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| More Metal Gear: |
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| Review |
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| Cheats |
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| Hide the body! |
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| Search Party! |
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| Hostage! |
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| | Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty |
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| Number Of Players: | 1 |
| I-link/Internet: | No |
| Publisher: | Konami |
| Developer: | Konami |
| Genre: | Action adventure |
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| | Full Review: |
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Metal what? Yeah right, like we don�t know exactly what this game is called. In fact, there�s little point in reviewing the game simply because everyone with even a slight interest in computer games already knows what its about. Thousands of people, all over the internet, in magazines, on television, and many other places, have already put across their views, and nearly 100% of the time, these people have decided that Metal Gear Solid 2 is one of the best games ever. So, I�m not going to go on about how graphically amazing the game is, or how smooth the character models are, or how addictive the gameplay is, instead, I�m going to focus on some of the things that really stand out and make this different from other games, including the original Metal Gear Solid.
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| | Plot |
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The storyline is extremely complex, built gradually by the impressive cut scenes. This reason alone makes it worthwhile completing the game more than once. Towards the end of the game, there are scenes lasting as long as 30 minutes. In some games, this could be seen as a cover up for poor gameplay, but with Metal Gear, it just adds to the quality of the story unfolding before you.
The plot twists, which I won't give away, are quite incredible, and lead to some quite stunning revelations. On top of this, the game doesn't just focus on one story, but the interlinked paths of many characters in the game. This isn't just about Snake, or Raiden, or any other character, but the interaction of all their seperate stories.
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| | Music |
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One of the most powerful tools in both Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders (another of Hideo Kojima�s recent titles) is the music. To get you into an exciting emotional ride, the action cannot succeed alone, so to complete the package, the music composed for the game is pure quality, meaning you may want to watch the intro movie a lot more times than just once!
Composed by Harry Gregson Williams (check!) you are sent on an emotional rollercoaster...
******
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| | Tags |
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Every guard carries a tag, so 'obviously' you�ll have to go and get them. This not only adds to the gameplay, but also unlocks special items � some of which you may have seen in the first Metal Gear Solid. Getting every tag on every difficulty level can be a huge challenge, again adding to the replay value.
Its not a matter of walking up to guards and asking, and its also not about simply shooting them and taking their possessions, instead it involves total domination. The soldiers will give up their tags if they are held hostage, and this is how you show your true stealth skills.
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| | Being European |
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As reconciliation for the fact that the PAL version of the game was delayed for so long after the original release in America, there have been some extras put into this game. First up, a casting theatre, allowing you to replay major cut scenes from the game. However, you can now switch the characters around to suit your own preferences. Secondly a boss battle mode, letting you play through just the boss battles from the game � handy for practicing for a record attempt for completion. Most scarily though is the new game mode � European extreme, an insane level of difficulty giving you a taste of what its like to be completely out-gunned and out-smarted.
In European extreme, there is no option of getting spotted and then running for cover. Once you are seen, its game over. The only times you can show yourself are in boss battles, and even then, these are nearly impossible. Where as in easier modes you can take a few bullets, in this extreme version, you go down with the first, making the game a tough challenge to complete in this mode.
The best reason to be European though has to be the extras DVD. This free extra disc contains a "Making of�" documentary, as well as galleries and much more to take you deeper into the world of Metal Gear. Admittedly, many people will simply want to get straight into the game, but for anyone with an interest in game creation, this is the perfect way to catch a glimpse of the pros, in particular Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the Metal Gear projects.
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| | Camera |
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Perhaps the best replay incentive in the game, the digital camera is awarded once you have proven your skill. You�ll be given the chance to go through the game taking photographs (and saving them to memory card) of absolutely anything. It could be the girlie posters (often is with male gamers) or perhaps guards caught in embarrassing positions. Whatever you choose to look out for, the camera is always a fantastic way to have fun!
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| | Overall |
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You already know how great this game is supposed to be, and unless you hate (and I mean REALLY hate) this kind of stealth `em up / tactical espionage you will not regret buying this game. Hopefully I�ve managed to add a few extra incentives, though even if every one of the points above didn�t exist in the game, it would still be worth playing. Go and play this game now!!
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| Score |
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| | Gameplay
Brilliant tactical elements, boss stages and challenges.
| 9.8 | |
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Graphics
Shocking detail, and near perfect visuals.
| 9.9 |
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Lastability
A little short, but with loads of replay value.
| 9.6 |
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Sound
Fantastic music and perfect sound effects.
| 9.9 |
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Overall
We waited and waited, but it was worth it!
| 9.8 |
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| | Alternatively: |
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You could also check out Devil May Cry, for a more frantic action adventure game. Putting stealth to one side and going in with all guns and fists blazing, Dante is a very cool alternative to Metal Gear.
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