Metal Gear Solid is one of the most important and timeless franchises in all of video games. A series of stealth games that goes across decades canonically, many of the themes and attributes that are played with are played around thanks to the snakes. Through their experiences, fans are able to appreciate the themes that the series has become so synonymous of. What makes the themes even more potent is that they are clones, yet they hold more understanding about humanity that some might not realize. But what exactly is the Les Enfants Terribles project and why is it so important?
Here are some important facts about the Les Enfants Terribles project that everyone should know about.
10 The Purpose Of Les Enfants Terribles Project Was Strictly For Insurance
When the Les Enfants Terribles project was created, it was all in order to keep Big Boss within the Patriots. Essentially the project was made in case Big Boss has died. Ironically, this has caused Big Boss to leave the Patriots completely.
This means that the Les Enfants Terribles project was always meant to be expendable. A way of keeping the genetic legacy of the greatest soldier ever to be intact. Regardless of its origins, it did pave the way to what happens going forward.
9 Liquid Snake Is The Superior Clone, Solid Snake Is The Inferior One And Solidus Snake Is Perfect.
When the Les Enfants Terribles project was conceived, the extra focus was taken on the twin snakes. One would have the genes that would create the best soldier possible, while the remaining genes were given to the other twin. The one with the superior genes was Liquid Snake while Solid Snake ended up being the inferior one. Later on, Solidus Snake was created and is intended to be the perfect replica of Big Boss. Regardless of genes, however, Solid Snake ended up being the last one of the project to be alive as of 2014.
8 They All Have Accelerated Ageing
Designed as a countermeasure in case their genetic information falls into the wrong hands, all of the clones within Les Enfants Terribles project is cursed with accelerated ageing and die early. The most prominent examples here is from Solidus Snake and Solid Snake. Although it was hinted since as far back as Metal Gear Solid 2. This aspect of their lives is why Solidus Snake desperately wishes to leave something behind while Solid Snake used this as motivation to try his hardest to stop the patriots.
7 While The Snake's Are Half Japanese, The Surrogate Mother Was EVA
During Metal Gear Solid 4, it is revealed through EVA that she is the surrogate mother of Solid and Liquid Snake. EVA was the love interest of Big Boss back during the Snake Eater incident and was also a former member of the Patriots. However, during a codec conversation with Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, it is revealed that the character is aware that he is half Japanese. This is because the twin snakes were conceived from an egg of a Japanese woman in the project.
6 Those Within The Les Enfants Terribles Project Sees Abilities That Far Surpasses Regular Soldiers
As expected from clones of the Les Enfants Terribles project, clones of Big Boss seems to get traits that makes them inherently superior to normal soldiers. All of this is combined with their training which really pushes their abilities over the edge. Liquid Snake for example is a natural when it comes to his piloting skills, while Solid Snake can effortless appear and disappear at will. Not only that, but their IQ is incredibly high and it allows them to be creative in combat.
5 Despite Being Clones, They All Aren't Exactly Like Their Genetic Template
In spite of the clones being the genetic sons of Big Boss, they aren't truly full clones of the soldier. This makes sense considering the way the Twin Snakes were designed. This would also explain the genetic differences like how Liquid Snake isn't exactly the same as his father from his physicality to his personality. The twin snakes not being full clones of Big Boss was brought up during Metal Gear Solid 4. However, due to Solidus Snake's DNA, he is actually exactly like his template.
4 There Were Originally Eight Babies, Before Being Killed To Focus On The Growth Of The Twin Snakes
As explained by Liquid Snake during the original Metal Gear Solid, the conception of the twin snakes was originally done through the super baby method. From this, they were originally eight babies. However, through a procedure that helped the growth of the twin snakes, the project aborted the six babies. As a result, even before they were born they were destined to be powerful killers of the late 20th century.
3 Les Enfants Terribles Was Considered A Failure
Although the project was somewhat of a success thanks to the birth of the Snakes, the government often considered them a failure. With the secretary of defense calling the project "an embarrassment from the 1970s." This would also explain a lot as the project was never mass-produced and opted for similar projects like VR training for the soldiers of the 21st century. In spite of this, the results of the Les Enfants Terribles project proved to be very fruitful.
2 The Les Enfants Terribles Project Was Foreseen In A Vision Back In The Early 70s.
During the events of Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, when Elisa was dying, she foretold what would happen in the future to Big Boss. Taking place before 1972 where the Les Enfants Terribles project was created, she brought up the following.
That through a series of events that tells the future of the later Metal Gear titles, from the original Metal Gear all the way to Metal Gear Solid 2. There, a son would attempt to destroy the world while another son would save it.
1 Solid Snake Saved The World From The Patriots
Probably the most important achievement from the Les Enfants Terribles project was the accomplishment of Solid Snake. Despite being the inferior clone with the project being deemed a failure, Solid Snake has gone on to surpass his genetic template, his brothers and brought about a lasting legacy.
Known as the man that makes the impossible possible, Solid Snake went on to stop numerous uprisings, infiltrated heavily guarded bases, stopped plenty of genetically engineered characters and destroyed Metal Gears.