Metal Gear Solid is a game for the PlayStation and is a sequel to the MSX2 games Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2. It is an action-stealth adventure and is a defining game for the PS1. One of the most impressive things about the game and this is unique during that era, is how Metal Gear Solid combines gameplay with storytelling. It has a huge focus on the story which is told via in-game rendered cutscenes. The graphics were brilliant for the time (but of course, very dated now), with realistic proportions, complete with voice acting. Even in this first game, the cutscenes can go for a while, ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes at a time. The gameplay mainly involves stealth as you guide Snake through areas. These areas are patrolled by guards, who usually go on a set path, as well as surveillance cameras. Snake has a few abilities of his own. He can crawl and lean against walls to view what's ahead, punch enemies and use a variety of gadgets to forge a path ahead.a
Gadgets and other items found in the levels so they can be easy to miss if you just focus on getting to the next area. Snake will find guns, grenades and rations to heal his life. It is a smarter idea to avoid the enemies than to go into combat since the aiming is rudimentary. There is an auto-aim system for the weapons which is clunky to use. The game is mostly played in a top-down view, while you can go into first-person mode and also peer ahead around corners when you flatten Snake against a wall. Enemies usually go on a set path until they see you whereby they'll break their predictability and try to find you. The game can get difficult, especially for first-time players. You have to figure out what to do or where to go as well as be patient in order to not alert the guards. Being detected usually means death as the enemies will start converging on you and you lose access to the map showing the area's layout.
It's highly recommended to use the analogue sticks for the sections where you are running. This is because it's a lot easier considering the fixed camera angles. Shooting and moving stealthily is better with the d-pad. It can be a bit annoying when the game forces you to backtrack to find weapons required to beat certain bosses. Since the game doesn't tell you where to go next or if you missed something crucial you can feel lost a lot of the time. Snake ends up getting so many gadgets and weapons that you might forget when to use what and end up making life harder for yourself. The final sections of the game require you to backtrack yet again for story reasons and ultimately it ends up just having Snake run through empty corridors repeating the same thing again and again. It's padding pure and simple, with the game being better without it even if it would have been shorter.
The beginning of the game is where it is strongest with its stealth elements and clever use of gadgets. As it progresses, it starts to tone up the action aspect of the game, but the shooting controls are clunky and it just isn't as fun. Later on, the game heavily pads itself out by forcing you to backtrack multiple times, running up and down endless staircases and having contrived coincidences to have Snake take the long route. It's a tad bit too much and would have been preferred if the developer could have settled for a shorter but more refreshing game instead. The alter part of the game seems to have a high reliance on disabling your map and then putting in automatic gun cameras that you need to use a grenade to disable. It feels a lot more boring and cheap than patrolling guards and other obstacles.
The story has you controlling Solid Snake as he infiltrates a compound. His aim is to save two hostages from terrorists who are threatening to unleash nuclear weapons. It is an intriguing story and soon after, Snake finds out how much of a mess this situation is, with the stakes rapidly escalating. Characters are withholding information from each other and it leaves a deep mystery of just what exactly is happening here and what everyone's motives are. It doesn't get too complex and the ending is okay, it tries to thrown in some heavy revelations but it didn't have the proper build up to have quite the impact that the writer was hoping for. Boss battles really shine in this game. Each boss is a different take and requires a unique strategy. There are some really inventive and clever designs that haven't been replicated in another game since. Snake encounters bosses fairly frequently so it's a good thing that the checkpoints are generous.
For the most part, the controls are fine albeit clunky and awkward. What was really annoying though was the final section which is basically a shooting sequence. Sure you can go into first-person mode but it is still awkward as hell and difficult when Snake keeps flinching and throwing your aim off. It is frustrating and just a terrible way to end the game on. Overall, you can feel how impressive Metal Gear Solid must have been back when it was released. The cinematic sequences, the full voice acting, the mature story and some amazing gameplay designs. It hasn't aged quite that well though and the change from a stealth game in the beginning to a full blown action game can be jarring.
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