Since TRMK doesn't have a proper Metal Gear Solid thread, I decided to write one. I didn't copy any any of this from the Metal Gear Wiki since that thing is HORRIBLE. Seriously, don't ever use that thing. It's written by a bunch of morons who speculate a lot of things and create confusion for the fans. Also, I didn't include Portable Ops or the Metal Gear AC!D series because they are NOT CANON. Final note, if you guys want to watch high level gameplay of the various Metal Gear games, please check out my Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/DCPvids
*I will be buying MGR:R day one and starting my playthrough right away so don't miss it!*
The very first game in the series, and the one that kick-started not only the Metal Gear franchise, but the stealth genre. This 1987 title by Hideo Kojima introduced the concept of avoiding enemies entirely. The game introduces and stars the now famous "Solid Snake" who is a rookie agent in the organization "FOXHOUND". His mission involves sneaking into the hostile nation of Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear, a bipedal walking tank capable of launching nuclear missiles from anywhere in the world.
The TRUE sequel to Kojima's "Metal Gear" (Snake's Revenge was a stupid title ported to the NES without Hideo's permission or involvement. It is not canon whatsoever) Solid Snake must once again conduct a solo-sneaking mission to destroy the newly revised Metal Gear D, in Zanzibar Land. MG2 was released in Japan in 1990, but wasn't released in the west for 16 years because of Snake's Revenge.
Arguably one of the best video games of all time, the 1998 release of "Metal Gear Solid" for the Playstation created a worldwide phenomenon. Pushing not only the graphics of the Playstation to it's limits but also what you could do in terms of gameplay. This stealth action game classified as "Tactical Espionage Action" further established stealth and non-confrontational tactics, as you once again play as the now legendary, Solid Snake. Snake is forced out of retirement to take on the job of infiltrating Shadow Moses Island, a known nuclear weapon disposal facility in the hope of eliminating a terrorist threat. A lot of now iconic characters are introduced such as, Liquid Snake, Sniper Wolf, Psycho Mantis, and Gray Fox.
If Metal Gear Solid pushed the limits of the Playstation, the same can be said about Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and the Playstation 2. MGS2 was released in November of 2001, and was praised by most fans. Due to the controversial "twist" in the game, some fans were turned off to this title. The game introduces a bunch of new characters, most important of which is Raiden. The new rookie member of Foxhound sent to infiltrate the "Big Shell". Gameplay was improved dramatically by adding new features such as the ability to aim-down-sights, rolling into enemies, hiding enemy bodies in lockers, and vastly improved enemy AI. This game also introduced the "European Extreme" mode which was implemented in the game after the European release was delayed.
Praised by many fans as the best out of the series, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater took the series back to it's roots. In this final installation of Metal Gear Solid for the Playstation 2, you take on the role of "Naked Snake" (later known as Big Boss). Your mission is to sneak through the jungles in the very first outdoor survival mission. Definitely the largest and most open-world out of the games so far, Snake Eater implements a new type of stealth gameplay. You are given a multitude of camouflages that vary in color to better suit whichever type of terrain you encounter. Another new addition, is the implementation of "stamina recovery" (hunting various animals helps replenish your stamina, which when full, recovers your health over time). The special edition of this game (Subsistence) was the first to introduce online competitive gameplay. Snake Eater was released in 2004.
The final chapter of the Metal Gear Solid series released in 2008. This game wraps up the whole series thus far, and tells of the finals mission Solid Snake takes part in. Snake, now an old man (due to accelerated aging) agrees to take on this final mission of stopping Liquid Ocelot's insurrection of the SOP system dubbed "Guns of the Patriots". Full of nostalgia inducing moments, MGS4 received high praise from the masses and most casual Metal Gear fans. The more hardcore followers of the series however felt the game gave a sloppy explanation for past events attributing most things to "nanomachines". Whichever side of the spectrum you stand on, there is no doubt that this game was a HUGE selling point for the PS3. It's graphics still hold up to this day as being one of the best on the PS3 even after five years. The second iteration of Metal Gear Online (MGO2) was also released as a bundle on the MGS4 disc, and as a stand alone game in Japan.
Ten years after the events of Snake Eater, Naked Snake (now known as Big Boss) starts his own mercenary group called "Military Sans Frontieres" (Soldiers Without Borders) with his most trusted ally Kaz. This game was released in 2010 for the Playstation Portable handheld system was was named the best game for the system multiple times since then. Peace Walker introduced many new elements to the series, such as the ability to tackle missions with friends through "co-ops", RPG-like motherbase building, weapon development and unlocking, and "Extra-Ops" fun side missions separate from it's main story. A refreshing entry to the series, Peace Walker builds a lot of material for the upcoming MGS title "Ground Zeroes". This title has now been rereleased as part of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.
The upcoming Metal Gear title; Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a canon, but spinoff title that tells of the events four years after Metal Gear Solid 4. The main character in this entry is Raiden, who has taken a job as a bodyguard for V.I.Ps. Raiden, now equipped with a powerful new cyborg body, fights to protect those that are innocent. Due to the title of this game bearing the "Metal Gear" brand, a lot of fans are angry that this game doesn't feature Snake, and isn't a tactical espionage entry into the series. However the dropping of the word "Solid" from the title, and direct explanation from both Hideo Kojima himself and Platinumgames should clear up how this is a spinoff title taking place AFTER the main series. This game is to be released February 19th, 2013.
