Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (a late J!-ENT PS2 Video Game review)

“Each time I play a ‘Metal Gear Solid’ game, I keep saying that this is the best with each new release. OK, I know MGS 4 is out for the PS3 but having only played up to MSG 3 so far, I definitely liked it better than two.”

TITLE: Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

CREATED BY: Konami

PRODUCED BY: Kojima Hideo

CONSOLE: Playstation 2

ESRB RATING: M for Mature (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language and Sexual Themes)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

I know…this review is a bit late right? And how can you review a game that has been reviewed on a gajillion websites already.

So, I’m not going to do the typical review going into gameplay, graphics and such. I’ll just talk about what I liked and didn’t like about the game.

First and foremost, I know that Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PS3 has received rave reviews but since I have not purchased my PS3 yet, nor have I beaten the third game, until just recently, I have to say that this game rocks!

I never played “Snake Eater” and from what I’ve read, I save myself the hassle of playing with bad camera angles.

I know that there is all new online gameplay but having played online on XBOX 360, geez…three years later, I doubt anyone is online playing this game all that much, so I didn’t even bother testing it out.

And you all know about the extra content such as the inclusion of “Metal Gear” and “Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake” (which I owned the original when it first came out on the NES) and the addition of secret theater mode, duel mode and Snake vs the Monkey mini-game and even game connectivity with the Metal Gear Acid 2 on the PSP.

Ok, no need to rehash what other reviewers have done so brilliant in their reviews.

But I just want to say that I enjoyed the third game so much, mainly because the storyline was coherent. The storyline was interesting, the characters were interesting and the gameplay was just all out fun.

Now I don’t mind the very long cut scenes of “Metal Gear Solid” games. As long as they can balance out enjoyable gameplay and a well told story, you appreciate the game more.

Why it took me so long was the second boss (The one that keeps jumping from tree to tree). That frakkin’ pecker was a pain in the ass to beat and I said screw it… So, with MGS4 released, I said to myself…before I’m going to buy a PS3 and the fourth game, I better beat the third.

So, what better day than to do it on the week MGS4 came out.

I was having a lot of fun and just waiting to see if Snake and EVA were going to get it on! What a seductress, unzipping her suit to showoff her body and bikini and just to see Snake resist. How funny!

But there was a connection with the characters that interacted with Snake. From Para-Medic to the Big Boss (the final boss and Snake’s teacher and Mentor), Ocelot and of course, EVA…with very good voice acting and a cool storyline, I was hooked. It was very Bond-ish in a way of how the story played out and the triple crossing amongst the US, USSR and China governments was just fun to see how it played out, especially after the final credits.

And of course, you had the “Snake Eater” song which I thought it was so cheesy to have it included on the “Karaoke Revolution III” video game but now understanding the context of the game, I can actually listen to it and not think “cheesy” anymore.

As for my favorite moments? Well, one was going against Cobra’s “The End”. An old man who is still excellent as a sniper and of course, his power allows him to be as one with nature. It was fun to use the directional mic, hear him snore and take my sniper and shoot him down.

Another favorite moment was of course the end with Snake and EVA, I really enjoyed any cut scenes involving those two.

The chase scenes. There were many of them but one of the best chase scenes in a video game (I enjoyed the chase scene in “Call of Duty 4″ but “Metal Gear Solid 3″ had a cool chase scene as well.

And last, the final battle against the Big Boss. Switching to an arctic camouflage while hiding in dense foliage and white flowers and getting close and getting the shots out. I lost to her many times but when I won, I got lucky with a lucky close counterattack and a lucky shot with a shotgun as a follow-up.

So, I enjoyed this game immensely. Great combination of great storytelling and gameplay and even the graphics and audio are great for a PS2 game.

As for what I didn’t like about the game. Hmm… I really enjoyed the game but I did find myself getting annoyed by some of the maze like underwater segment of the game. What a time-wasting pain in the ass that was. It took me too way too long to complete and took me awhile to beat that boss that sends hornets after you. But all in all, there really wasn’t much I didn’t like the game.

With that said…I’m now ready to play “Metal Gear Solid 4″ and definitely looking forward to it!

P.S.

If you haven’t played any “Metal Gear Solid” game, if you have GameCube, get the “Twin Snakes” game for the first, the second game on the PS2 (and it’s like $4.99 used) and of course this third game which you can also find cheap (if you can find the three disc limited edition version… you are one lucky bastard!)