Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5418 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2004-03-26
• Platform: GameCube

Amazon.co.uk Review
Metal Gear Solid, one of the most prestigious of all PlayStation game series, is now playable on GameCube. Owners of Nintendo's console will no doubt be celebrating already--with good reason, too. Essentially, Twin Snakes is an updated version of the original Metal Gear Solid PlayStation outing. A new graphics engine--which is every bit as impressive as that of the PS2's Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty--brings the original action bang up to date.

While the storyline in Twin Snakes adheres closely to the original's, the way in which it is told is markedly improved: the original voiceover cast has re-recorded every conversation in the game, giving Twin Snakes a fresh take on a finely weaved plot of intrigue. A first-person perspective is introduced for those who wish to really soak up the Cold War atmosphere, while new cutscenes complete what is a comprehensive makeover for this legendary adventure.

Gameplay is as sharp and intuitive as ever: Solid Snake is one super sleuth, his repertoire of actions is considerable, and controlling those actions is perfectly straightforward. It's a good job, really: the quality of the Artificial Intelligence means that precise control is vital if Snake is to halt the nuclear war that is afoot. Thanks in no small part to its AI, Twin Snakes has an atmosphere that is wonderfully intense--for late-night gaming, this really is video-game perfection. --Jonti Davies

Manufacturer's Description
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes combines the thrilling story of the original Metal Gear Solid with the spectacular graphics and extraordinary gameplay from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, using a specially designed engine based on Sons of Liberty.

The Twin Snakes thrusts players into a stunning 3-D world of espionage and stealth action. Playing as legendary video game hero Solid Snake, gamers will infiltrate an Alaskan nuclear missile disposal facility occupied by a terrorist organisation called FOXHOUND. While the mission is simple--infiltrate the base, seize the terrorist cell and neutralise the weapons of mass destruction, aka Metal Gear--it is the gameplay that is unforgettable. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is an exercise in stealth manoeuvres, covert operations and special ops.

Delivering the essence of Metal Gear Solid and MGS2: Sons of Liberty into one unique experience, The Twin Snakes adds new elements to the gameplay that were not available with the original release of MGS, such as aiming and shooting in first-person view, hanging from ledges and opening lockers. Additionally, the game features all-new CG sequences led by Japanese film director and writer Ryuhei Kitamura as well as new character voiceovers, including the voice of the renowned screenwriter (X-Men) and actor David Hayter as Solid Snake.

Customer Reviews

A good remake but...
Don't get me wrong, Twin Snakes is amazing - especially if you haven't played the original MGS. The graphics are impressive (if not quite on par with MGS2) and the extended cut scenes are awesome - better than the original in most cases although some parts didn't need changing.

Yet somehow this remake is lacking some of that atmosphere that made the original so unforgettable.

But lets get one thing perfectly clear - the plot of this game is absolutely amazing and there is so much attention to detail your head will be reeling. You won't have any trouble being able to suspend your sense of reality for a while because the story is just so complex yet so well researched and put together you'll believe anything Hideo Kojima throws at you - and believe me, there's a lot going on.

The remixed soundtrack is brilliant in parts of the game but I was disappointed when I discovered that some of my favourites had been removed - like the boss themes and the music when the game goes into ALERT mode or when you get the Game Over screen (which was also changed, sadly). However, if you've never played the original, these changes won't really affect you.

Overall though this is a decent remake with a lot of nice new bits - especially the new briefing sequences that were previously only animated stills but are now proper FMVs. And thankfully the brilliant David Hayter is still the voice actor for the gruff Solid Snake. If you loved the original and haven't played it in a while (or like me your copy no longer works because you played it to death) or if you've never played it, The Twin Snakes is a must.

Fantastic...
Ignore the guy that gave this game 1 star. He is just some anti-Nintendo and pro-Sony freak, I can guarantee you that he has not even played the Twin Snakes before. In fact, he hasn't got his facts straight. Nintendo did not develop this game. Konami did (the same people who have made all the Metal Gear games).

I actually wrote this review to state that that guy was completely wrong, so my actual review will be rather short. Here is is anyway...

You can think of the Twin Snakes in two ways. It was one of the best games (some say THE best game) on the original PSOne. This game will appeal to people who have not played any Metal Gear game before due to it's raw fun factor - the storyline and overall game design is excellent. It appeals to people who have played Metal Gear Solid 2 because of the same reasons - gameplay and storyline (and I know that plenty of people prefer the original game to the sequel).

The other way to look at the game is that is is just a remake - here's the bottom line: if you've never played this game before, buy it. It's great. If you HAVE, and you just think "it's the same game..." then rest assured, there are plenty of upgrades. There are more moves, the first person mode, loads of neat little extras (such as a Nintendo Gamecube in the place where you fight the Ninja) and of course a graphical overhaul which brings the game up to Metal Gear Solid 2's looks. So, if you liked the original and/or are a big fan of the series, you will like this. If you played the original and did not like it, you are better off not buying the Twin Snakes.

Personally, I'm going to wait for the Player's Choice version; I will not pay full price for a remake, even if the remake improves the original so much. The game gets 5 stars becasue the original was great, and this is greater, even if it is a remake. And I do not mind remakes, as long as they are well done (like this game) and they are not too pricey.

A Worthy Remake
Take the story of MGS1 and add the much needed features of MGS2 and you have what should be one of the greatest games ever. While this game is enjoyable, it does not warrant such a title. By the time the graphical upgrade was made worthwhile, the core gameplay feels very dated and drawn out by 'go- fer' quests that have you running back and forth, particularly in the game's final act.
The mechanics of later MGS games work well and add interesting options on how to approach the same situations, but veterans will have no real bother here.
Being a veteran of the series myself, having played these games since the original PS1 release, I have to say that I feel a bit put out by the acrobatics performed by Snake in this remake. They don't spoil the experience, but often have you thinking, "Yeah, right..." The graphics are better even than MGS2 and everything seems to run more smoothly than the Playstation games.
If your a newcomer, you will like it; but will not see the hype associated with the original.
Returning players will appreciate being able to see facial expressions and the newer graphics, but may not like the John Woo- ish set pieces.
However, neither groups will feel entirely disappointed.