They actually do matter quite a bit in mgs, because they will often explain just what the objective is for a given moment thay isnt obvious in any way beyond listening to the story. Example - finding the guard with the key in peace walker by listening for a quetzal, or listening for the pacemaker in mgs2, or finding the codec key in mgs1.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
I feel like I'm the only gamer that doesn't get Metal Gear Solid
- Thread starter BFIB
- Start date
They actually do matter quite a bit in mgs, because they will often explain just what the objective is for a given moment thay isnt obvious in any way beyond listening to the story. Example - finding the guard with the key in peace walker by listening for a quetzal, or listening for the pacemaker in mgs2, or finding the codec key in mgs1.
BFIB
Member
I debated on making it. Not looking for validation, just feel like as a gamer, it's one of the genres defining moments, yet I've tried numerous times to get it. sort of like a movie buff not immediately falling in love with a movie they should.
That's this series, it's clearly adored by most gamers.
Damerman
Member
Thats what the fuck im saying.
I give my liiiife, not for honah, buut for youuuuuooooooo
They're fun games to play, when the game allows itself to be played.
Watching the 500 hour marathon livestream and reading Wikis to catch up on the story, my reaction to the over-arching narrative is "I can't believe how many people take this garbage seriously." In nearly any other medium (book, television, film) the story and writing of Metal Gear would be considered nonsensical indulgent claptrap, but for some reason people insist on treating the game like it's some pinnacle of fiction. There's people talking about multiple times they've cried during cutscenes, or bleating on about how the games have something really meaningful to say about war or technology.
It's like listening to someone talk about their tearful and emotional experience of watching Dragon Ball Z. Or having someone wax poetic about the savory delectable aromas and flavor profile of a Pop Tart.
Watching the 500 hour marathon livestream and reading Wikis to catch up on the story, my reaction to the over-arching narrative is "I can't believe how many people take this garbage seriously." In nearly any other medium (book, television, film) the story and writing of Metal Gear would be considered nonsensical indulgent claptrap, but for some reason people insist on treating the game like it's some pinnacle of fiction. There's people talking about multiple times they've cried during cutscenes, or bleating on about how the games have something really meaningful to say about war or technology.
It's like listening to someone talk about their tearful and emotional experience of watching Dragon Ball Z. Or having someone wax poetic about the savory delectable aromas and flavor profile of a Pop Tart.
vagabondarts
Member
I don't get it either. They lost me after I finished MGS2 and I was just like: "wtf did I buy/play?"
LA LI LU LE LO?
NCR Redslayer
NeoGAF's Vegeta
Well the story isnt "good" but entertaing. Some may say ridiculous.
I love the cool little nods and style in the series. The repeated, sometimes subversed dialog that pops up randomly in every game for seemingly no reason.
"Kept ya waiting, huh?"
"Think you can pull the trigger?"
"Who are the patriots? La li lu le lo"
The way fox, fox die, and fox hound are repeated over and over again every game.
I just dig kojima's style so much. Mgs isnt even what got me into him, it was snatcher.
"Kept ya waiting, huh?"
"Think you can pull the trigger?"
"Who are the patriots? La li lu le lo"
The way fox, fox die, and fox hound are repeated over and over again every game.
I just dig kojima's style so much. Mgs isnt even what got me into him, it was snatcher.
Hip Hop
Member
See you are making it harder for him to get the series. Might as well tell him the truth. Don't worry, its OK to like terrible convoluted stories.
ALL of MGS's accolades are really only apparent at the time they were released. Unless you have an appreciation for what the games did at the time, going back to them can be rough. MGS escapes the gameplay complaints mostly due to the fact that it's simple. MGS2's aiming is rough, and seeing what those types of controls are like today, it's easy to see why they would frustrate.
On the topic of the story...yeah, it's a shitfest, let's not mince words. But it's a FUN mythos and world. MGS2 is really where they take the story to what it is today. MGS on it's own is an action movie. I'd say the biggest detriment to MGS are the info dumps. So most of the time the game feels like it's giving you a crash course on itself, rather then telling a story. It has to set itself up too much.
On the topic of the story...yeah, it's a shitfest, let's not mince words. But it's a FUN mythos and world. MGS2 is really where they take the story to what it is today. MGS on it's own is an action movie. I'd say the biggest detriment to MGS are the info dumps. So most of the time the game feels like it's giving you a crash course on itself, rather then telling a story. It has to set itself up too much.
1) Most people hadn't played stealth games before MGS1 (and Thief which came out the same year but on PC).
2) The storyline of MGS1 felt a lot more mature and sophisticated than what people were used to at the time with console games. So was the cinematic presentation including the voice acting. The same is true for Final Fantasy VII and the first two Resident Evil games. That explains a lot of the fandom behind all three franchises.
2) The storyline of MGS1 felt a lot more mature and sophisticated than what people were used to at the time with console games. So was the cinematic presentation including the voice acting. The same is true for Final Fantasy VII and the first two Resident Evil games. That explains a lot of the fandom behind all three franchises.
