My first time playing the HD remaster, 3rd or 4th time playing the game overall. Improved gameplay over the first, but still outdated and hard to go back to. The story is good, but there’s too much of it. There were many long stretches where I barely touched the controller. One platforming section is possibly the worst designed segment I’ve played in any otherwise good game.

But that finale, man. Amazingly prescient to what’s going on now. Kojima delivered a game that certainly has its flaws, but those flaws are largely not what people complained about when the game first came out. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a bold, but imperfect game that’s ultimately worth your time.