Metal Gear Solid

"Something that may never be accomplished again"

Introduction

Should you believe that hype?.

That is the general question when Metal Gear Solid is mentioned. Arguably Konami's best video game ever, MGS has sold millions of copies worldwide and has regulary topped the game charts. MGS has not only succeeded comercially, critically the game has been appraised highly, some critics took the next step to confirm MGS as the best game ever made. That statement will always been questioned I'm afraid but if it is mere exaggeration, should you believe the hype?.

In a short word, yes.

There are numerous reasons for this. The marketing skills and production of the game were cleverley conceived. And overnight MGS became a craze gamers had to experience. So here is my reveiw, un biased. I won't rely on other reviews or the game's success to state a point. This review is my personal opinion and relation towards Metal Gear Solid as a gamer.

Firstly, you should compare MGS to ANY other game for it's format. MGS pushed the hardware of the playstation to it's maximum limit and took advantage of what they could. The voice acting, the sophisticated plot, the great graphics, the espionage gameplay - all primal ingredients to the wonders of this game.

Plot

Starting off with the games strongest point; the plot. This plot would put Hollywood to shame. It starts off with Snake, the hero from the past two games, being kidnapped and blackmailed into taking part in a sneaking mission. His job is to infiltrate a Nuclear Warhead facility, Shadow Moses, and FOXHOUND (including Snake's brother Liquid) and to rescue two hostages; the President of ArmsTech Kenneth Baker and the DARPA chief Donald Anderson. Already, you're hooked and yet there's a truckload more to come. As you unravel into the facility, you discover that FOXHOUND are planning to unleash a new war prototype; Metal Gear. And poor Snake hasn't been informed of this or everything else, so you can sense his solidarity. From there on, Snake makes ridding the world of Metal Gear his number one priority, with various complications getting in his way. I could give you the whole synopsis of the game but that would be spoiling it. But cue on familiar faces, vengeance, love, murder and betrayal. I honestly believe you'll find some of the most effective scenes in gaming or even drastically film cinema here. The acting is superb and direction is flawless. The plot determines Metal Gears Solid's outcome and the gamers enjoyment and the plot has been constructed to perfection.

I contest that you will find no other great and goddamn special characters as you will find in this game. Solid Snake has to be the best ultimate hero ever, ousting Lara and joining the ranks of those of Spiderman and Batman. He is totally nomadic, cool as as glacier, insensitive and impulsive at the same time while having the charisma of Muhammed Ali - he truly is, Snake?. You could really believe the world would be a better place with people like him in it (I said that about Shaft you know...)

I also loved the insanely brilliant Liquid Snake, who was as convincing, if not more, as Sephiroth as a bad guy. He was truly deranged and more sinister than what seems on the surface. Same for Revolver Ocelot, with the cool cowboy demeanor but the genes of a sadist.

Other characters provinding a more dramatic and emotional tweak is Meryl Silverburgh, the naive and inexperience soldier on Shadow Moses and Dr Naomi Hunter, a support from Snake's communication camp known as codec. They are both tear evoking and a good use of drama and plot.

Overall, the plot is something of a one and only. It shares a lot in common with Final Fantasy VII then. I loved this part, confusing as it is, you have to admire the dare of it all. It certainly deserves more than praise. How about a mardi gras?.

Sound

Metal Gear Solid's sound was astonishing. Not only did we have a soundtrack, atsmopheric music but first class acting. Snake is played exceptionally well by David Hayter while my true merits go out to Meryl Silverburgh (Mae Zadler) and Liquid Snake (Christopher Fritz). The music, as already said, is atsmopheric and the sound affects are great too.

The actors perform their asses off and give the playstation something to be proud of. David Hayter captures every single emotion and demeanor Snake should have, and the traits that we believe he has. He's convincing all the way through. Equally is Carren Learning, playing the more than meets the eye Naomi, you'll be suprised by her. Again, the real performance comes from Christopher Fritz, who delivers a, er, video game Oscar performance of Liquid Snake, he sets the bench mark for video game acting ever and I've yet to see someone top that. I also liked the efforts of Mae Zadler (Meryl) and Doug Stone (Gray Fox).

