Slow-motion executions, regenerating health, and other heretical gameplay mechanics join Big Boss in Phantom Pain.

But it also seems to feature a brief reference to Metal Gear Solid. After completing the new Splinter Cell mission in Wildlands, players get to watch a cutscene with Sam Fisher.

Ghost Recon Wildlands apparently doffs its cap to legendary stealth behemoth Metal Gear Solid as part of its Splinter Cell-themed mission.

Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid fans are debating on which franchise has the greatest stealth legend.

Solid Snake and Sam Fisher, of Metal Gear and Splinter Cell fame, are gaming two best stealth characters. Their fight would be interesting to see.

What Metal Gear does better than Splinter Cell, and almost any stealth-based game, is provide a story that is simultaneously relatable and fantastic.