Damerman
Member
Also... I abhor cod games... I dont know why... Their very nature pisses me off. The gameplay, the setting, the unnecessary military jargon, the graphics, i hate it all. I tried to play advanced warfare and i just felt like my brain was disengaged the whole time just subconsciously shooting shit and obeying on screen prompts.
Do you see me going around posting about how much i hate COD?
Do you see me going around posting about how much i hate COD?
jk 
I had this reply typed up word for word. Something about the self-aware humor mixed in with the military espionage stuff along side the stealth game play grabs at me. Kojima also has great taste in music.
Rats Off To Ya
Banned
Coffee Dog
Banned
The only metal gear story that's even remotely clever is the uniquely psychological and metacommentative MGS2. All the others are wacky anime spy stories of varying quality that don't have much going on beyond the most absolute surface level, and they're fine for that.
And they're all great games (barring peace walker and 4 of course) that do a lot of fun and engaging things with the stealth concept.
And they're all great games (barring peace walker and 4 of course) that do a lot of fun and engaging things with the stealth concept.
I feel that way, except I don't feel like I'm missing out. I played them here and there, never really got into them. Only beat MGS2 in 2001, because there was little else to play.
Anyway, I'm getting MGSV for its open-world stealth sandbox simulation gameplay, couldn't care less about the story.
These are good points. MGS is a blueprint most games to date follow when doing stealth.
The games are also one of the first attempts to make the story a selling point, rather than a backdrop/ pages in a game manual.
My favorite "you're pretty good" is when big boss first meets revolver ocelot.
I used to make fun of people who were really into MGS. I mean teasing about the story nonsense but man it really holds a special place with me now. It's more about the characters for me and their struggle than the batshit story and twists though.
But I like the gameplay a lot too. That mostly applies to 4/PW/GZ/5. 3 was fine but a bit archaic at this point. Gameplay wise.
But I like the gameplay a lot too. That mostly applies to 4/PW/GZ/5. 3 was fine but a bit archaic at this point. Gameplay wise.
Moon_frogger
Member
Don't really think that's the case here though. Op just says 'I tried and not feeling it' without any kind of meaningful critique, context for what kind of gamer they are or even anything at all they specifically disliked other than 'the story is horrible'. There isn't much room for discussion other than posting that cute 'I don't like thing' meme.
I adore the music in this series, especially mgs3s soundtrack and the original mgs soundtrack (not tts), but my favorite style of music in the series is the original synth techno style it had.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BpIjT-LhNwg
So badass. Snatcher has a similar music style.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BpIjT-LhNwg
So badass. Snatcher has a similar music style.
You are not alone. I like the games but I'm not fooling myself, the main reason why I like them are the cutscenes. The gameplay is just not very good, especially in 3 since I think it really lacked a "modern" radar. People complain about switching between third and first person in Other M or Devil's Third but in Metal Gear they somehow think it's amazing. Having to perfectly aim with a controller can be extremely frustrating. Also, AI is bad and sometimes unfair, same goes for the camera...
I'm a sucker for 2, though.
Don't get the hype for those games either but still finished all of them (some multiple times) to make sure. I just refused to believe something that gets this much hype can be this bad (in my opinion).
I'm a sucker for 2, though.
Don't get the hype for those games either but still finished all of them (some multiple times) to make sure. I just refused to believe something that gets this much hype can be this bad (in my opinion).
Damerman
Member
Who the fuck does that? People will praise the themes that MGS2 posits, but no one takes it as seriously as you are saying. Kojima himself hardly takes it seriously, that doesn't mean that he doesn't bring up some very serious real world questions and philosophy into his games. You know how much supplemental reading and research i've done in reference to real world history thanks to kojima's games? More than any other game ever, and thats a damn fact.
Give War A Chance
Member
I really, truly feel bad for people that dont get Metal Gear. It's one of gaming's shiniest, most glistening gems. I still can't think of a more satisfying end to a game than MGS4.
Fancy Clown
Member
I get that, but what's to be gained from making a thread about it? There doesn't seem to be any room for discussion beyond people agreeing or disagreeing with a statement. I don't think people are going to convince you to like it or anything, as there's no game or film anyone "should" like. But since we're here my advice is to stand by your preferences, and If you are stilll drawn to the series for whatever reason then just revisit it at some point down the line and maybe your experiences will differ. Although it sounds like you've given it a fair shake over a long period of time so I don't think you should be perplexed about your distaste for it as you have already articulated exactly what you don't like about it in the OP.
Rats Off To Ya
Banned
I like the one at the end of 4. That fight is probably my favorite scene in the entire series.
I'm kind of with you there. Gameplay wise I thought the Last of Us was pretty boring. The tired move a dumpster or water platform somewhere and jump around then shoot things formula can be a drag for me personally. I got through the game because the story and pacing were good but as a game I just didn't find it too exciting.
