Please note that this review was originally written in 2008. Any additions will be italicised.

This review is made twenty-one (now twenty-four) years after the premiere of the Metal Gear Series, and ten (now thirteen) after Metal Gear Solid came into the world. I first played MGS in 1999 when I was just finding out what kind of video games I like. Then, because of time, and the bad care I had for discs, I didn't play it until now. I purchased the "Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection" for PlayStation and PlayStation2 because it gave my brother a game for him to play that wouldn't bore him to death. Another reason for the purchase was that it gave me another chance to play a game I've long missed in my collection.

I loaded up the ame and heard the legendary "doo...doo...dooo...doo-doo-doo" music. I couldn't believe it. After all this time, I still loved that music. After the opening movie, I was taken to the menu screen, where I went straight to "Option" and re-memorized the controls. I had to this because most games use the X-button for confirmation; MGS uses the O-button. After options I went to "Special" to read up on past missions (Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake). Then I went to Briefing. Other than having Snake naked, it was comforting to receive the details for the mission. I next went to do the VR missions to see if I still had any skill remaining. I was successful in making the leader chart in all but one mission. Finally, I started up the game.

I don't remember what I was thinking when I wrote part of the last paragraph. I mean, "comforting to receive the details for the mission". What was going on in my head at the time!

The point of the game was to infiltrate the island and find Metal Gear, destroy it and get back to headquarters. From time to time, Snake is called on his Codec to receive new information and instructions and sometimes a little encouragement. During the game, Snake has to "take care of" FOX-HOUND members. I was successful in defeating each member of FOX-HOUND and I even passed the torture scene without submitting. By not submitting, I unlocked the ending with Meryl as the jeep driver. If I was to submit, Otacon would instead be the driver.

My favorite part of the game was the battle against Psycho Mantis. I liked how I was able to defeat him by switching controller ports. Also, I still find it fascinating that he knew what type of person the character was and the show of telekinesis by moving the controller. I also liked the fact that even though Snake is a trained killer, he has a soft side. I feel that this aspect was instrumental in pulling the female audience.

My least favorite part was how Revolver Ocelot remained alive. I feel he should've died or something. I mean, he was in contact with the FoxDie virus too, but yet he is alive. And what President is he talking to at the game's end; American or Russian.

Overall, the game was very well scripted with good graphics and brilliant cutscenes. Each character's part was played well. I especially like the credits at the end with the videotaped scenes with polar bears and rivers. It was very nice. I give the game 8 out of 10 points, mainly because it is a game that can be played numerous times with different courses of action. I was rated as a Puma with unlocking the camera and bandana on my first go-through. The one thing I hope is that the second part of MGS is better than the last, because it would be disappointing to find that it is like all of the sequels to movies: never as good as the original.

I actually prefer Metal Gear Solid 2 to the first one.

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If you have any suggestions for a game that you would like me to review, please tell me. I am running out of ideas. Also, feel free to offer your comments and reviews to this game.