Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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| Developer(s) | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan / Kojima Productions
<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)</th><td>Konami</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Designer(s)</th><td>Hideo Kojima</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Series</th><td>Metal Gear series</td></tr> |
| Release date(s) | NA</small> November 17, 2004
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| Genre(s) | Stealth action |
| Mode(s) | Single player
<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)</th><td>ESRB: Mature |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2
<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media</th><td>DVD</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Input</th><td>Game controller</td></tr> |
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (commonly abbreviated to MGS3) is a stealth-based game directed by Hideo Kojima.<ref name="gamespotcredits">GameSpot site staff. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Tech Info/Credits. GameSpot. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.</ref> Snake Eater was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and published by Konami in 2004 for the PlayStation 2.<ref name="ignmgs3">IGN staff. Game Details for MGS3: Snake Eater. IGN. Retrieved on 15 August, 2006.</ref> It was well-received publicly and critically, selling 3.6 million copies worldwide<ref name="sales">Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Company Line. GameSpot. Retrieved on 02 November, 2006.</ref> and scoring an average of 91% in Metacritic's aggregate.<ref name="metacritic">Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 10 August, 2006.</ref> The game serves as a prequel to the entire Metal Gear series.<ref name="gamespy">Turner, Benjamin (2004). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review. GameSpy. Retrieved on 10 August, 2006.</ref>
Set in Cold War-era Russia, the story centers on Naked Snake as he attempts to rescue a weapons designer and sabotage an experimental superweapon.<ref name="gamespot">Kasavin, Greg (2004). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 10 August, 2006.</ref> While previous games were set in a primarily urban environment, Snake Eater adopts a 1960s Soviet jungle setting,<ref name="ign">Lewis, Ed (2004). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review. IGN. Retrieved on 10 August, 2006.</ref> with the high tech, near-future trappings of previous Metal Gear Solid games being replaced with the wilderness. While the setting has changed, the game's focus remains on stealth and infiltration, and it retains the series' self-referential, fourth wall-breaking sense of humour.<ref name="gamespot" /> Snake Eater's story is told through numerous cut scenes and radio conversations.<ref name="cnet">Ramsay, Randolph (2005). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review. C|NET Australia. Retrieved on 22 August, 2006.</ref>
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[edit] Gameplay
Snake Eater's gameplay is similar to that of previous games in the Metal Gear Solid series. Snake, controlled by the player, must move undetected through a hostile, enemy-filled environment. Although Snake acquires various weapons (ranging from handguns to rocket propelled grenades), the emphasis is on using stealth to avoid confrontations. A number of objects and gadgets can be found along the way to aid in this, including motion detectors<ref name="eurogamer">Bramwell, Tom (2004). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 10 August, 2006.</ref> to track hostile soldiers, and the Metal Gear series' trademark cardboard box, which Snake can hide under to avoid visual detection.<ref name="gamespot" />
Despite the fundamental similarities, Snake Eater introduces many new aspects of gameplay not present in previous Metal Gear games, including camouflage, a new hand-to-hand combat system called "close-quarters combat" or "CQC", and an injury-and-treatment system.<ref name="official site">Konami Computer Entertainment staff. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater official site. Retrieved on 11 August, 2006.</ref><ref name="gamespot" />
Approximately two-thirds of the game is set outdoors in the Russian jungle,<ref name="cvg interview">Sharing Snake with Hideo Kojima. Computerandvideogames (2005). Retrieved on 11 August, 2006.</ref> and using this varied environment to its fullest potential is often the key to success. Of the new features, particular emphasis is placed on camouflage and using the jungle environment itself (for example, climbing trees or hiding in tall grass) to avoid being seen by the enemy.<ref name="gamespot" />
A percentage value called the "camouflage index" displays Snake's visibility, on a scale from negative values (highly visible) up to 100% (completely 'invisible' to the enemy).<ref name="europreview">Bramwell, Tom (2004). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Preview. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 22 August, 2006.</ref> In order to minimize visibility, the player must switch between different camouflage uniforms and face paints to blend in with the environment; for example, wearing a bark-patterned uniform while leaning against a tree, or wearing striped face paint while hiding in tall grass.<ref name="official site" /> Other devices for camouflage, such as a fake crocodile head to decrease chances of being detected in water, are also available.