As far as MGS goes I'm a bit behind these days. I played and beat MGS, MGS2, MGS3 and more or less stopped there. I started Peace Walker but never finished. Never played MGS4 and still haven't completed Ground Zeroes yet. I enjoyed playing MGS 1-3 a lot. The story at times is ridiculous but so are cult classic movies, and many of us love those movies. I agree that the ability of Kojima to have this unbelievable vision of a story told through many different time periods is impressive.
I'm excited to play V, I won a copy on here so now I'm obligated to play it and I'm excited. I can't argue with the true next-gen installment in the Metal Gear series, it's just as exciting when I played both MGS2 and MGS3 for the first time. I have to say though, MGS3 so far is my favorite. It's a beautifully made game.
distantmantra
Member
I like the games but they don't mean anything to me.
The Artisan
Member
I bought MGS4, attempted to play it but couldn't even get passed the very first section of the game.
that's one remaster I wouldn't mind having.
that's one remaster I wouldn't mind having.
MulderYuffie
Member
Big Boss is hot that is about the extent of info I know about the series.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
I dont think u need to feel bad some ppl just dont like it and have different preferences. For example my gamings shiniest,morst glistening gems are the kingdom hearts games amd persona series. Metal gear doesn't do it for me
MGS is maybe my favorite game series of all time and there's a lot of reasons for that but I'll try to boil it down to just one:
Metal Gear games always try to do something new. They don't always succeed, but when they do it's really special.
And to people saying the story is a mess, you're not wrong, but I think it's more that the clunky writing obfuscates the story's core which isn't all that complicated. (Besides MGS4. I love it, but I can't apologize for some of that stuff.)
Metal Gear games always try to do something new. They don't always succeed, but when they do it's really special.
And to people saying the story is a mess, you're not wrong, but I think it's more that the clunky writing obfuscates the story's core which isn't all that complicated. (Besides MGS4. I love it, but I can't apologize for some of that stuff.)
goldenpp72
Member
Just remember that the series sells under 10 million and there are over 200 million gamers out there who play on consoles.
Me personally, I loved MGS1, I felt 2 was fun but the story was stupid and janky, and 3 I struggled to get into because they just kept repeating the same story bits over and over and over again. I mean to go back and start 3 again since I do wan't to play V, but I didn't even bother with 4.
I.. kind of like the series, but I consider 1 the only one that was really memorable while not being too contrived, like the game was forced to be restrained because it was unique for the time and after that they just went full on nuts and stupid. People who I respect like 3 though, so i'd like to give it a real go again.
Me personally, I loved MGS1, I felt 2 was fun but the story was stupid and janky, and 3 I struggled to get into because they just kept repeating the same story bits over and over and over again. I mean to go back and start 3 again since I do wan't to play V, but I didn't even bother with 4.
I.. kind of like the series, but I consider 1 the only one that was really memorable while not being too contrived, like the game was forced to be restrained because it was unique for the time and after that they just went full on nuts and stupid. People who I respect like 3 though, so i'd like to give it a real go again.
BabyFaceKillah
Member
i dont understand it at all.....
i played the first one and dropped it...
i played the 2nd one and had a friend finish it for me
i played the 3rd one all the way through and was lost as shit
i played the 4th and all i did was smoke cigs and didnt understand shit except that some guy shits himself and that the girl from mgs 1 is now buff as shit
i played PW for like 10 min and gave up
im playing GZ to try to ready me for V but i got bored after 2 missions
ill probably rent/buy on sale V just so i can finish what i started..
i played the first one and dropped it...
i played the 2nd one and had a friend finish it for me
i played the 3rd one all the way through and was lost as shit
i played the 4th and all i did was smoke cigs and didnt understand shit except that some guy shits himself and that the girl from mgs 1 is now buff as shit
i played PW for like 10 min and gave up
im playing GZ to try to ready me for V but i got bored after 2 missions
ill probably rent/buy on sale V just so i can finish what i started..
i most likely wont understand shit....
Peace walker especially. I read everything I could on Somoza, the Contra, and Sandinistas as well as the CIAs bungling of the whole thing.
Leafhopper
Banned
Honestly I expected Snake and Liquid to be on Raw at some point.
He's not trying to be condescending (at least I didnt take it that way). I share his sentiment - mgs is one of the things I enjoy the very most about video games. It means quite a bit to me, I love indulging in it. I actually enjoy liking the series.
Of course not everyone has to like the series, but I wish I could share my enjoyment with others. Im sure there are other series that I dont care about that people hold the same sentiment, though. I see people talk about enjoying assassins creed the same way I do mgs, but I cant get into that series at all.
Moon_frogger
Member
I truly feel sorry for people who can't appreciate this series. It's just wonderful. I've been hooked ever since I figured out how to sneak up and grab a guard in mgs1 demo. None of the games are perfect but they are a fascinating case study in game design. Oh, the memories.
