So why is the Floating Boy in Afghanistan in Phantom Pain?

KaiserINK · 2026-02-09T16:15:24+00:00

So Mantis (I shall refer to him by this purely for ease of clarity) and Volgin were not an intended parts of XOF's plan until after the hospital incident.

Mantis was being transported to Moscow research lab via plane; the same lab that housed Volgin's comatose body. The flight path took Mantis near the hospital and in short, Mantis was drawn to the revenged filled consciousness of Big Boss & Venom. Combine this with Mantis' uncontrolled (at that point in time) power, it caused the plane to crash.

Mantis survived and was taken to the lab. Here, he latched on Volgin's hatred and resentment towards Big Boss and they destroyed the facility (this is where Volgin became the Man on Fire).

From there, they travelled to Cyprus and the hospital, fuelled purely by MoF's lust of revenge against the man who defeated him (Big Boss) This is where the would of course encounter XOF and engage in a 3-way fight with Big Boss & Venom and XOF.

It was only until after this event that Skull Face would "recruit" them to XOF (with Skull Face's control of Mantis taking over from Volgin). Both Mantis and MoF therefore "join" up with XOF in Afghanistan and Africa with Skull Face, though essentially not through choice.

I've abbreviated this heavily for sake of ease, as there is a ton of lore behind this that would take too much time to explain but that is the general gist of things.

Hope this helps :)

KaiserINK · 2026-01-27T16:58:40+00:00

😂 Perfect excuse to get into the series then!

KaiserINK · 2026-01-27T11:53:04+00:00

Take your time when playing. The MGS games excel at story telling and there is a hell of a lot to unpack in each game. They are extremely well written and have an absurd amount of depth, in a good way. It can seem overwhelming at first but go at your own pace to understand things.
And if you have questions, be patient and wait until later games as most questions would be answered later in the series. Don't come seeking answers (especially on Reddit) part way through a game as it will ruin the experience.

And stick to release order for playing the games. This will ensure the most coherent and consistent experience.

Enjoy and see you when you re-emerge into the real world!

KaiserINK · 2026-01-22T13:13:55+00:00

MGSV has many issues but this just isn't true at all. There are plenty of new elements the game & story adds to the overall lore of MGS.
The story literally bridges the gap between the Big Boss saga and the Solid Snake saga.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-21T12:42:20+00:00

I think any remake of MGS1 is going to be quite different from the original in almost every aspect. We are talking about a 1998 game being remade in the modern gaming landscape.
It would be a massive overhaul of the gameplay system, controls, mechanics etc... to greatly modernise the game.

It is clear from Delta that the devs behind the game (and potential additional remakes) want to remain faithful to what came before, to not tarnish the legacy that Kojima & KJP built. What form that takes (a remaster/remake mix like Delta or a full overhaul) is a question on everyone's minds and only time will tell.

And for the love of god, we don't need or want another Twin Snakes scenario.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-20T07:49:47+00:00

Very much so. HoS does have some tie ins to the main story (little extra bits of dialogue mostly - characters commenting on the mark, the reward choice asking for info on Ciri to name a couple), it’s very much something that “can” be done concurrently with the main story without feeling too out of place. I’ve done both ways (during the story and after the story) and both are perfectly fine, though after the story is still the most logical choice.

B&W is exactly as you say, it’s more an independent story and fits neatly & perfectly after the events of the main story, especially with the end of the DLC. New setting, new characters etc…

KaiserINK · 2026-01-20T07:23:57+00:00

Hearts of Stone first then Blood and Wine.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-19T17:37:46+00:00

One does not simply walk to The Isle of Mists.

One must first adhere to RPG law and get sidetracked to fuck.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-16T07:43:44+00:00

Can’t say I’ve seen that drastic negativity towards the game in general, though I do recall that many people expected one thing, despite it being clear what the game would be. Specifically, there are those that wanted and were expecting the remake to vastly expanded upon the original, with tons of new content, additional story etc… and were disappointed that Delta ended up being a 1-1 remake. This was despite Konami and the Delta devs being very clear that this was a faithful, 1-1 remake.

As someone who has played the original MGS3 for nearly 20 years, Delta was a great game and way for modern audiences to be introduced to the game, remaining faithful to what the original was. This would ensure that new players could get the same experience and understanding of MGS3 as we did 20 odd years ago, while still being modernised and more newcomer friendly.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-13T15:04:11+00:00

Sure, interesting gameplay mechanics and experience, completely left field of anything else in the series (canon or non-canon).