The basic close combat from previous installments has been heavily refined and expanded into the CQC system. When unarmed or using a one-handed weapon, Snake can grab opponents and put them in a chokehold,<ref name="official site" /> at which point a variety of actions can be performed, such as choking the enemy unconscious or interrogating them at knifepoint to obtain information.<ref name="official site" /><ref name="eurogamer" /> The context, pressure applied to the button, and movement of the analog stick determine the action performed.
While previous games used only a simple life bar, Snake Eater also keeps track of injuries over the entire body.<ref name="official site" /> For example, a long fall could fracture Snake's leg, slowing him down until the injury is properly treated with a splint and bandage. Unless these injuries are treated, Snake will not be able to fully recover his health for some time, and may develop scars.<ref name="official site" />
The location brings in the need to rely upon native flora and fauna to survive.<ref name="official site" /> This is manifested in a stamina gauge, which constantly depletes during gameplay.<ref name="cnet" /> Failure to top up the gauge by eating has detrimental effects on gameplay, such as decreasing Snake's ability to aim his weapon.<ref name="official site" /> Food can be stored in the backpack until it is needed. However, some types of food rot over time, and consuming rotten foodstuffs may result in Snake developing a stomach ache, causing the stamina gauge to deplete faster.<ref name="gamespot" />
Snake Eater includes a minigame called Snake vs Monkey in which Snake has to catch Ape Escape style monkeys.<ref name="gamespot" /><ref name="eurogamer" /> In addition to containing tongue-in-cheek humour,<ref name="toptentues">BIGN staff (2006). Top 10 Tuesday: Best Use of Monkeys. IGN. Retrieved on 28 September, 2006.</ref> bonus items usable in the main game can be unlocked by progressing through various stages.<ref name="eurogamer" />
[edit] Plot
[edit] Characters
Snake Eater's protagonist is Naked Snake (voiced by David Hayter), a former U.S. Special Forces (Green Beret) and CIA operative. During the mission, Major Zero (v.b. Jim Piddock), a former member of the British Special Air Service, aids Snake by providing mission advice and battle tactics. Para-Medic (v.b. Heather Halley) and Sigint (v.b. James C. Mathis III) provide specialist advice on flora and fauna and weapons, respectively.
The two main antagonists of the game are Colonel Volgin (v.b. Neil Ross), an electricity-controlling GRU colonel and member of the extreme Brezhnev faction, who are attempting to overthrow Nikita Khrushchev to seize power for Leonid Brezhnev and Alexey Kosygin,<ref>Sokolov: A certain group is plotting to use this opportunity to seize power by rallying the anti-government forces, overthrowing Khrushchev, and installing Brezhnev and Kosygin in his place. The mastermind behind this plot is Colonel Volgin of the GRU. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> and The Boss (v.b. Lori Alan), former mentor to Naked Snake.<ref name="official site" /> The Cobra unit, a special-forces unit lead by The Boss, is comprised of The End, a venerable expert sniper credited as the father of modern sniping;<ref>Eva: I heard that one of the Cobras is waiting for you in the jungle at the foot of the mountains. He's a legendary sniper call The End. // Snake: Yeah, I've seen him before. That ridiculously old guy, right? // Eva: Don't underestimate him. He's known as the father of modern sniping. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> The Fear, who has supernatural flexibility and agility; The Fury, a disfigured former cosmonaut armed with a flamethrower and a jetpack,<ref name="official site" /> The Pain, who can control hornets to both defend himself and attack his enemies;<ref name="official site" /> and The Sorrow, the spirit of a deceased medium.<ref>Major Zero: The Sorrow was a man with, well... special powers. He had ESP, which was the subject of extensive research in the Soviet Union at the time. He was especially gifted as a medium. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref>
Other characters include Sokolov, a nuclear scientist whom Snake must rescue; EVA (v.b. Suzetta Miñet), an American defector and KGB agent sent to assist Snake; and a young Revolver Ocelot (v.b. Joshua Keaton), commander of the elite Ocelot unit within Volgin's GRU.<ref>Soldier: You... You're from the Ocelot unit of Spetsnaz! What's a GRU soldier doing here? // Ocelot: Soldier? // Soldier: He's the Ocelot commander! (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> Some joking references are also made to previous games: Major Raikov, Volgin's effeminate gay lover, parodies the criticized effeminate appearance of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty protagonist Raiden, and the grandfather of recurring incompetent soldier Johnny Sasaki makes an appearance as a cell guard.
