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A full pledged interactive DVD Movie! Heard of it?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 22, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Pop in "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty," sit back and watch the intro. With intense music composed by "Harry Gregson-Williams [Composer for popular movies Enemy of the State, Armageddon and The Rock]" there is no question to the cinematic feel of this game. The visuals of the game display the PS2's power not to mention the stunning detail of bodily and facial movements of characters and environments with steam, water and we can fire--Ahhh--yes--Explosions GALORE. Once the cinemas finish you become the director of the movie. Are you good enough to give yourself a show? Run, tiptoe past sleeping guards, dodge, hide, swim, crawl, dive, flip, climb, hang on the side of the rail, shimey from side to side, duck, shoot, snipe, spy with microphone, interact with environments, talk with realistic team members, and watch more cinemas. The stuff I just mentioned is only 50% of what happens. Care to find out the other 50%? Go buy it, play it, feel it and watch it.

Somewhat a let down

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Ever had to anticipate a big surprise only to be disappointed when you discovered what all the buzz was about? This is how I feel about MGS2. Let me list them for you.

Pros:

1) Great graphics and cut scenes. THE best I have EVER seen on any PS2 game. Especially the outdoors. I'm still shock those aren't cut scenes.

2) Good AI. I mean REALLY good. When you've been discover by an enemy soldier they will take cover, call for help, then come back to attack you instead of mindless charging. They're smart enough it'll require you to "think" than just simply hiding in a box or under the stairs. For example: Hiding in the locker room is a good idea but it's best if you duck while your inside because the enemy soldier will actually look through the door slits.

3) Some new moves and features. Shadows play a minor part in this game. If someone sees your shadow on the ground they'll get suspicious and take a look. You can also hang on the side of rails (for a certain amount of time) and avoid confontation. Rolling also comes into play. When the character rolls they don't produce any shadow and the move is done quickly and quietly. This technique is very useful when you need to reach a certain destination within a short time limit.

4) The music is done by a famous Hollywood composer Harry Gregson-Williams and it fits the game perfectly. Pretty amazing since the composer has never seen or play any MGS.

5) Good to see some old characters back. Especially in PS2 graphics. Its like watching a old movie digitally remastered.

6) A lot of things are more interactive than before. You can shoot pots, pans, cups, and even fire extinguishers to reveal hidden laser tripwires.

7) First person view is introduced and I loved it. Makes the game a lot more enjoyable, flexible, and creates less stress (especially for aiming specific targets).

Cons:

1) Misleading. Everywhere. From numerous clips and screenshots it looks like you'll be playing Snake. Even the cover of the game case is a big picture of Snakes grizzly face. (...)

2) The villians are lame. (...)

3) The story can get very confusing at times. I HIGHLY recommend you play the first MGS before trying this one. So many names are tossed left and right. I either forget them or didn't care.

4) I wish more conversation's took place in-game or during a cut scene. Too much talking are through the Codec.

Overall I did enjoy this game until Raiden showed up. That, in my opinion, is what most gamers will find disappointed. Let's hope Konami doesn't pull any more "surprises" for MGS3.

okay game, bad movie

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 22, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Do you remember that Jerry Bruckheimer film from a few years back that had a hero constantly bickering with his girlfriend, fighting ,at one point nude, a transexual vampire and a fat demolitions expert on roller skates,finally ended with a sword fight over New York, was overly hyped and made millions? No? That might be because it wasn't a movie it was Metal Gear Solid 2. This "game" rarely is, because with every five minutes of gameplay there are about 10 minutes of video, and not very good video at that. The game's gameplay was good and it is a shame there was not more of it. I actually liked the twist of having to play as a different character and thought he was actually pretty cool. However, if you have the demo of this game you already have the best aspects of it and the most interactive section, because after the tanker sequence the backgrounds become bland and I believed the gameplay became easier. The gameplay was also too short.
The above is only a review of the gameplay and as I have previously stated, there is not enough, instead the game has more movie time than game time and must be reviewed as a movie. Take a look at my first sentence? Done yet? I'll wait. Now, would you see a movie longer than 2 hours with the plot elements I described presented in total seriousness with no humor, irony, or sarcasm. Of course not! But it gets worse. The plot at some point decides its going to be "deep" and "psychological" and reaches for the level of Stanley Kubrick, Ayn Rand, and at points the movie "Brazil". The plot however, is no deeper than a small mud-puddle. If it were presented with humor or irony I could accept it but it is the games incredible seriousness that makes it completely laughable and dragging.
I rented this game at my local video store for 3 dollars and don't feel cheated at all. I would say this game makes for a good one time rental on a rainy weekend since it is relatively easy and very short( just as long as you take frequent bathroom breaks and bring a pillow because the fmv sequences are frequent and tedious). I would not waste my money buying this game though, especially if you have the demo. All in all a good action game with a ludicrous plot that should not have been hyped as much. 2 and a half stars.

