerworld]] |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref> Various gaming sites such as ''[[1UP.com]]'', ''[[Game Informer]]'' and ''[[Kotaku]]'' joked on the poor relationship between the two of them as the father attempts to murder his own son.<ref>{{cite web |title=Father Knows Best: The Best and Worst Fathers in Video Games |website=Kotaku |url=http://m.kotaku.com/5297186/father-knows-best-the-best-and-worst-fathers-in-video-games |date=June 21, 2009 |last=Glasser |first=AJ |access-date=August 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gaming's Crappiest Fathers |magazine=Game Informer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/09/09/gamings-crappiest-dads.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911072626/http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/09/09/gamings-crappiest-dads.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=September 11, 2010 |date=September 9, 2010 |last=Sharkey |first=Scott |access-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Top 5 Crappiest Videogame Dads |website=1UP.com |url=http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-crappiest-videogame-dads |date=September 9, 2010 |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601230558/http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-crappiest-videogame-dads |archive-date=June 1, 2012}}</ref> Among other character relationships, Snake and Gray Fox were popular due to the variety of enemies the player faces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2012/07/02/playstations-scariest-characters/7/#gallery-top |title=10 of PlayStation's scariest characters - Page 7 of 10 | Features |publisher=Official PlayStation Magazine |date=2012-07-02 |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815165913/http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2012/07/02/playstations-scariest-characters/7/#gallery-top |archive-date=2012-08-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-ten-best-metal-gear-bosses-ever--90176.phtml |title=The ten best Metal Gear bosses EVER! |publisher=Destructoid |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-date=2013-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002130712/http://www.destructoid.com/the-ten-best-metal-gear-bosses-ever--90176.phtml |url-status=dead}}</ref> Solid Snake's ''Metal Gear Solid 2'' design was at the bottom of the worst game character makeovers list by ''[[GamePro]]'', condemning his conversion in hairstyle in comparison to his ''Metal Gear Solid'' design,<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Patrick |last=Shaw |title= The 8 Worst Game Character Makeovers Ever |date= 2008-07-22 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/205548/the-8-worst-game-character-makeovers-ever/ |magazine= GamePro |access-date= 2010-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607061847/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/205548/the-8-worst-game-character-makeovers-ever/|archive-date=2011-06-07}}</ref> and was also at the top of ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s list of the worst video game haircuts.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mark Ryan|last=Sallee |title= Top 10 Tuesday: Worst Videogame Haircuts|date= 2006-02-07 |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/684/684806p1.html |website= IGN|access-date= 2011-07-01}}</ref> The book ''Playing with Videogames'' states that Raiden's inclusion was intended to surprise ''Metal Gear'' fans who, instead of playing as Snake, played as his opposite. Writer James Newman commented that fans' reactions were highly negative; they acted as though Kojima had betrayed their expectations. He compared Raiden to the controversial ''[[Star Wars]]'' character [[Jar Jar Binks]].<ref name="playingwithvideogames">{{cite book |title=Playing with Videogames |pages=39–40 |last=Newman |first=James |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-415-38523-7}}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Tom Bramwell commented that his interactions with the other characters also helped expand Solid Snake's character.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metal Gear Solid 2 : Sons of Liberty - Review |website=Eurogamer |date=December 3, 2002 |author=Bramwell, Tom |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_mgs2_ps2 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826060156/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_mgs2_ps2 |archive-date=August 26, 2011}}</ref> His interactions with veteran Solid Snake identify the former as "a ''Metal Gear'' fan". As the game progresses it is stated that Raiden "has become Snake", having developed skills similar to those he gained from taking part in the Big Shell's fights that resemble ''Metal Gear Solid''{{'}}s Shadow Moses Island.<ref>{{cite book|title=Utopic Dreams and Apocalyptic Fantasies: Critical Approaches to Researching Video Game Play|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=drH7l-VYUGEC&q=raiden+metal+gear&pg=PA73|pages=87–88|publisher=Lexington Books|date=September 25, 2010|isbn=978-0-7391-4700-9 |author=Emmbrick, David}}</ref> Before ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', the character was thought to be the game's protagonist because of his physical resemblances with Naked Snake. However, later previews speculated how was it impossible for Solid Snake to be in the game's settings, leading to the conclusion it was a young incarnation of his father.