In pops Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater, though another installment and perhaps upgrade to the series, actually is the one that started it all. So even though MGS 3 (or should I say 1?) might be a prequel in all senses, technologically speaking, it’s by far an advancement in the series. For those who aren’t familiar with the series or even the one that started it all, MGS first started during the Cold War Era. Before the Metal Gear was even developed there were already fears of a Nuclear Arms race. This race included a man named Sokolov, a Russian scientist whose main expertise was in rockets. Forcing him to work on a prototype tank that’s capable of carrying a nuclear device, Snake is sent in to rescue Sokolov and destroy the prototype. As usual, expect every type of twist and turn during your mission and get ready for cut scenes galore. This is, after all, a Hideo Kojima game.

Metal Gear Solid 3, like the previous titles, is both a stealth and action title. Though stealth is primarily the way to go, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to go through a few gun battles throughout the game. Those who played MGS on Nintendo will remember that it was set in the jungle. Unlike the other two titles, Snake Eater is probably the most in-depth Metal Gear yet. Fighting in the jungle, having to hunt for food, no real radar (remember technology wasn’t that advanced in the 60’s), everything seems a little more difficult than before.

The first thing you’ll notice in Snake Eater, much like in Sons of Liberty, is that Hideo Kojima loves a good story. This is ever so apparent when you’re treated to about a 20 minute introduction cut scene and at least 3 hours of cut scenes and dialog over the span of the entire game which almost peaks at 20 hours. Though there are some times where you would just like the characters to get to the point, MGS 3 is a perfect example of how directors and producers influence the title. This game has the look and feel of Hideo Kojima as it’s a story of peace, love, war, and betrayal. So while you might be itching at times just to get on with the game, the cut scenes can be very rewarding and entertaining. If anything, think of it as a movie you’re playing through, not just a game.



When you finally do get into the game you’ll notice a slew of new features and combat moves at Snake’s disposal. For starters, players will have to worry about Snake’s stamina. As Snake runs, swims, crawls, and fights, he’ll lose stamina. The lower it is the slower he will regain health and the harder it is for him to aim and hang onto ledgers. In order to keep his stamina up he’ll have to become a connoisseur for all types of food in the jungle. You’ll be hunting everything from snakes, rats, bats, rabbits, vultures, frogs, to mushrooms and alligators. After you capture the animal you can simply go to the food menu and eat it. Depending on the type of food will determine how much stamina he regains. Foods that Snake likes will obviously gain more stamina than foods that he hates.

Another new feature of the game is the Cure menu. Anytime Snake gets cut, shot, poisoned, gets a cold, or breaks a bone; you’ll have to heal it with the proper medical procedures. For gunshots you’ll need to take the bullet out with a knife, stop the bleeding, and bandage the wound. For burns (from grenade explosions) you’ll have to treat the burn with ointment and bandage it up. Unfortunately, the games doesn’t get graphic and show you exactly what he’s doing, but the idea of plucking out an arrow with a knife just makes my spine tingle. If left untreated, the wounds will slow down Snake’s regeneration of life and will lower his stamina. So don’t think you can just ignore them.

Being in the jungle you’ll have to learn how to blend in with the atmosphere. MGS 3 comes with a new camouflage meter that tells you how well you blend with the jungle (or other environments). At first, Snake will only have a few different outfits to choose from, but rest assured there’s more to find and download online for those with a PS2 broadband connection. Changing into a different outfit is easy and takes two seconds. Simply go into the menu and select camouflage. I must say, it’s a particularly satisfying experience to crawl up to an enemy without him knowing you’re two steps away.

Finally, one of the most thrilling experiences of combat is Snake’s new CQC or close quarter combat. Certain weapons (knife, gun and knife combo) carried by Snake allow him to grab, flip, and hold his enemies hostage. Though some of this may seem familiar from the past MGS titles, they never had the look or feel as it does now. The added ability to interrogate enemies for clues or slice their throat gives Snake that “Rambo” feeling. Of course the classics like snapping an enemy’s neck and using them as a human shield are back and are just as useful. The one qualm I have about CQC and with MGS in general is that the controls are pretty tough to master. I’ve never played a game that’s as much pressure sensitive as this one. Slightly press square to point your weapon; push down firmly to fire…the differences of slightly pressing a button and pushing it down firmly are pretty tough to feel. Don’t be surprised if it takes awhile to fully understand how the game mechanics work. Once you do however, it makes the entire game much more rewarding.



