Graphics

Sound

As with the graphics, MGS2 shows what designers are now capable of. Think you’ve heard raining in a game. Not until you’ve played the starting episode in Metal Gear Solid 2. With the rain sounding, and the faint footsteps of soldiers in it, as well as your own shuffling while running for cover. The music used in the game is very faint, soft and mood fitting. Not much variation in the music itself, but when it comes to effects such as gun fire, now that’s a whole different story. Screams of pain elevate as a guard decides to be brave and tells you to shoot while you’re holding him up and let a bullet go into his elbow. The sound of footsteps while you’re hiding in a locker looking at girly pictures. It all adds to the atmosphere which is relentlessly created while playing the game. Hands off to David Hayter once again as he let’s his vocals go as the amazing Solid Snake and another character which I won’t mention due to spoiler content. Sound effects which have been neglected to the last minute, that is what some people expect of this game, but I can tell you faithfully that this is not the case. Top grade quality.

Gameplay

Going away from obviousness such as level to level playing. This game invokes a constant storyline and even more constant playing. The controlling of each character in the game is simply easy, and just easy as it was in the classic Metal Gear Solid. But now with added bonuses of being able to use first person view to intricately place a bullet between the eyes of your enemies, or if you prefer to play around, first a bullet into their radio, then the gun right hand, then the knee. This means you can happily walk up tot hem and they cant do anything but stagger away from you and attempt to flee. Toy with them, then destroy them! For me, though nothing beats the simple pleasure of putting down your gun and using stealth and unarmed combat, sneaking up behind unsuspecting guards and grabbing a hold of them, and then listening to the distinct snap of your opponents neck. This game though does actually go away from the expectation of playing as the god-like Solid Snake. For the first episode you do play as him, then you complete that bit and go onto part two, playing as a rookie by the name of Raiden.

The endless arsenal of weapons that you collect on site is just as good as the first, including the Nikita, and even more to the point including the good ol’ Stinger! There is nothing like the feeling of blowing up a Hind-D. Of course, there are down sides to setting off such an explosive device in small spaces, the sentries are now alerted and you find yourself surrounded not by just a host of normal guards but a complete army standard assault team. Fight your way through the host and then search fro a place to hide and hope they don’t catch sight of your shadow. Look for your chance then sneak out and drop over a ledge. Either way, don’t get caught unless you trust in your fighting skills. You think that’s hard? Try the Arsenal Tengu on for size! An amazing fight force which you will have to fight through, not as, but along side the warrior of your dreams, Solid Snake. This force uses a 50/50 ratio in guns to Ninjitsu swords. You, yourself (as Raiden) are now wielding a Ninja sword and find yourself deflecting bullets and slitting enemies down the middle of the chest to a delightful show of spraying blood creating nothing more than red mist. The replay factor on this game is also surprisingly good for the MGS – a – holic. Unlocking different modes, and different items including the Bandanna and renowned Stealth suit!

Story

The storyline is pretty much the same as any tactical espionage, and almost the same as the first Metal Gear Solid at which you first had to get the DARPA chief and meet Meryl. But now, you are simply following on two years from Solid Snakes proposed, or rather feigned death. You are a rookie slammed into the middle of a terrorist activity, you have to rescue the president, and of course as such, certain things happen which means you then have to face, not one, not two, more like 12 Metal Gear Ray’s! An amphibious and ultimately more powerful version of the acclaimed Metal Gear Rex. Not original, but at the same time not a bad story line from the producers at Konami.

Summary

MGS2: Sons of Liberty… a simple all round amazing game resetting all levels and expectations from the PS2. The story line is not new but great nonetheless, the graphics are revolutionary, the sound is just as good as the graphics and the gameplay beats anything I’ve played so far. Hats off to Hideo Kojima, and Konami. Roll on Metal Gear 3! AK