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The Four Horsemen were an assassination squad employed by Zanzibar Land that specialized in close-quarters battle.[1][2][3] They were named after the biblical figures from the Book of Revelation known as the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

Biography[]

Early career[]

The Four Horsemen were comprised of former elite members of SAS, GSG 9 and UDT.[1] They utilized their combined skills within confined spaces to great advantage,[1] and took their missions directly from Zanzibar Land's president, Big Boss, when the target was of high priority.[3]

Zanzibar Land Disturbance[]

Main article: Zanzibar Land Disturbance

The Four Horsemen fought against Solid Snake in the central elevator of the Tower Building, during the Zanzibar Land Disturbance, under orders from Big Boss and his lieutenant, Gray Fox. While heading up to the higher floors, Snake's was forcibly halted,[2] and the Four Horsemen descended from the roof to attack him, also assuring him that, because of their only being used for high priority targets, Snake should feel honored.[3] However, despite outnumbering Snake, the four were defeated after being taken on one at a time.[1]

Behind the scenes[]

In the original MSX2 version of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, the Four Horsemen (フォー・ホースメン Fō Hōsumen?) were named Ultrabox (ウルトラボックス Urutorabokkusu?), after the British pop band Ultravox (both are spelled and pronounced the same way in Japanese). Their name was changed to the Four Horsemen in the re-released versions of the game.

There is a mandatory battle in Metal Gear Solid that resembles the boss fight against the Four Horsemen in Metal Gear 2, in which the player must fight off four enemy soldiers who ambush the player in an elevator.

Like the other Zanzibar Land mercenaries, as well as many of the characters from the Metal Gear series, their unit name is referenced in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain as possible word parts of a custom emblem, earned after successfully capturing an enemy outpost. Ultravox, their original namesake, is also featured on one of the collectible cassette tapes in the game, with the song "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes."

Appearances[]

Sources[]

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Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (re-release), Kojima Productions (2006).
    George Kasler: The Four Horsemen... A [sic] assassination squad assembled from former SAS, GSG9, and UDT, specializing in enclosed spaces. They're all seasoned veterans who'll kill a man without blinking an eye. You'd be crazy to try and take 'em all on at once. Best to pick 'em off one by one instead...Over and out.
  2. ^ a b Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (re-release), Kojima Productions (2006).
    Gray Fox: [Solid] Snake! Snake! ...It's me, Gray Fox. // Solid Snake: Fox! // Fox: You should have listened to my warnings, Snake. Now I'm afraid our friendship is at an end. That elevator is going to be your tomb. // Snake: What?! // Fox: Do you hear that sound? That's a [sic] assassination team. They specialize in confined spaces... I'm sure you'll put up a good fight. // Snake: The ceiling---!! // Fox: It was nice talking to you one last time, Snake... Over and out.
  3. ^ a b c Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (re-release), Kojima Productions (2006).
    Four Horsemen: We are the Four Horsemen, a top-secret assassination squad. We get our orders directly from the President. Consider this an honor... we only fry the big fish!
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