Summary
Snake Goes Back To Where It All Started
The Good
As of this writing, it's been about a year since I beat Snake Eater, so I'll do the best I can. On a side note, I have a PS3 and I will compare it to MGS4. Of course, like any other MGS fan, I loved the story. The characters were fresh, and it explained a lot of the backstory behind the FOXHOUND unit. The characters had emotion, and they felt real. Another staple of MGS, is the excellent boss battles. All of them are challenging, and each present you with a new outlook on the game and the situation at hand. The controls are flexible, and the inventory and camo system are excellent. The hunting for food and stamina really added another challenge, and treating your own wounds with unique surgical instruments (such as a cigar or a battle knife) is a nice touch. The graphics were nice when I played it a year ago, but they pale in comparison to the current MGS4. The weapons are functionable, and the First-Person perspective works.
The Bad
Even when I played it a year ago, the camera angles annoyed the crap out of me. The aiming system was a pain in the butt, and the CQC is still a broken concept. Other than the fact that some of the weaponry and vehicles were a tad bit far-fetched for the 1960's, the game is perfect.(NOTE: The aiming system in MGS4 has been improved, and the camera is not top-down anymore.)
The Bottom Line
A solid game(no pun intended), but the long cutscenes might turn off a few people. I say they can get over it. If this is your first game of MGS, this is the place to start. It's not too hard, it's not too easy, and the story is fairly easy to digest. If you've already played MGS4, you might be turned off by the camera angles, and the aiming system is bound to tick off a few people spoiled by MGS4. If you haven't played it, go out and buy it. It's cheap, trust me. If you just bought it, sit back and enjoy the ride. It might get a little bumpy on the way.
