Never did review this when it came out, so I'll do it now.
User Rating: 10 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater PS2
To say that this is my favorite game of all time is an understatement. The Metal Gear Solid series has gone above and beyond what is considered a 'video game'. It delivers on everything that a video game should, then takes it one step further. Metal Gear Solid has always been about the plot more than anything else, and this one has the best of them all. Won't give anything away in case you haven't played it, but let's just say that the ending has got to be the best I have ever seen. The bosses are incredible, especially a particular one that, especially on harder levels, is not even close to anything you have ever seen. It's revolutionary. Every little thing about this game is going to be remembered long after Metal Gear Solid 4, even. As far as story goes, MGS3 is going to be hard to top as far as storyline. As for gameplay, the jungle aspect of it doesn't change the style of play quite as much as you may think. The jungle isn't as open-ended as you're probably thinking, either. It's still linear, with very few braching paths. This also leads to a lot of loading screens, but they're very short. This game also introduces a Camo Index. Based on your surroundings, you must find and use several camouflage outfits and face paints. It's all very accessible too, as you can change everything with a few button pushes in the Start menu. Another major change is the Survival Viewer. Snake's not alone in the jungle, as he's got guards and animals to worry about. Everything from frogs to alligators. Bugs can bite Snake, and you must treat it. Gunshot wounds, knife cuts, and broken bones also must be healed (although once it's healed, there's no recovery time, it's magically 100%). The last major change is not only can these animals hurt you, you can get revenge by well, eating them. Snake becomes fatigued over time, and the only way to make this better is to eat. You can capture animals alive or shoot them, and then they're stored in your inventory. Again, all of this is quickly accessible through the Start menu. This could've easily dragged the game down, had it been confusing and annoying to do all of this, but it's not. Some may have issues with the camera, as you'll find that you have to switch to first-person fairly often. Although you'll adapt to it quickly.
So sure there's little problems. But every game has little problems. Metal Gear Solid 3 has too many excellent qualities about it that help drown out the little annoyances. Metal Gear Solid 3 will immerse you from the opening cinema to the end cinema, and it's a mission definitely worth taking. 