The music is also amazing. The theme tune is a nice piece of dramatic light opera. While you have the stealth and very astmopheric casual music while you drape and skulk around trying to do your best not to be detected. And you have the alarming, tense, edgy I must not be caught music that creates more heartbeats than that of the vibration of the controller.

Graphics

With the above riding high for the game, graphics weren't essential for this game to succeed but they contribute just as much. Considering the playstations computing, these graphics were pretty revolutionary along with the Tomb Raider titles. My shout out goes to the codec system where detailed accounts of the charcters faces are given. This also collides with the great sound. Although my opnions ride high on the graphics, they aren't exactly flawless.

The 3D polygons work to a great extent but they do show their signs of weakness in terms of some characters either have slightly square bodyparts or even worse, Meryl Silverburgh looked as if her arms were disconnected from her body. Ouch, that's gotta hurt.

But in spite of not having a FMV system, we are treated to the polygon cutscenes, which are amazing. Some will be boring, obviously, but the action packed scenes are some of the best I have ever seen. The fight with Metal Gear was superbly done, and the actual design of Metal Gear was terrifying.

Character designs are also good. Snake just looks the part and Liquid Snake fits his role. There is not much to say as the characters happily slide into the army, warriors and mercenary looks. In those terms, they don't fail. In the codec system, where you can see very detailed drawings of the characters faces, is very well done.

Best graphics along with Final Fantasy VIII I have ever seen.

Gameplay

The gameplay is astonishing to say the least. The reason being is that you genuinely get your emotions caught up in the game and feel the plot through the innovating gameplay. Metal Gear's possible downfall was that an amazing plot usually leads to moderate gameplay; well not here so Hideo Kojima can rest easy. The control system is neat and modern and easy to comprehend. As a stealth game, it doesn't disappoint. Snake can do various things to desist being caught. He can even hide in cardboard boxes to confuse the enemy. The selection of weapons are also very nifty. Personally, I find the enemies AI really outstanding. If you're caught, they alarm and surround you, using whatever technique to kill you.

The weapons of choice are short, but nothing tragic. You have your socom, FAMAS, C4, Claymore mines and so on. But you also have your bare hands in which you can punch and kick them to their death, strangle them or throw them. It's quite fun.

Hiding is another technique. You will need to use the layout of each area to your advantage, like the corners and narrow areas to hide. And you must concentrate on the enemies vision cone, as showed on the radar. It does require tactics, maybe not infinite strategy but all the same, it's a solid stealth fest.

Some argue that Metal Gear Solid's gameplay is too short and too easy. My reply to that sentiment; Obviously if you keep the difficulty mode on easy. Try the other modes and see if you can complete the game under usual hours.

The game's length is exact on plot terms; any longer and MGS may have come across as too contrived and cliched. However, if you take in account that there are VR missions and video tapes to enjoy to keep you satisfied for the remaining hours.

Overall

I strongly believe that Metal Gear Solid is one of the most replayable games for the playstation. That is because playing this game is like watching your favourite movie with the control pad being your large portion of popcorn. Yes, there are cutscenes that do get very educational (boring in other words) but the action scenes and storyline is too much to pass up. Plus, there are two endings and depending on which you choose, you get two different items. A stealth camoflage, which will undoubtedly hook gamers. And an infinite ammo bandana. So if you are a true gamer, this game can be played at least four times.

Metal Gear Solid is one of those games that truly mesmerises you like no other game can. It has so many key moments in the game that seems endless to watch. The characters all have their own backgrounds and personal stories, including your foes making this seem like an A list movie. The gameplay flows with it, allowing you to genuinely get enticed into the moment. The script is strong, well acted by the people playing the parts and the music is both chilling and racy. No contest, Metal Gear Solid is one of the best games of all time and indeed deserves the hype because for 90% of the way, it delivers and then some. People who aren't interested in playing the game are interested in the storyline, who can blame them?. Not a moment do you ever sit through this game in an easy stance, not a moment is wasted in shocking you and keeping you on the move. With this game, you're always wondering what shellshock is going to come next.

Yes, buy Metal Gear Solid. Cherish Metal Gear Solid. It truly beats out most games that entails massive hype. This is a one and only game and you'll love to just have it sitting in your collection. Genius.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/14/04