[edit] Story
Metal Gear Solid 3 is set during the Cold War in 1964, where Naked Snake is sent to the jungles of the Soviet Union.<ref name="official site" /> Aided over radio by Major Zero, Para-medic, and his former mentor The Boss,<ref name="eurofirstimpressions">Bramwell, Tom (2004). Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater First Impressions. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 23 August, 2006.</ref> his mission is to rescue a defecting Russian scientist named Sokolov who is secretly developing an advanced nuclear-equipped tank called the "Shagohod".<ref name="eurofirstimpressions" /><ref name="official site" /> The mission goes smoothly until The Boss defects and provides her new benefactor Colonel Volgin with two Davy Crockett miniature nuclear shells.<ref>The Boss: I'm defecting to the Soviet Union. Sokolov is a little gift for my new hosts. // Volgin: Recoilless nuclear warheads... these will make a fine gift for me. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> Sokolov is captured by the Cobra Unit and Snake is heavily injured in combat with The Boss, allowing Volgin and his cohorts to escape with the Shagohod. Volgin detonates one of the nuclear shells to cover up its theft,<ref>Khrushchev: So, The Boss, with Colonel Volgin's help, stole two experimental nuclear shells and took them with her as a gift when she defected. Then, shortly thereafter, Sokolov's design lab, a top-secret military research facility, was destroyed by one of these weapons. Am I right so far? // Johnson: Yes, that's correct. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> which is subsequently blamed on The Boss.<ref>Volgin: But it won't be me that pulled the trigger. It will be our friend, the American defector. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref>
Having detected the US aircraft which deployed Snake flying over Russian soil, the Soviet Union declares the United States responsible for the atomic attack, tipping both nations to the edge of a nuclear war. In a secret conference between the US President and the Soviet premier, a deal is hatched to prove the US's innocence and restore peace.<ref>Major Zero: To put it simply, in order to avoid a full-scale nuclear conflict, we have to prove that America was not involved in that explosion. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> The United States agree to stop Volgin's renegade faction, destroy the stolen Shagohod and eliminate the American defector, The Boss.<ref name="objectives">Major Zero: Snake, let's go over your mission objectives one more time. Rescue Sokolov. Find out what's happened to the Shagohod - then destroy it. And finally, eliminate The Boss. // Snake: Eliminate The Boss... // Major Zero: This mission will be code-named "Operation Snake Eater." // Snake: Because I'll be taking on The Boss and her COBRA unit, right? // Major Zero: Don't forget about Colonel Volgin. // Snake: I'm not a hired killer. // Zero: I know. But that was the Kremlin's demand. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref>
A week after being rescued from the region, Snake is redeployed into the Russian jungle as part of Operation Snake Eater,<ref name="objectives" /> to fulfill the United States' promises. During the mission, he gains the assistance of another American defector, ex-NSA agent EVA, who defected a few years earlier.<ref>Snake: I heard you used to be a code breaker for the NSA. // Eva: I was. 4 years ago I defected to the Soviet Union with ADAM. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> After numerous encounters with the elite Ocelot Unit (led by Revolver Ocelot), and defeating every member of the Cobra Unit, Snake succeeds in locating Sokolov and the stolen Shagohod, only to be captured in Volgin's military fortress, Groznyj Grad. After witnessing the death of Sokolov, Snake is tortured, but ultimately escapes.
When he returns to the facility to destroy the Shagohod, Snake learns of The Philosophers. Made up of the most powerful men in the United States, Soviet Union and China, they are an Illuminati-like organisation who control the world behind the scenes.<ref>Volgin: (...) Volgin: During the last Great War, the most powerful men in America, China, and the Soviet Union had a secret pact. The pact was a blueprint for defeating the Axis Powers and creating a new world order. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> However, after the end of World War II, they began to fight amongst themselves, and the organisation broke down. The money, $100 billion (about $1 trillion today using the CPI<ref name="cpi">Five Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 - 2005. measuringworth.com. Retrieved on 15 November, 2006.</ref>), they had amassed to fund their wars, called the Philosophers Legacy, was divided up and hidden in banks all over the world.<ref>Volgin: Admit it! You're after the location of the Legacy! The secret fund established by the three Great Powers during the two World Wars. That's what you're looking for isn't it? One hundred billion dollars. Divided up and hidden all over the world. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> Volgin had illegally inherited this money,<ref>Granin: (...) Volgin's father was in charge of the Philosophers' money laundering activities. In the confusion of the war, he somehow ended up with their treasure. And Volgin inherited that treasure illegally. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> and Snake learns that the US is attempting to retrieve it.
