Joystiq

The End

Metal Gear Solid was empowering old people long before a decrepit and tired Snake shambled into the PlayStation 3's battlefield. Case in point, the fatigued, fatigue-wearing fossil napping in the wheelchair over there. His peaceful pose belies the crushing grip he holds on that last bit of life, those final breaths needed to peek through the sniper rifle and assassinate one last foe. Wise and patient to the very, very end, The End, puts the full-stop in your death sentence.

Special abilities: Quite possibly the most patient man (barely) alive, The End can spend a week lying in wait for his prey, just waiting to pull the trigger. In terms of sneaking and camouflage, he gives ol' Snake a run for his money and, if you're not careful, his life.

Weaknesses: He's not dead yet, and thus can be detected with thermal goggles or a directional microphone. If you see his parrot nearby (he'll be very upset if you shoot the poor thing!) or the glint of sunlight on a sniper scope, you can zero in on his location.

Trivia that surely everybody knows by now: The End can lie in wait for a week -- but not much longer. If you save and quit during the battle and return a week later, The End will have passed on. Rest in peace, old man.

09/06/08