Metal Gear Solid (Playstation, 1998)

Wow, what a fantastic game.

I first played Metal Gear Solid back in 1998, when I rented it from my local Blockbuster. Up until that point, the games I played were either platformers starring cutesy animal characters, or sweeping fantasy RPGs. Metal Gear Solid was really the first game I played that I considered adult - not just in the skill required for gameplay, but in tone and theme.

Right... that's not what I meant by "adult"....

So what made Metal Gear Solid so great and so memorable? You see, action games up until Metal Gear Solid generally involved beating up every dude you came across. You were always equipped with a weapon and with ammo and defeating guys was the only way to get through the game. Metal Gear Solid is a completely different experience - the gameplay relies on stealth and cunning - ideally, the skill to avoid a conflict whenever possible.

I don't like confrontation.

This, by the way, is far more difficult. You play as Solid Snake, who is forced out of retirement when the terrorist splinter-cell group, FOXHOUND, seize a remote island and threaten to detonate a nuclear weapon, Metal Gear REX, within 24 hours if their demands are not met. This is really the simplified version of the story, which in itself can become a bit convoluted at times, if only due to the sheer number of characters, organizations, and references to events past. Snake infiltrates the island and begins a mission to take down FOXHOUND and secure the Metal Gear.

Metal Gear REX

Although Snake has a gun and various weapons, attempting to plow through the game with firepower will only succeed in getting yourself killed. You need to get creative in this game. For example, you can use cigarette smoke to detect security beams, use ketchup to fake your death and escape a prison cell, and disguise yourself as a cardboard box to get past a pack of ravenous wolves. But action fans, don't despair, because you'll face off against a colorful cast of FOXHOUND members, some of which battles will be explosive.

Using ketchup to fake your death.

Psycho Mantis is one of these characters, as he's a telepathic and telekinetic being that you encounter. This is all well and good, but when he announced to me he would read my mind, I wasn't really paying attention. Yeah, okay dude. Then he said, "I see you like Suikoden!" and my jaw dropped. How did he know that?? Turns out he was reading my memory card. (Also, thank you Psycho Mantis for teaching me the proper way to pronounce "Suikoden".) The battle itself can only be won by unplugging the controller from port one, and plugging it into port two - therefore disabling Mantis's ability to read your moves.

Why yes, I do!

Unlike most action games, Metal Gear Solid also does a great job balancing the serious story with a humorous narrative. Characters like Otakon and a guard with chronic irritable bowel syndrome provide some comic relief. Meryl Silverburgh's relationship with Snake adds a layer of softness to Snake's gruff personality and a bit of sweetness to the game. And unlike pretty much every game ever made up until this point, Metal Gear Solid delivers some seriously great voice acting which lends itself to a truly cinematic experience. But you don't need me to tell you that. If you haven't played this game yet, I'll assume you're a thirteen year old kid, or someone who never owned a Playstation. If you're neither of those things, then what the hell are you waiting for?

Metal Gear Solid is available new and used on Amazon for varying prices. It was also re-released as a part of the Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection. It's also available for download on PSN. Finally, there was an enhanced remake for Gamecube called Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes which updates the graphics to more modern standards and offers a first-person shooter view. 

Retro Releases - Week of 4/4/11

Awesome Retro Finds of the Week 11: Uhhhhh...

Once again, nothing this week. Things will pick up soon, promise!