Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top 14 Metal Gear Games

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (PlayStation Portable)

#14

“As much as I enjoy sneaking around and building yet another Metal Gear supersquad, it's disappointing that the gameplay goes relatively untouched here. It's still solid, but it could be even better. For example, what about adding a soldier class that drags bodies faster than my 84-year-old grandma with two bad knees? Anyway, at least Plus' mission structure is a step up; nixing the story elements keeps your focus on how to play (which is more complicated than you might think) and really prepares you to take your troops online.” (7.3 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions (PlayStation)

#13

“While it doesn't include all the enhancements that the Japanese Integral version had, VR Missions is still a solid game by itself. Anyone who got really good at Metal Gear Solid is going to dig all the new challenges that await you in the Puzzle, Mystery and Variety missions. This is basically a Metal Gear Solid expansion pack – letting you enjoy the VR mode of the first in whole new ways, some of which are pretty darn cool. A good weekend rental at the very least.” (7.6 out of 10)

Metal Gear Ac!d (PlayStation Portable)

#12

“Ac!d paradoxically has everything you expect in a Metal Gear game, but is totally different than every other Metal Gear. Sneaking around highly guarded complexes? Check. Insane villains? Check. Boss fights against bipedal nuclear tanks? Sure thing. Except it's all turn based. As someone who likes Metal Gear and turn-based games, I quite dig it, but I know Ac!d's unique formula will alienate most of you. My quibbles with the gameplay include stuff like inconsistent A.I. and how you have to use a card to do anything, even just move one step in front of you. And the story is actually weirder than Metal Gear Solid 2's at times, with plenty of secret agendas. I like it, but you have to realize what you're getting into.” (7.7 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GameCube)

#11

“Well, if you're going to play a version of Metal Gear Solid, then this is definitely the one. Granted, that may not sound enthusiastic enough considering the excellent job developer Silicon Knights did, partly because despite all of the wonderful new additions to the game -- and there are many -- it still feels like you're playing the original Metal Gear Solid. Then again, the original was fantastic, so it only follows that The Twin Snakes would be at least the same. But with each new feature comes a downside: First-person aiming makes regular combat easier ... but it also makes boss battles far too easy; the new cut-scenes are brilliantly produced ... when they're not overdosing on painfully clichéd bullet-time effects; and the graphical overhaul is nice ... but we know GameCube is capable of even better.” (8.5 out of 10)

Metal Gear Ac!d 2 (PlayStation Portable)

#10

“Not only did the developers make this sequel easier for newbie players to get into, but they've also added some significant gameplay tweaks for veterans. I particularly like using Linkage cards -- which apply bonuses to whatever weapon card you use -- to turn a mild-mannered pistol into a crazy weapon that chews through robots and soldiers. Having over 500 cards makes for a decent “collect 'em all” mechanic as well. While the included Solid Eye (3D goggles) was pretty cool at first, I got a crazy headache after using it for a while. But Metal Gear Ac!d 2 is a good example of how to do a proper sequel. Even If it's a sequel to a game that changed the way you play your favorite franchise (for better or worse, depending on how you look at it).” (8.5 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (PlayStation 2)

#9

“Metal Gear fans that played the crap out of Metal Gear Solid 2 a year and a half ago still have plenty to look forward to in Substance. Aside from the main game itself, which remains one of the boldest, most experimental blockbusters to date, you're also treated to some fun VR missions that truly capture the essence of Metal Gear Solid 2's gameplay. Sadly, alternate Snake Tales episodes all take place on the tanker and Big Shell, and the skateboarding minigame is completely redundant, no thanks to Tony Hawk. Metal Gear Solid 2 is still an awesome game, but one year later, and with the regular game now available as a $20 Greatest Hits title, Substance should have been released at a discount price.” (9.2 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PlayStation Portable)

#8

“This new portable Metal Gear installment finally gives us the tactical espionage action we expect from a Metal Gear Solid title ... and a whole lot more. Kojima Productions took the classic stealth-action formula and added soldier recruitment, which makes it absolutely vital to knock out baddies and throw them in your mystery van to build an army. You can then assign these soldiers to various squads that do stuff like make medicine, find guns or provide helpful backup during the oh-so-quick missions. Portable Ops ends up being a bizarre Kojima chimera of Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Ac!d and Pokemon, which is A-okay with me. Also, the game's varied use of the PSP's online capabilities and fantastic graphics make this a stunning showcase for the system despite funky controls and occasional online latency hiccups.” (9.2 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PlayStation 3)

