Product Description

This novel goes back to the origins of the game series, retelling in greater detail the story of Solid Snake in the first MGS game. Solid Snake is a special operations agent with the Foxhound special forces unit. Called in to complete the jobs no one else can, Snake uses a combination of espionage, stealth and ruthlessness to achieve his goals - no matter what the cost. Learn more about Snake as he encounters the Metal Gear armour, his lifelong enemy Revolver Ocelot, and the mystery of Shadow Moses Island ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105923 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Review
'Without question, Konami's ... Metal Gear Solid 4 is an awesome showcase for the PS3. The visuals are outstanding [and]the overall impression is ... one of unprecedented graphical excellence' IGN 'We can't wait to see more of this increasingly impressive-looking game' Gamespot

About the Author
Amongst other titles, Raymond has written ten authorised James Bond works, including a non-fiction title that was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award. Under a pseudonym, he is also the author of NY Times bestselling books continuing Tom Clancy's line of political thrillers.

Customer Reviews

What am I reading, here?
As way of introduction, let me assert that I am an English Literature student, as well as in the process of having a novel published. I always try to look for the best in a piece of literature.

The Metal Gear Solid book...what is there to say? I bought it thinking "This will be fun." As I loved the games. How wrong was I. Raymond Benson, a name I hadn't previously heard, can not write. His sentence structure is uninteresting, his characters aren't even 2D, and his dialogue! Oh dear!

Let me start with characterisation. Solid Snake, in the games, was a tough, rugged killing/sneaking machine. In this? He's a cheesy American teenager using phrases such as "I have no beef with you." Beef? Please! For the love of all things written! Note, that is a DIRECT QUOTE. He's a rugged 33 year old cold-blooded killer, he doesn't have a skateboard. Snake is the only mildly developed character. Benson seems to have a knack for useless characters.

Next, the likeness to the game: pretty darn good! BUT this is a downside, rather than a plus. I think Benson must of had the strategy guide whilst writing this book. Snake, in the novel, seems to go for every single last damned crate! "Oh look! Someone left a crate on the helipad! Now let's explore the area for more boxes!" No, Benson, this does NOT make a good read. It's monotones and dull. However, on the other hand, I enjoy the spurts of nostalgia as a character sticks to the script, or when Snake finds an unusual Easter egg.

The dialogue through out this story is fake. There's no other way to describe it. It's just so unbelievable, you'll find yourself laughing. Sure, the original script for MGS was never award winning, but now...it's appalling. Furthermore, Benson doesn't add anything t the speech, it's all "Snake said", "Meryl said", "she said" etc.

I can't comment on scene/place, or the story concept as we all know that MGS was amazing.

In conclusion, this book is less than decent. Oh Snake, how you were butchered! Benson needs to go back to school, or, at least, start reading decent authors, learn something from them. He is distinctly lacking in talent. The only plus side is the fact you will not be able to put it down and just say "I'm not carrying on", just for the fact that it's called "Metal Gear Solid", and his non-writing is fascinating.

not as good as it could have been
i have been a big fan of the metal gear solid series for years now and when i discovered a novel based on it i was very excited , the problem tho it reads to like the book based on the game and not a novelisation of the storyline i dont need to no where he picks up certain items for use later on i have already discovered these things by playin it , i understand raymond benson writes bond novels which may explain why his characterisation of solid snake is way off, his portrayal of him comes across to much like bond which if you have played mgs he is nothing like ,i have not read raymond's previous novels so i cant comment on those but i was very let down by this one .

nearly perfect
Lets start off with the bad points about this MGS novel. first of all the character of solid snake is a little off and more traditional action heroish, but still feels like snake but with a few extra cheesy lines. another bad point is that it dosent follow the game structure exactly - which also is a plus as it adds a little more scope while still being almost totally faithful.
Now the good stuff: It captures the MGS atmosphere very well and results in being a real page turner. Also the semi complex story is nicely written and dosent leave you guessing.
For real fans of the series i'd advise them not to expect to be blown away like they would be in the gaming experience so that they may be pleasantly surprised, - this is how i aproached buying this adaptation and enjoyed it.
If you can forgive its flawes its an entertaining read.

Go on give it a go and if it dissapoints you, sell it on!