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1027/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-preview/|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Preview|date=2004-02-29|website=PALGN|access-date=2011-07-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016023240/http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1027/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-preview/|archive-date=2012-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/preview_6091542.html|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Updated Impressions|date=March 16, 2004|author=Torres, Ricardo|website= GameSpot|access-date=2011-07-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p3.html|title=Metal Gear Solid 3 -- Everything We Know|publisher=GameSpy |page=3|access-date=2011-07-05}}</ref> A comparison between Solid Snake's and Big Boss's characters was made by ''IGN'' in an article titled "Stars Thunderdome: Snake vs. Big Boss."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/881/881688p1.html|title=Stars Thunderdome: Snake vs. Big Boss|website=IGN |author=Pirrello, Phil |date=2010-01-11|access-date=2011-07-05}}</ref> The character's appearance in ''Metal Gear Solid 4'' has received mostly positive opinions. Before it was released, various speculations were made regarding his role. As he was the only one who suffered from a drastic change in appearance, ''IGN'' commented that the most famous rumor was the one of his body deteriorating across the game.<ref>{{cite web |last=Alfonso|first=Andrew|title=E3 2006: Eyes-on MGS4 Teaser|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/706/706016p1.html|access-date=September 2, 2011|website=IGN|date=May 8, 2006}}</ref> Moreover, since it had been announced it would be his last appearance, ''IGN'' and ''GamesRadar'' wondered whether the character would die during the game and if Raiden would replace him following his death.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kolan|first=Patrick|title=Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of Speculation|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/810/810332p3.html|access-date=September 2, 2011|website=IGN|date=3 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Richardson|first=Ben|title=Metal Gear Solid 4: 10 Predictions |date=7 March 2008|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/metal-gear-solid-4-10-predictions/?page=3|access-date=March 29, 2012|publisher=GamesRadar}}</ref> ''GamesRadar'' commented that his character was one of the few gaming characters that aged across video games.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilder|first=Tyler |title=If game characters were old |date=20 June 2008 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/if-game-characters-were-old/|access-date=August 28, 2011|publisher=GamesRadar}}</ref> ''GamePro'' also listed Old Snake as one of the biggest surprises from the game, as the character was found interesting in contrast to pessimistic thoughts they had before the game's release.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Shuman|first=Sid |title=The 25 biggest surprises in Metal Gear Solid 4|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/175488/the-25-biggest-surprises-in-metal-gear-solid-4-page-2-of-3/|date=2009-01-23 |access-date=2011-01-24 |magazine=GamePro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113190055/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/175488/the-25-biggest-surprises-in-metal-gear-solid-4-page-2-of-3/|archive-date=2010-01-13}}</ref> ''[[GameDaily]]'' listed the "old hero" as one of their list of top video game archetypes, using the old version of the character as an example of this.<ref>{{cite web |last=Buffa |first=Chris |title=Top 25 Game Archetypes |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-video-game-characters-archetypes/?page=10 |date=2009-01-23 |access-date=2011-01-24 |publisher=GameDaily}}</ref> ''[[Play (UK magazine)|PLAY]]'' gave praise to his moustache considering how highly detailed it is, and represents the change from Solid Snake's character.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lip Service: A tribute to moustaches in games|url=http://www.play-mag.co.uk/features/lip-service-a-tribute-to-moustaches-in-games/ |publisher=Play|author=Mackenzie, Gavin|access-date=2011-07-13}}</ref> On the other hand, ''1UP.com'' criticized it as the most gracelessly aging characters as it gave negative messages about aging.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sharkey |first=Scott |title=Top 5 Gracelessly Aging Characters|url=http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-gracelessly-aging-characters|date=2009-01-23 |access-date=August 29, 2011 |website=1UP.com}}</ref> ''1UP.com'' listed their fight as the 13 "most dumbass" boss battles for its simple style in comparison to other more challenging bosses from ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' and its excessive length for a hand-to-hand fight between two old people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/13-dumbass-boss-battles?pager.offset=3|title=The 13 Most Dumbass Boss Battles|publisher=1UP.com|access-date=August 17, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020014451/http://www.1up.com/features/13-dumbass-boss-battles?pager.offset=3|archive-date=October 20, 2012}}</ref> The design resulted in mixed reactions regarding whether or not the character kept his original sex appeal.