You think you know who you’re playing as in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. You see the iconic eyepatch, the tactical gear, and you hear that gravelly Kiefer Sutherland voice. You assume it’s Big Boss—the legendary soldier who fell from grace. But honestly, the biggest trick Hideo Kojima ever pulled wasn’t just a plot twist; it was how he used the Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain characters to make you question your own identity.
The game isn't just a stealth sandbox. It's a psychological hall of mirrors.
The Man Who Sold the World (And Your Identity)
Basically, Venom Snake is the ultimate "phantom." For years, players thought they were witnessing the literal descent of Jack (Big Boss) into villainy. Then the truth hits: you’re actually the nameless medic from the helicopter in Ground Zeroes. You’ve been surgically altered, hypnotized, and used as a literal human shield to draw the world's fire while the real Big Boss builds Outer Heaven in the shadows.
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It’s kind of messed up when you think about it.
Venom isn't just a body double. He's a tragic figure. He carries the "shrapnel horn" in his skull and a bionic arm, physical manifestations of a trauma he didn't even fully own. While the real Boss is off being a visionary, Venom is the one actually doing the dirty work in the Afghan dirt. This distinction matters because Venom is often more "human" than the man he’s imitating. He saves child soldiers and shows mercy to Quiet, whereas the real Big Boss eventually becomes the architect of a world in perpetual war.
Kazuhira Miller: A Vision of Pure Rage
If Venom is the cool, silent professional, Kazuhira Miller is the raw, bleeding heart of the Diamond Dogs.
You've probably noticed how bitter he is. And why wouldn't he be? He lost an arm and a leg. He lost his home. He’s obsessed with "Cipher," the shadowy organization he blames for everything. Throughout the game, Kaz acts as a foil to Revolver Ocelot.
- Kaz wants blood, executions, and absolute loyalty.
- Ocelot wants information, strategy, and "the big picture."
Miller’s descent is arguably the most painful to watch among the Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain characters. He isn't the charming, "cheeseburger-loving" guy from Peace Walker anymore. He's a man consumed by a "phantom pain" that no amount of revenge can soothe. His suspicion of Huey Emmerich—while totally justified because Huey is a pathological liar—becomes a toxic obsession that nearly tears Mother Base apart.
Quiet and the Language of Silence
Then there’s Quiet.
She is easily one of the most misunderstood characters in the franchise. People focus on the outfit, but the lore reason is actually pretty dark. She was burned alive during the hospital raid at the start of the game and saved by "The One That Covers" parasites. Because of this, she breathes and drinks through her skin. If she wears clothes, she suffocates.
But her real story is about the English strain of the vocal cord parasite. She carries a biological weapon that would wipe out everyone at Mother Base if she spoke a single word of English. Her silence isn't a choice; it's a sacrifice. She eventually breaks that silence to save Venom’s life, knowing it means her own death (or at least her permanent exile into the desert). It’s a rare moment of genuine altruism in a game defined by betrayal.
The Villains and the Parasites
Skull Face is... weird. He doesn't get the big final boss fight people wanted. Instead, he gets a long jeep ride and a messy, unceremonious death.
But that’s the point.
Skull Face is a reflection of what happens when you lose your language and your identity. He was the "clean-up crew" for Big Boss during the events of Snake Eater, a ghost following a legend. His plan to use parasites to "erase" the English language is his way of fighting back against the cultural imperialism of Zero and Cipher.
And then there's Eli.
If you didn't realize Eli is a young Liquid Snake, the "White Mamba" codename and his sheer bratty arrogance should have tipped you off. He’s a "clone" of Big Boss, but in The Phantom Pain, he’s mostly a chaotic element. He doesn't care about Skull Face's ideology; he just wants to kill his "father." His connection with Tretij Rebenok (the young Psycho Mantis) is what actually drives the supernatural elements of the plot. Without Eli’s raw "lust for revenge," the Man on Fire (a reanimated Volgin) wouldn't even be moving.
Why These Characters Still Haunt Us
The genius of the Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain characters is that they are all incomplete. They are all missing something—a limb, a language, a past, or a future.
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- Huey Emmerich: A man who betrays everyone but genuinely believes he’s the victim.
- Code Talker: An old man living on the edge of extinction, providing the scientific context for the horror.
- Paz: A literal phantom, a hallucination born of Venom's guilt over not being able to save her in the previous game.
Honestly, the game's ending is meant to feel empty. When you finally kill Skull Face, the "pain" doesn't go away. The Diamond Dogs just find new things to be angry about. It's a cycle.
If you're looking to truly "finish" the character arcs, you have to dig into the cassette tapes. That’s where the real writing is. The tapes reveal the secret conversations between Ocelot and Zero, Miller’s eventual departure, and the truth about the "Phantom" project.
Actionable Insights for Players
- Listen to the Tapes: Don't skip them. The "Truth Records" are the only way to understand the motivations of Ocelot and Big Boss.
- Max Quiet’s Bond: If you don't reach 100% bond, you miss her "A Quiet Exit" mission, which is the emotional core of her character.
- Visit the Medical Platform: There are hidden cutscenes involving Paz that change how you view Venom’s mental state.
- Watch the Kids: Eli’s behavior at Mother Base foreshadows his role as the primary antagonist of the original Metal Gear Solid.
The characters in The Phantom Pain aren't there to give you a heroic send-off. They're there to show you that in war, everyone loses a piece of themselves. Sometimes, they lose the whole thing.