The mullet returns!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game was probably the first truly anticipated game of the 21st century. And the remarkable thing is...it lives up to the hype. The game starts with the legendary Solid Snake, our highly skilled, complicated hero with a nice tight fitting stealth suit, nice rugged demeanour and not so nice hairstyle (it looks horribly like a mullet-those game designers, eh?). It is two years after the infamous Shadow Moses incident (MGS1)and his mission is to infiltrate a tanker to gain information about a new Metal Gear protype-Metal Gear RAY. Anyone who has played any of the previous games will know that Metal Gear is a terrifying nuclear battle tank capable of mass destruction. However, the tanker is overrun with enemy soldiers, apparently intent on stealing Metal Gear...cue sneaking, action, fun with a camera (humiliate Otacon with male and female porn, as well as photograph RAY) and a plot twist that lands you with a white haired newbie called Raiden (gorgeous but dim). This can be a little confusing at first, especially if you choose the "haven't played MGS1" option at the beginning.
The gameplay is fantastic. The soldier's AI takes up a hefty 30% of the disk, and it shows. Their behaviour is very realistic, and you are always on your toes, especially in the harder modes, as the key feature here is stealth. You can hide in lockers, under tables, dodge cameras and guards and even dress up as an enemy. The fear of being spotted can become quite intense. However, if you want, you can have some great shoot outs with some great guns. The gameplay is varied and the interactions you can perform with your environment can result in both deadly and hilarious consequences. The music is another plus-suiting every situation. I personally love the main theme-its very cinematic. The sound effects are spot on. The voice overs are usually very good (Vamp is deliciously evil, Snake sounds both manly and emotional, but Raiden can be a little whiney) and their scripts are fantastic, if not a little lengthy for some (Raiden saying that Snake minces and Otacon's proverbs were funny momemts). The characterisation is detailed and deep too, from Snake complicated existance, to Fortune's orchestrated tragedy, to Otacon's odd er...family situation. The plot is wonderfully detailed, being emotional, philosophical and dramatic, until the last half hour,where the final plot twist is a little disappointing and flat compared to that of MGS1. It also helps if you have played the previous games-it can get a bit complicated. The in game graphics are the most consistant on the PS2, with stunning water effects, realistic character and settings animations-and the camera nearly always works well. Some of the cut scenes were a little dull, but the opening sequences and character introductions were both cinematic and involving. Oh,and the control system is pretty good too. The casting theater, dog tag collection and boss survival extras add to the longevity of the game, which is a wee bit short (6-15 hours). Despite not being as good plot wise as MGS1, MGS2 is a action packed, engrossing yet thoughful game which has had just so much damn love put into it. If you have a PS2, you should definately buy. A near masterpiece.

The only game to receive THAT much hype and live up to it.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 01, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Metal Gear Solid 2 has everything. Some games feature incredible attention to detail, and others do not. This game clearly sticks in my mind as an incredible example of the prior. It's totally immersive. Every spy game is going to rip it off for years to come. Look at Splinter Cell. It lacks the polish of MGS2 and the plot is clearly weak (in my opinion, of course).

Detail. Take just the tanker for example. The friggin' wind changes direction, and if you go into first person mode, more or less rain will cloud your vision depending on whether you're facing into or against the wind. Who pays attention to those details? That amazes me. Compare that to Splinter Cell where polygons from your character's head will disappear into objects on the walls because the attention to such details is absent.

I will maintain that to this day I have yet to see anything impress me visually as much as MGS2. The only worthy competition is FFX or DOA3. This game is the total package. If you want gameplay, there's tons to do here. It was incredible to learn of some of the crazy things that people would try to do. The music is also worthy of praise, as much of Henry Gregson Williams' score, and especially his rendition of the MGS theme are good enough to stand on their own. The plot really is excellent, despite the fact that it is convoluted at times. Most video game plots are to some extent. In the end, what you're left with is an interpretation, but I think that's part of what Hideo Kojima wanted was something that would make people think. And, it apparently has, so I don't see how that's a failure as some people would label it.

I stand firm in my judgement that MGS2 deserves a spot amongst the greatest video games ever. It's a complete polished package that you don't get anywhere else.

Like it's Predecessor: A Wonderful Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: January 22, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I had impossibly high hopes for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. I read every article in every magazine, and drooled over every screenshot. When it was finally released, I bought it the day it came out, and my expectations were exceeded.
Amazingly, the gameplay has been improved over Metal Gear Solid. With loads of new complex moves and animations, the controls are equally as simple and the characters are equally as fun to maneuver. I was skeptical about the first-person mode (used primarily for aiming and shooting) at first, afraid the gameplay would lean too far towards tons of gunplay, but once I began to play I realized how well it fit with the stealth gameplay.
The only aspect of this game that left me a little disappointed was the plot. There are too many U-turns, especially towards the end, that it seems a bit too far-fetched. The plot in its predecessor was the best ever in a videogame. It was better than any movie I've ever seen as well. And this is not to say the plot is horrible in this game; far from it. It's quite enjoyable, there are just a few scenes I'd like to rework. Still, the voice-acting is top-notch.
Buy this game immediately, if you have not already.