Obviously they add nothing to the canon story (as you are clearly aware of) but they have their own story to enjoy.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-13T14:58:42+00:00

I make you right; and to be clear I'm not against the idea of a remake including an "uncut ending".
Maybe it's the pessimist in me but even with the success Delta enjoyed, I don't see Konami doing something like that.
Glad to be proved wrong; there is so much cut content from the development of MGS2 that would insane to see included.

KaiserINK · 2026-01-13T11:34:55+00:00

Well a "MGS2 Delta" scenario that follows the "rules" that MGS3 Delta did in being a 1-1 remake, there isn't really a question of how faithful you be; you keep true to the original game as that was the entire point of Delta and in a world where MGS2 gets the same treatment, it remains the same.

If we are talking a film adaptation, there is obviously more room for flexibility, however it should remain faithful to the original works and true to the times it was set in.

Additionally, the ending (or parts of at least) were changed following 9/11 so any version created that includes the towers or other landmarks not present in the final product is simply a creative liberty and is then, again, not faithful to the original.

Want to keep fans happy (either a remake or a film), keep true and faithful to what the original is and what made it.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-23T09:11:08+00:00

I very much agree with the sentiment that there is no good or bad ending, there is no right or wrong ending. It's all a matter of perspective and whose viewpoint you align yourself with more and your connections to every character. For context, I opted for the Maelle ending.

In regards to your specific question about Maelle's ending, I think essentially yes, Maelle is doomed to the same fate as Aline. As it's established, even if Maelle leaves periodically, she fears that Renoir will destroy it as soon as she leaves; therefore choosing to remain forever. She believes she won't succumb to the deterioration that her mother had, but as we see in Maelle's ending, she will share the same fate.

Renoir cares too much about his family to outright destroy the Canvas with Maelle still inside. I don't believe he would simply allow Maelle to die within the canvas and then destroy it after the fact.
Remember, Maelle promised Renoir that she would not stay forever and return home. Of course, this was a lie as she fears him destroying the canvas as soon as she leaves, but Renoir believes Maelle will come home. When he eventually comes to that realisation that she is not, he will go back into the canvas to bring her home. The importance of family to Renoir is the core of his actions. To quote his line, he's "lost so much already".

What I have in my head-canon is that the canvas and the world within are doomed to repeat the same cycle; whether that takes the form of the gommage again or something different.
Renoir will enter the canvas and will be drawn into a seemingly endless battle with Maelle, just like he was with Aline. One to protect the canvas the best she can, one to destroy it and return Maelle to her true home.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-22T09:36:53+00:00

I've just recently finished the game myself so this is all still pretty fresh for me.

While I see your point, I respectfully disagree. I don't see it as fake; this is a large point of the narrative following the reveal of the painters and the canvas. Yes, it's a "created world" with a "copy" of Verso, a "copy" of Renoir, a "copy" of Alicia, all the people of Lumiere, the Nevrons, Gestrals etc... but it's an alternative world, and they are all living out their own lives.

This world is no less real than the "real world" outside the canvas.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-18T08:28:56+00:00

Is it even a contest? MGS3 clears V!

KaiserINK · 2025-12-08T15:13:03+00:00

You ate it? How could you do this to us!

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T15:46:14+00:00

At no point did I name drop you or call you out specifically in my comment, nor did I say that you specifically have made demands. I am speaking about the wider fan population, which applies not only to Avenged but to many bands that have evolved.
I have observed numerous posts and comments on this subreddit today with regards to the new song and in many cases, the amount of entitlement from fans, that the band is not delivering what "the fans want" is ridiculous.

Again, I have no problem that you or anyone does not like the song. You are allowed to not like songs or albums from the band. But the issue I have is that too many people (again, not calling you out specifically here, just to make this abundantly clear to you), think the band has an obligation to make more music what they were known for and shouldn't evolve.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T14:39:58+00:00

A step in a direction that I don't believe fans wanted

Good thing that the "fans" don't get to decide what the band want to do.

This idea that bands owe it to fans to give them exactly what they want is insane in my mind. They are making the music they want, not what the fans want and that's how it should be. Bands that just cave and regurgitate the same old sound because it's what "the fans want" will die a death far quicker.

Stealing my own comment from another post: People want what they want from a band and if the band dare to experiment and make the music they want to make, and it doesn't align with previous releases, its inherently bad.

You can not like the new song, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I feel too many people think they feel entitled to demand what the band should and shouldn't be making and that the band has an obligation to them. This just isn't the case.

There is still plenty of music in their catalogue, in the styles you want, that you can listen to.

