Title: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Genre: FPS/Action
Company: Konami
Platform: PS2
Release Date: 12/16/2004

Synopsis: At the height of the Cold War, the CIA are trying to get their hands on a Russian scientist who has been working on a secret nuclear weapon called the Shagohod and is now willing to change sides. One of their top agents codenamed “Naked Snake” is sent in to take the scientist across the border. But the mission is betrayed by the leader of the legendary WW2 Special Forces team “Cobras”, and the scientist falls in the hands of a faction of the Russian military that wants to turn the Cold War into a hot one. Again, Naked Snake is sent in, this time to eliminate the Cobras and their leader… his former instructor…

The Highlights
Gameplay: Almost total freedom, great boss fights.
Graphics: Top-notch.
Audio: Thematically perfect.
Plot: Powerful and memorable.
Humor: Serious tone broken by too many silly laughs.
Difficulty: Way too easy on Normal difficulty.

Here you have it: The third part in the Metal Gear Solid franchise is actually the first part historically - and boy, it does a great job explaining many later story elements of the series. Anybody who is interested in the origins of FoxHound will not be disappointed. Also, this time, you’re virtually free to go and do whatever you want to and there are always at least three ways to deal with a problem. Yes, you could just avoid a guard, and you could just shoot him… but why not make sure he is really hungry and then leave some food for him that is guaranteed to give him diarrhea? No matter how silly your ideas may be, in this game, they will probably work.

The first notable thing about Snake Eater, though, is the outstanding technical quality. Graphics, sound and music are all top-notch, and gameplay is easy and intuitive as always throughout the series. There is a new game mechanism called CQC - close quarters combat - which allows Snake to do more to his opponents than just shoot them or strike them down; now he can use enemies as a “human shield”, or question them for information. Also, instead of a universally useful stealth suit, Snake must switch between different sorts of face paint and camouflage outfits - this is the 60s, after all. There are a few high-tech gadgets, but they are all inspired by the early James Bond movies - KO gas hidden in cigarettes or a simple motion detector, for instance.

Of course, the true strength of the Metal Gear Solid games has always been the strong plot and the memorable boss fights, and Snake Eater lives up to the legacy every minute. Here’s a story of friendship and betrayal, of rivalry and honor, of espionage and subterfuge, and every minute of it simply works. There are no dull moments whatsoever, and the appearance of one of the most interesting characters from the other games in the series and his “making” during the plot of Snake Eater is just brilliant. Also, all the boss fights are interesting and very unlike the ones you already know from Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2. Most bosses have one Achilles heel which, if you’re able to find it, quickly gives you the upper hand in a fight mismatched against you. They are almost all memorable characters, too, and you’ll either love them or love to hate them.

Had the plot remained as serious as one could expect from the setting, this game would have been perfect. Unfortunately, the designers decided to include a big pinch of insider jokes… and almost emptied the entire jar into the plot. In most cutscenes, you can look around to find side characters make silly faces or gestures at the others. People in the background lift signs telling you what to do next. There are a few items in the game which are only useful to create silly moments, and while I don’t mind a funny moment or two, you can turn the entire plot into a slapstick routine if you want to - even the boss fights. Less would have been much better here.

Also, Snake Eater is too easy on Normal difficulty. This is not the genetically enhanced Snake of the future, this Snake is a mere mortal, and yet you can play the game as if it were Doom 3 and not have much trouble. While the stealth/camouflage system is great, you absolutely don’t need it as you find ammunition and healing items galore, and a few of the weapons are just too good, such as the M63 LMG. In my opinion, a game about stealth ops should relentlessly punish the player for dropping the stealth, and that’s what Snake Eater fails to do.

Metal Gear Solid 3 is undoubtedly the best part of the series so far, combining a strong plot, memorable characters, great game mechanics and impressive graphics and sound. It has its shortcomings, but you can choose not to abuse them, and then it’s as close to perfect as possible. If you like this kind of games at all, Snake Eater is a must-buy.

The Rating: 10

Reviewed by: Taleweaver