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Friday 8 February, 2008
GAMEPLAY:
Another thing worth mentioning about the gameplay is the creative radar system. The game requires players to proceed with extreme caution. In the upper corner of the screen there is a radar that alerts players to the location of enemies. Each enemy has a cone shaped line if sight. The player must try to avoid entering this cone in order to avoid detection. If the player is spotted, the enemy will sound the alarm and the radar will be jammed until the alarm timer reaches zero.
As the payers progress through the game they encounter some of the most imaginative and memorable boss characters in gaming history. They each have an incredibly deep and rich background story that make the players sympathize with them and their cause. Also, the way some of the boss encounters are carried out is pure genius. As an example one of the many bosses in the game is a powerful psychic named Psycho Mantis. He has the ability to read people’s minds and can anticipate the player’s every move. There is only one way to beat him: plug the PlayStation controller into the second controller slot so that he can’t read your mind. If that’s not creative then I don’t know what is.
DESIGN:
What starts out as a simple covert mission to disarm the terrorists, slowly turn into one of the most complex and well written plots in any videogame. If I wanted to explain the storyline then I would have to dedicate a whole paper to it. Let’s just say it involves themes that range from cloning and genetic research to government conspiracies, betrayal, love, and the dangers of nuclear weapons.
The graphics are obviously outdated by today’s standards but back in 1998, Metal Gear Solid had the most incredible graphics seen in any videogame. Not only did the game look amazing but the attention to detail was simply amazing. The audio was (and still is) among the best in videogame history. From the orchestral music to the top-notch voice work, this game set the benchmark for what videogame audio should be.
I think it’s more appropriate to call Metal Gear Solid an interactive movie rather than a game. Saying that there are a lot of cut-scenes in this game is an understatement. I’m not exaggerating when I say that 40% of the game is cut-scenes. The story is such an essential part of the game that at times it feels as if the players are “playing” a movie. Some criticized the game for its short length and long cut-scenes but for those who enjoy a good storyline, this is a must-buy. 10 years after its release, Metal Gear Solid is still one of the best videogames I’ve played
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