Sound: 10
Gameplay: 9
Replay Value: 10
Reviewer's Tilt: 10
Overall: 9.8
The plot is one of the best, most easily-followed plots in any game. This game and its sequel are games where you need to watch every cutscene to fully enjoy the experience, and to understand the wonderful story. The plot is that you're an ex-member of a terrorist group who goes to Alaska to stop the threat of a nuclear warhead and Metal Gear Rex (a big robot) from falling into the wrong hands. These terrorists are pure psycho, but at the same time they're highly intelligent.
You have your brother, Liquid Snake, you also have a shaman with a huge Vulcan minigun who can survive subarctic temperatures. You have a trained assassin sniper, Sniper Wolf, who is, strangely enough, a female. (An excellent move by Konami.) Of course, there's the psychic Psycho Mantis, as well as Decoy Octopus, a master of disguise, and finally Revolver Ocelot, the only boss that survives for the sequel. These characters are great, and the boss fights are sensational.
The gameplay is tweaked up high thanks to the stealthy approach. It's not that cumbersome shoot-em-up crap, it's the fun stealth type of game. You can get spotted, but it is hard to get out of Alert mode once you have been in it. Also included in the game is Replay Theater after you have beaten the game, where you can watch all the videos in the game. Also, get the bad ending to get the Stealth suit, where you can turn invisible to everyone expect bosses. Or get the good ending by saving Meryl, a character in the game, to receive the Bandana, which provides unlimited ammo. It's whatever you want to get, and they're all very cool trinkets for the game. These items and the fun factor allow a high score for replayability.
Strangely enough, the game is very short. If you choose not to watch the cutscenes, it could take only 4-5 hours to beat it. I recommend watching them. It's worth it. And since this game is only $20 and less in most stores, it's an excellent must-buy. The best PSX game ever is definately this game.
