Customer Reviews
Gaming or Cinematic Excellence?
By far, this movi--err, I mean game, has some of the best cut scenes I've ever seen in a game. Kojima, the creator/director of the Metal Gear Series goes beyond delivering a traditional action shoot-em-up and offers up a truly interactive cinematic experience, with some truly original gameplay to boot.
In a sense, this game is really an "interactive movie" where parts of it, you control the character (although your actions largely have little outcome in the plot). On your first play-through, you will be immersed in the plot line and the execellent cinematic sequences. You'll find that you're often playing just to get from one cut scene to the next (there has to be well over 1.5 hours of cut scenes). 4 of my friends basically sat around and watched me beat the game in one sitting (~9 hours) just to watch the cinematic sequences.
In these cut scenes, Kojima pieces together a somewhat hokey plot-line, which is interesting, but not entirely believable (I'll let it slide ;)). What's more impressive, though, is the detail to which the cut scenes are executed; all of the sequences use high detail, in game models (not pre rendered), pretty good voice acting, and fully motion captured action. Kojima adds cinematic flare to the scenes by making creative use of camera angles and techniques like slo-mo (don't worry, none of it is cheesy) and using a pitch black screen (only audio) during a sequence when Snake has a sack over his head. In addition, Kojima introduces a few very interesting characters, most notably, The End, an expert marksman in the twilight of his life and a young hotshot, Ocelot. All in all, the cut scenes are top notch; they come together to form a truly cinematic experience, something you don't always expect from a game.
While you can beat the game playing it as a pure shoot-em-up style type of game (you'll probably want to do that on the first play through, just to watch all of the cut scenes), you'll get the most satisfaction and challenge from trying to use your stealth capabilities and sneaking through the various stages of the game undetected by the enemy. To that effect, MGS3 introduces the very novel idea of camouflage. Snake can don various camo uniforms and face paints to blend in with his environments and decrease his visibility. It adds a novel twist and, as other reviewers have mentioned, would have been even more welcome if the interface to change the camo was more accessible (you have to enter the game menu to change camo).
MGS3 also introduces the idea of food, which can be used in various ways in the game (even as a weapon in some cases). Snake can obtain traps and capture live animals for consumption later on, or he can kill an animal and store it in his backpack. But beware, just like in real life, the food will spoil. Just turn the game off, come back two or three days later and you'll find that most of your food has spoiled. Don't worry though, there are plenty of little critters to hunt down in the game ;)
Although the game is relatively short, there is tremendous replay value for those that are up to the challenge of trying to play through the game under certain conditions to unlock secret items/weapons. For example, each of the bosses can be defeated by either depleting their health or stamina. Defeating a boss by the latter results in obtaining their camo, which often have special abilities.
All in all, I think this is a great game that anyone that owns a PS2 owes it to themselves to play through at least once. It is truly a masterpiece that kind of bridges the gap between a movie and a game (one of the final "chase" sequences is *very* awesome).
Graphics: 9/10; Some of the best visuals I've seen to date, particularly the excellent cut scenes, which use high detail in game models and fully motion captured action. There is just an incredible level of detail to everything in the game. For example, when you run through the jungle, the blades of grass move as well, you leave footsteps when you step through the mud, and when you get shot or injured, your uniform gets stained with blood accordingly
Mechanics: 8/10; I only have three minor gripes about the mechanics of the game. First of all, there isn't a second person view and you can't move in first person view. It's incredibly difficult to aim in third person view, but in first person view, you can't move, so you're basically a sitting target every time you need to aim precisely. Second of all, since camo plays a big part in the game, there should really have been a better interface to change camo. And finally, you cannot load the game during a game, you have to reset the game. This is somewhat frustrating and time consuming when you are trying to obtain certain items under certain conditions in the highest difficulty level ;)
Music/Sound: 9/10; The voice acting in the game seems hokey at first, but after a while, you won't be able to imagine the characters with any other voice. Overall, the voiceovers are done fairly well. For the most part, the gameplay sequences are devoid of music. When it does come on, usually when you get caution/alert status, it can be a bit annoying since it makes it somewhat difficult to hear the ambient sounds like footsteps and what not. The ambient sounds, from jungle to mountain top to caves, are all very well done. When it rains, it really sounds like rain. When the wind howls, it really sounds like the wind is howling. Put on a good pair of headphones, and you'll really feel like you're in the jungle with Snake. There are also a few 007-esque tracks, which may or may not be your thing.
Difficulty: 7/10; The game is not actually very difficult, it just requires a lot of patience, some creative thinking occasionally, and a steady hand. This game is certainly not for younger gamers; it's not really a run-and-gun type of game. In addition, there is quite a bit of suggestive material and violence.
Replay Value: 8/10; With many different levels of difficulty, different optional items to get, different styles of play, different rankings, secret items, and a relatively short length, the game offers a high level of replayability. Even some of the cut scenes are worth watching a few extra times. I'm currently on my second play through, trying to get the invisible camo on the hardest difficulty mode.
Overall: 9/10; This is a great, great game. It's nearly perfect (nearly!). You'd be doing yourself a great disservice if you didn't pick it up and play it.
The best yet
When the prologue to the game took me almost 2 hours to get through, I knew I had something special. After the explosive opening to the game, the beginning credits roll with a song entitled Snake Eater. I was surprised, thinking I had already started the game proper. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.
I think Kojima did an excellent job of creating a 60s style Metal Gear game. He mirrored the game off of James Bond, taking the beginning area, then a cool segue into the main action, including a song that has meaning to the game. The opening theme also carries into the mission and is played at several key points. Very effective.
