Game Information

PSM Quote: "The best game ever made"
PSM Score: 10/10

Price: £19.99
Released:
February 1999
Extras: 2 disks

So many games come along nowadays, which are either carbon copies of other well-known successful titles, or are just simply not original, and don't feel special. It's a great occasion therefore, when a game which is not only totally original, not only looks good, is not only fun to play...but also feels right hits our shores! Metal Gear Solid is one such game...

The game does exactly what it says on the tin, "Tactical Espionage Action", stealth is the name of the game here...non-of this running around all guns blazing, this game actually asks you to do things differently. You have to forget everything you've learned in the past, this game requires you to think before you act. Metal Gear Solid has one of the best plots ever, and it's fair to say the game is based heavily around this, you take control of a one Solid Snake. He has been called in to infiltrate a nuclear weapons disposal facility, on Shadow Moses Island in Alaska. The weapons disposal facility is attacked and captured by a next generation Special Forces team, led by members of FOX-HOUND.

Thus you are called in, with your vast experience, to go in and sort things out. The terrorists have secured hundreds of nuclear warheads and are demanding that the government turn over the remains. You have just 24hrs to meet their demands, before they launch a nuclear weapon. Your first aim is to get inside the base, you then have to save two hostages, who both have important information, however, things are not as they first seem, you soon realise that you cannot trust anyone.

"you never get that feeling that your simply watching a movie, as in other titles, but that your in the movie!"

The plot takes many twists and turns, and it will soon get a hold of you meaning you can't put the game down until you've found out what is going to happen. The plot develops via some of the best cut scenes ever, and also with the aid of a small radio device you have, named a codec, in which you can send and receive messages...this is all done with actual actors voices, and it just makes the whole thing feel more movie like, then say GoldenEye 007. You always feel as if your playing the lead role, yet you never get that feeling that your simply watching a movie, as in other titles, but that your in the movie!

The game comes with a training level, where you can test out various skills, such as aiming, dodging and all the basic skills which you need in the main game. This is a great little mode, which is actually time based, meaning you can replay again and again to try and beat your last record. In fact, this mode was so good, that they later released an add-on, which contained loads of extra training levels.

The sneaking around is perfectly blended with the shooting, to produce one of the best games ever created. The thrill of sneaking past the guards, ducking under surveillance cameras and then making your escape simply cannot be bettered. It's far more satisfying then letter rip with fifty rounds, and watching the enemies fall to the ground, however, if that's what takes your fancy, then you can attack the game that way. There's always just enough ammo, yet this really isn't the way to play the game...the thrill comes from sneaking around, with your enemies just inches away, you can see them, yet they can't see you!

"the guards all act realistically, stopping to yawn and there's even rats then run across the floors"

The attention to detail is among the best on the Playstation, the guards all act realistically, stopping to yawn and there's even rats then run across the floors, these may only be small things, yet it all gels together to produce a world, which looks and feels realistic. The visuals are simply amazing, they fit into the style of the game perfectly, with their dark misty colours. There are no graphical glitches what so ever, and with all the special effects, such as explosions, gases and lighting effects you have one of the best looking Playstation games so far.

The sound is of an equal high quality, again adding to the movie likefeel of the game, the first few sequences are simply mind boggling. You have to sneak past a few guards, and make it into a lift, as soon as you make it into the lift, the game starts for real. Its then that you realise this game is something special, the music starts playing, the camera pans out, you see Solid Snake in the lift, taking off his special clothing, getting himself ready as he makes his way into the enemy base.

The use of the dual shock is simply unforgettable, it adds to the whole experience, and makes it just feel complete. The best use of it comes early on, when you encounter a helicopter, you watch as the helicopter makes its escape and the pad vibrates as if the helicopter were passing overhead, it just feels unbelievable. It's worth playing again and again just to feel it, it's that good.

"It's tension from start to finish, and just one of a whole host of mini experiences that you will have to complete"

The weapons on offer are among some of the best ever seen in a video game too, sniper rifles, pistols, grenades, bombs, you name it, it's in here. There's even one weapon which the player fires, and then actually controls the missile to it's destination...this is good enough, yet the way the this is implemented into the game is just something else. You find yourself in a corridor full of gas, you have a limited time before the gas begins to get through your gas mask, and you have to guide this missile past various targeting devices, around corners and then onto it's final destination. It's tension from start to finish, and just one of a whole host of mini experiences that you will have to complete. Once completed however, you will never forget about them, they will live with you forever.

There are so many other small set pieces, such as the moment in the lift, where you are faced with a load of enemies which you can't see, as they are wearing stealth suits, put on the thermal goggles however, and you can then see them. There's even card board boxes which you can hide inside, once inside the guards won't shoot you, as long as you don't move, these are just a few of them great video gaming moments, which this game is packed full of.

The game is also host to some unforgettable bosses, the hardest being Psycho Mantis...this bloke can read your mind, meaning anything you try to do, he will know your going to do it. Try as you may, you just can't beat him...he throws things around the room, such as chairs and desks, and soon you start to wonder what you have to do. He starts the fight by moving your dual shock controller around on the floor, it's one of them moments were you can't help but smile. How do you beat him then? Well, that's for you to find out, but just remember, he reads your mind via the control pad...or pads as it may be!

The bosses are at first very hard, yet as soon as you work out how they move, you should be able to beat them with no problem. Once of the funniest boss moments, has to be when you fight this bloke in a tank. The idea is to use your grenades, and if you time it just right, you can throw the grenades inside the tank and then watch as the man comes flying out...

"it may be a little on the short side, yet don't they always say the best things come in small packages"

All the characters are unforgettable, such as the ninja guy, just who is it behind the mask? A question which you soon start to ask yourself! One of the characters, who you actually have to work with, is Meryl, and you are introduced to her in the ladies toilets, great hey! One of the great things, and just shows how much time has been spent on this game, is when you just stand and look at Meryl. She won't move until you do, she sort of follows you around, and tells you where to go. However, if you stand and look at her, lets say, look her up and down...stopping at her breast, she will start to say things to you. Such as, what...what is it! What are you doing...It's another of them moments when you can't help but smile.

The only bad things about Metal Gear Solid, and this is simply nit picking, is that firstly the aiming could be a little better. There are moments when the targeting seems to have a mind of its own, especially when you have a screen full of enemies, which is quite often, yet you will master it in the end. There are also a few moments where you get lost and don't know where an item is, yet you can use your codec to ask questions, and so a few questions aimed at the right people should allow you to move on to the next puzzle.

The only other problem, is in the lifespan, it is a little too short...a few hours can see you get to the end, there is some replay value however. Firstly there are two endings, plus there are various extra bonuses you can earn by completing the game, such as the stealth suit, or the chance to change outfits. The only thing you need to remember, is to follow the story, and make sure you follow all the dialogue, it is tempting to forget about it, but you will miss out on important information.

Metal Gear Solid is packed full of original ideas, and thankfully they are all executed to perfection. It's not only great to watch, it's also unforgettable, it may be a little on the short side, yet don't they always say the best things come in small packages. It never fails to impress what with the visuals, the plot, the sounds, the whole thing is simply perfect...Metal Gear Solid is not a game, it's an experience.

Kevin Preston

Return to HomePage