Snake Eater kicks off the entire Metal Gear backstory. Despite being third in the series, Snake Eater is still the best place to start if you want to understand what the Hell anyone is talking about in these games. It's a prequel to every other Metal Gear Solid, and the starting point of a complex - and engrossing - narrative. Remember those examples I listed above with The Boss vs. Big Boss? You'll learn the difference between them here. And the events that transpire in Snake Eater will be a touchstone in every MGS game that follows.