The very first game in the series, and the one that kick-started not only the Metal Gear franchise, but the stealth genre. This 1987 title by Hideo Kojima introduced the concept of avoiding enemies entirely. The game introduces and stars the now famous "Solid Snake" who is a rookie agent in the organization "FOXHOUND". His mission involves sneaking into the hostile nation of Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear, a bipedal walking tank capable of launching nuclear missiles from anywhere in the world.
The TRUE sequel to Kojima's "Metal Gear" (Snake's Revenge was a stupid title ported to the NES without Hideo's permission or involvement. It is not canon whatsoever) Solid Snake must once again conduct a solo-sneaking mission to destroy the newly revised Metal Gear D, in Zanzibar Land. MG2 was released in Japan in 1990, but wasn't released in the west for 16 years because of Snake's Revenge.
Arguably one of the best video games of all time, the 1998 release of "Metal Gear Solid" for the Playstation created a worldwide phenomenon. Pushing not only the graphics of the Playstation to it's limits but also what you could do in terms of gameplay. This stealth action game classified as "Tactical Espionage Action" further established stealth and non-confrontational tactics, as you once again play as the now legendary, Solid Snake. Snake is forced out of retirement to take on the job of infiltrating Shadow Moses Island, a known nuclear weapon disposal facility in the hope of eliminating a terrorist threat. A lot of now iconic characters are introduced such as, Liquid Snake, Sniper Wolf, Psycho Mantis, and Gray Fox.
If Metal Gear Solid pushed the limits of the Playstation, the same can be said about Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and the Playstation 2. MGS2 was released in November of 2001, and was praised by most fans. Due to the controversial "twist" in the game, some fans were turned off to this title. The game introduces a bunch of new characters, most important of which is Raiden. The new rookie member of Foxhound sent to infiltrate the "Big Shell". Gameplay was improved dramatically by adding new features such as the ability to aim-down-sights, rolling into enemies, hiding enemy bodies in lockers, and vastly improved enemy AI. This game also introduced the "European Extreme" mode which was implemented in the game after the European release was delayed.
Praised by many fans as the best out of the series, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater took the series back to it's roots. In this final installation of Metal Gear Solid for the Playstation 2, you take on the role of "Naked Snake" (later known as Big Boss). Your mission is to sneak through the jungles in the very first outdoor survival mission. Definitely the largest and most open-world out of the games so far, Snake Eater implements a new type of stealth gameplay. You are given a multitude of camouflages that vary in color to better suit whichever type of terrain you encounter. Another new addition, is the implementation of "stamina recovery" (hunting various animals helps replenish your stamina, which when full, recovers your health over time). The special edition of this game (Subsistence) was the first to introduce online competitive gameplay. Snake Eater was released in 2004.
The final chapter of the Metal Gear Solid series released in 2008. This game wraps up the whole series thus far, and tells of the finals mission Solid Snake takes part in. Snake, now an old man (due to accelerated aging) agrees to take on this final mission of stopping Liquid Ocelot's insurrection of the SOP system dubbed "Guns of the Patriots". Full of nostalgia inducing moments, MGS4 received high praise from the masses and most casual Metal Gear fans. The more hardcore followers of the series however felt the game gave a sloppy explanation for past events attributing most things to "nanomachines". Whichever side of the spectrum you stand on, there is no doubt that this game was a HUGE selling point for the PS3. It's graphics still hold up to this day as being one of the best on the PS3 even after five years. The second iteration of Metal Gear Online (MGO2) was also released as a bundle on the MGS4 disc, and as a stand alone game in Japan.
Ten years after the events of Snake Eater, Naked Snake (now known as Big Boss) starts his own mercenary group called "Military Sans Frontieres" (Soldiers Without Borders) with his most trusted ally Kaz. This game was released in 2010 for the Playstation Portable handheld system was was named the best game for the system multiple times since then. Peace Walker introduced many new elements to the series, such as the ability to tackle missions with friends through "co-ops", RPG-like motherbase building, weapon development and unlocking, and "Extra-Ops" fun side missions separate from it's main story. A refreshing entry to the series, Peace Walker builds a lot of material for the upcoming MGS title "Ground Zeroes". This title has now been rereleased as part of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.
The upcoming Metal Gear title; Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a canon, but spinoff title that tells of the events four years after Metal Gear Solid 4. The main character in this entry is Raiden, who has taken a job as a bodyguard for V.I.Ps. Raiden, now equipped with a powerful new cyborg body, fights to protect those that are innocent. Due to the title of this game bearing the "Metal Gear" brand, a lot of fans are angry that this game doesn't feature Snake, and isn't a tactical espionage entry into the series. However the dropping of the word "Solid" from the title, and direct explanation from both Hideo Kojima himself and Platinumgames should clear up how this is a spinoff title taking place AFTER the main series. This game is to be released February 19th, 2013.
