I wish I was old enough to appreciate Metal Gear Solid in 1998, at its distinct moment in video game history. Thus was my primary thought at nearly every moment of MGS, as Hideo Kojima’s masterpiece still screams of innovation more than 20 years later.
After adjusting to the distinct visuals of a PlayStation era game, I found myself enamored with MGS’ moment-to-moment gameplay. Much of the games’ uniqueness lies in its answers to technical limitations: off-screen enemies demanding a slow stealthy approach, puzzle elements hidden unless viewed in first-person, and legitimately terrifying boss fights because the bosses always seem one-step ahead of the player. Even the almost-excessive back tracking that prolongs the game feels rewarding and realistic for an observant player who pays careful attention to every environment.
If the gameplay mechanics made the game fun to play, the entire experience was elevated by the game’s surprisingly complex (and understandable) story for a PS1 game! First things first, the story operates with the subtle, nuanced dialogue of an anime—In other words, it beats you over the head with themes of love and death. This broad-stroke painting of such human themes is what gives the game so much draw, however, and somehow through the thematic clubbings, Kojima delivers a nuanced critique of American exceptionalism and the military-industrial complex. To do so with such a character-based game deserves the highest praise.
I’m not sure whether MGS is a 5/5 only when taken in its historical context, or if it truly stands the test of time. Nevertheless, this game gets my utmost recommendation for anyone interested in video game history, or just getting a glimpse at the mind of one of the Industry’s leading visionaries!
After adjusting to the distinct visuals of a PlayStation era game, I found myself enamored with MGS’ moment-to-moment gameplay. Much of the games’ uniqueness lies in its answers to technical limitations: off-screen enemies demanding a slow stealthy approach, puzzle elements hidden unless viewed in first-person, and legitimately terrifying boss fights because the bosses always seem one-step ahead of the player. Even the almost-excessive back tracking that prolongs the game feels rewarding and realistic for an observant player who pays careful attention to every environment.
If the gameplay mechanics made the game fun to play, the entire experience was elevated by the game’s surprisingly complex (and understandable) story for a PS1 game! First things first, the story operates with the subtle, nuanced dialogue of an anime—In other words, it beats you over the head with themes of love and death. This broad-stroke painting of such human themes is what gives the game so much draw, however, and somehow through the thematic clubbings, Kojima delivers a nuanced critique of American exceptionalism and the military-industrial complex. To do so with such a character-based game deserves the highest praise.
I’m not sure whether MGS is a 5/5 only when taken in its historical context, or if it truly stands the test of time. Nevertheless, this game gets my utmost recommendation for anyone interested in video game history, or just getting a glimpse at the mind of one of the Industry’s leading visionaries!