Which ending do you prefer?

[Dirty Duck]

With MGS2 it seemed as if the Otacon ending was canon but MGS4 dashed that eventually. So really it’s sort of down to personal preference? And what’s yours?

I’ve always preferred the Otacon ending. I feel like it makes the story more impactful and ties Otacon and Snake together in tragedy. Plus their exchange on the snowmobile is better.

[NateDog]

Otacon if I had to pick. The idea that Snake would just leave him there to be bombed just doesn't sit right with me, especially given the rapport they've built up over the course of the Shadow Moses incident.

[black king]

Like Nate, I don't feel like Snake would want to leave Otacon behind. Then again I also don't think he'd submit to Ocelot either.

I like the ending scene with Otacon more, especially since he plays a much bigger role going forward than Meryl. Plus stealth > Bandana

[hollyberry]

I prefer Otacons ending too. I just feel the Meryl ending is too Hollywood cheesy to the best of my memory. But it’s so in keeping with Kojimas Hollywood boner themes.
Overall I just love Snake and Otacons relationship, it was amazing in 4, the secret handshake in 2? Peak cinema.

[Wayno]

While I agree with everyone that the relationship between Snake and Hal is fantastic and a highlight of the series, and Meryl is just fine, tbh. I prefer the Meryl ending. It's not that I overly care Meryl could have died canonically it's just there's something that doesn't sit right with me about Snake submitting to Ocelot.

Also, outside of MGS1, there's nothing I recall where Ocelot would basically want to torture someone to death or whatever he does with Meryl for his own gratification.