Snake continues his mission, destroying the facility and the Shagohod tank, and killing Volgin. Snake and EVA travel to a lake, where a ground effect vehicle is hidden. Before they use it to escape the region, Snake confronts his old mentor, The Boss, whom he must kill to complete his mission.<ref name="objectives" /> After an emotional battle, Snake overcomes his feelings and defeats her. He and EVA escape to Alaska, and spend the night together. During the night EVA disappears, and leaves behind a tape revealing herself to be a Chinese spy sent to steal the Philosophers Legacy for China.<ref>Eva: (...) I'm not a KGB spy and I never worked for the NSA. I am an agent of the People's Republic of China... For the General HQ Second Department of the People's Liberation Army. It was all a lie. I tricked you... and I'm sorry. The Philosophers still exist in China, too. You see, my mission was to find out where Volgin was hiding the Philosopher's Legacy and steal it. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> The tape continues, and EVA reveals that The Boss did not defect to the Soviet Union, rather she was under orders to pretend to defect so she could infiltrate Volgin's ranks, and find the location of the Legacy which could be brought back to America.<ref>EVA: The Boss' defection was a ruse set up by the US government. It was all a big drama staged by Washington so they could get their hands on the Philosopher's Legacy. And The Boss was the star of the show. They planned it so that they could get the Legacy that Colonel Volgin inherited... and destroy the Shagohod at the same time. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> The final part of her mission was to sacrifice her honour and die at the hands of Snake, under the guise of a traitor, to prove the US's innocence in the nuclear attack from the beginning of the game.<ref>EVA: (...) Everything was going according to plan. But then something happened that no one could have predicted. Colonel Volgin fired an American-made nuclear warhead at Sokolov's research facility. Khrushchev demanded that the US government provide proof that it wasn't involved. (...) The authorities in Washington knew that in order to prove its innocence they'd have to get rid of The Boss... and that one of their own would have to do the job. (...) That was the mission she was given. (...) She sacrificed her life and her honor for her native land. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref>
Snake is awarded the title of "Big Boss" for his efforts.<ref>President: You are above even The Boss. I hereby award you the title of Big Boss. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> Later, he arrives at an anonymous grave, The Boss's, just one of thousands in the huge military cemetery he visits. Laying down The Boss' gun and a bouquet of lilies upon the nameless gravestone he scans the endless rows before him, salutes, and sheds a lone tear.
[edit] Regional releases
Like Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty before it, Snake Eater was first released in North America; the Japanese release was held back for almost a month after that.<ref name="ignmgs2">IGN staff. Game Details for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. IGN. Retrieved on 15 August, 2006.</ref><ref name="ignmgs3" /> However, the Japanese version featured a downloadable camouflage pattern unavailable in North America.<ref name="ignjapcamo">Lewis, Ed. Snake Celebrates the New Year. IGN. Retrieved on 24 August, 2006.</ref> A limited edition premium package of Snake Eater was released alongside the standard version in Japan. The premium package came with a special DVD, two special booklets and a painted 1/144-scale model of the Shagohod.<ref name="ignpremium>Gantayat, Anoop (2004). Metal Gear Special Package Revealed. IGN. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> A special limited edition CD was given away to those who preordered the Japanese version of Snake Eater, which included several songs from the game's soundtrack, as well as computer screensavers and additional camouflage for the main game. The pre-order package allowed cell phone users to access a special site featuring image and music downloads.<ref name="ignjappreorder">Gantayat, Anoop. MGS3 Japanese Preorder Update. IGN. Retrieved on 24 August, 2006.</ref>
For the European release, Konami added several new features, including the "European Extreme" difficulty setting, a Demo Theater of the game's cut scenes, and a Duel Mode, where players can replay boss battles from the main game, in addition to extra facepaints based on European flags and new Snake vs. Monkey levels.<ref name="igneuro">Dunham, Jeremy (2005). MGS3 PAL Details and Facepaints. IGN. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref>
[edit] Development
