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Metal Gear Solid is really such an amazing game
- Thread starter Y2Kev
- Start date
Bam Chowder
Member
I still feel like I'm chasing the high I got from this game. Without a doubt it expanded my gaming horizons. I haven't experienced a boss fight better than Psycho Mantis yet.
TheExhaustedWalrus
Member
I have never touched an MGS game. Thinking about running through them all starting this evening.
I agree 100%, MGS is what I describe as a very "tight" game, everything just comes together perfectly into one extremely tight and intricate experience. While none of the subsequent games are bad none of them are as tightly managed as MGS1.
matrix-cat
Member
I like to think of it as MGS1 being the story of Shadow Moses being told by the guy who wrote it, and TTS being the same story by a completely unrelated developer who didn't really get it and with all the cutscenes directed by the biggest hack in the world of action movies.
Seriously, how did Ryuhei Kitamura ever get popular? Every scene he's ever shot is a bunch of leap-fighting where characters hurl themselves into the air and then just follow whatever random trajectories they like. He thinks backflips are a suitable replacement for choreography, and even Zack Snyder would tell him to cool it on the slow-motion.
It really is special.
I did not have a PS1 till nearly 2000. I watched a friend play countless PS1 and N64 games, but one day he picked up MGS. When I saw the opening of the game...wow. I knew then I needed to do whatever possible to get a PS1.
And I was totally swept away by this booklet. Couldn't stop looking at it.
I did not have a PS1 till nearly 2000. I watched a friend play countless PS1 and N64 games, but one day he picked up MGS. When I saw the opening of the game...wow. I knew then I needed to do whatever possible to get a PS1.
And I was totally swept away by this booklet. Couldn't stop looking at it.
I agree that that at least feels relevant, but MGS2 happens over the course of basically two days (couple of hours on the tanker, then a much later but still contiguous chunk on the plant), and the same is true of MGS3 (Virtuous Mission and Snake Eater). MGS3 certainly has a huge number of people that would say the story is unparalleled in how satisfying Kojima develops each character and how immaculately it is paced (I know I would be one of them).
I think what does matter, though, is how the simplicity of the gameplay keeps things moving along. Jett above said that he'd rather play it than MGS4, but from a pure gameplay perspective, MGS4 is leaps and bounds beyond MGS1 in terms of sheer "stealth" gameplay. But MGS4 is so bogged down by so many modern conventions that it becomes slow and tedious in places; MGS3 is even worse with the cure and camo system. I don't really find MGS2 to be that enjoyable to play at all. I think it represents the point at which the overhead perspective was finally pushed to its limit given the enemies you go up against and your general array of capabilities. To that end, I didn't enjoy MGS3 at all pre-Subsistence.
I guess my point is that I totally agree with you, but I think for a different reason.
MGS1 will forever be one of my favourite games. Times were different back then (we didn't use the internet as much - and in the same ways as we do now - being the biggest change) but I felt a lot of things made MGS stand out from every game that had been released up until that point.
From the moment I laid eyes upon the game's case, I knew it was going to be a landmark event in the medium. It stood confidently on any shelf, surrounded by other games, begging you to pick it up and flip to the reverse and read the back of the box. Its cover art had the simplicity and minimalism that many of us now beg for; a simple white cover with the iconic MGS logo (with its very cool font) in reflective/foil red lettering.
Starting the game for the first time, I was terrified. I listened to two soldiers speak in very real-sounding military jargon about how your character was going to infiltrate this base and why. The dialogue was reserved in its use of the aforementioned jargon, which gave the dialogue a very grounded feeling. It gave me the feeling this would be a game about more mature (relative to the subject matter of the majority of the medium at the time) subjects. The music also spoke the same language; heavy droning basslines, littered with electronic chirps, shocks, and echoes. This was going to be a heavy game, tonally.
