Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater Impresses
The 3DS port of this PlayStation 2 classic shows off what Nintendo's newest portable can do.
January 24, 2012
About seven years ago, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was released for the PlayStation 2. It was a crowning achievement for the stealth action genre, one that pushed the series forward with its innovative new combat and health system, as well as its advanced character models. The game marked an unexpected departure from the urban landscapes and tight spaces of prior games, instead opting for a lush, highly-detailed jungle setting. The result was incredible, highly cinematic and downright unforgettable. Now MGS 3 is making its way to the Nintendo 3DS - and the product of this somewhat surprising pairing is truly a spectacle to behold.
Momentarily putting aside the advancements the 3DS version brings to the table, the game itself still holds up amazingly well. A faithful remake of the Subsistence edition of MGS 3, the game looks as good to better as it did in its original version. The stealth segments that the franchise is known for are still among the best out there, and the Close Quarters Combat system remains a welcome innovation. This system, for those who missed the original, allows players to combine combat techniques to differing results. You can sneak past an enemy, use them as a human shield or perform a choke and strangle combo on them for information or until they fall unconscious - the choice is yours, and the freedom is fantastic.
The health system monitors injuries over Snake's entire body, which then must be dealt with on an individual basis (break your arm and you'll have to find a way to patch it up, for instance). This, paired with the stamina system that is always depleting (forcing you to constantly be on the lookout for food to sustain yourself), only further add to the experience.
But there was little worry about the caliber of the game itself - the big question at hand is how the 3D version stacks up and what it adds to the mix. The answer? Incredibly well, and more than you'd think. Konami went all out for this one, using every bit of the 4 GB cartridge to faithfully reproduce this experience for a handheld. The visuals look as good to better than they did on the PlayStation 2 - which is quite impressive when you consider the fact that what you're seeing is actually being rendered twice in order to display in 3D.
As for the 3D effect, this game offers one of the most impressive uses of it I've yet seen in a game. Screenshots simply don't so MGS 3D justice - you'll have to see it on the system to truly appreciate how amazing it really looks. The 3D really brings the jungle to life - the added depth makes everything that much more vibrant and beautiful, and lends to the feeling that you, yourself, are really crawling through that place. The light shining through the trees, the textures, it all pops on the 3DS screen, showing off how powerful this unassuming system really is. People and objects also stand out more thanks to the added depth, which makes finding people, objects and food that much easier.
The controls feel great - except, naturally, for the glaring lack of a second analog stick. Instead, aiming and camera control are mapped to the face buttons. It's more than passable, and the fact that you're able to adjust the sensitivity to your liking helps quite a bit. I have not had the chance to test the game out with the Circle Pad Pro (the 3DS attachment releasing on February 7 that adds a second circle pad to the right side of the system), but even if you opt to not get that strange device you'll still be able to play MGS 3D just fine. Though a second analog without the need of a peripheral would be ideal, once you sink into the game (and your right hand learns to stop reaching for that other stick), it's smooth sailing, and you'll hardly think twice about it.
Ahh, the freedom to strangle strangers.
Those are a few of the impressions I've walked away with based on my time with a preview build of Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater. So far it looks to be nearly identical in terms of content to its source material, which is certainly not a bad thing. The experience as a whole, however, is strengthened by the system it's on, which makes for a more streamlined experience that comes alive thanks to the 3D presentation.
MGS 3 is chronologically the first game in the series, so it's a great place to jump in for people who are new to the series, and this version only helps lower the barrier with its more accessible controls and menus. If what I've seen so far is any indication of the game's quality, it should prove an incredible addition to the 3DS library. February 21 can't come soon enough.
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