Lemme preface this by saying that I’m not really big into stealth games. I can appreciate them from a “that’s a neat idea” standpoint but I’m really horrible at them and I tend not to play them. Maybe we can blame it on Mario and Dig-Dug, but for whatever reason I’m just too used to running into the action and disposing of the bad guys first and asking questions later.
That said, Metal Gear Solid is one of the greatest games of all time. OF ALL TIME.
Since I’m not a big stealth game fan, I’m not exactly sure what it is about this game that is so appealing to me. I think it may be a combination of the following:
- Epic storyline
- Interesting and ultimately unforgettable characters
- Fun and unique “lovechild of a Hollywood action film and a Japanese manga” aesthetic
- Fantastic music
- Breaking the fourth wall. A lot.
Let’s talk about this breaking the fourth wall thing. One boss reads your memory card to freak you out, and you have to plug your controller into another slot to beat him. He also makes the screen go blank for seconds at a time to make you think your TV is on the blink. Another character has you looking at the physical game box to find her codec number. And they don’t tell you that you’re supposed to do these things– they drop hints and then you’ve gotta figure it out.
The characters I mentioned are another big strength of the game (and series, I think). Talk about a rogues’ gallery of villains rivaled only by Batman. Revolver Ocelot, Sniper Wolf, Vulcan Raven, Psycho Mantis, and the list goes on. The good guys have awesome characters too, including my personal favorite, Otacon the computer nerd. Because I <3 computer nerds. (As a side note, according to Wikipedia, Both Otacon's first name "Hal" and Solid Snake's real name "David" are both taken from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Which has just BLOWN MY MIND.) Speaking of movies, this is a very cinematic game. Hideo Kojima is known for being a big film buff and it shows with tons of fantastic cutscenes. To some people, this is a weakness, because they'd rather be playing the game than watching it. Me? Well, I already said I stink at stealth games, so all the cutscenes starring the great characters are A-OK.
Ah, MGS. One of the video game greats. I will always <3 you. And any references to hiding in a cardboard box.
just started playing the MGS series recently and really wish i had known about them before. they are still tonnes of fun and currently mgs1 has a perm spot in my ps3, just in case i can pull myself off the computer 😛
Snake, in codec: “Metal Gear?”
Yeah, awesome game series, but (not having played 4) I like 3 the best. Somehow it seems to have the least confusing story (damn you, MGS2) and a great atmosphere.
This was an awesome game, but I could never get into the stealth thing. I tried playing Sons of Liberty and the farthest I ever made it in that game was killing Fatman in like the second levell.
Cardboard box? What cardboard box? You don’t see any card board box!
What about Jedi mind tricks? Wha? Oh – aarrgh!
Have you ever played Eternal Darkness? It’s great for that fourth-wall breaking stuff. 🙂
God, I love Metal Gear Solid so much. I still have the PC version installed on my computer.
That’s it Tawtaw!
Its offical.
I love you.
😛
Then you’re gonna love this decoration 😀
@ Tchann – I have not! But I may have to look into it now.
@ Sky – <3
@ Mesamune - okay, that's awesome.
Stealth games are almost the only games that *REALLY* appeal to me anymore.
@Pike – Don’t play Eternal Darkness. Seriuzly. It’s like…super scary. You will ‘splode of scared D=