Total Game Boy
28th June 2000
Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Konami
Machine: Game Boy Color
Published in Total Game Boy Issue 09
Metal Gear Solid
A new dimension in videogames was created when Metal Gear Solid was released on the PlayStation last year and Konami is about to do it again, by releasing the stealth action game on the Game Boy Color. Set after the events in the first Metal Gear game, the new game sees our hero Snake brought back into service again. Another Metal Gear walking nuclear missile launcher has been built in secret, and now it's been stolen by terrorists. Only a highly trained and well-oiled Snake can do this job... Well, what are you waiting for?
Landing deep behind enemy lines, our hero's first mission is to infiltrate the enemy base. As you begin, you will receive a message from your commanding officer and will be trained how to access your saving and emergency frequencies, plus how to make good use of the map. Avoiding the guards is vital to your success and if you are spotted you could be surrounded in seconds, so take it slowly and make every step a cautious one.
The game follows in the footsteps of the original and you must keep in contact with your base and use the intercom to save regularly. There are loads of cunning puzzles for you to solve and searching for useful items is vital if you want to complete your mission. Chaff grenades might sound like awesome tools of destruction, but they are only effective when used for the correct purpose, which is knocking out cameras and electrical equipment.
There is a wide range of weapons and equipment scattered around the levels, but you'll have to search every distant corner to find it all. Looking for this nifty gear is made twice as hard when there are cunning enemy troops nearby, but take your time and tread carefully. Each weapon has a particular skill and using your supplies carefully will be important to avoid running out of ammo at a crucial time. There are pistols, rifles and even C4 explosives to use on your targets, but remember to keep yourself well-hidden to avoid accidentally alerting the guards.
There are some handy pieces of gear stashed inside a few crates and the Night Vision Goggles and Body Armour are certainly ones to look out for. This slippery agent will get to try a number of interesting devices throughout the mission and will need to be alert from dangerous areas with anti-personnel land mines and toxic fumes. Modern warfare is extremely dangerous and only highly-skilled operatives are needed for this awesome challenge!
The game features massive colourful levels for you to sneak around and the sound is fairly atmospheric, adding to the excitement a little. The sprites move well and your wriggly Snake can perform all manner of stealthy moves like backing up against walls and slithering along the ground in true sniper fashion. Overall, the feel of the game is terrific and once again this is a truly amazing game, setting new standards for the competition.
Added to the massive single-player mission, you can also link up with a friend and battle your Snakes against each other. Your mission is to collect three items from the level and make your way to the exit without getting spotted and killed. If your opponent picks up one of the items, you'll have to take them out and then search for the spot where it re-appears. To further the confusion there are four exits on every level, and three of these doors are fake.
Finding all the items and making your escape could be a long process so when the timer expires, the player with the most items will be announced the winner.
This is a totally amazing game with great graphics and unique gameplay. The game is breathtakingly complex and yet very simple if you follow the instructions carefully. There is plenty to keep you occupied and with the incredibly intense two-player game, it's totally amazing to think that all this fits onto a tiny Game Boy cartridge.
Konami really has produced a tiny miracle - creep into town and grab one as soon as you possibly can!
Second Opinion
One word - wow! Apart from replacing the 3D view with a 2.5-D one, Konami has taken everything good about the PlayStation version of Metal Gear Solid and squeezed it onto the Game Boy!
Everything you could possibly want is here - the incredibly exciting Adventure mode, the non-stop hide-n-seek with the guards... even the tough Training mode has made it onto the cart!
There's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go out and get this - it's the most fun you can have with your hand-held friend!
Verdict
Graphics 80%
Well-detailed levels!
Sound 80%
Atmospheric and exciting at times.
Playability 80%
Slides along very nicely.
Lastability 80%
This game is big in every way!
Overall 94%
Sneak out and buy one today!