Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Australian Review (Reviews)

Mitchell Bingemann, GamePro Australia

28/04/2005 11:20:51

Hideo Kojima has once again created another masterpiece with the latest installment of the Metal Gear Solid series. Set in the 1960's during the height of the Cold War, players take control of the husky voiced Snake, but this time he's hungry. Combining the driving and dynamic story of MGS with the intuitive and interactive visuals of MGS2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater represents the tweaked genes of its predecessors, one Solid Snake of a game. With all new game play features, upgraded action sequences and a compellably wrought story with movies to match, MGS3 is gaming at its most defined.

The Metal Gear Solid games have always been a benchmark for great storytelling and the latest installment is no exception. Full of intriguing characters, rich plot developments and beautifully crafted cinematic direction, the story does not simply spew out dialogue to fill in missing gaps but rather unfolds in a rewarding and conclusive manner. Hideo Kojima retains the rich vein of Metal Gear familiarity with its characters while also tying in new variables that keep adding to the bottomless depths of the richly developed story.

Set in the midst of the Cold War, with defections a regular occurrence, our mullet-headed hero Snake, is sent into a Russian jungle to rescue a nuclear Scientist who has decided to switch sides. However, when Snake's hero and mentor (The Boss) defects to the Russians, his straight-forward covert operation quickly turns sour and the first threads of the greatly wound plot begin to unravel. Loads of twists, double crosses and Hollywood quality cinematics ensue and the Metal Gear Mullet story begins.

Players will get to guide Snake as he stealthfully infiltrates and exterminates his way through vast jungle environments and secret Russian laboratories while making use of his extensive bag of tricks. Not only does Snake have to face up against legions of soldiers, but he must also battle the elements, and make use of his environment if he ever wishes to succeed. Set in the age of spies, players can now expect a much larger emphasis on stealth work. With realistic AI who will respond and work effectively in groups when alerted to suspicious movements, it is imperative that players take advantage of their new arsenal of tricks. From bone-crunching CQC (Close Quarters Combat), to the camouflage system that will dress Snake for all his party needs, the stealth element has been transformed and advanced into one of the most enjoyable elements of the game.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it!
To thank Europeans and Australians for their patience, Hideo Kojima is treating PAL gamers with several new exclusive features. PAL versions of the game will be equipped with a bonus Duel Mode which allows players to fight through the game's Boss Fights independently, showcasing the rich variety of adversaries Snake faces during the course of the game. A Demo Theatre has also been added which can be used to replay the game's stunning link sequences so players can enjoy the many dramatic plot twists in order.

In terms of fighting, CQC introduces the biggest and most influential change in style of combat. Snake combines his pistol and knife with deadly skill and uses them effectively to extract information, create human shields or silently to dispose of bothersome guards. Although it's possible to rage through the game, guns blazing ala Clint Eastwood style without ever using CQC, it is not recommended as a huge part of the game's enjoyment can be found in sneakily slitting enemy's jugulars, or forcing information from guards and scientists at knife-point.

A new interactive camouflage feature has been added for players to properly prepare themselves for the mercurial environs of Metal Gear Solid 3. Depending on weather conditions and environmental settings, players will have to don matching apparel if they ever wish to successfully sneak past guards. Everything from the terrain to Snake's stance is taken into account when calculating his effectiveness at blending in and when done properly can mean the difference between a bullet between your eyes and a bullet between your enemies'.

Stamina also plays a huge part in the game and ultimately affects how well Snake will recover from injuries, his movement speed and strength. As Snake slithers through the game, his stamina will gradually drain, requiring him to refill it by hunting and gathering food sources. Thankfully, outdoor locations are littered with critters and plants to fulfill all Snake's digestive needs, and his reactions to eating certain animals provides a good amount of humour to the game as well.

Apart from eating, players will also have to cure Snake of his ailments as he traverses through the hostile Russian jungles. From food poisoning to fractured bones and bullet wounds, Snake will be required to perform Dr Nick Riviera style surgery jobs with whatever utensils he can get his hands on. Just one of the countless elements that keep adding more depth to the multi layered onion that is MGS3.

Thankfully, MGS3 is packed full of the same classic Metal Gear Solid game play that made its predecessors so enjoyable. The intuitive control system makes it easy to pull off the most complex of moves available while still retaining an incredible amount of control over Snake. However the same inflexible camera setup from the previous MGS games remains, and proves as frustrating as ever. Sure it works fine for indoor spaces, but in the wide open wilderness, the camera just feels too cumbersome and confining. However, when viewed among MGS3's other accomplishments such an issue really becomes negligible.

Metal Gear Solid 3 stays rock solid with the graphics as well. Jungle locales crawl with venomous snakes, leech-infested rivers and wind swept grass plains in fluid and believable settings. The environments are as skillfully detailed as player models and the fluid animations never grow tiresome.

MGS3 marks a return of the series that should thoroughly satisfy fans as well as newcomers and silence the criticism that MGS2 received. Mixing one of the most compelling storylines seen on the PS2 with its incomparable game play, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is definitely the best of the series. It's a credit to Hideo Kojima and his team that Snake Eater is receiving the same rousing reception that the original did 8 years ago, a fact that further cements the series' awesome game play and direction. By taking the modern action of the previous MGS titles and bringing the story back to 1964, Kojima has evolved the series into something new and original that expands the immense epic of Snake while providing fresh challenges for fans. A must-have addition for any gamer's library.

Verdict
Snake Eater is the best Metal Gear yet! Combining awesome MGS gameplay and visuals with a compelling storyline, this is definitely one game that cannot be missed.
Pros: Interactive environments, challenging and individual Boss fights. Questions about Snake's origins are answered.
Cons: Outdated camera system. Perhaps the last Metal Gear Solid game.

Score = 10/10



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Graphics: 5.0 Sound: 5.0 Control: 5.0 Fun Factor: Fun Factor
Scoring scale: 1-5
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami / Retail Price: $99.95 (PlayStation 2) / Release date: 17/03/2005 / Genre: Action, Adventure / OFLC Rating: MA (15+)