Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)By far, this movi--err, I mean game,has some of the best cut scenes I've ever seen in a game.Kojima, the creator/director of the Metal Gear Series goes beyond delivering a traditional action shoot-em-up and offers up a truly interactive cinematic experience, with some truly original gameplay to boot.
In a sense, this game is really an "interactive movie" where parts of it, you control the character (although your actions largely have little outcome in the plot).On your first play-through, you will be immersed in the plot line and the execellent cinematic sequences.You'll find that you're often playing just to get from one cut scene to the next (there has to be well over 1.5 hours of cut scenes).4 of my friends basically sat around and watched me beat the game in one sitting (~9 hours) just to watch the cinematic sequences.
In these cut scenes, Kojima pieces together a somewhat hokey plot-line, which is interesting, but not entirely believable (I'll let it slide ;)).What's more impressive, though, is the detail to which the cut scenes are executed; all of the sequences use high detail, in game models (not pre rendered), pretty good voice acting, and fully motion captured action.Kojima adds cinematic flare to the scenes by making creative use of camera angles and techniques like slo-mo (don't worry, none of it is cheesy) and using a pitch black screen (only audio) during a sequence when Snake has a sack over his head.In addition, Kojima introduces a few very interesting characters, most notably, The End, an expert marksman in the twilight of his life and a young hotshot, Ocelot.All in all, the cut scenes are top notch; they come together to form a truly cinematic experience, something you don't always expect from a game.
While you can beat the game playing it as a pure shoot-em-up style type of game (you'll probably want to do that on the first play through, just to watch all of the cut scenes), you'll get the most satisfaction and challenge from trying to use your stealth capabilities and sneaking through the various stages of the game undetected by the enemy.To that effect, MGS3 introduces the very novel idea of camouflage.Snake can don various camo uniforms and face paints to blend in with his environments and decrease his visibility.It adds a novel twist and, as other reviewers have mentioned, would have been even more welcome if the interface to change the camo was more accessible (you have to enter the game menu to change camo).
MGS3 also introduces the idea of food, which can be used in various ways in the game (even as a weapon in some cases).Snake can obtain traps and capture live animals for consumption later on, or he can kill an animal and store it in his backpack.But beware, just like in real life, the food will spoil.Just turn the game off, come back two or three days later and you'll find that most of your food has spoiled.Don't worry though, there are plenty of little critters to hunt down in the game ;)
Although the game is relatively short, there is tremendous replay value for those that are up to the challenge of trying to play through the game under certain conditions to unlock secret items/weapons.For example, each of the bosses can be defeated by either depleting their health or stamina.Defeating a boss by the latter results in obtaining their camo, which often have special abilities.
All in all, I think this is a great game that anyone that owns a PS2 owes it to themselves to play through at least once.It is truly a masterpiece that kind of bridges the gap between a movie and a game (one of the final "chase" sequences is *very* awesome).
Graphics: 9/10; Some of the best visuals I've seen to date, particularly the excellent cut scenes, which use high detail in game models and fully motion captured action.There is just an incredible level of detail to everything in the game.For example, when you run through the jungle, the blades of grass move as well, you leave footsteps when you step through the mud, and when you get shot or injured, your uniform gets stained with blood accordingly
Mechanics: 8/10; I only have three minor gripes about the mechanics of the game.First of all, there isn't a second person view and you can't move in first person view.It's incredibly difficult to aim in third person view, but in first person view, you can't move, so you're basically a sitting target every time you need to aim precisely.Second of all, since camo plays a big part in the game, there should really have been a better interface to change camo.And finally, you cannot load the game during a game, you have to reset the game.This is somewhat frustrating and time consuming when you are trying to obtain certain items under certain conditions in the highest difficulty level ;)
Music/Sound: 9/10; The voice acting in the game seems hokey at first, but after a while, you won't be able to imagine the characters with any other voice.Overall, the voiceovers are done fairly well.For the most part, the gameplay sequences are devoid of music.When it does come on, usually when you get caution/alert status, it can be a bit annoying since it makes it somewhat difficult to hear the ambient sounds like footsteps and what not.The ambient sounds, from jungle to mountain top to caves, are all very well done.When it rains, it really sounds like rain.When the wind howls, it really sounds like the wind is howling.Put on a good pair of headphones, and you'll really feel like you're in the jungle with Snake.There are also a few 007-esque tracks, which may or may not be your thing.
Difficulty: 7/10; The game is not actually very difficult, it just requires a lot of patience, some creative thinking occasionally, and a steady hand.This game is certainly not for younger gamers; it's not really a run-and-gun type of game.In addition, there is quite a bit of suggestive material and violence.
Replay Value: 8/10; With many different levels of difficulty, different optional items to get, different styles of play, different rankings, secret items, and a relatively short length, the game offers a high level of replayability.Even some of the cut scenes are worth watching a few extra times.I'm currently on my second play through, trying to get the invisible camo on the hardest difficulty mode.
Overall: 9/10;This is a great, great game.It's nearly perfect (nearly!).You'd be doing yourself a great disservice if you didn't pick it up and play it.
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