Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation) review "There are few games that really show themselves to be contenders for Game of the Year, the year it was created. One of these games is Metal Gear Solid five or so years ago (I am not good with dates). This is in no doubt a deserving contender, and probably the greatest game of that year. But many of you have heard about Metal Gear Solid II, but the original Metal Gear Solid was heads and toes above it's sequel (also a cool game). This is the true stealth experience. Trust me on this, you won't ge..."

There are few games that really show themselves to be contenders for Game of the Year, the year it was created. One of these games is Metal Gear Solid five or so years ago (I am not good with dates). This is in no doubt a deserving contender, and probably the greatest game of that year. But many of you have heard about Metal Gear Solid II, but the original Metal Gear Solid was heads and toes above it's sequel (also a cool game). This is the true stealth experience. Trust me on this, you won't get through alerting all the guards like in other games.

STORY (20/20): This gets my award for best story not involved with turn based RPG's, and leaves the rest of the competition far behind. It is just perfect, and so intense along with it. The plot twists are frequent, and fit the game so well. Solid Snakes history, a created disease, and of course Metal Gear itself is all present in this great game. Trust me, you could make a movie out of this game, and it would be a smashhit. I'd see it, cause the story is just that good (Plus the good and bad guys are both wicked awesome!!!)

GRAPHICS (13/15): I have been spoiled, I know. The graphics for Metal Gear Solid are very good, but I just can't get over how the cutscenes, the characters mouths don't move. I mean, I don't need it to be perfect, but I would enjoy seeing the mouth move. The graphics are strong for an original playstation, although the cutscenes could've really looked much better, like the Final Fantasy games on the system. It does the job though.

SOUND (10/10): The voice acting is steller. All of the great characters, have voices that fit thier parts perfectly. Honestly I give this hands down the greatest voice acting in videogame history. All of the badguys have voices that fit there character so perfectly, it is eerie. The music itself is also very nice, and the silence in the sniper areas, quite freaky. This gets my award for second best sound system in a videogame, and deservingly so. Thumbs up to you Konami.

GAMEPLAY (40/40): The gameplay is as good as, if not better than, it's sequel. Once again stealth is key, and this time it is crucial. Ducking behind the enemy site, and either completely avoiding them or dispatching them, that is your decision. However, at times killing a guard will pay you back, and the guards are smarter than many (although they are still dumb). But do not worry, there are other points in which shootouts occur as you climb stairs, and the boss battles are definitely a combination of strategy and skill. Trust me, Psycho Mantis is impossible unless you figure out the little trick (hehehe, no I won't tell you). All the bosses are like this, and they are memorable characters, and purely entertaining. That is the game in all, it is entertainment. The game itself is very detailed, and you will be dodging around, getting stuck, and throwing more chaf granades then you will ever understand. Each room is new and exciting, and enjoyable of course. Metal Gear Solid is the ultimate stealth gameplay experience, and one you'd be an idiot to miss.

REPLAYABILITY (8/10): This game is addictive, and entertaining. You will probably start off by beating it on Normal mode, but you can not resist playing it again as you recieve the headband that gives you unlimited ammo; definitely top notch. Plus there are many more secrets; new thing each time you play it, and while it is only a 10 hour game it is all in great fun.

DIFFICULTY (5/5): A perfect level of difficulty, if you pick the one fit for you, of course. You have easy, normal, and hard mode to choose from at first, and if you are good you can also recieve extreme mode which is basically impossible. So no matter what skill level you are, there is one meant for you (How nice of Konami :-)

OVERALL (96/100): I can't believe I am seeing this... My highest rated Konami game is not in the Castlevania series. This game proved to me that Konami was not just Castlevania, but also Metal Gear Solid. This game is a pure enjoyable experience, and the story makes it perfect. Trust me, the cliff hanger at the end is also nice. There is no weakness to Metal Gear Solid, and after playing that it's sequel is so far inferior it isn't even funny. I tip my hat to you Konami; you have shown greatness once again.

Community review by ratking (January 01, 2003) A bio for this contributor is currently unavailable, but check back soon to see if that changes. If you are the author of this review, you can update your bio from the Settings page.