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/02/10-video-game-characters-who-look-like-sex-offenders/ |title=10 Video Game Characters Who Look Like Sex Offenders |magazine=Complex |date=2013-07-13 |access-date=2013-07-21 |archive-date=2013-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625062642/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2013/02/10-video-game-characters-who-look-like-sex-offenders/? |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.lne.es/vida-y-estilo/tecnologia/videojuegos/2014/11/29/10-personajes-sexys-videojuegos/1678837.html Los 10 personajes más sexys de los videojuegos - La Nueva España<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ''[[GameDaily]]'' made Solid Snake top their [[Super Smash Bros.|''Smash Bros.'']] characters list,<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 10 Smash Bros. Characters - Page 8 |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-ten-super-smash-bros-characters/?page=8 |publisher=GameDaily|access-date=2009-08-07}}</ref> while ''PLAY'' listed him as one of the characters they wanted to be playable in ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Five alternative characters for Mortal Kombat |url=http://www.play-mag.co.uk/general/five-alternative-characters-for-mortal-kombat/ |publisher=Play|author=McMahon, Chris|access-date=2011-07-13}}</ref> The character customization in ''[[Soulcalibur IV]]'' that allowed to create Solid Snake was listed by ''UGO'' as one of the best ones from the series owing to his popularity within gamers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Adam|title=Remembering... Soul Calibur 4|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/soulcalibur-4-create-a-character-top-50-solidsnake|date=February 28, 2010|access-date=August 29, 2011|publisher=UGO Networks|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016183913/http://www.ugo.com/games/soulcalibur-4-create-a-character-top-50-solidsnake|archive-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref> Gavin Jasper of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' ranked Solid Snake as 12th of ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' characters, and stated that "bringing Snake in ''Smash Bros.'' was an act of pure dominance."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-smash-bros-characters-ranked/|title=Super Smash Bros. Characters Ranked|date=March 7, 2019|website=Den of Geek}}</ref> Jeremy Parish of ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' ranked 73 fighters from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' "from garbage to glorious", listing Solid Snake as 18th, stating that "The legendary super-soldier Solid Snake remains one of gaming's greatest and most tragic figures."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|date=2018-12-03|title=We rank the Smash Bros. (and friends)|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2018/12/3/18120401/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-rankings|access-date=2020-11-05|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref> People expressed some disappointment on ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' when Solid Snake wears a skintight stealth suit, and the rendition being completely changed. Leaving the character's butt being reduced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/13/17459358/super-smash-bros-ultimate-solid-snake-butt|title = Super Smash Bros. Fans are upset about Solid Snake's butt|website = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date = 13 June 2018}}</ref> Akio Otsuka's and David Hayter's performances as Solid Snake's voice actors has received praise. Ōtsuka remembers being surprised during his debut as a result of the large amount of dialogue Solid Snake was given.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/comz1y/|title=More Metal Gear Solid Launch Event Draws 500 Fans|date=November 23, 2011|publisher=Andriasang|author=Gantayat, Anoop|access-date=November 24, 2011}}</ref> Hayter's performance was called one of the greatest in gaming as well as one of the character's most recognizable traits.<ref>{{cite web|first= Scott|last= Sharkey|title= The Most Prolific Video Game Voice Actors|url= http://www.1up.com/features/prolific-video-game-voice-actors|website= 1UP.com|access-date= 2011-09-05|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111019233821/http://www.1up.com/features/prolific-video-game-voice-actors|archive-date= 2011-10-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Dan|last=Howdle |title= Gaming's Top 10 Deepest Voices|url=http://www.nowgamer.com/features/895130/gamings_top_10_deepest_voices.html|publisher= Now Gamer|date=2010-06-02|access-date= 2011-09-05}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[Game Informer]]'' ranked Hayter's role as Solid Snake as the seventh most memorable character voice in video games for "a portrayal that's considered to be a real classic in the history of video game voice acting".<ref>{{cite web|last=Shoob |first=Punished |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/10/14/top-10-memorable-character-voices.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014223932/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/10/14/top-10-memorable-character-voices.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |title=Top 10 Memorable Character Voices In Video Games - Features |publisher=Game Informer |date=2013-10-14 |access-date=2013-11-22}}</ref> In 2024, a poll conducted by [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] with around 4,000 respondents named Solid Snake as the fourteenth most iconic video-game character of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lara Croft Crowned Most Iconic Video Games Character of All Time, According to BAFTA Poll |url=https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/bafta-most-iconic-character-poll-results |work=BAFTA |date=2024-04-04}}</ref>
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