A lot has changed since the last time we featured an episode of the Cover Critic. Both Sony and Nintendo have released new portable game systems, long time companies have shut their doors forever, and the world has been reintroduced to a certain lawyer named Jack Thompson. Heck, even this site you're looking at has changed in many ways. So maybe it's time we take another serious look at video game covers, letting you know which ones we like and which we hate. After two years I invite you to embrace a brand new Cover Critic, one that isn't afraidto tell you what we really think. So enjoy five new covers and one new look!
Metal Gear Solid 2 (Japan)
Here you see the cover of the limited edition Metal Gear Solid 2 in Japan. Even with the big red and yellow logos, this cover is fantastic. I was rather critical of the U.S. Metal Gear Solid 2 box, but this has a nice design, and a memorable picture. I especially like the way Solid Snake's face turns into the background illustration. This cover is also extremely simple, there's very little shading, and frankly not a lot of coloring. This is one heck of a picture.
Metal Gear Solid 2 (Japan)
While I tend to prefer the limited edition picture, this is a nice box as well. I like the large picture of Solid's face, and the almost abstract character daring you to buy the game. But you know, the thing that gets me is how much better this would have been for the box art of the Metal Gear Solid 2 toys. If McFarlane could get his hands on this picture he should use it when hawking his line of figures. Otherwise this is a nice simple picture, and is better than most. The thing I always hated about the U.S. box art was the overuse of colors. Almost on the opposite side this uses too little color. I like it's simple approach, but it's not my favorite color.
Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions
To some this was a disappointment, but at least the cover is spectacular. There's no question that the image stays with you. It's simple, I don't know why I don't give it a better rating, frankly. I love the use of black lines across, almost like a bad transmission. It's not the best Metal Gear cover, but it's one of them.
Metal Gear Solid: Greatest Hits
Are you ready for what could be the worst cover I've ever seen. Okay, maybe it's not the worst, but it's the worst in the Metal Gear universe (and I'm including those MSX and N.E.S. boxes). This Greatest Hits box is just one ugly piece of work. It has a terrible picture of Snake, a horribly mismatched green side bar. And let's face it, this is one ugly ass cover, no matter how you stack it. If you're one of those people who like this art better than the regular cover (below) then PLEASE don't email me, I don't want to hear from you.
Metal Gear Solid (U.S.)
The Japanese art was almost exactly the same, but the Logo was going vertically as opposed to horizontally ... but no matter which direction this is one of the greatest covers ever. It's so simple, some may say, but it as far as I'm concerned, Metal Gear Solid didn't need fancy artwork and cartoon logos to sell itself. Like a good book, Metal Gear Solid's cover entices without showing anything. And better yet, it's one of the greatest games of all time.
