Metal Gear Online

"An online shooter based on Metal Gear? Great idea? Maybe not..."

Metal Gear Online was meant to be a online shooter that used the same basic premise of Metal Gear Solid 4 as far as gameplay went. While in theory it sounds like a great idea, in practice it isn't that great.

Graphics: 9/10
Graphically, it is nearly on par with Metal Gear Solid 4's gameplay, but obviously had to be toned down to provide a functional online experience.

Sound: 8/10
In the sound department, the game performs admirably, providing many famous songs from the other Metal Gear games, and it features a few of its own. The sounds of weapons are excellent, as they use the same sounds featured in the main game. The voiceovers can get annoying, and many players will play some of the same prerecorded voiceovers over and over.


Gameplay: 6/10
The game plays much like MGS4 does, but it tends to feel rather clunky and hard to control at times. For example, the cover system which worked so well in the single player game of MGS4, tends to act in a very delayed and clunky way which forces you to hold several buttons just to aim and shoot from that cover. It also does not include an option to blind-fire, which would be helpful as a way to defend yourself without wasting several seconds in order to just shoot the person once, which will usually get you killed. The general aiming system works for the most part. You're able to quickly and accurately aim and take out a target provided you aim for the head.

One of the main problems is that the only hits that do any real damage are head shots. Trying to kill somebody with body shots is usually a wasted effort, as it can often take as many as a full magazine of bullets to kill someone this way. Many game tools meant to help you hide like the barrel and box, are usually ineffective. This is because most people know Metal Gear well enough to never trust a box. Movement itself often feels sluggish as characters are slow to move.

The game's rank system is mostly cosmetic and doesn't help you in any major way. Individual skill level ups however unlock new abilities and increase your ability with specific weapons and items. This sounds good in theory, but it can prove to be a handicap against newcomers.

Customization: 7/10
Character customization is full featured and quite detailed. However, many customization options are only unlocked with reward points which are difficult to get unless you pay for the expansion packs.

Overall, Metal Gear Online is a good effort, but doesn't do very well in some areas of execution. Luckily it is a game packaged with Metal Gear Solid 4 and not a full price standalone game.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/22/09

Game Release: Metal Gear Online (US, 06/12/08)