The world building also layered on how different this game would be: you were quite literally torpedoed onto a small island near Alaska that didn't exist to the rest of the world. It was garrisoned by soldiers that had their genetics tampered with in order to enhance their combat effectiveness. Before Snake emerged on the surface of Shadow Moses island, I started to get a real sense of dread -- I was sneaking around, as one man, naked, in a veritable fortress. Once the more fantastical elements of Kojima's hard-edged militaristic science fiction started appearing (Raven, Psycho Mantis, etc.), it made me wonder what else was coming next as every new beat of the story unfolded.
The texture work, colour palette, mechanical and character design also lent MGS's visual identity to one of a more realistic flavour. There are cyborg ninjas, exoskeletons, giant bipedal tanks, and so forth, but it all felt realistic enough to me. I, as a teenager at the time, could see weapons like that existing in the future. An example of this is every thing about Rex's mechanical design felt justified; its large legs would anchor it on undulating terrain when preparing to fire a warhead, its shoulder-mounted radar dish for long-range targeting, and it even came stocked with a suite of short-range defense weaponry for anti-troop and anti-vehicle engagements. The fact that MGS used real weapons and equipment also did its part in making things seem more real. (Really cool was the fact you could get information on weapons and tech by speaking with Natasha.)
One of my other favourite things about MGS will be the UI design as well. Everything about the Codec's visual design, the character portraits, the design of the radar, the weapon/item portraits, and even the font used in-game, make MGS a stylistically timeless game from a graphic/UI design standpoint, I think. Everything from the way the CALL icon flashed, then the way the character portraits sprung out on the Codec console view, and the items/weapons moved at the corners of the screen (when making a selection) was graphic design heaven for me as a teenage. If these elements hadn't turned out as well as they did, I think they would've subtracted from the overall visual identity of MGS. The fantastic manual was also part of this since it came stocked with Yoji Shinkawa's striking character designs. It was like the first time I had seen something from Amano -- I was floored at how different his style was. There was so much personality in each of his designs even if there wasn't as much explicit, literal detail -- I found that because his lines were very thick and heavy, you, as the viewer, had to fill in details with your mind. This is hard to describe so I hope I'm articulating it properly.
Another really neat thing MGS1 kind of did was defy the narrative trope of Chekhov's Gun: you don't see Decoy Octopus's true identity in the story ever. He's a true master of disguise. You do meet him, but you don't even know it since he's disguised as another character. And at no point does Kojima ever show you what he looks like normally, unless its a short shot of Shinkawa's painted character design in certain cutscenes.
Nothing else that I had played up until MGS made me feel the way it did. It wasn't until I played MGS that I realised games could be a more mature medium, one that told meaninful (if somewhat fantastical) stories, had interesting (fully-voiced!) characters, and crafted believable worlds. I'm not sure I'd be into video games as much as I am now if it weren't for MGS.
I enjoyed MGS2 and 3, but I felt that they started to crumble a bit under the weight of growing expectations from us and the ambitions of its creators. MGS2/3 had the same growing pains I feel the Matrix trilogy underwent. While I hated the Matrix 2 and 3, I still think MGS2/3 are enjoyable entries in the franchise, if not as grounded in their fiction the way MGS1 was. Closing off the analogy, the first Matrix film will remain the most enjoyable of that trilogy, just as MGS1 will forever be my favourite MGS franchise entry.
From the moment I laid eyes upon the game's case, I knew it was going to be a landmark event in the medium. It stood confidently on any shelf, surrounded by other games, begging you to pick it up and flip to the reverse and read the back of the box. Its cover art had the simplicity and minimalism that many of us now beg for; a simple white cover with the iconic MGS logo (with its very cool font) in reflective/foil red lettering.
Starting the game for the first time, I was terrified. I listened to two soldiers speak in very real-sounding military jargon about how your character was going to infiltrate this base and why. The dialogue was reserved in its use of the aforementioned jargon, which gave the dialogue a very grounded feeling. It gave me the feeling this would be a game about more mature (relative to the subject matter of the majority of the medium at the time) subjects. The music also spoke the same language; heavy droning basslines, littered with electronic chirps, shocks, and echoes. This was going to be a heavy game, tonally.
