A worthy prequel for this ambitious series.
User Rating: 9.2 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater PS2
I saw Gamespot's score before I played this game and so went in with relative low expectations (especially after MGS2's convoluted story and wimpy main character). What I experienced has rekindled my fervor for the Metal Gear universe. A quick summary of my views: Gameplay: Addition of camo index to the gameplay greatly enhances the impact of stealth into the gameplay; I was skeptical when I heard about this system but it works very well. The new Cure function also ties in with the food and stamina system; basically this requires you to constantly monitor your stamina and injuries and hunt for food and supplies to keep Snake healthy and prime to complete the mission. The CQC moves are also a nice addition; but I found myself relying more on stealth and my tranquilizer rather than using an CQC moves. Visuals: Simply stunning. The best looking MGS game, and one of the best looking action games on the PS2. Very impressive. Sound: Again excellent; especially the guns. The voicework is again top-notch as is the new soundtrack. Value: I finished the game at a relative leisurely pace in 25 hours of playtime; it ended with me hoping for some more gameplay. My tilt: Outstanding game. The gameplay is intense, and the storyline fills in a lot of gaps that link the various games in the series. 
