Reviews

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Maybe the most divisive title ever to be released in gaming history. Hell I've read some reviews which have joked that it sparked a civil war within it's fanbase, and that's not exactly far from the truth. The infamous twist that put you in control of Raiden, left a sour taste in a lot of players mouths who were furious that all around badass Solid Snake had been replaced with some upstart rookie. Those who toughed it out though, were rewarded with one of the most engaging and thought provoking video games of all time (which it was without a doubt at the time of its release).

Now before the haters begin to chant together in unison, yes it is true, Metal Gear Solid 2 does have a lot of cutscenes. How many cutscenes you ask? Well I don't know exactly but a shitload pretty much covers it. The original MGS had also gained notoriety for being as some backhandedly called it an "interactive movie", but this one really takes the cake (well at least until Guns of The Patriots). It's funny as the term was meant to be an insult, yet I'm sure Kojima would blush like a schoolgirl if you told him that. The Hollywood inspiration is apparent in almost every shot, from Raidens slow-mo removal of his mask on the elevator to Snakes very stylish boarding of the tanker. The presentation is actually done so well that you won't mind when Kojima decides to take the reins away for 10 or so minutes to flesh out the world he's created. The voice acting and soundtrack were always top notch and the HD collection amps every noise up to 11. Thanks to the HD coat of paint slapped over the title, the graphics look as you remember them, not as they did. And while they are no longer beyond compare the art style is still very eye pleasing. Raidens initial encounter with Metal Gear is a scene not to be forgotten.

So if most of the cutscenes are actaully quite well done, then you might be thinking that your friends talk of people endlessly jabbering on was somewhat misguided. Well I'm afraid thats not true. For as much as MGS2 relies on it's cutscenes to sell it's story, it also relies on a device called the codec. This my friends is a device which you will learn to loathe. Now in principal the codec should be listed up there as one of gamings biggest innovations. It's a built in tip system that also doubles as how you save your game. A little bit lost on how to proceed? Call up the Colonel for some advice. Want to know Snakes (ahem Pliskins) deeper feelings about cardboard boxes? Give him a ring as well. Matter of fact the optional codec conversations are more often than not hilarious, and provide the game with a lot of its offbeat humor.

But when that Codec rings and its non-optional it takes all of your might not to hit that skip button, as the characters will ramble on and on often drawing out a 30 second conversation into a 3 minute long bullshit session. And you can't skip them if you want to be in the know as they are necessary to watch if you want the plot to make any sense. The cutscenes get away with being so long thanks to Kojimas cinematic eye and the somewhat anime vibe (Cyborg Ninja anyone). But the codec conversations which are essentially two characters faces with some blue tint thrown in are blander than a ham sandwich. And when Kojima mixes in the cutscenes with some good old fashioned codecs you might just wish that death was knocking at your door. It'd probably be less painful.

However even when the codec conversations seem as if they have no end in sight the plot will allow you to pull through. The characters are engaging for the most part although the less said about Rose the better. Voice acting is superb throughout the whole affair, and the mind bending plot will hook you. While I am one of those who believe Kojima might've gotten a little too ambitious with this one (Raidens questioning of whether he's even met Rose will likely echo a lot of players confusion) everything does tie together in the end although not as neatly as it probably should. It's often said that it's the journey though, not the destination and Sons of Liberty is one hell of a journey.