Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Those are good words by a good man. Human stupidity is the first thing I think about when gamers down rate remakes of classic videogames. A remake of a game you loved is the only way possible to know that youll enjoy a new product before you dish out your 50 dollars. Adding new flavor to the formula you grew to love is something to cherish not dislike. Playing the game in the creators original vision unrestricted by hardware limitations is a true blessing to gamers. That brings me to the game in question, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is the remake of Metal Gear Solid, a favorite of gamers and critics alike since its PSone release in 1999. In a surprise joint development effort between Silicon Knights (of Eternal Darkness fame) Nintendo, and Konami, the classic PlayStation hit is recreated with updated graphics and an expanded story on the Nintendo GameCube.
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes thrusts players into a world of espionage and stealth action. Playing as legendary videogame hero, Solid Snake, gamers will infiltrate an Alaskan nuclear missile disposal facility occupied by a terrorist organization called FOXHOUND. While the mission is pretty straight forward, infiltrate the base, neutralize the terrorist cell, and disable the weapons of mass destruction, a.k.a. Metal Gear, it is the gameplay that is unforgettable. The original made players truly feel like they were in the heart of the action as if every step taken leads them closer to danger. And Twin Snakes is set to do the same. For newer MGS players heres a rundown of the basics. To set the game off Snake is without a weapon, outfitted only with binoculars and a pack of cigarettes. Survival and progress early on in the game is entirely dependent on stealth kills on the base's guards (youll have to snap a neck or two). Snake will come upon plenty of weapons later in his mission, however, but the emphasis on keeping his presence within the immense compound secret remains of utmost importance. So youll have to guide Snake into snapping many more necks down the line.
Gameplay is controlled from an elevated third-person perspective within real-time polygonal environments. Various camera angles are available to provide close-ups on the action or to simply infuse the situation with some cinematic flair. Like MGS games of the past, all of Metal Gear Solid's cut-scenes are generated via its 3D engine.
Progress in the game is kept on a direct path where plot points come up along the way, providing hints at what you must do next. Snake also remains in contact with his operations center via CODEC (a satellite up-link) where he can talk to his contacts without being detected. Just as in the previous games, this device operates on various frequencies that, when selected, offer several types of mission-critical data from Snake's gang of military advisors. As for Snake's enemies, they aren't merely limited to standard guards. Snake must contend with the six main members of the terrorist group at various points during his mission, all of which have some kind of super human ability. I wont go yapping on about what some can do so as not to spoil the game for those who never played the original. However, I will say that I will be happy to see Sniper Wolf again.
The New Stuff
The first and most noticeable difference is the graphics. Easily as good or even better than Metal Gear Solid 2, The Twin Snakes sports some impressive visuals nevertheless. The graphics in Twin Snakes we played have been tightened up significantly since it was first shown. Snake looks as good as ever, as do all of the other major characters in the game. High polygon counts and detailed character models are two steps above most of todays action games. The environments have also received very impressive face-lifts that add to the feeling that youre really in the game. Other little visual treats include breakable TVs, GameCubes, glass and other interactive elements. While the game has an all new beefed up look with all of the game's 3D elements, the codec screens, which show the faces of Snake and whoever he's talking to, has kept the same look from the original game. Unlike the 3D full motion ones from Sons of Liberty. And the most stunning thing of all is the new in-game cinemas (directed by established Japanese film director Ryuhei Kitamura), which are probably the most overhauled elements in the game. If youve viewed any video of the game so far, youll know how improved they are over the original.
As for playing the game, it might get some getting used to on the GameCube's pad, but the GameCube controller is definitely up to the task of a Metal Gear Solid Game. You'll toggle your weapon and inventory on and off with light presses of the triggers. Pulling them all the way in lets you select new items for use. The game has a few added gameplay features taken from Metal Gear Solid 2. For instance, you can pick up and drag bodies once you've knocked a soldier out, and picking up and dropping them causes them to occasionally drop items, like rations and ammo. Also the Z trigger brings you into first-person mode to get more of those loved head shots. But some gripes might still be there for the gamer who likes to complain. The biggest example being that youll have to hit Start and A to bring up the CODEC screen. Beating the opposition will be difficult but not impossible thanks to a great variety of moves from both MGS and MGS2 at your disposal. You can beat enemies down with a 3 piece combo, or trash them with an assortment of weapons. Youll also use more evasive survival techniques like crawl while prone, peek around corners, and even perform an acrobatic leap to make a quick getaway. More-complex moves like hanging from railings, shaking down fallen guards for their items, and sticking guards up with a gun to their backs are also possible ala MGS2. Youll even collect their dog tags. And, of course, you can run around while hidden beneath a cardboard box if you happen to find one. And no matter what youre doing the character animation looks consistently awesome.
Twin Snakes will also include a chunk of extras to make Konami and Nintendo fans alike happy. Little stuff like a Hal Emmerich cut-scene which shows actual footage of Konami's ZOE: Anubis shooter for PlayStation 2 mixed with actual anime, a computer monitor atop a desk that has the GameCube boot-up interface on its screen. Next to the computer sits both an indigo colored GameCube and a WaveBird controller (that can be shot). There are also Yoshi and Mario figurines that do special things when shot. A magazine that features pictures of Alexandra Roivas, the female lead in Silicon Knights' psychological thriller Eternal Darkness, can also be found. Remember that legendary scene when Psycho Mantis read your memory card for Konami save data? Well its back in full effect, and he even has something to say to Wind Waker players. Plus while in contact with Psycho Mantis, Solid Snake will experince Eternal Darkness sanity effects. Bottom line, it looks like Twin Snakes will be one heck of a ride for GameCube owners. Whether you played the first or not, its still one of the best games to play in 2004.
