“Metal Gear” acquainted popular audiences with stealth game play in 1987. Ten years later, “Metal Gear Solid” cemented the series' legacy as the genre's first true master work.
In “Solid,” players must once again maneuver heroic spy Solid Snake through a tightly guarded military complex on a mission to disarm the bipedal nuclear tank, Metal Gear. Snake can radio superiors and experts for suggestions on infiltrating the base and bypassing enemies. Weapons and, more importantly, espionage items must be uncovered to ease Snake's passage through unfriendly territory.
But the similarities to the first two “Metal Gear” games end there. The mightier sound processing power of the PlayStation allowed director Hideo Kojima to significantly widen the series' mythology with a tight story driven by hours of dialogue about a tale of genetic manipulation and terrorism.
Snake is recruited from self-imposed exile in Alaska to stop his former spy outfit, FOX-HOUND, from launching a stolen nuclear weapon. Leading his foes are Liquid Snake, the hero's genetic duplicate, and a handful of other stylishly named arch-villains (Revolver Ocelot, Decoy Octopus) - each a master of their own military discipline.
Even today, the cut scenes play out with remarkable maturity and hold up well as a movie of sorts between moments of game play. Their length may leave more impulsive players impatient to play on, but for those who want to soak in the mythos, Kojima achieves a steady balance that sustains the suspense of both the story and the action pushing it along.
The stealth game play of “Solid” once again grasps players' nerves by placing them in hostile environments they can only negotiate with both patience and perceptiveness. The experience is tense but thrilling, and the burst of strings that signals Snake being spotted will surely spike one's pulse.
To advance through the game's three-dimensional environments, players need to apply more discerning eyes than in “Metal Gear” if they're to spot clues suggesting where to go next without alerting enemies. Navigation is aided by a new third-person point of view mode and an on-screen map points out the locations of enemies so players can evade them and their fields of vision. But with the PlayStation's sophisticated technology also came new traps to avoid. For instance, leaving footprints or splashing through a puddle can give away Snake's presence to enemies.
Melee combat with enemies is slightly tougher to survive in “Solid's” three-dimensional setting than its prequels, so remaining stealthy is even more pivotal. A few set-piece combat sequences and boss battles in “Solid,” particularly the fourth wall-smashing showdown with psychic Psycho Mantis, break up the tense non-violence of Snake's sneaking with vicious, but no less thoughtful action.
At about 11 years old, “Metal Gear Solid's” most salient sign of its age is the in-game graphics, which are marked by rough polygon renderings of the characters and environments. Though a decade of technological advances have dated “Solid” since its debut, the look will only deter from a player's enjoyment to the degree that player prioritizes graphics. The sound, meanwhile, holds up incredibly well and shames the broken English of “Metal Gear” with hundreds of articulately spoken lines that not only move the plot along, but meditate on themes of identity and loyalty.
As part of the “Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection,” “Metal Gear Solid” is more than worth the $30 price alongside its PlayStation 2 sequels (which will be reviewed in future editions of Citizen Gamer). Players who have yet to take Snake through this trilogy of tactical espionage action shouldn't be caught without this collection prior to the release of “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.”
Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you play
Game: “Metal Gear Solid” (part of “Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection”)
Score: 96 out of 100
Rating: Mature
Publisher: Konami
Designer: Hideo Kojima
Platform: PlayStation
Price: $29.99
Features: 1 player
Life span: Five hours
The final boss: With refined three-dimensional stealth action and a sophisticated story, “Metal Gear Solid” assured the legacy of the “Metal Gear” series a decade after its start.
But the similarities to the first two “Metal Gear” games end there. The mightier sound processing power of the PlayStation allowed director Hideo Kojima to significantly widen the series' mythology with a tight story driven by hours of dialogue about a tale of genetic manipulation and terrorism.
Snake is recruited from self-imposed exile in Alaska to stop his former spy outfit, FOX-HOUND, from launching a stolen nuclear weapon. Leading his foes are Liquid Snake, the hero's genetic duplicate, and a handful of other stylishly named arch-villains (Revolver Ocelot, Decoy Octopus) - each a master of their own military discipline.
Even today, the cut scenes play out with remarkable maturity and hold up well as a movie of sorts between moments of game play. Their length may leave more impulsive players impatient to play on, but for those who want to soak in the mythos, Kojima achieves a steady balance that sustains the suspense of both the story and the action pushing it along.
The stealth game play of “Solid” once again grasps players' nerves by placing them in hostile environments they can only negotiate with both patience and perceptiveness. The experience is tense but thrilling, and the burst of strings that signals Snake being spotted will surely spike one's pulse.
To advance through the game's three-dimensional environments, players need to apply more discerning eyes than in “Metal Gear” if they're to spot clues suggesting where to go next without alerting enemies. Navigation is aided by a new third-person point of view mode and an on-screen map points out the locations of enemies so players can evade them and their fields of vision. But with the PlayStation's sophisticated technology also came new traps to avoid. For instance, leaving footprints or splashing through a puddle can give away Snake's presence to enemies.
Melee combat with enemies is slightly tougher to survive in “Solid's” three-dimensional setting than its prequels, so remaining stealthy is even more pivotal. A few set-piece combat sequences and boss battles in “Solid,” particularly the fourth wall-smashing showdown with psychic Psycho Mantis, break up the tense non-violence of Snake's sneaking with vicious, but no less thoughtful action.
At about 11 years old, “Metal Gear Solid's” most salient sign of its age is the in-game graphics, which are marked by rough polygon renderings of the characters and environments. Though a decade of technological advances have dated “Solid” since its debut, the look will only deter from a player's enjoyment to the degree that player prioritizes graphics. The sound, meanwhile, holds up incredibly well and shames the broken English of “Metal Gear” with hundreds of articulately spoken lines that not only move the plot along, but meditate on themes of identity and loyalty.
As part of the “Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection,” “Metal Gear Solid” is more than worth the $30 price alongside its PlayStation 2 sequels (which will be reviewed in future editions of Citizen Gamer). Players who have yet to take Snake through this trilogy of tactical espionage action shouldn't be caught without this collection prior to the release of “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.”
Staff writer David Wilcox reviews video games for The Citizen. He can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you play
Game: “Metal Gear Solid” (part of “Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection”)
Score: 96 out of 100
Rating: Mature
Publisher: Konami
Designer: Hideo Kojima
Platform: PlayStation
Price: $29.99
Features: 1 player
Life span: Five hours
The final boss: With refined three-dimensional stealth action and a sophisticated story, “Metal Gear Solid” assured the legacy of the “Metal Gear” series a decade after its start.
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