The world building also layered on how different this game would be: you were quite literally torpedoed onto a small island near Alaska that didn't exist to the rest of the world. It was garrisoned by soldiers that had their genetics tampered with in order to enhance their combat effectiveness. Before Snake emerged on the surface of Shadow Moses island, I started to get a real sense of dread -- I was sneaking around, as one man, naked, in a veritable fortress. Once the more fantastical elements of Kojima's hard-edged militaristic science fiction started appearing (Raven, Psycho Mantis, etc.), it made me wonder what else was coming next as every new beat of the story unfolded.
The texture work, colour palette, mechanical and character design also lent MGS's visual identity to one of a more realistic flavour. There are cyborg ninjas, exoskeletons, giant bipedal tanks, and so forth, but it all felt realistic enough to me. I, as a teenager at the time, could see weapons like that existing in the future. An example of this is every thing about Rex's mechanical design felt justified; its large legs would anchor it on undulating terrain when preparing to fire a warhead, its shoulder-mounted radar dish for long-range targeting, and it even came stocked with a suite of short-range defense weaponry for anti-troop and anti-vehicle engagements. The fact that MGS used real weapons and equipment also did its part in making things seem more real. (Really cool was the fact you could get information on weapons and tech by speaking with Natasha.)
One of my other favourite things about MGS will be the UI design as well. Everything about the Codec's visual design, the character portraits, the design of the radar, the weapon/item portraits, and even the font used in-game, make MGS a stylistically timeless game from a graphic/UI design standpoint, I think. Everything from the way the CALL icon flashed, then the way the character portraits sprung out on the Codec console view, and the items/weapons moved at the corners of the screen (when making a selection) was graphic design heaven for me as a teenage. If these elements hadn't turned out as well as they did, I think they would've subtracted from the overall visual identity of MGS. The fantastic manual was also part of this since it came stocked with Yoji Shinkawa's striking character designs. It was like the first time I had seen something from Amano -- I was floored at how different his style was. There was so much personality in each of his designs even if there wasn't as much explicit, literal detail -- I found that because his lines were very thick and heavy, you, as the viewer, had to fill in details with your mind. This is hard to describe so I hope I'm articulating it properly.
Another really neat thing MGS1 kind of did was defy the narrative trope of Chekhov's Gun: you don't see Decoy Octopus's true identity in the story ever. He's a true master of disguise. You do meet him, but you don't even know it since he's disguised as another character. And at no point does Kojima ever show you what he looks like normally, unless its a short shot of Shinkawa's painted character design in certain cutscenes.
Nothing else that I had played up until MGS made me feel the way it did. It wasn't until I played MGS that I realised games could be a more mature medium, one that told meaninful (if somewhat fantastical) stories, had interesting (fully-voiced!) characters, and crafted believable worlds. I'm not sure I'd be into video games as much as I am now if it weren't for MGS.
I enjoyed MGS2 and 3, but I felt that they started to crumble a bit under the weight of growing expectations from us and the ambitions of its creators. MGS2/3 had the same growing pains I feel the Matrix trilogy underwent. While I hated the Matrix 2 and 3, I still think MGS2/3 are enjoyable entries in the franchise, if not as grounded in their fiction the way MGS1 was. Closing off the analogy, the first Matrix film will remain the most enjoyable of that trilogy, just as MGS1 will forever be my favourite MGS franchise entry.
Hobbestetrician
Member
How does this boss fight work on the PS3?
AuthenticM
Member
What did you think of Ground Zeroes ? I thought it was going back to more pure and simpler gameplay, as found in the original game.
It certainly plays nice and smoothly. I think the Big Boss storyline is completely, 100% exhausted and Kojima is only bound to screw stuff up by sticking in that period. On top of that, the characters introduced in Peace Walker are absolutely dreadful (Paz, GTFO) and i don't really like that he's continuing down that path.
The writing in the game seems stilted and unnatural.
The writing in the game seems stilted and unnatural.
pauljeremiah
Gold Member
Was this just a sting for Konami and KCEJ? Or was it from a previous game?
Yeah MGS1 is amazing.
Playing Twin Snakes is of course no improvement at all and is just a weird oddity that stands out in the series.
