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Okay, first I have to admit I have been restraining myself from writing this. Not that I can't. It's just that, if I start writing this....I'll definitely lose my attention on my thesis for some while before I can really re-focus on it. This is because, to write this, I'll be diving deep again into the world of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Well, I guess it's worth it though...　

*For those who have no gameplay experience, skip this. There's no way you could understand what I'm talking about. No offense, but it's blunt truth.

*For those who have heard of Metal Gear series games but haven't actually played it, have a look, perhaps it will arouse some interest. It’ll probably make you get one for yourself.

Okay, without further ado, here’s my review of MGS3: Snake Eater.

   　

First thing, I’d like to say there is nothing like this sort of game in gaming history. It totally blows you away, it is revolutionary, amazing, highly-addictive and undeniably a masterpiece. Oh man, I really couldn’t find words to describe the way I feel the moment when I finished the game…

No doubt, over the years, the Metal Gear Solid series have gained critical acclaim, regarded as games that have the most visually compelling cinematic cutscenes, with stunning background music. From what I've heard long ago, the Metal Gear Solid series have always been considered as all-time classics, especially the Metal Gear Solid on PlayStation, which was said to revolutionized the gaming experience at that time, mainly because lots of cutscenes were employed, making gamers feel as if they were watching films. Metal Gear Solid was released in 1998, becoming an instant classic at that time. In 2001, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was released; again, it shocked the gaming world as much as gamers with its story, movie-like cutscenes and fantastic background music.

When the long wait was over, by the end of year 2004, Metal Gear Solid 3 came out. And it didn’t fail its predecessors’ well-built reputation. Not only that, it is the BEST in series. Too much is needed to be praised about this game, so I’ll break them down into parts.

*Story

MGS3: Snake Eater’s story is set in 1960s, long before the ones in Metal Gear or Metal Gear Solid 1&2; therefore, it can be seen as a prequel, instead of a sequel, to the previous installments of MG or MGS. So it didn’t bother at all if you have never played any of the MGS series before. Lucky you.

The story starts out with the protagonist, Jack, or Naked Snake (referred to as ), infiltrating to Russian territory, to rescue Sokolov, a weapons scientist, who was forced to develop destructive nuclear weapons. If successful, nuke could be launched anywhere from world. This, of course, was regarded as a huge threat to the Cold War era US government.

Sent by the CIA, Snake has to rescue Sokolov, bring him out of the iron curtain before the horrifying weapon is completed. As a tradition of MGS series, the mission wasn’t carried out as originally planned. One incident after another and the whole thing got more complicated…

  　

I shouldn’t talk more of the story here, since I don’t want to spoil the plot, which is crucial and a major part in this game. But I can tell you that the story is amazing, with lots of twists and stuff, which I believe you will surely love.

*Graphics

Before MGS3, MGS 1&2 maintained a reputation of the “best graphics” so far when they were released. MGS3 is no exception. The graphics in MGS3 are certainly beyond anything (well…this might be a bit subjective) you’ve seen on PS2. The whole game looks simply fabulous, stunningly realistic, from the lush forest, flower fields, mountainous area to buildings The forest environment looks not only realistic but natural, which are in pretty rich texture. The characters too, are flawlessly designed.

  　 ** See how realistic the graphics are!!   　

*Cutscenes

The game’s cutscenes are surely the most impressively part of the game. The CG movies’ camerawork, character movements, huge, real spectacles look just like Hollywood movies. Some might complain the cutscenes are way too long (the time almost equals to or exceeds the time you actually spend on playing), but I find myself quite enjoying them, since I could just sit back and relax a while after some tense moments. Furthermore, these cutscenes help players understand the story better and make them feel more for the characters.

*Music & Sounds

The sounds in MGS series (if you’ve played any of the MGS series) need no further introduction. The music in MGS3, like its predecessor MGS2, is composed by award-winning Harry Gregson Williams (composer for movies such as Shrek, Spy Game, The Rock, Kingdom of Heaven, just to cite a few). He was approached by the game producer, Hideo Kojima, who wanted his game to be scored as a Hollywood action movie. So, as you could easily imagine, the music flawlessly strengthens and highlights the mood and atmosphere of the game. The scores successfully captures the tension and intensity of the game, for instance, when you’re sighted by the enemy, the background musical scores start flowing, making you nervous as if you were watching a movie or actually being IN the game.

