One of the best games for the PS2.
User Rating: 8.7 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater PS2
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater's title lies about it's premise. All Snake Eater jokes aside, the addition of the "3" in the title lies about the fact that this is in fact a prequel - set years before the Sons Of Liberty. Way before New York, Shadow Moses and even Solid Snake himself is this adventure, set in the Soviet Russia that scared the world with the coming Cold War. Playing as Snake's "Father" (and I use that term loosely), code name Naked Snake - you are tasked with the return of famed Russian Rocket Scientist Sokolov, now famed with the creation of a project so deadly, he's become afraid for his life. Although the story is fictional - it is frighteningly real, and typical of the series, well acted and played out, leaving you guessing until the games satisfying conclusion. The Publisher have even seen fit to include a warning stating that this is a pure work of fiction, but there is some real possibilities that Konami have hit the nail on the head with this. Once again Snake, or Big Boss as he later becomes known, is assigned to the mountainous Tselinoyarsk region in order to escort Sokolov to safety. As is the case though, things become a lot more complex - as you will learn throughout the games fairly long adventure. The main feature of Snake Eater is Survival, your Survival to be specific. For fans of the series, some major changes have been undertaken, giving Snake Eater a more unique feel - it is quite different to past adventures. While the time period has a lot to do with this - it also has to do with how the game has been constructed, it is much more open and free-form, and there is a lot of room for experimentation in the games large environments. Ration packs have been thrown out for the featured Survival Viewer - the main core of this radically different game. Survival Viewer is a menu System where you can access a number of new features, such as Food, Cure and more. The name Snake Eater is apt - as you can capture and eat live or dead snakes, in order to replenish your stamina, which wil have an effect on your life gauge. This means there is no easy to way to fill your life bar, and as well - you may need to cure yourself with the many ointments, bandages, splints and even digestives (for stomach ache caused by eating rotten food). It is easy to configure and develop these two features, you will find no problem in learning what needs doing, and the CODEC (which also makes it's return, although it is slightly redesigned) will see you talking with your support who will offer tips and help. Another major change is the inclusion of Camouflage - which has a drastic effect on gameplay. Allowing you to wear various paints and costumes to better blend yourself in to the games environments - this is coupled with the new Camouflage Index, which shows in a percentage just how hidden you are. The higher the number, the better concealed ou are from an enemy which appears to be smarter than ever before. As well, being the 1960's, the Soliton Radar system has yet to be created, and as such - you will have to make do without it. Camouflage will help you get through the tough spots - but this is completely optional (except for some scripted points), adding another layer to the proceedings. You will find many varieties of Face Paints and Costumes throughout the game, and those with their PS2's online can download some designs that can offer some great advantages. Snakes are not the only thing you can eat in Snake Eater. Virtually everything feels like ti can have an impact on the gameplay - having it's own properties and more. You could kill or trap a mouse, giving you the opportunity to unleash it in a room packed with Scientists, who may squeal with delight or distaste. You may shoot a Bee Hive (which you can easily find with the Directional Mic), creating a buzzstorm which enemies will run from. Or you may shoot an alligator and indeed use it's head as a face mask - excellent for hiding in the swamps. Capturing, shooting and tranquilising food sources from Frogs to Goats are easy and intuitive, and give you an incentive to try out different tactics - finding new ways to take on the enemy, and even to better your character. A new fighting system has also been implemented - known as the CQC, short for Close Quarters Combat. Basically this allows you to capture enemy agents and use them as Human shields, or counter attacks. It can be used in conjunction with certain weapons, and allows a greater deal of strategy on one-to one battles. While this cannot be employed against the games garish array of Boss characters, it is perfect against enemy soldiers, and pulled off correctly, gives a great sense of accomplishment. As for the Bosses, they are suitably bizarre, but strangely not as well fleshed out as in previous games. Fans will recognise a much younger Revolver Ocelot, and the new main baddie Colonel Volgin is suitably nasty. As well, The Boss, is a suitably engaging character, one who you feel unsure of which side she is fighting for. As Snake's mentor and the founder of CQC with Snake, she is a major driving point in the storyline - and proves a very worthy adversary. However the other's feel just not as well fleshed out and interesting as previous game bosses - but the battles they provide are powerful and deeply satifying, memorable and exciting. The large armory Snake can carry around in his backpack (which limits his quick shoulder selections, making you think about what you equip) is enough to make Arnie proud, comprising of a number of Handguns, Assault Rifles and Sniper Rifles. Gun emplacements are liberally spread throughout as well, including a commanding anti-air gunner which can shoot down Helicopters, among other things, in one of the games highlight moments. Turrets and Oil Barrels just go together too well to not be used, and in some of the mountainside areas you can do just this, it's funny to see some of the enemy's reactions. David Hayter returns as the voice of Snake, and his backup comprises of top quality voices that will help, guide and even goad him. Snake Eater appears to go out of it's way to ridicule Raiden (from Sons of Liberty), as well as discuss a great deal of James Bond and other movie heroes. Your backup is well represented by a Medical Officer, you Commanding Officer, a Weapons specialist - and others as the game continues. The games music is well crafted and the title track of Snake Eater is both beautiful and suspenseful, but is overused and feels towards the end of cheapening your adventure. The main theme is a reworked version of the Sons of Liberty theme, and other themes are well done - but never all that exceptional. Graphically, Snake Eater is superb. There is an incredibly high level of detail on both the characters, the environments - and everything in between. Going into first person view will show just how stunning some of the areas are - and as well, they can be manipulated. Such is the case with the cutscenes. There are a great deal of them - and they help drive the storyline well. A new feature allows you to also control them, to a degree, offering you alternative views. Of course - you can skip them all, but doing so wil rob you so much of the games experience. Overall - this is another masterful take in the Metal Gear Solid series. Series veterans are likely to welcome the new features (and those worried about the Cardboard Box, don't, it's still there) - and new hands at action games will find a compelling adventure that is equal parts story and gameplay. Some of the new features don't work out as well as gamer's may like - and don't feel as honed as the tried and tested gameplay we have come to expect from one of gaming's biggest icons. However, this is a fantastic game that nobody should miss - it's well executed plot, great gameplay and fantastic design come together well to create one of the best showcases for video gaming. 
