Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2167 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2003-09-26
• Platform: PlayStation2
• Number of items: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most anticipated titles in gaming history absolutely lives up to the hype. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is the follow-up to one of the most captivating and intelligent adventures on the PSone; Solid Snake, everyone's favourite mullet-sporting super-soldier, is back along with many other familiar faces and voices. While Metal Gear Solid was lauded for telling a complex story, this sequel has even more fascinating twists and turns; also, like its predecessor, MGS2 takes console-game storytelling to an entirely new level with stunning in-game movies, great graphics, and game mechanics that let you find your own solutions to its challenges. The game's twisting and at times bizarre plot will undoubtedly keep some gamers perplexed.

Konami has replaced the moronic enemies from the first MGS with more cerebral and capable foes; this causes an even greater emphasis on stealth than the original. The controls have been refined and Snake's repertoire of moves has grown, both of which deepen the gameplay. This is, technically and stylistically, one of the best-looking PS2 games on the market. Sound is also top notch, with a fabulous score and outstanding voice acting. What really makes this game such a stand-out is how all of these sight, sound, and story elements combine to immerse the player into an entertainment form between movie and game. It will be years before Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is surpassed. This is interactive entertainment at its finest. --Raymond M Padilla

Manufacturer's Description
The sequel to one of the most popular games of all time, Metal Gear Solid 2 features heart-stopping stealth-based action and state of the art graphics. Players assume the role of Solid Snake, a one-man army determined to stop a deadly high-tech weapon from falling into the hands of the wrong people. Snake must utilize his skills in stealth, weaponry and counter-terrorism to fight off the competing powers and destroy the gigantic killing machine Metal Gear Ray.

Customer Reviews

Undecided
I am very much into the stealth games, and it has to be said, MGS and Splinter Cell are at the forefront of the genre. Having owned the first Splinter Cell I felt like checking out the competition and I have to say I was very impressed. They are both very similar yet manage to set themselves apart from eachother.
Firstly, Splinter Cell's use of shadows and silence drew me in but with MGS there perhaps isn't as much pressure resting on this.
MGS has to be one of the most visually stunning games for the PS2. The realsim is immense e.g. When you come inside from the raining outdoors you leave footprints which guards are actually suspicious of. I feel that the storyline somewhate ruins the game, it is very unrealistic towards the end and left me feeling a little confused (this may be due to the fact that I had never really played an MGS game before this one) but is overall very fulfilling.
Overall I have given the game a 4 star rating because although is does seem very hard to improve on the storyline really kept me guessing for days (perhaps a good thing?).

Graphics - 10/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Storyline - 7/10
Realism - 8/10
A.I. - 9/10

Confusion, Frustration, Cut Scenes.
My title could be the slogan for this game, compared to the first this is very dissapointing.

Their are so many things to take in, too many cut scenes to watch, not enough action or espionage, which is what the game is about.

If you want confusing storylines go and watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless whatever it's called, the one with Jim Carrey in it, but if you want action buy the first MGS OR even Snake Eater which is a very good improvement.

I could not even tell you a thing about the story, I gave up towards the end to be honest, kept on skipping the scenes were people start turning into aliens of some saught and then you get some Philiosophical lecture from Snake about free will! Oh dear, Oh Dear.

Worst ever game?
I bought this game, after playin the entire splinter cell series, wondering what the competition was like, only to find the most confusing, boring, annoying, disapointing game ive ever played. Even more disapointing than Medal of Honour: Rising Sun.
It is NOT a stealth game. As long as a stay out the field of vision of enemies (about 1 metre infront of them) then u can practically run through the whole game, without any fear of being caught. and the whole hiding in a box thing is just plain ridiculous, i actually burst out laughing at how goofy it was.
If your looking for a challenging stealth game where you actually have intelligent enemies, then go for splinter cell. They beat this game by a million miles.
Summary


Story: 1/10
Near impossible to understand well. Each character has at least 7 motives for their actions and it just feels too complicated and gets tedious after a while. especially the terrible cut scenes.
Most of the game is torturous cutscenes leaving only about 6 hours of proper gaming, which may actually be a good thing..........

Gameplay: 3/10
It feels like a gameboy game. It isnt designed for 3D and if it was then they didnt do a very good job. You have no control at all over the camera, giving you no freedom and no room for individuality or going through the game with your own style. Making square to shoot is the most annoying thing i have ever experienced in a game, when u have both thumbs on the analog sticks it does get tricky and generally pisses you off.

Sound: 4/10
Half decent soundtrack. Voice acting is terrible. Everything is over dramatic starts to grate after a little while

Overall:2/10
most disapointing game ever. Really expected something better. Metal gear solid and splinter cell should never be mentioned in the same breath as each other, unless there is a 'is nowhere near as good as' in the middle.

if u like crappy, gameboy style gameplay with a confusing, over-dramatic, self-indulgent, philosophical "stealth" games, then go for it!
otherwise, even paying £1.99 for it like i did is a waste of money and of 12 hours of my life.