More movie than game

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: November 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This isn't a game--it's a movie. Basically, the player's involvement is limited to moving the character from movie theater to movie theater. Sure, you have to avoid getting caught, but your job is to watch the cut-scenes. In that respect, it reminds me of D2 for the Dreamcast.

MGS2 took me 18 hours to beat. Based on some of the other reviews, it seems like 18 hours is actually a long time. Items are apparently unlocked as you complete the game on various settings of difficulty. But I'm not really inclined to play it again just because I've unlocked a camera. Ooo! Maybe I can make my own movies!

The game is often interrupted by "calls" so the supporting characters can spend 10 minutes telling you something that could be said in 10 seconds. Some calls you have the option of ignoring, but some you are required to take. Heaven forbid you should receive a call from Rose. All she ever does is get clingy and begin crying about her relationship with Raiden. Really appropriate for a spy game. Whenever she calls, you can be sure that nothing important will come of the call and it's a good time to head to the kitchen for some refreshments.

I also found it really annoying that the same button is used to jump and crouch, especially in the final two battles. Half the time when I wanted to dodge bullets by jumping, I'd end up crouching and getting shot.

The graphics are't bad, although I would argue that there's not much variety. There are really only two locations in the game. Either you're on a ship, or your on a giant sea-borne platform. I will say that I was impressed with the motions of all of the characters, though. A lot of attention seems to have been paid to accurately portraying the way people move.

A video game should be interactive. Because of the sheer volume of cut-scenes, this game is anything but interactive....

Almost flawless but not quite

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: December 05, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Despite what you might assume, this is not an easy game to review. The overall quality is unquestionably high some of the best graphics on a home game yet, ridiculously detailed environments packed with secrets, tiny jokes and optional extras, replay bolstered by collectibles and harder difficulties, and controls that you can truly master... But the story....How can i put this sucks .... I kept assuming it would get better, that the end would hold some incredible explanation that would cause everything to make perfect sense in retrospect, but it never happened. In fact, the plot just got worse and worse. piling twist onto twist until, near the end, i was literally laughing at how ridiculous it had all become. For that reason and that reason only, i still feel a tinge of dissappointment with Metel Gear Solid 2. But when i step back from my expectations of what a metal gear storyline should be and look at Metel Gear Solid 2 on its own merits, this is one of the best games i've ever played. It's infinitely more polished. more playable, more replayable, better looking and just plain fun to run around and play than most anything else out there. I didn't hesitate for one second when i finished it the first time, starting up another game immediatly, to hunt for the ton of stuff i know i missed. Even as i write this i can't wait to play it more, and i'm guessing that, despite the gaping hole where the cool plot should be, you'll feel the same way.

THE GREATEST GAME TO DATE !

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: January 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I have no idea what the people that rate this as a 3 or 4 are thinking, but me and all of my other friends think that this is the gratest game of all time. Sure, maybe the movie scenes can be lengthy, but that's what keeps the storyline together! Trust me, for [amt], what more could a gamer ask for? This game uses stealth, a large arsenal of guns, and heart pounding moments when there's a guard 3 inches away from you and you pray that he doesnt see you. This is the most exciting , and funnest game i've ever played, with the best storyline.GET THIS GAME!!

Gameplay fun....but reminds me of movie Drama

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: January 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is just off the hinges. It's the best I've ever played(being the key word), but damn it, why too many and loooong cut-scenes?? I mean, I fell asleep during the cutscene with Peter Stillman, I got up fixed and ate dinner during the cutscene after fighting the Metal Gear units, came back and it was still not over!! And what the hell was the point of adding the relationship between otacon and his step-mom?? I didn't know whether to cry because of what happened to emma or because that un-necessary drama added to the game.

Oh yeah and what's the deal with Raiden?? THis guy is ..., the president even thought he was a female..wasup wit dat? Yo Snake is the best ever, and it's messed up that the star of the game or movie or whatever, wasn't playable most of the time. Raiden should have gotten the Tanker mission and Snake should have gotten the Plant mission...Hell Snake should've gotten both!!

This game is the most impressive I've seen and I hope Hideo makes MGS3, but man please cut down on them cutscenes, dawg.

I bought it, and I'm keepin' it, the only reason I play over and over again is because I'm gettin' all the dog tags, but I suggest to anyone who wants to play this game, to rent it, you might be able to beat it in a 5-day period.

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