Big Shell

A clean-up facility hiding a secret fortress beneath the waves.

Big Shell is a massive offshore clean-up facility erected in the lower New York Harbor to clear up the oil spill caused by the Tanker Incident. It is the primary setting for the "Plant" chapter of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, where rookie FOXHOUND agent Raiden infiltrates the seized structure to rescue hostages and disarm the terroristic Sons of Liberty.

Quick Facts

Key event: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Lore & Background

The Big Shell was constructed in 2009, following the Tanker Incident in 2007, when Solid Snake was framed as a terrorist and an oil spill fouled the lower New York Harbor. Officially an environmental clean-up plant, the facility was actually a façade created to hide Arsenal Gear, a submersible mobile fortress housing multiple AIs (including TJ, AL, and JD), with the AI designated "GW" (short for George Washington) specifically controlling the Big Shell's systems. The Sons of Liberty, led by a man claiming to be Solid Snake (later revealed as Solidus Snake), seized the Big Shell during a public relations tour for the facility's opening by US President James Johnson, taking him hostage and threatening to destroy the facility if their demands were not met. The structure became a prison for both hostages and rescuers, its true purpose unknown to most until Raiden uncovered the Patriots' conspiracy.

Reader's Guide

The Big Shell is divided into multiple sectors connected by rotating bridges and elevators. The facility's modular design forces infiltrators to adapt quickly; paths that were clear moments ago may become blocked or lead to dead ends after a rotation. Stealth corridors are often lined with sensors and automated turrets, requiring precise movement to avoid detection by the occupying Sons of Liberty. Enemy guards work in squads, communicate via radio, and will call for strike teams upon spotting the player, then attempt to flank and cut off escape. Players can use first-person aiming to target specific points, walk slowly over noisy flooring, hang off walkways, hide in storage lockers, and hold enemies at gunpoint for items. The environment affects stealth, taking into account factors such as weather, smell, atmosphere, and temperature. It is possible to clear the entire game, including boss fights, without causing a single deliberate death through use of tranquilizer guns, stun grenades, and melee attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Big Shell?

It is a massive offshore water purification plant built in New York Harbor to clean up an oil spill from the Tanker Incident. Beneath its surface, it also functions as a secret military fortress hidden within the structure.

Where is Big Shell located?

The facility sits in the lower New York Harbor, positioned offshore to handle environmental cleanup operations. Its specific coordinates place it within United States territorial waters during the events of Metal Gear Solid 2.

Who occupies Big Shell during the game?

Originally owned by the USA, the structure is seized by a terrorist group known as the Sons of Liberty who take hostages inside. The player character Raiden infiltrates the site to rescue them and stop their plan.

What happens to Big Shell at the end?

Following the final confrontation, the structure collapses into New York Harbor and is completely submerged. This destruction marks the end of its operational life as both a cleanup plant and a fortress.