Metal Gear Solid

"Tactical Espionage Action... bite sized"

The Snake finally bites the Game Boy Color! In Metal Gear - Ghost Babel, Solid Snake returns to Outer Heaven to (hopefully) save the world from those pesky nuclear terrorists and the newest Metal Gear. While this game is no MG Solid (a mistake to label it as such in the US version,) it's a nice appetizer for the future Dreamcast and/or PS2 versions.

Graphics: No sorry attempts at digitized graphics or polygons here! If you've played the NES or MSX versions of Metal Gear, this game will bring back memories. The cinema scenes are quite catching; pity there's no way to bypass them entirely. The MG2-style map in the upper right corner could strain your eyes.

Sound: Except for a couple pieces near the end, the music works fine in setting the mood. The sound effects are standard fare (at least there's no horribly digitized screams in this game.)

Story: Revealing revelations, scores to settle, a bevvy of betrayal... and that nuclear armed, walking deathmobile! Just what you'd expect from this game, though those keen on the game's history might find an inconsitency or two....

Gameplay: Plays a lot like MG2 - Solid Snake, except you can move in eight directions instead of four. Most of the challenge in the regular game is finding your way through the fortifications. Some of the bosses are rather lax this time around. The VR missions are executed well on the GBC; they're as maddening as those on the PlayStation!

Replayability: It's all about getting those extras (and that Big Boss rank!) You'll probably play through the normal game one or twice, and play the rest of the modes for fastest time.

Overall, this game should sate your Metal Gear cravings... that is, until Snake's next (128-bit) mission....

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/06/00, Updated 05/06/00