Alright, Metal Gear fans! With Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on the horizon, I figured it's the perfect time to revisit that wonderfully convoluted, yet amazing, timeline that Hideo Kojima crafted. If you're anything like me, you might need a little refresher before diving back into the jungle.

The Metal Gear universe isn't exactly known for its straightforward storytelling. It jumps around in time, introducing characters at different stages of their lives, and weaving a complex web of relationships and betrayals. Sometimes, it feels like you need a PhD in espionage to keep everything straight. For example, you might be playing as Solid Snake in one game, then suddenly find yourself controlling Big Boss decades earlier in another!

Why is this important, you ask? Well, understanding the timeline helps you appreciate the nuances of the characters and their motivations. You start to see how events in the past shape the present, and how the actions of one generation ripple through the next. Plus, it makes the big reveals even more impactful. For instance, knowing the history between Big Boss and Zero makes their conflict in later games all the more tragic.

When I talk about the Metal Gear timeline, remember we aren't talking about release order. The chronological order goes something like this: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (the one getting remade!), Peace Walker, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain, the original Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, and finally, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance which is more of a spin-off.

Therefore, playing them in release order may let you appreciate the evolution of the gameplay mechanics and narrative style. However, playing in chronological order might give you a better understanding of the story as it unfolds.

So, before MGS Delta hits, take some time to brush up on your Metal Gear history. Trust me, it'll make the experience that much richer! Have fun with the game.