Has it's flaws but still a very good game with many strengths that still make it worth playing. Start of something great

User Rating: 8.5 | Metal Gear Solid (Premium Package) PS
This was the start, for the playstation consoles at least, of one of the great series: Metal Gear Solid. Yes there are signs of age but that is due to the ambitions of the game makers, the game mostly stands up well. The shift from ps1 to PSN is helped by an in-game manual.

The basic controls are easy to memorise, particularly with the help of VR training. Sneaking through area's and fighting usually works well but there are times where the game's camera angle and imprecise aiming can make certain sections suddenly spike in difficulty. Those area's can be frustrating but they infrequent enough not to spoil the game.

The boss battles are clever and inventive, each boss standing out with it's own build up and personality. Each one requiring different tactics, working out how to overcome the challenge (your allies have helpful advice) and then putting it into practise. Mostly, they are a fair challenge though there are one or two moments where, again, it spikes in difficulty.

The graphics are ok but the character models mean that facial expressions are blurred during cutscenes, which doesn't help the story. Voice acting is good but a little erratic at times, music is suitable and the characters stand out from each other, from ally to enemy, their story and personality unfolding to make people care about them. The story can be a bit heavy handed on it's message but the long, complex plot has plenty of twists and turns to surprise. The story's main achievement is to move the player about the various characters plights, it remains one of the most moving game stories I have ever played through.