As I said before, this is a Hideo Kojima game at heart. Don’t expect any revolutionary changes with the title. The additions I added make the game even better, but if you didn’t like the series 2 years ago, I don’t think you’ll be a fan now. Also mentioned, the game is a bit harder (even on normal setting). There’s no permanent radar, and when spotted, it can take a few minutes to hide from the enemy as the Caution Alarm takes 100 seconds to tick down. Thankfully though, through interrogation methods, you can find radio frequencies to cancel the alarm.

Probably the most detailed and lush environments in a MGS title, MGS 3 proves that the PS2 is still capable of pushing out some beautiful landscapes. Lush jungles, beautiful water effects, smooth takedown animations, and even Snake himself look excellent. Though some people might actually get lost in these jungles, they are deeply detailed. Whether it’s the flora growing in every direction or a snake slithering through the grass or hanging off a tree, the outside environments of MGS 3 are captivating and full of life. Though I have to say, MGS 3 doesn’t offer the same type of interaction as MGS 2 did (there will be no splitting apart water melons this time around), it does offer a nice amount of exterior eye candy.

Since MGS 3 is focused on the outside and not so much inside, I’m not surprised with some of the lackluster looks for some of the interior locations. Comparing to the jungle, there just wasn’t much to look at. And that goes the same for weather effects, though it does rain at times during cut scenes, we really aren’t treated to any snow (in the mountains) or heavy downpours, especially in jungles that usually have plenty. It seems that MGS 3 is purely detailed on the jungle and its immediate surroundings. Everything else seems to come in second, which is ok since you’ll be spending most of the time in the jungle half the time anyway.



The character models look a lot like what was featured in MGS 2 and what stands out this time around are the CQC animations. Watching Snake slice, flip, throw, and drag bodies around looks as good as ever and really makes you want to do it over and over again. Though some slow down is noticeable with big explosions and too many people on the screen, MGS 3 offers a great atmosphere to play this movie until the end.

For those wondering, David Hayter is back as the voice for Snake, which is a good thing. I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing the part this as it’s been instilled in my head for many years. Though at times, the dialogue seems to go on forever and it does have a slight feeling of being over-the-top. It’s as if the MGS series ran into some weird anime cartoon. When you get characters with names like, The Pain, The Fury, and The Sorrow, you know this isn’t just any regular espionage game.

Also returning and lending his talents as composer is Harry Gregson-Williams. Expect some of the same good old adrenaline rushing music. Not to mention a musical score that is fit for a movie…actually what am I saying, MGS3 is as close to a movie as you get. This time around you’ll hear music with a strong Asian influence; wind chimes and flutes. And let’s not forget the MGS 2 theme. Who can’t love that?

What really caught my ear are the ambient sounds of the jungle. Snake hisses, birds chirping, little critters scurrying though the bushes, and the simple sound of water flowing in the background all come together to make the jungle come to life. Making my point even more evident, MGS 3 is focused primarily on creating that jungle/survival experience. Think of movies like Platoon and you’ll get the picture

Staying with what works, MGS 3 keeps the function of the L2 and R2 buttons the same as item and weapon switching. The only real difference this time around is the addition of a stamina meter right under Snake’s health. Broken into four blocks, the stamina meter will slowly decrease throughout the game. It also acts as your oxygen and grip gauge. Doing boss battles you’ll see another life gauge under Snake’s that represents the boss.

On the top right portion of the screen you’ll see the camouflage index. The higher the number the less noticeable you’ll be towards your enemies. The index will also tell you what type of camouflage you’re currently wearing. As I mentioned before, there is no static map like in MGS 1 and 2 so you’ll need to use active sonar or motion detectors if you want any type of map. When using these items, a circular radar will be shown under your camouflage index. Be careful though, these items take up batteries and can’t be used forever. Your battery gauge, located on the bottom left hand corner will show how much battery power is left. Fortunately though, the batteries recharge after awhile. Though the controls might be tough to master, the interface is sleek and a breeze to move through.

Metal Gear Solid 3 is an evolutionary step in the series, not a revolutionary step. With the talent of Hideo Kojima backing the project you realize exactly what your getting just by looking at the past two titles. Yes, some of the ideas and characters can seem a little weird. And yes, some of the story makes you go “How could that happen?” But let’s remember something, MGS isn’t supposed to be a realistic game. It merely tries to blend the realism of our history (in this case the Cold War Era), with fictional characters.

Personally, I eat up stuff like this. I can’t get enough of sneaking around and eating snakes for breakfast. I love watching five minute cut scenes full of story and action. The new features definitely breath some new life into the series and just as before, a sense of comedy is displayed for those who look carefully. With another MGS in the works, it’ll be interesting to see where the title goes from here. For now however, I think this one deserves plenty of our time.