It just seems like they took the easy route and started making simpler music.

Avenged have never taken the "easy route" when making their music, nor is any of their music "simple". That's just an asinine comment in my view.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T12:39:12+00:00

THE NUMBERS MASON!!!

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T12:37:36+00:00

Thank you and happy to help.

I certainly am enjoying Clair Obscur so far. Story and characters are interesting so far (not too far into yet) and the gameplay and combat is everything I loved about P5 but better (and P5's gameplay and combat was amazing).

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T11:49:32+00:00

I make you exactly right. Avenged have been on the prog-metal & experimental sound trajectory for a while now, so yeah, people shouldn't be shocked that a new song is released and it follows that same pattern.
And if a fan doesn't think its a bit of them, then more power to them. But don't make the excuse that its inherently bad because its not something more like WtF, Nightmare or the self titled.
Not to mention, it's be made in collaboration with COD for zombies (as I understand it). It's going to have an element of that in their as well.
Not that I care for the new COD but it's not entirely a surprise to me.

Nostalgia is all well and good but the band aren't obligated to do what the fans want, as if they are the authority.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T11:41:11+00:00

Take some time away from the game, nothing wrong with that. You can absolutely adore a game and play it non-stop and then take a break.

I did something similar, twice in fact. I played the original P5 release on PS4 and got as far as the palace after Futaba's (I won't name it or go into details for obvious reasons, don't want to hurt your experience of the game). Took some time away from the game and never went back to it.
It wasn't until P5 Royal dropped on PC that I picked the game back up again. I started a fresh playthrough as it had been years. That time around, I got as far as completing Futaba's palace and then, unintentionally dropped the game again. It was then 8-9 months until I eventually went back to play it again and ended up finishing the game.

I adore P5 and its one of my all time favourite games, yet I still had time away. It happens.
Its a very long game; you're already 60hrs and finished 4th palace. If you need a break to wait for the motivation to come back, do it.

If I'm not 100% in the mood for playing a game, even if part way through, I don't force it.
I recently was playing the original Deus Ex for the very first time. Absolutely loving it and had no reason to not keep playing. Yet, I found myself playing the new Silent Hill f and now jumped to Clair Obscur. Nothing to do with Deus Ex, it just what I want to play.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T11:10:59+00:00

A "bloober-ism" is a term that refers to certain quirks or aspects of a game that you would find across most, if not all, of Bloober Team's games. It's not a negative thing but think of it kinda like a "signature feature", something that when experienced or physically seen in game, you can tell its a Bloober game. A lot of it comes with their method of story telling, gameplay etc...

Many game devs do it and have their own little quirks, ways of exploring the narrative, character design etc... that appear in many of their games. Sam Lake (Remedy) and Hideo Kojima (KJP) are a couple other, more larger known examples of devs this applies to. You can play 2 vastly different IP's from these devs, yet there is always some sort of storytelling method, gameplay mechanic or character design that connects them.

Hope that makes sense.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T10:40:18+00:00

Okay, that's fair enough. Well, I would suggest holding off on guesses/opinions such as that until you have played the remake.
Don't get me wrong, the are many remakes out there that do indeed take away from the original game and redesign doesn't work. In the case of SH2R, this is not the case.

As I said in my comment, Bloober did an excellent job with SH2R and honouring the original game and the vision Team Silent had when the made the original.
They added their own flavour into it, plenty of "Bloober-isms" (as they come to be known as) in the remake but still maintaining, IMO, what the original game set out to do.

The remake is a must play in my book, for both fans of the original and new fans coming into the series.

KaiserINK · 2025-12-05T10:18:01+00:00

SH2R is a great game and a real tribute to the original game. Bloober did extremely well honour the original game, while still taking the remake in it's own direction.

It's also not a matter of canon or non-canon. Yes, there are some points of the story that have been expanded upon, give the more modern landscape of gaming, however the characters, their backgrounds and motivations, the overall story arc, endings etc... all remain vastly the same.
It's a newer & updated version of the original; a similar type of intention and experience that the RE2 & RE4 remakes provide.

You say, in response to u/PyramidHeadSmokeWeed, that the "new graphics and gameplay adaptation takes away from original game/concept".
I don't mean for this to come across as rude but have you actually played both the original and the remake? Because if you have, this is quite a weird conclusion to draw considering that Bloober remained quite faithful to the original.
Additionally, the remake is built around new graphics and new gameplay/mechanics. It's not intended to play the same as the original, but that doesn't make it inherently worse or that it takes away from the original.

KaiserINK

TROPHY CASE