MGS HD Collection MGS3: Snake Eater Review

Console: PS3                                       

Date Released: Nov 8th, 2011                               

Date Reviewed: Feb 18th, 2012
Reviewer: Reid

 

Pros

* Multiple boss fights
* Get to play and see the origin story for the Metal Gear franchise
* HD remaster is VERY well done

 

Cons

* Cannot move while aiming

* Radio transmissions not very interesting

 

Snake Eater introduced a lot of new game mechanics such as the ‘Camo index’, ‘CQC’, and a system to treat wounds, known as a ‘Cure’ system to the franchise. Snake Eater provides fans of the series an opportunity to learn about the origins of “Big Boss” and how the Metal Gear saga all starts.

 

 

Presentation :   A 

 

Graphics / Animation / Sound

When Snake Eater first came out for the PS2, it was the best game graphics wise I had seen on that console. I didn’t really think they could do much to it for the HD collection, but I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. Everything looks AMAZING, considering most of the game is outdoors and in the jungle, I’m guessing this was the game that took the longest to do when you think about all the detail in the trees and trails. The urban setting in the game has great detail as well, posters on the wall, cups on the desk, everything is clear and crisp. One thing that i noticed though, is it seems like some of the small video clips of snake eating [snakes] inside the ‘Food’ section may have been missed during the HD conversion. I noticed these clips were badly pixellated and at some points totally unclear in showing what was going on. This is a MINOR detail, and does not affect the game, as these videos only pop up the first time you perform the corresponding action, but it is something i noticed.

The animation is perfect in this game. A lot of motion capture went into the production, and you can see guards and soldiers doing all kinds of things like patrolling, entering alert phases, or taking cover during combat.

The sound in the Metal Gear series has always been crucial to your sneaking missions and is no different for Snake Eater. You are always able to listen to your surrounds to hear guards patrolling or snakes slithering in the leaves. The voice actors nailed it once again in Snake Eater

Single Player : A

Game mechanics / Length / difficulty

Snake Eaters game play is mostly a fresh take from the other Metal Gear games. The introduction of the ‘Camo Index’ makes for some really interesting game play. I find myself changing my uniforms all the time to fit my surroundings better. This is a very interesting part of the game, and can directly affect how you perform against some bosses.

There are all kinds of items and weapons to play with in the game, and this is different as well, because its 1960’s technology. The suppressor’s for your weapons run out after a while, because they get worn down, so you have to be careful not to waste your shots. If you use your sonar too close to an enemy, he will hear it and be alerted. If your thermal or night vision goggles are worn too close, the enemy will hear the hum they are lowly emitting. All electronics are battery-powered, and you have to manage your battery consumption, especially with your thermal or night vision goggles, as I use those a lot in the game.

The introduction of ‘CQC’, close quarter combat, will I’m sure be implemented in all further Metal Gear titles, and is my favorite of the many new game mechanics introduced in this game. It is a skill set given to Snake that flows naturally, and makes you wonder how it wasn’t introduced earlier. It’s great for interrogation, and gives a great alternative to using other weapons, and in this way keeps the stealth aspect the main focus.

You can eat a lot of different things in the game. Frogs, different types of snakes, mushrooms…you name it you can eat it. You can store extra of these things, but if not managed properly they will spoil and make you sick. This will affect your game play as your stamina bar, another new feature at the time, affects your shot accuracy, and how fast you heal, among other things.

When your injured, or have been poisoned from a snake bit, you access a sub menu to bandage wounds, splint broken bones, or cure stomach aches from rotten foods.

As usual you cannot move while shooting. This is a standard for the series, so really I shouldn’t care about this, but I do, and I hate it. Its something that you will have to work around.

There is an intense amount of stuff to manage in this game, and they really did a great job making you feel like you are surviving in the jungle. It’s hard to cover everything this game has in it, but rest assured all the things they introduced into the game work well.

The game is longer than most of the Metal Gear titles, even if you know exactly what you are doing. There are at least 10 boss fights in the game, more than most of the other titles. Even with the considerable amount of content Snake Eater needs to tell, they do a good job with the cut-scene length, as they last nowhere near as long as the other games. These scenes usually last about 5-10 minuets, as opposed to the 45+ scenes in the other games.

The default difficulty in Snake Eater is appropriate, but as usual you can get insane with it and select that difficulty option that makes you throw your controller and elbow-drop your TV, you know, if your up for that sort of thing.

Multiplayer : –

Game mechanics / features / Online features

There is no multiplayer in the game.

Replay Value : A

Lasting appeal / Bonus Content / DLC

As with all of the Metal Gear games, this has a timeless lasting appeal. It’s as fun to play now is it was when I first played it 8 years ago. This is supported  by the fact that they converted the Subsistence version, which adds things like finding 64 hidden (really damn well) green frogs, making them croak (sometimes you have no weapon so you have to find a grenade instead of shooting them) and being rewarded with stealth camouflage at the end. Replaying the game again with stealth camo, like the other Metal Gear games, is a blast and worth doing. Because this was released before the DLC era, there is no DLC for this game.

It’s funny how every time i play a Metal Gear game I think to myself “Ok…THIS is my favorite one.” Then when I replay a different one, I say the same thing. Besides the fact that any Metal Gear game is worth owning, especially when redone in HD, the HD collection contains THREE of them, not to mention the bonus of it including the first two original Metal Gear games.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, is one of the most innovative games I’ve ever played, and this HD collection, to date, is the best I’ve ever seen. They have set the bar very high, and should be praised for paving the way for a lot of other HD collections that other franchises will undoubtedly be releasing because of the quality and success of this one. It is impossible to not recoup 100% of value back for the money you spend on this game.

Overall : A