Can't be more solid than this.

User Rating: 9.2 | Metal Gear Solid (Premium Package) PS
By smbius | Review Date:
Metal Gear Solid (MGS) pulled out the stops to push the PSX to its limits. Despite the warped textures and boxy heads bobbing for dialogue, the game did what it was supposed to do - immerse the player. Sure, MGS could have just did a CGI scene and be done with it but Kojima-san wanted something else. He wanted a consistent experience throughout the whole game and the PSX had enough horsepower to convey cinematics that were immersive enough. However, from my point of view, it wasn't so much the graphics that impressed me the most. The graphics were the hook into the game's great story and unique gameplay. The dialogue was very entertaining and it was the first time I have experienced an instruction booklet integrated into the story.

"Snake, you need to climb the ladder. Push the action button to climb the ladder."

The story is very plausible and believable but does not deny that you are a player controlling the game. In some instances, the game puts you through unique experiences that range from looking on the back of the CD to switching ports of the controller. Most of these experiences are done through the game's bosses, particularly Psycho Mantis, and to me it is these little unique experiences that make MGS worthwhile. The game literally wants you to think outside the box.

Another thing that makes MGS noteworthy is its characters and its dialogue. The visual performance of the characters are atrocious but that is mostly the limitations of the technology and not the game. If it were not for the art direction, the game would feel inconsistent and not as polished. There are times where the conversations bewteen Snake and Meryl are hilarious. Whether it is in a real-time cutscene or radio chatter, Snake makes the story fun.

Occasionally, the chatter gets a bit lengthy sometimes and you'll have to do some deliberate backtracking that sometimes feels like the levels are recycled but rest assured...

Metal Gear Solid (MGS) is a system seller. So if you're a collector or a casual gamer, MGS is an experience that can't be missed.

radcastro.com

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