From the outset, Snake Eater's director Hideo Kojima wished to drastically change the setting from previous games.<ref name="gameprointerview">GamePro site staff (2003). Feature: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Interview. GamePro. Retrieved on 2 September, 2006.</ref> He stated that the jungle setting is what both his development team, and the Metal Gear fans, wanted.<ref name="gameprointerview" /> However, he acknowledged that the elements of a jungle environment, such as the weather, landscape and wildlife, were features that would present problems during the game's development.<ref name="gameprointerview" /> Whereas in previous installments the player starts out close to, or even within, the enemy base, Kojima wished Snake Eater to be more realistic, with Snake starting out miles from civilisation and having to work his way to the enemy encampment.<ref name="gameprointerview" />
Kojima commented that the outside environment was very difficult to create.<ref name="gamespyinterview">GameSpy site staff (2004). Talkin' Snakes with KCEJ. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2 September, 2006.</ref> He explained that the reason previous games were primarily set indoors is because the current consoles were not powerful enough to portray a true jungle environment.<ref name="gamingworld">Hivner, Brendon. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (First Look) Preview. GamingWorldX. Retrieved on 5 September, 2006.</ref> In contrast with urban environments, the jungle does not have a flat surface. The protagonist in Snake Eater has to cross uneven terrain, including rocks, dirt mounds and treestumps. As a result, the collision engine used in previous installments could not be used, and a new one had to be built from scratch.<ref name="gamingworld" /> Setting up the motion capture technology so players could walk over these mounds was a problem during development.<ref name="gamespyinterview" />
Many fans wanted Snake Eater to use a 3D camera,<ref name="boomtown">Matting Matthias (2005). Hideo Kojima Interview. BoomTown. Retrieved on 2 September, 2006.</ref> but this was ultimately not implemented in the game. Kojima views Metal Gear Solid, Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater as a trilogy, and wished to keep the camera the same as the previous two in order to keep the feel of the three games the same.<ref name="boomtown" /> He did, however, acknowledge that the current trend for video games is to use the 3D camera.<ref name="boomtown" /> The camera was later implemented in Snake Eater's enhanced re-release, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence,<ref name="gamespot sub rev">Kasavin, Greg. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 11 August, 2006.</ref> and will be used in the PlayStation 3 sequel, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.<ref name="boomtown" />
Kojima wished for the boss battles in Snake Eater to be totally different from those in previous Metal Gear games, and from other video games in general. He said that the boss battle with sniper The End best represented free, open gameplay in the game.<ref name="igninterview">Lewis, Ed. The Snake Eater Interview. IGN. Retrieved on 2 September, 2006.</ref> The battle takes place over a large area of dense jungle, and the player must search extensively for The End, who attacks over long range from an unknown position. This battle of attrition can last for hours,<ref name="igninterview" /> and contrasts with other boss fights in which the enemy is right in front of the player and in view the whole time. The player has the ability to avoid this boss battle altogether by killing The End earlier in the game.<ref name="igninterview" /> Kojima commented that features like this do not appear in other games.<ref name="igninterview" />
[edit] Audio
Snake Eater's musical score was composed by Norihiko Hibino and Harry Gregson-Williams,<ref name="Hibino">IMDb site staff. Norihiko Hibino. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.</ref><ref name="Gregson">IMDb site staff. Harry Gregson-Williams. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.</ref> who provided material for both cut scenes and the game itself. Hibino wrote the game's opening theme, "Snake Eater",<ref name="Hibino" /> a distinctly Bond-like vocal track which also appears in the game proper, as performed by Cynthia Harrell.<ref name="gamespot" /><ref name="Harrell">IMDb site staff. Cynthia Harrell. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.</ref> Composer and lyricist Rika Muranaka provides a song called "Don't Be Afraid" which is played during the ending for the game.<ref name="Muranaka">IMDb site staff. Rika Muranaka. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.</ref> The song is performed by Elisa Fiorillo.<ref name="Fiorillo">IMDb site staff. Elisa Fiorillo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 25 August, 2006.</ref>
In a break from tradition, one of the ending themes of the game is not an in-house production, but Starsailor's "Way To Fall". Hideo Kojima later revealed in his blog that he originally wanted to use "Space Oddity" and "Ashes to Ashes" (by David Bowie) for the ending themes because of the space development theme of the game,<ref name="Kojimablog1">Kojima, Hideo. Hideoblog. Konami Japan. Retrieved on 12 September, 2006.</ref> but during the game's development that theme lost its significance. One of his colleagues then advised him to listen to stellastarr*, but Kojima heard "Starsailor." He liked the song "Way To Fall" and chose it as an ending theme.<ref name="Kojimablog2">Kojima, Hideo. Hideoblog. Konami Japan. Retrieved on 12 September, 2006.</ref>.
