Metal Gear Solid Review

Metal Gear Solid

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Genre: Action, Retro
PEGI: Konami,Konami,M
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Introduction

I have a magazine from when the PS1 classic Metal Gear Solid was originally released, upon which is the quote “[Metal Gear Solid] gave me flashbacks.” Sometimes I look at this magazine to remind me just how far things have come, and how well we thought we had it back in the day. Either way, Metal Gear Solid was a big enough deal that it kept getting front cover treatment for months after release, and even today it manages to stand up with the best of them. By bearing in mind a few more permanent cobwebs, Metal Gear Solid still manages to be a top title.

Gameplay

Metal Gear Solid puts you in the role of Solid Snake, a retired Foxhound operative brought back to do one more mission. You must infiltrate Shadow Moses, a nuclear testing facility, and stop the launch of a nuclear missile. You’ll do this by avoiding combat, leaning against walls and hiding in cardboard boxes.

This was before Metal Gear Solid 2’s M9, so the fight or flight instinct is much more necessary than in later instalments (and the Twin Snakes remake). If you shoot an enemy, you’ll need to do so repeatedly to kill them, and it’s usually easier to just wait and time your movement so to avoid the enemy entirely. The original Metal Gear Solid was all about the stealth and the balance of risk and reward is perhaps unparalleled within the genre.

Which is handy, because the combat itself has not aged well. You can punch/kick an enemy over, or snap their necks, but that’s the entirely of your melee options. There are a variety of weapons to use, but most make too much noise or rely too much on the poor aiming system – which has you simply pointing in vaguely the right direction.

Of course, the story still stands up, and is perhaps one of the greatest examples of storytelling within video games. Along with occasional cut scenes and lengthy CODEC messages, you’ll fight unusual bosses designed to test your Metal Gear expertise. It’s still a joy to play, although some of the dialogue doesn’t sound nearly as cool after fifteen years.

Graphics/Audio

Metal Gear Solid was far beyond the average game when it released at the end of the nineties, but it was an odd time for 3D gaming and it struggles to stand up as a result. It’s still a fantastic achievement, and so long as you can look past the very basic 3D visual design, it’s really not that bad. Naturally, picking up the Gamecube-exclusive Twin Snakes is the best option for somebody who wants something that looks a little more modern, or Metal Gear Solid 4 or the HD collection if you don’t mind skipping the story (although that’s not recommended).

The level design is fantastic though and really gives a sense of Shadow Moses. There are parts of the base that seem dank and under-populated, and others that are obviously worked in. The actual layout is brilliant as well; Kojima and co really knew what they were doing.

The voice work and music is just as awe-inspiring. The cast, led by David Hayter, really manage to populate the story and each, without exception, is a joy to listen to. If it weren’t for the delivery, the story may have been too weird for some to suspend their belief, but that isn’t at all a problem.

The music, led by “The Best is Yet to Come,” is tense, emotional and hits all the right notes. Like the scores of the Final Fantasy games, this is a soundtrack that you can’t listen to without being taken back in time. 

Conclusion

Metal Gear Solid is easily one of the best games ever made, although you might have trouble convincing someone of that at first glance. The controls can be infuriating and the graphics are at best dated and at worst distracting. This is made worse by having played Twin Snakes, which of course has held up far better.

But beyond the occasional issues brought about by over a decade of progress within the industry, Metal Gear Solid is a must-play. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll learn to love a set of characters that have become synonymous with excellence within video games.