Metal Gear Solid: The Sons of Liberty hands on preview
We play Metal Gear 2. We tell you about it. We rule!
Along with Gran Turismo A-Spec, Metal Gear Solid 2: The Sons of Liberty is set to become one of the games that makes Sony’s PlayStation 2 a must-buy console. We have played the only copy of the level one demo (due to be shipped with Zone Of Enders) in the UK.
The PlayStation 2 sequel is impressive from the outset, presenting itself with a confidence and self-belief that yells “I’m going to be huge!” Solid Snake, (no laughing at the back please!) is seen walking along a suspension bridge at night wearing a large hooded raincoat and smoking a cigarette. He is surrounded by a dark Tim Burton-esque cityscape and it’s lashing with rain. It is worth mentioning at this point that the city, the bridge, the cars and even the rain is being generated in real-time by the game engine. Suddenly Snake is alerted to danger and in a fraction of a second he has launched himself high into the air, and, having discarded his smock, can be seen in his usual stealth combat gear, complete with bandana.
Snake’s jump sees him soar over the edge of the bridge, activate his invisibility suit and unleash a bungee cord that grips the rapidly disappearing handrail. When the cord is at full stretch, Snake releases it and attaches himself, spider-like to one of the bridge support struts before re-emerging from his stealth guise Terminator style. Solid Snake is in full effect.
As the game begins, the first thing you notice is the dialogue between Snake and Mission Control is now animated. The first level starts as a normal exercise with Snake infiltrating an Afghanistani industrial liner. As he watches from the shadows, Russian forces overrun the ship and a lot of nasty neck stabbing ensues. The ante has been well and truly upped.
Snake’s primary weapon is his ‘inferred-sighted’ knockout dart gun, which is used on guards from distance. You can now aim in first person view or by lining up the target on the main screen. Each guard takes two or three darts to become sedated, but there is something quite special at work here. If you shoot the guard once in the knee, once in the arm and once in the butt, when you examine his body the darts will be sticking out of him at the same position and angle as when they were fired. Snake also has the new option of picking up the bodies of the dead or drugged bad guys and dragging them out of sight. Other new abilities bestowed upon our hero include jumping, hanging from ledges and peeking around corners.
The ship is excellently presented both in detail and substance; a totally believable environment which bodes well for the rest of the game. The level of sweeping 3D detail that Konami has achieved is breathtaking, a real gold star for Hideo Kojima’s team.
The level of enemy AI has been massively increased with guards spotting your blood trails if you are bleeding heavily. Snake can stop this bleeding by bandaging himself up. The guards also now follow more random movements, occasionally stopping to scratch themselves or have a good look around.
With a heritage that dates back to the NES, Metal Gear 2 is THE stealth game of this year. Not got a PlayStation 2 yet? Perhaps this will be the title to prise your hard-earned out of your wallet.
The PlayStation 2 sequel is impressive from the outset, presenting itself with a confidence and self-belief that yells “I’m going to be huge!” Solid Snake, (no laughing at the back please!) is seen walking along a suspension bridge at night wearing a large hooded raincoat and smoking a cigarette. He is surrounded by a dark Tim Burton-esque cityscape and it’s lashing with rain. It is worth mentioning at this point that the city, the bridge, the cars and even the rain is being generated in real-time by the game engine. Suddenly Snake is alerted to danger and in a fraction of a second he has launched himself high into the air, and, having discarded his smock, can be seen in his usual stealth combat gear, complete with bandana.
Snake’s jump sees him soar over the edge of the bridge, activate his invisibility suit and unleash a bungee cord that grips the rapidly disappearing handrail. When the cord is at full stretch, Snake releases it and attaches himself, spider-like to one of the bridge support struts before re-emerging from his stealth guise Terminator style. Solid Snake is in full effect.
As the game begins, the first thing you notice is the dialogue between Snake and Mission Control is now animated. The first level starts as a normal exercise with Snake infiltrating an Afghanistani industrial liner. As he watches from the shadows, Russian forces overrun the ship and a lot of nasty neck stabbing ensues. The ante has been well and truly upped.
Snake’s primary weapon is his ‘inferred-sighted’ knockout dart gun, which is used on guards from distance. You can now aim in first person view or by lining up the target on the main screen. Each guard takes two or three darts to become sedated, but there is something quite special at work here. If you shoot the guard once in the knee, once in the arm and once in the butt, when you examine his body the darts will be sticking out of him at the same position and angle as when they were fired. Snake also has the new option of picking up the bodies of the dead or drugged bad guys and dragging them out of sight. Other new abilities bestowed upon our hero include jumping, hanging from ledges and peeking around corners.
The ship is excellently presented both in detail and substance; a totally believable environment which bodes well for the rest of the game. The level of sweeping 3D detail that Konami has achieved is breathtaking, a real gold star for Hideo Kojima’s team.
The level of enemy AI has been massively increased with guards spotting your blood trails if you are bleeding heavily. Snake can stop this bleeding by bandaging himself up. The guards also now follow more random movements, occasionally stopping to scratch themselves or have a good look around.
With a heritage that dates back to the NES, Metal Gear 2 is THE stealth game of this year. Not got a PlayStation 2 yet? Perhaps this will be the title to prise your hard-earned out of your wallet.
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