Not as good as MGS3:SUBSISTENCE, but a great game in and of itself.
User Rating: 9 | Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops PSP
I had some issues with MPO, the first being that it was not as breathtaking in it's production values a MGS3 was. The cutscenes were drawn instead of using the in-game engine, the radio sequences (and interrogations) had absolutely NO voiceovers or animations like MGS3 had, not to mention the fact that blood effects and knife-slitting animations were completely cut from the game, as well as neck-snapping (an unofficial MGS trademark) and even things like crouching while wall snapping, and the digital camera (yes, it was in MGS3) have been cut completely. Maybe it's just me, but I think these things are a part of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, and to call this game a "Solid" game, and an addition to the great games in the series before it, just isn't right. Don't get me wrong, this is a great game by itself, and does expand on the Solid story, but I just don't think it deserves the the name "Solid" in it's title. This game continues the legacy of Big Boss (still going by his codename "Naked Snake"), and his quest to find himself. It adds a new gameplay element to the series, recruiting. Using the Comrade System, you can recruit up to 100 soldiers from the San Heronimo Penninsula(fictional setting of the game) to defeat the Red Army Rebels, and their new leader from the FOX unit, Gene. The game heavily promotes the use of non-lethal force to aquire your new comrades(dead comrades are no good to you). It also gives more insight as to why the legendary hero betrayed the US Government, and created the mercenary nation of Outer Heaven (and retcons part of the story from MGS3). I say if you are a MGS fanatic, like me, you might want to buy (or rent) this game just for the story, because to be honest, I liked the story element, but wasn't too fond of the gameplay (I'm a really blood-thirsty gamer). It also supports online and adhoc multiplayer for up to six players at a time (although MPO+'s multiplayer is alot more fun in my opinion). I did enjoy this games throwback to the first MGS, with a few characters thrown in from their younger days (won't spoil them for you, just play the game to find out), so I guess it has some nice qualities that MGS3 did not have. All in all, I give this game a 9.0. 
