Unparalleled cinematic experience, gripping storyline, best-looking version of MGS available on any platform.
Cons:
Two-year old graphics, limited frame-rate, unmodified save-game system, poor online support by Microsoft.
Graphics:
(4.5 out of 5)
Sound:
(3.5 out of 5)
Gameplay:
(4.5 out of 5)
Overall:
(4.5 out of 5)
(Overall score is not an average of above scores)
Prologue
Two years ago, it was impossible to avoid the hype about Metal Gear Solid. I didn't own a PlayStation, but I was
compelled to find out what the big deal about MGS was. It was during the relaxed Christmas Eve of 1998 when I borrowed a PlayStation
along with about 20 PSX games for a one-night videogame blow-out with my brother and two cousins.
The first game we tried was Metal Gear Solid, and it's needless to say that we didn't even bother to try any other
game that night.
Unfortunately, because of certain interruptions that Christmas (like a need to sleep, visit with relatives etc.),
we only made it halfway through the game, but I vowed that some day I would play it again and finish it!
Well, it's almost two years later, and I still don't own a PlayStation, but thanks to Microsoft, I've finally got
a chance to return to this classic by Konami. Better yet, the PC port for MGS is not just based on the original US
release I tried two years ago, but rather on the "ultimate" version of MGS called "Metal Gear Solid Integral" that
was only released in Japan. (In North America, MGS was released in two parts: the original MGS in 1998 and then a
second disc in 1999 called "VR missions" which still didn't include some features of Japan's MGS Integral.) Check out
this excellent MGS Integral FAQ
by a Singaporean fan for more details.
MGS Integral featured all the VR missions, as well as the ability to play in first-person mode. It also included
a new "very easy" mode which gave slow-twitch old-timers (like me) an MP5-SD from the beginning with unlimited ammo
:-) as well as hidden treats like being able to play as the cyborg ninja. So as you can see, our patience as PC gamers
has been rewarded with the port of the best possible MGS package.
Overview
I won't go into the details of the background story for MGS, but suffice to say, you play the role of Solid Snake.
He's a special forces operator who gets called out of retirement to infiltrate a base full of well-armed baddies (with cool code-names
like "Vulcan Raven" and "Sniper Wolf") who are threatening to launch a nuke. The breakthrough aspect of the gameplay was
that unlike many other games where you go in with all guns blazing, Solid Snake must use stealth and
cunning to sneak past guards and solve puzzling obstacles.
(4.5 out of 5)
(3.5 out of 5)