MGS1 is just all the right things coming together to make a great solid snake adventure.
MGS the only series which I don't skip cutscenes over and there's a lot. But of course there's a lot of gameplay.
Playing Twin Snakes is of course no improvement at all and is just a weird oddity that stands out in the series.
MGS1 is just all the right things coming together to make a great solid snake adventure.
MGS the only series which I don't skip cutscenes over and there's a lot. But of course there's a lot of gameplay.
If I remember right, same things apply via the PS3's PS1 functionality.
Switch controller # via holding the PS button.
Mantis detects Konami game saves on your PS3's "PS1 memory card".
DualShock3 has rumble.
Mantis detects Konami game saves on your PS3's "PS1 memory card".
DualShock3 has rumble.
I mean, I'm gonna take a little bit of a round about route here to try and explain why I, at least, disagree. The game has changed over time, it's changed relative to it's competitors. MGS is no longer competing against PS1, N64 and Saturn games if you play it today, its competing against modern games
In that sense, it's no longer the same game it was 16 years ago. Everything in the world is relative and mediums of art are no different in my opinion. Silent films are not the same films as when they were concieved. This is just sort of how I view the world in general. I thinked "aged" is a perfect term for a game that has, relative to its competitors, fallen in quality.
Kojimas take on Lethal Weapon lol
thesolidshark
Member
Forever a landmark game, and still a great game to replay. I agree with most of the praise here.
bengraven
Member
One of my favorites of all time. I disagree that the graphics hold up, the jaggies and such are really distracting, but I could easily see myself playing this game.
I really need to just buy Legacy Collection, but I don't want to play IV after hearing so much negativity and I'm worried the vouchers won't work anymore.
I really need to just buy Legacy Collection, but I don't want to play IV after hearing so much negativity and I'm worried the vouchers won't work anymore.
Yes. It's really really really ridiculously good looking. I mean good.
Robot Pants
Member
Yup it's a true classic. One of the best of all time.
Love it to death.
Love it to death.
jacksepticeye
Member
Went through it again when I bought a Vita a few months ago. It really is incredible.
Usually when I go back to games from my childhood I'm like "why did I like this? :/" but MGS1 was exactly how I remembered.
The whole psycho mantis stuff including his boss fight is still one of my most memorable gaming moments. "HOW IS HE READING MY MIND???"
EDIT: anyone who plays Twin Snakes above the original or says Twin Snakes is better than the original is batshit crazy too
Usually when I go back to games from my childhood I'm like "why did I like this? :/" but MGS1 was exactly how I remembered.
The whole psycho mantis stuff including his boss fight is still one of my most memorable gaming moments. "HOW IS HE READING MY MIND???"
EDIT: anyone who plays Twin Snakes above the original or says Twin Snakes is better than the original is batshit crazy too
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
Absolutely, OP. MGS is in my top 5 games of all time for sure.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Yeah, I started this up again a couple weeks ago. I was pretty impressed by how well it still holds up. The only thing really bad about it is the shooting. But, that just inspires you to stay stealthy.
Haven't finished it yet 'cause I got stuck at the torture scene. I refuse to move on without Meryl.
Haven't finished it yet 'cause I got stuck at the torture scene. I refuse to move on without Meryl.
I disagree. The Big Boss stories are leaps and bounds more interesting than the Solid Snake story to me. Peace Walker isn't a good example(game is cooler in theory), but MGS3, GZ, and hopefully TPP are really awesome and far more engaging than the SS stories.
Not to mention how boring Solid got after MGS2, god damn.
Scully Scully Scoo
Member
because after having experienced better stealth games mgs1 is just frustrating. the graphics are very dated, gameplay mechanics are too clumsy, the camera is annoying etc. some people might be perfectly fine with playing it but not me, i tried playing it a few years ago and i got past the raven battle and given up on it.
the top down perspective has not aged well in my eyes, even mgs2 is a chor
CharminUltra
Member
Still the best Metal Gear. Brief, but sweet.
Razgriz-Specter
Member
Still my favorite of the Solid series, Only MG2SS is better.