[edit] Reception
Like the other games in the series, Snake Eater was a hit and has sold 3.6 million copies worldwide.<ref name="sales" /> Although this is considerably lower than Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which has sold 6 million copies to date,<ref name="sales2">GameRankings site staff. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Info. GameRankings. Retrieved on 02 November, 2006.</ref> critics were pleased with the new protagonist,<ref name="cnet" /> Naked Snake – who strongly resembles the series protagonist Solid Snake – after fans were disappointed by Raiden in MGS2.<ref name="cvg interview" /> Fans, as well as some critics, who also found MGS2's lengthy dialogues and multitude of plot twists detrimental to the game experience<ref name="mgs2revgc">Weise, Matt (2001). Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (Review). GameCritics. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> found MGS3's storyline a pleasing throwback to the original Metal Gear Solid, with less of the "philosophical babble"<ref name="cnet" /> present in Sons of Liberty.
[edit] Critical response
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was well received by the media, and was given high scores by some of the most prominent gaming critics. Gaming website IGN awarded a 9.6/10<ref name="ign" /> and UK-based magazine Edge rated it 8/10.<ref name="edge"> (2005) Edge</i>, January 2005; issue 145 (in English). Future Publishing, 80-81.</ref> GameSpot, who granted it an 8.7/10, commented that the game is "richly cinematic" and "a great achievement".<ref name="gamespot" /> GameSpy hailed it as "probably the best Metal Gear Solid game yet",<ref name="gamespy" /> and Eurogamer called it "overwhelmingly superior to MGS2: Sons of Liberty" in their review.<ref name="eurogamer" />
Reviewers had mixed opinions about the game's camouflage system. Edge commented that "laying, camouflaged, in short grass inches away from a patrolling enemy is a gripping twist on stealth,"<ref name="edge" /> while GameSpy criticised it as "just a number to monitor and not a terribly interesting one".<ref name="gamespy" /> Out of the variety of new features, GameSpot called it "the most important and best implemented."<ref name="gamespot" /> The game has also been criticised for its low frame rate, which has been reduced to 30 (compared with Metal Gear Solid 2's 60).<ref name="gamespy" />
Metal Gear Solid 3's cut scenes have been called "visually exciting and evocative, beautifully shot" by Edge.<ref name="edge" /> However, they commented that the script "ranges from awkward to awful" and criticised David Hayter's performance as Snake, concluding that "Snake Eater's speech is not up to the standard of other games, let alone cinema".<ref name="edge" /> GameSpot said that some of the humour "falls flat, as if lost in translation from Japanese" and "should appeal to ... hardcore fans but ... takes you out of the moment".<ref name="gamespot" />
[edit] Awards
The theme song to Metal Gear Solid 3 won the "Best Original Vocal Song - Pop" from the Game Audio Network Guild at the Game Developers Conference in August 2005, while the game itself won the award for "Best PS2 Game" at 2005's Game Convention in Germany.<ref name="official site" /> David Hayter, voice of Snake, was nominated for the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences award for "Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance".<ref name="imdb">IMDb staff. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, USA: 2005. The Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 11 August, 2006.</ref>
[edit] Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Subsistence was released in Japan on December 22, 2005, later in North America on March 14, 2006,<ref name="ign" /> in Europe on October 6, 2006<ref name="TVG">Wilcox, Jon (2006). Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Mini Review. Totalvideogames. Retrieved on 06 October, 2006.</ref> and in Australasia on October 13, 2006.<ref name="aus1">Jeremy (2006). Updated Australian release list. PAL Gaming Network Australia. Retrieved on 08 October, 2006.</ref> Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence continues the Metal Gear Solid series tradition of follow-up enhanced, international version releases. While previous releases, such as Metal Gear Solid: Integral and Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance included skill challenge missions and/or side story missions, Subsistence eschews the extra single-player missions to include two older Metal Gear games, a brand-new competitive online mode, and a significantly-changed camera in the main portion of the game.<ref name="ign sub">Editors of IGN. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence. IGN. Retrieved on 11 August, 2006.</ref>
