Doji Grovesai

Metal Gear Solid 3 Preview

I bought Metal Gear Solid 3. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody that knows me. There is a lot of press surrounding how good it is, as well as how bad. I have found some bad things, but they certainly don't outweigh the bad (and most of them are user-related).

As of this writing, I've only played the prologue and about an hour of main game. Enough for a spotlight, but not an entire review...yet

In The Beginning...
The game starts out like its two predecessors. Long clip of snake going into his mission area via some outlandish, dangerous method (this time a HALO jump). Didn't like MGS2? Well, you're treated to a few cracks at "pantywaist" Raiden's expense (which I thoroughly enjoyed). This prologue, however, is a little bit harder than the others (at least to me). Also, it starts in really early with the twists. Though you could see them coming from a mile away. Also, the prologue introduces you to the various and sundry methods of play: climbing things, shooting, surviving, et al.

This is probably the season of the prequel, as MGS3 is a prequel along with a ton of other games coming soon (Devil May Cry 3, for example). It takes place in spring (maybe summer) of 1964. Right here, this makes the game a little harder. No nifty enemy radar to show where the enemies are and which way they are looking. No nanobots coursing through your bloodstream to protect you from the elements, either. On top of that, as the subtitle implies (Snake Eater), you spend lots of time in the jungle.

Signs of the Times
If you remember the other two installments of Metal Gear Solid, you'll remember cutscenes with actual footage. MGS3 is no different, showing scenes of speeches by Kennedy and Kruschev, actual headlines referring to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and both US and USSR propaganda footage. Mixed in with CGI scenes, of course.

On top of that, after the prologue is finished, it busts into a openening theme song that seems like it's right out of From Russia with Love, full of swirly effects, mirrored images, skeletons of snakes slithering around (it is "Snake Eater" after all), and faded clips of actual game scenes mixed in. Para-medic, one of your radio contacts (and mission saver) talks about "recent" movies...like Godzilla and Creature from the Black Lagoon. While on the subject of movies, Para-medic talks with Snake about how someday "video cassette recorders will be in every house. It will be like a theater in every home." And later on in the conversation: "...and they say that soon there will be movies where you control the characters." Heh.

Annoyances
It would be funny that Para-medic talks about interactive movies, because that's what many games have become, not excepting MGS3. I've only put about 2 hours into the game, but it's safe to say that I've only actually played about half of that. Each of the other Metal Gear Solid games had a lot of cutscenes as well, so I'm hoping that the rest of the game is more "interactive" and less "movie." Like I said, this is only a preview.

The other annoyance, like I said before, is user-related. Everything is "on your own." To repeat: no enemy radar that shows orientation and point-of-view, and no nanotech gadgets. On top of having to watch out for security the "hard way," you have to watch out for snakes, leeches, alligators, and the like so they don't poison your or just eat you outright (ok, so leeches can't eat you, but they have adverse effects). No more K-rations, either (they don't grow on trees, you know). If you're low on stamina, kill something and eat it (Snake Eater, remember?). Injured? Heal it yourself. It should be noted, though, that you have to ration your medical supplies as well. They don't grow on trees, either. MGS and MGS2 allowed you to run through with guns blazing if you so chose. This is certainly not the case here. Getting caught means taking lots of damage, since a beefed-up AI will search behind logs, follow footprints, and listen to noises. It's an annoyance, because certain things I could do in MGS I can't do here. There's less cover, smarter troops, and I have to be more careful than in past installmets. It's an annoyance, but it's purely my fault, and quickly being remedied.

Overall
As of now, MGS3: Snake Eater is a solid game (get it?). It's difficult in many respects, but nothing that can't be circumvented with a little observation and planning. They kept what worked previously, and added some features (like camo) that seem to work very well (so far). I like the game. I'll update when I've had the chance to play more/finish.

UPDATE (11-23): *insignificant spoiler* a direct reference to "From Russia With Love," and then a character launches into a 5 minute rant about how cool 007 really is. Can I call it, or what?