Ever wonder how to top one of the most renowned games ever? Well ask Konami, who in November 2001 released Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, one of the most acclaimed games of 2001. This breath-taking sequel puts you back in the shoes of a true one-man army: Solid Snake. The story takes Solid Snake and his newly acquired partner Raiden, who you get to control as well throughout the game. The story takes Snake back in to action when a new Metal Gear pop’s up and needs to be taken care of. But before Snake can get his hands dirty, trouble arises and we find are hero being pulled in to more than he planned for.
The game takes you through two different sections. First the “Tanker Chapter,” then into the “Plant Chapter.” Most of the game is on the “Big Shell” with both Snake and Raiden running around hoping to stop the new terrorist group, “Sons of Liberty,” from destroying it. The game is as moving as the first, with a wide spread of new characters and a few old ones to tie things together. Some of these characters are Fortune, a women who death can’t seem to catch, Vamp, human or true vampire, either way he’s crazy.
The good guys have a few new faces of their own. Already introduced are Raiden and his girlfriend Rosemary. Of course, back to run the show is the Colonel, a familiar face from the first MGS. Then comes Otacon, Solid Snakes faithful partner ’till the end. The game is a little harder then the first, but Snake’s been practicing, and although Raiden is new to the field, both are packed with new moves and infiltration methods, such as diving summersaults, hanging from ledges to sneak by enemy guards, and using disguises.
The graphics in this game are awesome, and the CGIs are out of this world. The game allows for fully interactive environment where bullets pierce steam pipes and smoke reveals laser beams, and wet shoe marks leave footprints, so watch out for those blood puddles. Everything needs to be taken in to account; shadows and sounds all play a part in your espionage mission. So once your done breaking a neck or popping someone full of lead, make sure you hide the bodies, because other enemy patrols might hear, or come by to check up on their comrades. Most of the weapons in the game are the same except for a new tranquilizer gun and an AKS 740, but most of your arsenal should be familiar. One of the best disguises is back in MGS2, the cardboard box! And yes, the job of infiltration and going up against all the odds can be pretty stressful. So once again Snake packs along his favorite item: cigs, and to make things worse he forces them on Raiden. To locate laser alarms with, not to smoke, because they’re bad for you.
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a fairly long game, but not so long that you’ll grow bored of it. I don’t see how you could with a game like this. The game was widely compared to X-box’s Splinter Cell, but of course when the battle came to an end, MGS2 was left standing. Konami came very close to winning another game of the year with MGS2 if it wasn’t for X-box’s Halo. It’s of course one of a kind, being the best stealth and infiltration game out there.
The game also has a killer soundtrack with it, a little bit better then the first one. Composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, who is also known for his work with movies such as Enemy of the State, Armageddon and The Rock. The soundtrack pulls everything together to help this thrill ride move along, making it more emotional, and allows you to get more connected to the characters. Music has a funny way of doing things like that. The story line is awesome and will leave you breathless at every corner. I highly recommend the game; it’s one of the best games I’ve played, and with out a doubt, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, will surpass Metal Gear Solid 2, giving MGS fans and new comers alike a chance to experience something beyond their wildest dreams.
Reviewed on: PS2Platform: PS2 and X-BoxGenre: StrategyRating: 10 out of 10
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