Game Review - by Jeremiah Pratt
For those of you not familiar with the Metal Gear series here's a brief background. You are Solid Snake who has had a past filled with loopholes. Starting when you killed your own Father "Big Boss", probably because he tried to take over the world, or maybe you just didn't like him. Just kidding, actually Big Boss was the greatest soldier that ever was; he created a Terrorist organization called the Outer Heaven. He created an army of gene soldiers and a super tank (Metal Gear). This was a problem, you and your bud Gray Fox were sent to take him and Metal Gear out. Big Boss comes back and you (Solid) realize that you didn't kill him. He creates a new terrorist group called Zanzibar, Snake is sent to finish the job again. But now his so-called bud Gray Fox wants to kill Solid as well. So you take him out too.

Now for the Current Story, Solid Snake is pulled out of retirement for this mission. This must be a real mess if Solid had to be called in this time. Just when you think vacation in Alaska would last forever, oh man.

The nuclear weapons disposal facility on Shadow Moses Island in Alaska's Fox Archipelago is attacked and captured by Next Generation Special Forces led by members of FOX-HOUND. The terrorists have secured hundreds of nuclear warheads and they're demanding that the government turn over the remains of Big Boss. They warn that if their demands are not met with 24 hours, they'll launch a nuclear weapon. Well here's where Solid Snake comes in and he's the only one who can stop this charade. First, he must single-handedly infiltrate the nuclear weapons disposal site and rescue two hostages, DARPA Chief Donald Anderson and the President of ArmsTech, Kenneth Baker, and then eliminate the terrorist threat and prevent a nuclear launch. The clock is ticking. Once again, Snake heads into battle�alone.

Features:
The Features are kind of interesting, not your everyday choices, the special button allows you to view information from your previous operations. You can access an Extreme Level, but not until you beat it in one other level setting. Briefings view the mission videos and finally, VR training in a environment setting. (Very cool idea).

Graphics:
The Graphics, are built in true 3D, everything you can think of from ammo boxes to rotational gun cameras. Not to mention these things are real nasty too. The animations are a beautiful thing; some may bring a tear to your eye. I do admit some of the textures are grainy and cartoon like, but the attention to detail surpasses all of the above. The speed of the game is flawless, slowdown only happens during a guard party involving you.

Sound FX:
The sounds are tremendous in nature; I'd have to say the best darn ambient sounds ever. So many different little blips and bleeps. Firing your gun in a snowstorm produces muffled shots. Gun clicks every time, you reload or run out of ammo. Sounds of camera's rotation in position, Guards footsteps and voices I can go on all day. The Music track appropriately sets the mood of the game. It rocks very nicely you won't be disappointed. I haven't forgotten about the Voice Acting, the English port was more than well done. It's perfect and I believe voice acting like this should be done in role playing games. Hint to Guys working on US port Final Fantasy VIII.

Gameplay:
Now for the gameplay, if this game has flaws they begin here. First you'll notice that the guards you face have a brain deficit and are blind. Now I don't blame designers about what happens after you're found. You can hide and the guards lose interest and go back to positions. This was done so guards won't be chasing you the whole level. But they could have been smarter in some sense. I can't forget to mention that Dual Shock is welcome here. Probably the first game to fully integrate this feature. You'll have to experience it for yourself; I'd fill up pages talking about it. Ok back to gameplay features, keep in mind you want to be a stealthy man. Running around like Rambo will get you killed, because these brainless guards keep coming. The major let down is the constant intervention of your superiors via Codec. They like to give you little clues that push gameplay along. Making the game way to easy. Plus in the higher skill levels your precious Radar is gone. Well the Radar was designed and integrated into the gameplay. Not having it causes you to go to first person mode. Which you can not move, bummer man. Finally, the game was designed for replay, depending on which course you take during the game, you'll get different items, and end scenes. It's all about that torture scene, whoops did I say that out loud my bad.

Overall:
Overall, this game does the one thing I love the most, and that is it's something new! New gameplay, ideas, and concepts are given here in full. The graphics are nice touch not great, but not bad either. The SoundFX shine combined with the Dual Shock. And you won't be let down; this game has a Plot. Oh my god you say, well I'm not lying, the big plot and hours of cut scenes to prove it too. Metal Gear Solid is one Solid game; I'd have to go out saying damn good job Konami.