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Metal Gear Solid Other reviews of this game: Robb Introduction:
An introduction for the legendary Solid Snake? Fine, I'll enlighten you. In 1987, Konami released Metal Gear for the MSX computer. Metal Gear was unlike the company's previous action titles like Contra and Castlevania. Directed by Hideo Kojima, the original game proposed the question, "What if the enemy cannot see you?" Stealth was a major element in the game, and was a hit in Japan. Later that year, Konami of America ported the title to the NES, with a few modifications for the console. In 1990, Kojima directed Solid Snake: Metal Gear 2, which was perhaps one of the MSX2 computer's finest games. It built upon the already successful formula, and added an even deeper story, and more intriguing gameplay. The NES would later receive Snake's Revenge, which has no relation to the Japanese sequel, and is revered as the worst of the series (although it's a decent title in terms of gameplay). In 1998, Konami released the blockbuster hit Metal Gear Solid on the PSX (and later, on the PC). It was a breakthough not only in terms of graphics, but also in gameplay, as well as cinematic plot. Between the time where MGS was released in Japan and the time MGS2: Sons of Liberty was released on the PS2, Konami asked Kojima to do a little side project on the GBC. This little project is the focus of the review today.
Story:
When originally announced, the game was titled under the name Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. Konami later changed it to Metal Gear Solid, as that name had more recognition among players. Don't be confused however, as they have different plots. Solid Snake is asked by Colonel Campbell to assist him in destroying a Metal Gear which was stolen by a terrorist group. Along with the stolen Metal Gear, they've kidnapped scientists and staff to build up the Metal Gear to full potential. The story is fairly simple to follow, thanks to extremely long and detailed cutscenes. The plot has its Kojima-style twists and turns, and should keep gamers on their feet (or fingers).
Graphics:
It's a fact that the GBC wasn't the best system to create a Metal Gear title on, if you're looking for graphics fidelity. However, considering Konami knew a GBC version would fair much better than a more detailed Wonderswan version, they've done a lot of work in the area of graphics. In case of Metal Gear Solid, Konami really didn't push them in terms of extreme detail, but did utilize the GBC's color palette to provide fast and simple sprite-display and smooth framerates. The resolution is sharp, and the colors are clear and quite the sight to look at, even on a GBA. The only real issue I find with the graphics are the lack of detail in certain things, such as Snake holding different-looking rifles (it doesn't even look like he's holding anything). In terms of graphical scale of previous Metal Gear titles, it lies in the middle of Metal Gear and Solid Snake: Metal Gear 2, more towards the latter.
Sound:
This is perhaps the lowest point of the game. While most of the musical tracks are good, some of them are grating, to a point where you may force the volume down. Considering the GBC's sound system wasn't the best, they've done an overall good job with the soundtrack. Some sound effects are annoying as well (i.e. elevators), and when pausing the game, it plays in a constant loop. The other sound effects are clear for an 8-bit handheld and are quite functional.
Gameplay:
In terms of gameplay, Metal Gear Solid for the GBC lies in the middle of Solid Snake: Metal Gear 2 and Metal Gear Solid for the PSX. Its structure is almost a replica of the MSX2 sequel, however Konami added a few moves from the PSX version which makes the gameplay a tad more complex and more fun. To fully describe it for you, imagine Metal Gear on the NES, with the addition of crawling, sliding across the walls, knocking on the walls, and using kick-ass weapons, such as the Nikita rocket launcher.
The AI takes a step from the previous Metal Gear titles and makes them as dumb as ever. Sometimes you are able to run up along side of the enemy without them noticing your presence. However, if you're careless, you'll be discovered, and this is where most of the frustrations of the gameplay will root from. When discovered, all nearby guards will begin to look for you. If you hide and wait for the timer to run out, the guards will return to their post. If you are discovered, you'll notice your health meter taking hits as bullets begin to enter your sprite-based body.
The PSX version used every single button on the PSX controller, and MGS on the GBC is no different. The controls may seem daunting at first, but it becomes natural and you'll get used to it. On that notice, the controls are very responsive, allowing you to guide Snake with precision. The directional pad is used to move Snake around the screen, as well as aiming in different directions when equipped with a weapon. The A button is used for punching, and the B button is used for shooting when equipped with a weapon. The start button makes you crawl on the floor, while the select buttons brings up a menu where you can either use your codec, select different weapons, or select different inventory items. To press up against a wall, you must simply go towards the wall, and press the directional pad in the direction of the wall. To tap on the wall, pressing the A button will causing Snake to make some guard-distracting noise.
The game was produced and directed by Hideo Kojima (although he never publicly states his involvement often, just like he did in the SD Snatcher conversion on the MSX2), and with that said, it's pushed along through a rather in-depth plot. The story points are told through still-frame cutscenes and codec conversations. The biggest issue with this is perhaps the length of the conversations: they are often unbearable. Hideo Kojima's trademark is pushing the story through the gameplay (as displayed in Snatcher and the PSX Metal Gear Solid), so one should expect this going into the game.
Closing Comments:
It's perhaps one of the best GBC titles ever released (along side the Zelda titles and the Pokemon series), and should be a keeper. The game isn't as long as you'd like it, but the game comes with some other distractions. First off, the game includes VR Missions to complete, and it'll take you awhile to get through them all. Just like in the console version, the VR Missions are tough and almost resemble puzzles in some stages. If that wasn't enough, there's also a two-player link-up game, making it the only multiplayer Metal Gear title to this date. To simply put it, Metal Gear Solid on the GBC is very solid, and should be in your library, both GBC and GBA. It's a classic and it's a purchase you won't regret. Final Score: 9/10
- Review by EDR | |
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