Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #736 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2005-03-04
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Number of items: 1

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If any one game series encapsulates the new era of the more mature video games which have emerged since the beginning of the PlayStation era, it's Metal Gear Solid. Its complex narrative and equally complex and varied gameplay redefined the way people looked at video games and even if the immediate sequel managed to upset the delicate balance between storytelling and interaction, Metal Gear Solid 3 doesn't look likely to make the same mistake twice.

Taking a real back-to-basics approach, Snake Eater is set in the '60s and sees you controlling Solid Snake (or at least someone that looks like him--and is at least not Raiden from the MGS2) in a storyline that has yet to be fully revealed.

What we've seen of the game shows a much greater emphasis on stealth than ever before, with Snake being vastly outnumbered and appearing to spend most of his time creeping through the jungle, dropping down on guards from out of the trees and hiding in plain sight using a variety of specialised camouflage suits. The sub-title is less nonsensical than you might think as well since Snake must hunt and eat animals--including, you guessed it, our no-legged friends--to keep his stamina up.

Overall the game seems more realistic than ever before (you don't even get the enemy radar to use all the time) and should assuage those jaded by Metal Gear Solid 2's more self-indulgent moments. Snake is back, and he's never looked better... --David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
The Metal Gear Solid franchise takes a major step forward on PlayStation 2 with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. For the first time, the game is set in a sweltering jungle where players must fight for survival by battling relentless natural elements, as well as an onslaught of ruthless enemy soldiers. Suspenseful stealth action delivers heart-pounding sequences like never before. The game's extraordinary gameplay and intense plot combine with riveting music, high-definition sound and astonishingly detailed graphics for a completely unique interactive gaming experience.

Customer Reviews

Flipping amazing
I've owned this game plus the first two for a few years now, and with the excitement of the 4th game finally hitting the shelves, I decided to dig this one out again and remind myself why this game was so good. Yet again I was blown away by the sheer quality of the game, in every sense!
Every now and again there comes a game that posseses an aspect of perfection in a certain area of production, be it graphics, gameplay, storyline etc. But rarely do we see a game with all of these qualities nearing perfection. Metal gear solid 3 does just that.
When I play metal gear solid 3, I find myself comparing it to the original. While the second one ventured into the realms of mind boggling plot twists that didn't make much sense, and an alternative character development that annoyed quite a large audience, the deveopers have decided to make a game that follows an almost identical style to the first, probably because of its undeniable supereriority to the second. The game follows the lead character of 'Snake' or 'Big Boss' as he is known in the first game, as he is sent into soviet territory to rescue a russian scientist and destroy metal gear etc etc. A similar story to the first, but a little bit simpler and a bit more involving. The storyline centres vaguely around the political situation between Russia , America and a rogue army of russian solidiers lead by a Corlnel Vulgin who's personal agender involves the mass production of this games metal gear, and access to a 30 billion dollar global peace fund. So although the story isn't quite as complex as the first and second, it keeps it simple enough to follow and to grip you. The cut scenes are many, making this game more of a movie than a game. But this also gives the feeling of a fast flowing game like the first, without the long boring bits you often found in the second that made you want to tear your hair out. The action scenes are fantastic, integrating a large amount of martial art scenes throughout, which often involve snake being beaten up, which can be very sad.
The graphics are astounding. Occassionally I just look for ages at the trees and the scenery which just gets better as the game goes on. Three years on I still haven't seen a PS2 game begin to compete with these graphics.
Extra features have been added since the second, such as having to eat food, heal your body and throwing poisonous snakes at bad guys! There are also a lot more guns and ways to sneak up and kill people.
There are bad points to the game though. Unlike the first, the character development is shabby. In the first game, each boss was integrated deeply into the storyline. In this game however, you're first introduced basically when you fight and kill them. The main letdown is that each boss has a completely bizzare skill, such as turning into bee's, or becoming an invisible spider creature. None of this is explained and it takes away the realness of the game somewhat. The main bad guy apparently has a million vaults of electricity running through his body. Why? How? Its just not explained. The game is also very easy. There is an abundance of food potential everywhere you go, so you're never low on stamina. Plus it takes about 100 bullets to eventally kill you. Life medicine is rare though, but generally you won't need it. The caution clock has also gone up in this game considerably. When you're spotted you'll quite often have to wait a good 5 minutes before the timer reaches zero again. Granted though, its a good time to go and make a cup of tea.
So all in all we have one of the best games in history here. It has all the originality and atmosphere of the first, with the graphics and gameplay of the second, the perfect combination! Fantastic production, classic voice acting, brilliant soundtrack. It just doesn't get better than this.
The world of computer gaming just wouldn't be complete without our favourite hero, snake!

Not bad,but could have been much better.
I loved the PS1 Metal Gear Solid.It was exciting,and really enjoyed the story.Here,I thought the story was dreadful in certain areas.Of course,the game play is brilliant,and the action fantastic.However,the writer spoilt it by putting in a devious female character,who attempted to outshine the main hero.Sorry,but that wasn't to my liking.Not even the Boss,who Snake has to fight at the end.Still,its an enjoyable game,but it remains to be seen,if the next story is any better.Of course,that's just my humble opinion!

A little too clever for its own Good.
This game has some of the hardest boss battles in any game. "The End" for example can sometimes take an eternity to kill. Then theres the awful camera mixed with the lack of a soliton radar system and its a recipe for disaster - what happens is you cant see the enemy in anyway shape or form so you end up running into them and alert after alert :( I loved Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2 and managed to get through both on all levels of difficulty...I struggled to get through snake eater on Normal mode.
I think the trouble here is the addition of too many new features all at once, instead of just revamping and modernising the gameplay mechanics.
However to draw a line under it all and say this is a bad game would be incorrect, the storyline and cinematics are second to none as is the voice acting.