#7

“It was disheartening, but maybe not entirely surprising, to find that Metal Gear Solid 4's significant game ideas dried up before the fiction wrapped. The game is front-loaded with change, with Snake's accelerated physical decay, his alliance with rebel forces, and plenty of globe-trotting during the game's first three acts. Yet, the story's rising action – and eventual parade of conclusions – give it a definite action-movie vibe. The end should please fans regardless of how Metal Gear Solid 4 gets there. Nearly every question receives an explanation, a few surprises are left in store, and as long as you consider the game's sci-fi ‘war theater of the absurd' context, it – amazingly enough – ends up making sense. It's not meant to be taken too seriously, but to maintain this kind of narrative order amid so much ridiculous chaos is an impressive feat.” (A- out of A+)

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PlayStation 2)

#6

“You better get used to picking your jaw off the floor, because from a gameplay perspective, Metal Gear Solid 2 exceeds my wildest demands. The sheer number of things you can do from moment to moment made this not only an incredible and memorable adventure, but also one that was downright fun. Metal Gear Solid 2 does, however, take a couple steps back from the previous game: While the game is better designed, the story isn't nearly as good. Also, the final boss battle in Metal Gear Solid 2 has to be one of the most anticlimactic fights ever. If this is indeed the last in the series, then it ends, as one villain quotes in the game, ‘not with a bang, but a whimper.' Bring on Metal Gear Solid 3.” (9.5 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (Xbox)

#5

“Almost everything great about Metal Gear Solid 2 on the PlayStation 2 holds up on this re-release: The sharp graphics, fantastic sneaking/fighting/shooting mechanics, and attention to detail still amaze. Plus, all the added VR missions take advantage of the game's biggest strength (gameplay) and cut out its one real weakness (silly story line); challenging and addictive, many stages are so intricate they become almost like little puzzles. Controls don't work quite as well as on the PlayStation 2 controller the game was designed around, but they soon become comfortable. A must-play for Metal Gear Solid 2 newbies, but at least worth renting even if you already beat it.” (9.5 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2)

#4

“You know that feeling you get when you're watching the ending credits of a really amazing game – when you instantly yearn to start all over again to discover all the stuff you missed along the way? You'll be feeling that way about five hours into Metal Gear Solid 3. Simply put, it's the deepest, longest and most replayable chapter in the Metal Gear Solid series yet. No Metal Gear Solid 3 review could be complete without addressing the game's outstanding bosses. Creepy, creative and tenacious, the Cobra team outdoes even the wicked Foxhound squad from Metal Gear Solid in terms of flat-out coolness. The nerve-racking ambitious duel against one boss, codenamed The End, will likely go down as one of gaming's finest. So will the game itself.” (9.5 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid (Game Boy Color)

#3

“Finally, a big-league franchise on the Game Boy that's actually faithful to its namesake. It's amazing how much Metal Gear Konami was able to stuff into this little cart. You have the stealth elements, the weapons, the items, the codec, distracting guards – there's even a versus battle mode and a crapload of the VR training missions. It's like the old 8-bit Nintendo and PlayStation Metal Gear games made sweet, sweet love and this was born. The pinnacle of Game Boy Color graphics, animation, and sound, with a great story that wasn't dumbed down to a 5th grade level (no offense, 5th graders).” (9.7 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PlayStation 2)

#2

“I get really annoyed when DVDs do crazy double-dips, and I'm kind of annoyed that this is happening with Metal Gear Solid 3. Except if you're going to double-dip, then this is definitely the way to do it. I always loved Snake Eater, despite its camera, and now with the new perspective, it's nearly flawless. I say ‘nearly' because the game's still got a bit too much yapping and the new camera actually makes a bunch of the boss fights really easy (but not so easy to feel broken, like Twin Snakes on the GameCube). Not much is quite as satisfying as slamming guys into the pavement and making off with the objective as Snake. OK, maybe one thing is more satisfying: When you reach that goal only because you've tricked your online opposition into staring at a bunch of girly magazines on the ground.” (9.8 out of 10)

Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation)

#1

“Metal Gear Solid is simply incredible. Maybe ‘incredible' isn't strong enough an adjective here ... this game is so full of innovation, so full of surprises, so full of fantastic design, that compliments don't do it justice. You'll have to experience Metal Gear Solid to understand what I mean. This masterpiece deserves all of the hype it received. It's realistic and gritty, but it never forgets that it's a video game. I haven't felt this kind of overall satisfaction with a game since the glory days of the Super Nintendo.” (10 out of 10)