Subsistence's online multiplayer component, titled Metal Gear Online, is comprised of five tournament-style game modes, each with a capacity of up to eight players.<ref name="subsistenceonline">Konami staff. Online Mode Game Introduction. Konami. Retrieved on 22 August, 2006.</ref> This mode pits players, each playing as a generic soldier against each other in deathmatch battles, using stages, items, maneuvers, and units (such as the KGB, GRU or Ocelot Unit) from the main game.<ref name="ign sub rev">Haynes, Jeff. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Review. IGN. Retrieved on 11 August, 2006.</ref> Each round, the highest-scoring player in each unit assumes the role of one of the main characters with unique abilities and/or items. For example, the highest scoring player on the GRU team would assume the role of Major Raikov, leader of the GRU, next round.<ref name="subsistenceonline2">Konami staff. Online Mode Unique Characters. Konami. Retrieved on 22 August, 2006.</ref> Subsistence also includes updated versions of the series' first two games: Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake,<ref name="ign sub rev" /> based on the Japan-only MSX 2 releases.<ref name="gamespot sub rev" />
[edit] Additional features
In addition to the older games and the online mode, Subsistence includes many minor features common to international version releases. It includes the downloadable extra camouflage and face paint designs and "Snake vs. Monkey" stages previously exclusive to the European release, the European Extreme difficulty level,<ref name= "ign sub rev" /><ref name="Subsistencesnakevsmonkey">Konami staff. Snake vs. Monkey Battle Summary. Konami. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> parody cut scenes and trailers from the official website,<ref name="Secrettheater">Konami staff. Secret Theatre. Konami. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> and connectivity with Metal Gear Acid 2.<ref name="subcover">Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, game cover (back) (English). Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (2006).</ref> The Japanese version also includes a URL for a hidden website that allows the download of OtaClock, a PC clock program that features Metal Gear Solid series recurring character Otacon.<ref name="Otaclock">GameSpot staff (2006). Otakon clock to come with select MGS titles. GameSpot. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> This website is now publicly available.<ref>http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/english/dl/item_ota.html</ref>
"Limited Edition" copies of Subsistence also include Existence, the game's cut scenes edited into a three-and-a-half-hour feature film with additional scenes and remastered sound.<ref name="gamespot sub rev" /> The North American "Limited Edition" package was only available to consumers who pre-ordered it before the game's release.<ref name="USExist">Konami staff. Snake Eater Movie. Konami. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> The three disc edition is the standard release of Subsistence in Europe to make up for the title's lengthy delay.<ref name="eurogamersub">Bramwell, Tom. MGS3 Subsistence dated. EuroGamer. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref>
A bonus documentary DVD video titled Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1 was bundled with pre-orders for Subsistence in North America and with the European Platinum reissue of Snake Eater released in Germany on March 23, 2006.<ref name="NASaga">Gouskos, Carrie (2006). A First Look at Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1. GameSpot. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref><ref name="EUSaga">Konami Staff. MGS3 Snake Eater Platinum with Metal Gear Saga. Konami Germany. Retrieved on 14 August, 2006.</ref> The disc includes a five-part, 30-minute featurette about the entire Metal Gear series interspersed with an interview of Hideo Kojima, as well as trailers for various current Metal Gear games.<ref name="NASaga" /><ref name="Saga">. (2006). Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1 [DVD]. Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.. </ref>
[edit] Reception
Subsistence received marginally higher review scores than the original Snake Eater, averaging 94% on Metacritic.<ref name="metacriticsub">Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 28 October, 2006.</ref> Reviewers commented that the introduction of the 3D camera removed the "only grade-A problem"<ref name="Spysubrev">Turner, Benjamin. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence. GameSpy. Retrieved on 28 October, 2006.</ref> and makes the gameplay feel "less restrictive and more natural".<ref name="gamespot sub rev" /> The online mode is considered "impressive for a PS2 game", though "MGS3's distinctive gameplay conventions do not entirely lend themselves to the online action-gaming experience".<ref name="Spysubrev" />
[edit] References
<references />
[edit] External links
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater official site
- Snake Eater at GameSpot
- Snake Eater at GameFAQs
- Snake Eater at MobyGames
- Interview with Hideo Kojima at IGN
es:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater fr:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater it:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ja:メタルギアソリッド3 pl:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater pt:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater fi:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater sv:Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater zh:潛龍諜影3:食蛇者
