Metal Gear Solid 3 : Snake Eater

[mezzanine]

I'd say MGS2: Substance is one of the best buys on the PS2 in terms of value. Almost two years later and I still have lots left to do in the game.

Anyway, Snake Eater is a breath of fresh air compared to all the FPS that have been released this year. The plot and characters look promising even at the early stage I'm at in the game. You need patience to play it though, it's not easy and feels different to the previous two games.

[Mofoman]

Was anyone at TGS??Does anyone have any idea whether the jap version will use english speech or subs similr to the twin snakes??

Also it was stated in early interviews that this game was to use HDD features, is this still the case?

[Concept]

Im finding it very hard going to be honest. Im constantly getting spotted, the idea the game keeps telling me is stealth, not to be seen, but when Im crawling along in the undregrowth the camera wont let me view the surrounding area from an elevated position, instead I have to crawl until the jungle is less dense or standup which is normally bad. As I said before in the demo discussion, I do love the jungle setting and it feels quite 'alive'. Still, I wouldnt expect to be any cop at this after 30 mins play (of which 29 were cutscenes) so Ill try harder tomorrow.

Same here. I'm a few hours in, but the lack of a decent radar and solid hiding spots (they always find me up against a tree or in the grass regardless of camouflage), are hurting the game. I'm always getting caught, so unlike MGS 1 and MGS 2 where I felt compelled to explore the environment, a lot of the time I feel I'm missing out on large portions because I'm just running as quickly as I can to the next possible exit.

[Concept]

Was anyone at TGS??Does anyone have any idea whether the jap version will use english speech or subs similr to the twin snakes??

There are Japanese trailers with Japanese voices, and MGS and MGS 2 were voiced by a Japanese cast for the game's domestic market, so I doubt it unfortunately.

[mezzanine]

I'm playing on Hard and the soldiers need to be looking for you and almost right on top of you before you're spotted in the tall grass...

[Concept]

I'm playing on Hard and the soldiers need to be looking for you and almost right on top of you before you're spotted in the tall grass...

That's not what I've found playing on normal. There are so many soldiers when they call reinforcements, that eventually they stumble into you during the alert or evasion phase when places are more populated.

This isn't to say I'm not enjoying Snake Eater. I think it's atmosphere and characterisation is far richer than the cold squalid tastes of MGS 2, and in terms of keeping me entertained and interested, the game is doing it's job superbly.

I just think the stealth elements are more frustrating than the previous two games. As a whole though, the new gameplay implementations in the way you feed and heal yourself are very welcome. As are the extra GUI elements and the more expansive choice you have in terms of character customisation.

[jimtendo]

On a side note, 'The End' boss fight ranks as the most nerve wracking boss fight in history.

Most definitely.
Without spoiling too much, it's a real 'hunter/ tracker' type snipe scenario than previous MGS sniper bosses. Where it was more a peek-a-boo shoot method.
I kid you not, it took me nearly 2 hours 40 minutes in total to eliminate 'The End'

As with the others, i find that i'm getting caught out more often than not. Mainly due to my impatient need to get on with the mission at hand.

However, slow things down and take note of the surroundings and time your movements right. It feels mighty satisfying stalking the soldier (watching his movements and making sure no other guards are in the vicinity) moving from bush to bush then striking at the right moment. Ask for some hints, shake him down for some items, then kindly slit his throat.

Or if i'm getting too outnumbered and the alert stays in Red, i go cracking skulls CQC style, by just running up to the guards and slamming them face down and knocking them out. Then once the alert staus has got more controllable i then hide.

Failing that, take a suicide pill.

One thing might help seeing over the long grass is holding R1 then pressing L2 + R2 at the same time to 'tip-toe' and get a slightly raised view.

[Izayoi]

The title screen is a game in itself. Try your hand at some matrix-style 'slowdown, speed up' action. Endless fun.

[Concept]

How the hell do Konami pull out these visuals from the PS2? Some of the scenery when you get up to the top of the mountain is insane.

When it comes to exploiting technology and using it to the full, they're just on a whole different level to everyone else.

[Izayoi]

How the hell do Konami pull out these visuals from the PS2? Some of the scenery when you get up to the top of the mountain is insane.

Two words.

Groznyj Grad.

[Concept]

Three words.

Couldn't be arsed.

You've also rendered the point of me blanking that out as pointless.

[mezzanine]

What's with the screen tearing in recent games? I've noticed it on some xbox games and here, when you're in the 1st person view it spoils things slightly.

The bit with the barbed wire and dogs is a nightmare to get past

[Prof Frink]

I'm about 5 hours into this just beat the pain and really enjoying the game far more than MGS2. Love the outdoor environments and the CQC I like the extra emphasis on stealth as you simply cannot just use the tranq gun all the time like you could in MGS2 plus it seems less accurate as well or maybe i'm just a poor shot. Enjoying the story I like how major zero is a big bond fan and yells at snake for not liking 007 movies. Plus I like how the begining of the game is like a pre-title sequence from a bond movie.

[Pjam2003]

Jus finished it.

All im gonna say is I really enjoyed the ending. nice couple of twists in it too...tryin not to spoil anything but I hope it dont dissapoint the rest of you.

Also whats the deal with Volgin and Ivan Raikov?...very strange indeed

Phil.

[Blunt]

Also whats the deal with Volgin and Ivan Raikov?...very strange indeed

They're lovers it would seem.