The first
Metal Gear Solid game has a really good ending that concludes much of the story (the "Shadow Moses Incident") nicely, while also setting up a sequel by having some unresolved plot points and a massive 'WTF!' moment after the main credits. So, I was looking forward to
Sons of Liberty while also wondering just where the hell Hideo Kojima was going to take the plot; little did I expect the absolute mind-melting, post-modern clusterf**k that was about to be thrust upon my brain.
Metal Gear Solid 2 is an amazing game, utterly unique, but at the same time the best follow-up to the original that you could ever ask for... providing you like anime like
Ghost in the Shell or
Patlabor.
Technically the game is obviously a massive leap forward from the first title. Despite releasing quite early in the Playstation 2's life cycle, the increase in power finally brings the game up to a graphical standard that does justice to the characters and environments. The aesthetics are totally in keeping with the first game, while also cleverly updating them with an almost anime-inspired style and "cleanness" to the overall image; this is especially beneficial in cut-scenes where we finally have characters that can emote somewhat - although lip-sync with the voice acting is almost non-existent. Yet again, Hideo Kojima frames the cinematics with the eye equivalent to a Hollywood director and if you like films such as
The Rock then you'll be more than happy with the oil-rig-esque location and sweeping outdoor sunset shots.
The soundtrack is also amazing with a very distinctive and strong score, backed up by some excellent voice acting. Some of the dialogue is questionable but then that is because the plot and characters are generally off-the-wall. Speaking of plot, I might as well discuss the story. The reason that I mentioned
Ghost in the Shell earlier is because to me, this sequel feels very much like an anime directed by Mamoru Oshii, which is to say that it deals with a lot of philosophy and existential issues that spiral the plot off into strange tangents. Personally I loved it, but I can see how a lot of people might be swallowed up by the swirling mass of ideas presented here, especially towards the game's conclusion.
The game is also extremely postmodern and delights in tearing down that fourth wall; there are moments in the last quarter of the game that made my skin crawl as I began to question everything I'd been doing for the past 15 hours. Seriously. Not only are the characters double-crossed in the game and have to wade their way through the thick goop of conspiracies within conspiracies... but also the player has to face the game double-crossing you and toying with you. One moment in particular literally had me going "...What!? Whaaat!? WHAAAAT!?!?"
All this praise I've heaped upon the game so far hasn't even touched upon the gameplay improvements that this sequel brings to the original formula. The first person view (present in the first game) now lets you aim and fire weapons with pinpoint accuracy, especially in the high definition PS3 version, and this is used throughout in really devious ways. Often there will be rigged explosives strategically placed within locations that require you to shoot-out their battery packs to disarm them, or fire a coolant to prevent them from going off- or both. But these devices are hidden under things, on ceilings, or in other crafty locations that mean you really need to scope the place out in first person otherwise you'll be caught by one and instantly killed.
You also have more movement option available, such as hanging from ledges or aiming around corners; also you can stick-up guards by drawing a gun on them from behind and you can conceal bodies by dragging them away and putting them in lockers, etc. One of my favourite additions to this game and something that really puts the recent
Deus Ex: Human Revolution to shame ( I loved that game by the way) is that you can go the entire game without killing anybody - even bosses! - if you wish. The guards and sentries patrolling the levels can be taken out with tranquilizers, or knocked unconscious using a variety of means; bosses have a secondary "health" bar which is their non-lethal take-down option.
Overall, despite some issues that were fixed later with
Metal Gear Solid 3 (such as the overhead camera angle being too close),
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a game that was way ahead of it's time, utterly unique and an amazing sequel to an already amazing game.
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