"One of the best 8-bits games out there"

This game should have represented Mr. Kojima's introduction of Metal Gear series to the gaming community as supposed to the first game - Metal Gear. It is a direct sequel to Metal Gear and it is basically improved in every department despite being for the same system. This makes you wonder why it wasn't done like that in the first place. But enough disappearing let's review it.

Story: 9/10
As in original, you are Solid Snake. Your commander - Roy Campbell have send you on a sneaking mission. The mission is called Operation Intrude F014 and you are to infiltrate the enemy base, Zanzibar Land and rescue a Czech biologist, Dr. Kio Marv. The story moves along smoothly, it is engaging and it offers twists and drama.

Graphics: 9/10
It is a game from late 80's so judging based on games of that time the graphics are actually pretty good. There is no slowdown, enemies and enemies are more detailed then in original, one would think that this game pushed the system to its limits graphics wise.

Sound: 7/10
Not a found out a 8-bit sound, but it offers a verity of nice tunes. Weapons do make noises that sort of reflect how they sound in an 8 bit world. Also you make environmental noises, for example when walking on a squeaky sand.

Game-play: 9/10
As original this game is designed in terms of stealth so your purpose is to get through without getting seen. This game took the gameplay of the predecessor and improved it in every way. Unlike the original, where soldiers are alarmed only when they see you, here they can also get suspicious when you make noise. They sweep the area where the noise was and if nothing is found they care on. Snake can crawl in this title, which comes handy if you need to hide under a table, vent, etc. Enemies no longer poses tunnel vision, as if you are in their line of sight, you will be spotted and an alarm will sound. Snake has a nice gadget - the radar. It covers a span of 9 screen blocks, and you can see enemy movements (in enclosed spaces the alarm does not work against the 9 screen blocks). Unlike the original the enemy moves from screen to screen. When alarm sounds your radar is jammed so you cannot monitor the enemy movement, and they chase with larger numbers you through all the screens except some spots, which are sort of an asylum to alarms. Your life bar is small at the beginning, and it increases after major boss fights, same goes for items which makes the game pretty tough at the beginning, but as you progress it gets easier and easier. Items do re-spawn, but after a load screen. As previously you use key cards to get across, but here they let you do a bundle, meaning one key card can open door access levels 1-3 for example. Saving system is similar to the original as when you save you actually save based on the checkpoint not where you at but here you have better indication here when to save, meaning you know that after seeing the load screen you can safely save. There are few not obvious save spots that do not follow the load screen idea. Game features instant deaths due to traps, so one always has to be mindful of the environment. Boss fights are fun and engaging, usually depending on obtaining the right weapon. As I said before this game is tough on the beginning but don't get distracted by the difficulty, it will get easier as you progress, which is sort of the opposite of generally the way things get harder in action games.

Final Impression
Any MGS fan should not miss this game. It is not long, you can beat it under 6 hours but it is an action packed fun. It holds some value as you want to beat it again to get better rating and also perfecting your score in Boss Rush mode which unlocks. Although old this game is easy to get as it is bundled with recently release Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence.
I'll give it 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/05/07