SUMMARY Metal gear solid is perhaps the most anticipated game on the playstation 2, It follows up from the still ever popular prequal metal gear solid, Its tactial esponiage action, Playing as solid snake through various missions.

FEATURES MGS 2 is a masterpiece of presentation from the opening movie (which tips a good portion of its thematic hat to Ghost in the Shell); after Snake's insertion on the oil tanker during a miserable opening-credits rainstorm, the player is introduced to basic gameplay concepts via the codec, a sort of all-purpose radio/PDA. Even the mostly-excellent camerawork serves as a tutorial of sorts (as in the case where the player's attention is drawn to the shadow cast by an enemy guard waiting around the next corner). Snake can flip himself over a railing and hang out of sight (with an ever-decreasing Grip meter). As the game progresses, the weapons available aren't nearly so nice as the tranq--sniper rifles, "flash-bangs," and man-portable SAM (surface-to-air) launchers become available...and for long-time fans of the series, Boxes and Cigarettes have become something of an inside joke Along with Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid 2 is one of Konami's A-list titles and is pretty much a must-own PS2 game. RATING: 9/10