This game's story line sucks you into the game and never lets go!
You start the game as Snake, you are investigating and New Metal Gear. Your in a tight spot ( don't want to ruin the game for new players ) and you are then Believed dead. 2 years passed and Raiden is taking over as protagonist.
Sadly Mai Ling is not in this game :( However Raiden's Girlfriend Rose is the new Save lady :)
Anyway the US Gov. Sends you to a Facility ( Built as a cover up because of the Incident of Snake's ) So you enter the Classic underwater Wet - Suit way :) and get to work. Your mission is to Secure the President and Neutralize the Threats ( Dead Cell )
The Game's story line is SOOOOOO intense, moving, and emotional. ( You HAVE to listen to the conversations when you Save your game DO NOT skip the dialogue!!! )
Raiden is a Child Soldier, he was raised by the Main enemy of the game in the Child Soldier army. He tries desperately to forget that time period. He inadvertently ( emotionally ) damages Rose in that process ( so like I said DONT skip the Dialogue in the Save Game screens )
This game is TOTALLY worth the Money. If you buy the Essential Collection ITS A STEAL. All 3 amazing MGS games for an amazing price on PS2! Pick one up IMO!
And the Gameplay is a great improvement! There is AK - 74's and M4 machine guns. The M9 Pistol is my favorite! Its a sleep dart pistol! Shots in the Head, and the Crotch ( YES! ) are immediate KO's..... the SOCOM makes a re appearance, its hard to use the perfect aim though...... Its not as easy to get perfect head shots as the M9 Darts.... But it kills, the M9 only makes them sleep for a while.
The graphics are AMAZING! HUGE improvement over the original MGS. and the Story is just as good IMO
DO NOT worry about Snake, he is there with you on his own solo mission on his OWN terms