It’s quite embarrassing that I have never played a Metal Gear Solid game before. It’s a series which I have always felt I’ve missed out on but never actually got around to catching up on, now I realize that was very silly of me after playing MGS 2.
I’ve managed to get my hands on the HD classics for the PS Vita, and have now completed Sons Of Liberty. What can I say it’s a great game; and without a doubt the best stealth game I have played.
The latter part of my previous sentence believes me to think I haven’t actually played that many stealth games. I’ve never considered it to be a genre I enjoy. The three original splinter cell games I didn’t particularly have fun with, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution just frustrated me with it’s poor design (in regards to a non-lethal approach). I also played most of the first Assassins Creed trying to utilise stealth as much as possible as I preferred it to a less subtle approach. So Sons Of Liberty doesn’t have anything to beat to impress me. However, it does everything I want from a stealth game which none of the above have been able to do.
First of all I should mention that for a PlayStation 2 game it looks great on the PS Vita. The presentation has noticeably been redefined for the Vita, with the visuals being sharp and clear. However, facial animations aren’t the best and textures can be bland and reused, but overall for a HD classic it looks very impressive. It’s better looking than I expected it to.
Given this is my first entry into the series the story was confusing at the start. It was difficult getting to grips with the concept of Metal Gear and some of the characters – including Revolver/Ocelot who baffled me in the first level. However, as you progress you begin to learn more about the characters involved and the general situation, this was really helpful. The plot is so complex it would be difficult for me explain it as a new comer to the series – I’ll leave that one with you to find out or even revisit. The game does leave the player with a message to think about.
Snake catching a glimpse of metal gear.
You play initially as Snake, who I think everyone knows whether they’ve played MGS or not! But for the majority of the game you play as Raiden as part of the Foxhound unit. At first Raiden is really annoying, in the dialogue sections but as time goes on you do come to like the character. He also has an on going relationship with Rose during the game, which is directly linked to the main plot.
The most important part of the game is of course how it plays. As I mentioned earlier Sons Of Liberty does everything I would want a stealth game to do – it’s been designed very well.
You can either take an evasive or offensive pathway to each situation you face. Sneaking past patrols, disabling cameras and even hiding in boxes is the best way to tackle the game in a stealthy manner. However, on the other hand you can kill the patrols and later evade enemy reinforcements if seen. The option is always there.
What’s more is that the controls are simple and responsive, switching between and upright and prone stance is one button click. Also touch controls allow you to choose weapons and equipment in a swift manner – it doesn’t feel as though the touch screen controls have been just added in, they are really beneficial.
The camera angle(s) is reminiscent of a security cameras, with the angle always highlighting the full corridor or panorama of an entire room. However, sometimes it’s really difficult to see what is ahead or navigate over a perilous beam with this use of camera angles. However, to combat this each section contains a node which activating provides you a full radar of the area which highlights doors, pathways and enemies. When patrols are alerted though, the radar is dysfunctional until the threat appears to be gone. It works well.
Staying out of sight and learning patrol routines is important to maintaining a stealthy approach.
The game is very strategic. As mentioned you can choose which way you want to tackle a situation. You have to utilize different pieces of equipment to get past certain obstacles. For example, a chaff grenade will disable enemy drones which alert patrols to your presence for a short period of time, allowing you to run past. Also you can use lockers to hide dead or dazed patrols away leaving little trace of your presence, or even hide yourself in them.
So the game is very strategic, allowing you to choose the way you want to play, simple and swift to control and very well designed with the choice of camera angles and radar use. All combine to produce my idea of a perfect stealth game.
What I find even more brilliant about Sons Of Liberty is the fact that the whole game takes place in only two locations, more primarily only in one location; a huge offshore plant called Big Shell. But you never tire of the place as it is used very effectively. Throughout the game you revisit certain struts and cores of the shell and open up different areas as you gain higher access cards. So you can find yourself running to one area of the shell to complete an objective then realising you have to travel back and open up a previously locked area. It also adds a sense of exploration in what can be considering a fairly linear experience. This use of a single location really impressed me.
Sons Of Liberty is filled with additional content. Virtual Reality missions and Snake Tales offer dozens of new missions and mini games (in a way) to play though. So there’s plenty to do after the main game is completed.
Pros/+
- Complex and engaging plot
- Sharp visuals, clearly redefined in HD
- Well designed for a stealthy approach
Cons/-
- Some messy camera angles (i had to think of something!)
I’m really angered by the fact that I never experienced Sons Of Liberty when it first released on the PS2. It really is a gaming gem, and is the game I’ve most enjoyed on my Vita handheld so far and without a doubt the best stealth/espionage game I’ve played. I see no reason why not to give Sons Of Liberty a perfect score. I’m really excited to play the third game in the Metal Gear series now – Snake Eater.
10/10
Tested on PlayStation Vita