Rastafarian42
Member
Fantastic OP this game really sparked my interest with video games, it took the medium on a whole new playing field with it's cinematic approach to storytelling with a excellent sound design and voice actors gaming just wasn't the same after this released.
Walpurgisnacht
Banned
I played this last year and thought the graphics were shit. The only way that I could get through the game was because of the awesome story, the awesome codec conversations and the ridiculous attention to detail. While CoD devs are bragging about their fish A.I. in 2013, KojiPro had guards following foot prints in the snow in 1998. I may have still been wearing a diaper back then, but even i know that that is impressive. The guards never felt too stupid or like they were cheating. Meryl's codec code can go screw itself though. That was just bullshit.
Playing Metal Gear Solid 2 right after was incredible. The graphical leap was huge and everything that I loved about the first one was even better (except for Jack's annoying girlfriend). Speaking of which, I need to get around to beating that.
Playing Metal Gear Solid 2 right after was incredible. The graphical leap was huge and everything that I loved about the first one was even better (except for Jack's annoying girlfriend). Speaking of which, I need to get around to beating that.
Were you really wearing diapers in 1998?
fvng
Member
oh man, posts like these remind me that all the energy I spend online debating stuff, at the end of the day I'm probably debating a 15 year old
Walpurgisnacht
Banned
Maybe, but in my opinion gameplay-wise MG2 actually did some things better than MGS1. It felt like a slightly thicker game and was able to get more use out of many of the same gameplay mechanics. Though I'll agree that MG2's story is fairly goofy compared to MGS1's.
I'm just saying, an MGS fan's experience with the franchise is probably incomplete if they haven't played MG2.
Let's pretend that didn't happen.
manzoman96
Member
One of my favorite games. Very gripping story.
AuthenticM
Member
Well considering what we've seen of the story in GZ, Kojima seems to be going for a clean slate with TPP, as if Peace Walker never existed (same as Portable Ops). I'm not sure what you mean regarding the writing though; I didn't have a problem with it. And Ground Zeroes was only the prologue to TPP, so I'd wait until passing judgement.
To me, GZ and TPP feel like a breath of fresh air after Peace Walker. That game was not to the standards of true mainline Metal Gear games. I was considerably disappointed by its bite-size missions, repetitive and egregious extra ops, and the weird and fan-servicy storyline (Otacon's father was Big Boss' pal ? Get the fuck out). I'm also quite excited at the prospect of witnessing the fall from grace of Big Boss; his evolution into the villain that he is fated to become.
We'll see.
MGS1 was incredible back in 1998. Watershed.
Here's some more nostalgia:
"Worst feature: Could be longer"
I'd love how the review would be if it was Ground Zeroes 
InsaneTiger
Member
Still the best in the series. Would love to see a straight remake into a new engine but keep the story the same.
Bring back Hayter!
Bring back Hayter!
Net_Wrecker
Member
While I do find the game awkward to play now, as I did in '99 when I got my hands on it, (at least until you get used to it all over again) I generally agree with everything else in the OP. MGS3 is my favorite of the series, but only barely over MGS1. In fact, I prefer many qualities of MGS1 over MGS3, but MGS3 just has these intangibles that make me enjoy it a whole lot. It's weird.
Still though, MGS1 has the best dialogue, the best voice acting, the tightest campaign, and I love the tone overall. That sort of dour lower key near-future military conspiracy/thriller atmosphere, the really moody electronic score, the pixelated 3D visuals that still manage good detail wrapped in a cold metallic color palette, etc. 2, 4, and PW don't come close. The characters have never bounced off of each other as well as they did in MGS1.
Still though, MGS1 has the best dialogue, the best voice acting, the tightest campaign, and I love the tone overall. That sort of dour lower key near-future military conspiracy/thriller atmosphere, the really moody electronic score, the pixelated 3D visuals that still manage good detail wrapped in a cold metallic color palette, etc. 2, 4, and PW don't come close. The characters have never bounced off of each other as well as they did in MGS1.
Stephen Stills
Member
But that can't be possible, some guy in this thread said people only like it because of nostalgia!
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