這邊有Mark詳細的介紹

The sound effects are also quite brilliant. The natural, detailed sounds of the forest make you feel you are really there, fighting your way through the deep forest.

Oh, and this game is Dolby Pro Logic supported. So with the right equipment, this is sure to blow your minds out.

Also, I’d like to mention that during certain parts of the game, vocal background music fits perfectly into the atmosphere, again, very movie-feely. (especially during the final boss fight with THE BOSS)

*Gameplay

Since Snake is an one-man army without back-up supports, he has to use weapons he could find on the spot. In the beginning of the game you have a tranquilizer gun and a knife. As stories goes on, you could make use of many other weapons, like sniper rifle, machine guns, landmines, grenades and other explosives.

Because Metal Gear Solid is a “tactical espionage action game,” the spirit of which is to remain undetected throughout the game (well, of course you could just take out your M63, AK-47…and have your killing spree). Stealth is the key!!!

In this installment, there is one newly-added tactic players can employ during the game, that is, the “Camouflage index system.”

　

This Camo system allows you to choose from various camouflage pattern uniform. The camo index indicates how well you are blended into the surrounding environment. The higher camo index, the harder enemy soldiers detect you. So with a suitable camouflage uniform, you could sneak up on a soldier and use the CQC to take them out.

See how different camouflage uniforms work in the forest:

    **The top-right percentage is the camo index.  

 

CQC (Close Quarters Combat) is a series of combat techniques, allowing you to hold, choke, threat, powerful throw, use an enemy soldier as human shield or simply cut out this throat.

  **Holding an enemy

The Camo index system, coupled with CQC techniques add much fun to the gaming. This way, you could have a variety of ways to go through the game.

*Boss battles  (contains spoilers)

The boss fights in MGS3 are surely the most exciting moments and the finest part of the game. Some are thrilling, some challenging and some really make you tense up. Each boss has its own unique features (though some don’t even look like humans) and surely is great fun to fight with.

  **This Ocelot adds so much fun to the whole game   **The FEAR

The final boss battles are purely thrilling and kick ass!! One boss fight leads into another to form a great chain. My veins are like exploded in the motorbike chasing fight and Shaghold fighting.

  **Taking on Shagohod with EVA

I would like to mention, in particular, the ambivalent feelings I had when I was fighting the final boss-“THE BOSS.” I have never had that sort of feeling in my whole gaming life. I was fighting her, and at the same time I really don’t want her to die. Especially when the song “Snake Eater” starts out, I feel really, really sad.

P.S. Did anyone cry at the ending cutscene when EVA said “she is a true patriot”

I did. Tears swirled in my eyes. My throat knotted. And it never happened before, I mean, cry for fictional characters in a video game. (well, I always get this strange look from people when I tell them so..) When you have to pull the trigger to finish off the BOSS, it’s really hard, and hearing that gunshot was quite painful to me. To that moment, the whole game is like huge emotional rollercoaster.

*EVA

Eva is definitely a copy of 007 Bond girl. Some might find this cliché, but I quite love it. Especially when she’s like seducing or flirting Snake. And oh, she’s really HOT!!! Visually-satisfying outfit…hehe…

　    **Eva & Snake... Look at those charming eyes @@"

　      **Not bad... huh?

*Humors and fun stuff

This, again, remains the tradition of MGS series. In the game you have lots of freedom to play the ways you like, no matter how nasty, vile, prankish they are. For instance, you could shoot down the bees’ nest near an enemy, and the bees will go chasing them. Or throw a poisonous snake, spider, scorpion to scare away or poison your enemy. Or shoot them with a tranquilizer gun, and throw them down the cliff when they’re asleep.

Here’s what I love to do: Put a magazine or book that contains porno on the ground, at the same time, plant a TNT bomb nearby. Then when a bunch of soldiers gather around the magazine…heyhey….you know what’s next. This is quite effective, since you know, men couldn’t resist that kind of stuff >.<

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In closing, I’d like to say, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has lived up to the name its predecessors established. Captivating storyline, richly cinematic cutscenes, wonderfully composed background music and vivid sound effects, thrilling boss battles, all these combined make MGS3: Snake Eater a perfect whole. This is truly a great buy that any PS2 owners couldn’t bear to miss.

　 *What are you waiting for? Go get one!

If you don’t have a PS2, well, this IS the reason to buy one!!!