Metal Gear Solid 2 - Sons of Liberty
PS2
Written by “Hunter882”
It’s been a few years since the first MGS debuted for the PS1, and diehard Metal Gear fans have been waiting patiently for some time for another Solid Snake adventure. When it was previewed at E3, it was destined to become one of the PS2’s most eagerly awaited “games”.
It was all any fan could hope for and more - It had all the excitement and drama from it’s predecessor, and it had more. It had new moves, new weapons, and extensive detail in a multi-level plot with just as many twists and turns. It was all that and more - it was a crowning achievement in a noteworthy career for its developer’s. But it also seems to be the last in the series - hopefully KCE Japan will prove this last statement incorrect.
On to the game - The adventure starts - ironically enough, in New York City. On a Tanker sailing down the Hudson River to an undisclosed location. The events that are about to unfold are what I will refer to Part 1. And so as not to take away from the game - I’ll give just a brief description.
This tanker, called the “Discovery”, is being used by the US Marines to transport the newest Metal Gear machine named “Ray” to an unnamed destination. Metal Gear Ray has been designed to defeat the many variants of Metal Gear that have been designed over the years since the end of the previous adventure. There have also been many changes in the infrastructure. Foxhound is still in operation - but without Solid Snake. Solid Snake now works for the “Philanthropy” organization, which is a group of UN member nations who have joined forces to eliminate all the different variants of Metal Gear. There are many surprises along the way in Part 1 - with many twists and turns. You will be overloaded with a wealth of information about new characters and plot twists, and will probably be sitting in front of your TV scratching your head and wondering exactly what the heck is happening here. All of this is a tribute to the well thought out design of the entire game by KCE.
Part 2 lands you at a “recycling facility” in the River that had been built by the government to cleanse the river water after the “disaster”. What disaster you say? Buy the game - then you’ll find out - no spoilers here! Of course, any gamer will know that this is not just an ordinary facility now - is it? You will be tasked with varying missions to perform from your superior officer - but not as Solid Snake. There is a new character, code named “Raidan”, whose history you’ll learn about in the game. He takes over where Snake left off in Part 2. He’s got a new jump move, which can also be used offensively when fighting. But it’s definitely needed during the game, along with the ability to hang off railings and ledges and to move along them.
You will be learning things from other characters - so pay attention and heed the messages on your Codec. The only drawback I experienced in the game were some painfully long cut scenes. As you progress into the game and move closer to the final scene, they get longer. But you must watch then because they’re part of the solution and the explanation of the entire plot of the game.
Additions to the arsenal:
There are many new weapons - and you even get to use some items from Russia’s arsenal - one is the AKS-74U, with a suppressor and an under barrel grenade launcher. You’ll also get to use the Nikita shoulder launched missile - but I’m not sure if this is an actual Russian weapon. There is also an M4 - which looks like M-16 assault rifle but with a different caliber cartridge. With the M4, unfortunately, you do not have access to the under barrel grenade launcher, but you do get a phenomenal rate of fire You also get to use the Stinger Missile again. And yes, sniper rifles for both day and night and a grenade launcher. But to use the sniper rifles, you must take those same relaxant drugs as in MGS.
At first, you’re just equipped with a Berretta M-92 that has been modified to fire only tranquilizing darts. As you progress through the game - your arsenal will grow with the standard items: grenades, ammo, various add ons for weapons, etc. You also get to regenerate your health by eating rations and applying bandages to wounds.
Finally, I do recommend that you start off at the easiest level and progress as you get better - but hey that’s how I like to do it - but for you hard core guys and gals that like to just jump in at the hardest level - go for it! It’s a challenge for all gamers and I highly recommended adding this to your PS2 library.