Also in keeping with a James Bond type influence, there's the female love interest, who has a habit of exposing her bra. I found myself chuckling and thinking fondly of James Bond movies at many points in the game. I think what Kojima has done so well is construct a game that truly has a cinematic flair. Yes there are cut scenes that are long but, in comparison to MGS2, they are short and have a TON of gameplay in between. I never once found myself sitting through a boring codec call or boring cutscene wanting the action. There was enough spliced through.
In fact, toward the end, the game raises the bar on cinematic excellence, incorporating you directly into the action while at the same time making you feel like you're watching a truly awesome scene. I don't want to spoil it for those who play, but the last 1/3 of the game races to a truly exciting climax.
I am completely amazed at how well all of the new gameplay works into the game, from the camo to the food to the healing system. All of it naturally fits and the game does a good job in teaching you the basics with it. I never once felt like it was a gimick.
As far as negatives, sometimes the color scheme was so drab it was hard to see some people who weren't trying to hide. In particular toward the end, almost at the climax. Also, unlike previous MGSs who have bosses nicely spread out, I felt that they all came at once. I didn't feel like I got a chance to really know them like in the first MGS. But, these bosses (the Fear, Fury, Sorrow, Pain, End) are some of the weirdest and cool bosses in MGS games to date.
Some people have commented on the lack of radar. I never found this lack to be a hinderance to the game. In fact it makes perfect sense in the context of the game world. And, the truth is, there is a radar that you can use. You have a motion detector, and a sonic detector that shoots sonic waves and shows you where things are. I say things because you are in a jungle and it's possible that what shows up is an animal not a human. Also, getting caught does result in either killing everybody and hiding, or just hiding forever. In fact, at one point in the game, I hid in a place I couldn't be found and went to the restroom and got something to drink just to wait it out.
However, this minor things aside, this game does what Metal Gear Solid 2 semi-failed in doing. It brings together the cinematic experience with wonderful espionage. The characters are excellent, the story far surpasses the previous two (which is a difficult thing to do since I consider the story in MGS1 to be one of the best I've experienced). And it is just plain exciting. Kojima and his wonderful team know pacing and the pacing of this third masterpiece is wonderful.
I can't recommend this game enough. For those jaded on MGS2 (I happened to like it), this will help bring you back into the weird world of Snake.
Hands down the best Playstation2 game ever..
Metal Gear Solid 3 is amazing. Everything about this game is gold. Visuals, Music, voice acting, and superb gameplay. Hideo Kujima is a Genious. I had my doublts on this after the ever so great yet dissapointing Metal Gear Solid 2 but I was wrong. Metal Gear Solid 3 proves to be one of the best games around and is one of the biggest titles of the year. Forget Grand Theft Auto and play this game! Metal Gear Solid 3 is not only one of the best games ever created but it's quiet simply the best MGS game. It has everthing you'll love from the first one and times ten mixed with steriods!
Another thing that makes the new gameplay of Metal Gear Solid 3 is the CQC and the new survival Menue which lets you eat, cure self and so on which is a great element to the MGS series. What also makes Metal Gear the best in the series is that the game is suprisingly long taking about 20 to 22 hours(It took me 18 hours)and trust me evertime you're in a new area you'll just stop and stare at the lushis graphics of the beautiful Jungle and its invorments. Metal Gear Solid 3 is also superb cause of the amazing boss battles. One of the biggest parts of the game is the Sorrow who is the coolest boss in the game(and the most mysterious). Overall Metal Gear Solid 3 proves to up the anti. So let's get to it.
Graphics:
The visuals are amazingly detailed especially in First Person mode. The tree's are very detailed some of the visuals on the water a greatly well done and even though you'll find som slow glitches it won't stop you from enjoying this superb game. The characters are very well modeld especially EVA(huba huba) and this truly deserves a star.
Sound:
The Sound is great! The voice acting is once again amazingly done by David Hayter and the rest of the MGS casts. The sound of the Jungle is great. The sound is pretty much like all the other MGS games....DETAILED! The Detailed sound of this Game once again deserves a star rating..
Gameplay:
Well...Were do I start off. Well first off it's awesome! The new CQC(Close Quarters Combat)is a great new gameplay added in the Metal Gear series. Though it's great it is a bit complicated because there are numerouse CQC's to do. You can slice there throat, interigate them, or choke them to death but there is abunch that I can't name. The new Survival Menue is greatly well done.. If you have a cut or you aight something rotten you can always go to the Survival menue and choose one of a few things you can do to solve the problem, for instance this one is for CURE which you use to cure cuts, broken bones ect. The backpack is great cause it holds alot of Items you can't carry while in the game. The codec is also new though I must say I miss the old Codec in MGS and MGS2 but oh well. There are some new weapons added to the MGS series like THE SHOTGUN! You can also change your Uniform to blend in with the ivorments and it's much easier and you'll have a better chance losing the guards. Overall the Biggest aspect of Metal Gear Solid 3 is the gameplay and deffinetly earns a star rating.
The Music is so amazing in this game that the "James Bond" like theme is better then the James Bond theme itself! I loved the music in this game. Some people are complaining that the game is too unrealistic cause the animals you kill turn into rations..well I'm not trying to sound harsh but the game isn' trying to be extreamly realistic. Is San Andreas very realistic?...I thougth so...
Overall Metal Gear Solid 3 proves to be a game that can handle and do everything. The graphics are superb and pushes the Ps2 to the limit, the sound is greatly detailed, the lush invorments of the Jungle make you wanna' drool, the cutting edge Boss Battle is enough to get the action ready, Lengh is suprisingly long and the New Gameplay elements like CQC and the Survival menue shows that Metal Gear Solid is strong enough to be the Best PS2 game ever...and possibly is!..
This amazing game obviously gets a
5 out of 5 stars!
Best Ps2 game ever....
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