Players of Metal Gear Solid are able to achieve one of two endings, depending on certain actions taken during the game. The Meryl Ending allows Meryl to survive the end of the game and is the canon ending to the game (as shown in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.)

Meryl's survival in Metal Gear Solid is entirely dependent on how players handle Ocelot's torture scene. Making the wrong decision here will result in Meryl's death and cause players to receive the Otacon ending instead, so here's all the information players will need to get the Meryl ending.

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How to Get the Meryl Ending

Metal Gear Solid Revolver Ocelot Tortures Snake Scene

Players hoping to get the Meryl ending will have to resist Ocelot's torture to the end and then escape the cell during the torture sequence. In the torture sequence, submitting to Ocelot will result in Meryl dying at the end of the game. If players choose to hit submit at any point during the torture, it will result in Meryl's death becoming inevitable.

Players will need to endure two button-mashing torture sequences before they can make an escape attempt. Otacon will supply Snake with ketchup to use to fake his own death after the second torture sequence. By using the ketchup and lying on the ground, players are able to trick the guard into entering the cell. Throw the guard to the ground and leave the cell to complete the escape.

Successfully accomplishing the escape without submitting to Ocelot will ensure that players get the Meryl ending after completing the game. Players who submit to Ocelot will instead get the much sadder Otacon ending.

Unlockables from the Meryl Ending

Solid Snake in a computer room dressed in a bandana and tuxedo

Aside from getting to see a slightly less depressing ending, players will also get a new item for use in future playthroughs as a reward for saving Meryl. Players who get the Meryl ending will receive the Bandana for future playthroughs, which gives Snake infinite ammo. This contrasts with the Stealth Camo unlocked by getting the Otacon ending, enhancing Snake's combat capabilities rather than his stealth capabilities.

If players have already gotten the Otacon ending, achieving this ending on the same save file will unlock the Tuxedo, giving Snake a whole new outfit for future playthroughs. If this is the second ending players get, then they will also unlock the camera, allowing them to take pictures as they explore the game world.