Metal Gear
Reviewed by Rylan Davis
Ah, this game brings back good memories. I remember when this game
came out. It was sometime in 1988, and this game made its debut. I
was only four years old back then, but I thought that it was a pretty
good game. Turns out that it would become a REAL big hit later on. This
wasn't your normal charge-in-with-guns-blazing type of game. In this
game, stealth is the key. I thought this game was so good, I didn't want
to part with it. Too bad I was only able to rent it, but I haven't forgotten
about Metal Gear. In Metal Gear, you play as Solid Snake, a member of
FOX-HOUND and a rookie in the espionage business. You have been sent
in to a base in South Africa, known as "Outer Heaven," to stop the
shipping of a nuclear weapon known as Metal Gear. The big thing about
this weapon is that it can traverse any terrain and launch a nuclear
attack from any point on the earth. The whole one man army thing
seems kind of corny, but it's seems like a great game.
Graphics 8 out of 10
The graphics for this game are great. Nothing too harsh on the eyes.
Everything looks well drawn out. From Solid Snake, to the enemy guards,
everything looks all right. The enemies don't have a whole lot of sprites
to them, and Solid Snake doesn't have that much more. The backgrounds
are simple to understand (ex. a path with a night sky). So I think the
graphics are good
Music and Sound 7 out of 10
There aren't too many songs in the game, but that really shouldn't make
any difference in the Game Play. I have no problem with the music (I
could listen to the building music for hours and not get bored). The
music is great, and needs no alteration. The sound isn't too bad either.
You should be able to hear Solid Snake throw a punch or an explosion
of a mine pretty clearly.
Game Challenge 10 out of 10
If you ever want a challenge from a game, then look for Metal Gear.
You're in a world where stealth is the key, and one false move can
get you killed. There are bad guys and traps galore, providing for one
heck of a ride if you get caught. After all, this game is geared towards
older kids and adults, because there are things that you have to do to do
something else, and there's a little bit of back-and-forth stuff going on.
Game Play-Fun 8.5 out of 10
The game play is pretty good. Going around and being all sneaky adds
to the game play. The weapons in the game are pretty cool. Back then,
how often could you shoot a cruise missile into an electrical panel?
Frustration
About that "stealth being the key" part, it can get rather annoying. If
you get caught and have no ammo in any of your weapons, you might be
looking at a "Game Over" screen. Also, you start the game with nothing
but a pack of cigarettes which have no value in the game. Next, you've got
pitfalls popping left and right next to a POW (prisoner of war) or a door
that you have to get into to get on with the game. The system of changing
card keys to open doors can get annoying, too. You've got to go through
all the keys you have to find the one that opens a door.
Replayability 6 out of 10
After you're done with the game, it kind of gets boring playing something
you already know how to beat. But if you pick it back up a couple of years
later, it gets to be a fun game again.
Game Value 9 out of 10
Younger kids might get confused when playing this game.(believe me, I
know) But for older kids, I think this game is well worth the price of a
game. You just have to learn where everything is to make it even more
worthwhile.
Overall 9.8 out of 10
All in all, this is a great classic. The graphics are good, the music
and sound is ok, and the Game Play is good. Fans of the recent Metal Gear
Solid game who want to know where it all started, then they should
check out Metal Gear.