The Video Game Revue

Metal Gear Solid

Continuing down the rambling path of the "game" element being the foundation of the video game experience brings me squarely into the camp of what is arguably the greatest PlayStation game of all-time: Metal Gear Solid. The best thing about MGS, in my opinion, is that one can see how it was a game first and a production second. What I mean is that Metal Gear Solid was designed as a game--with rules, challenges, a stream-lined interface, and motivation provided to the player to become proficient at it--before it was burdened with colourful characters, beautiful artwork, brilliant storyboards, etc. etc. This is important, because many people look at a game like Metal Gear Solid and think that it was mainly a hit because of the production value it had. Why, then, does MGS have so much longevity where imitation products of similar production value are popular for a short window and fade quickly into obscurity? It's the "game" element that is being missed out on, or so I think.

Of course, it really doesn't hurt that as far as video game productions go, Metal Gear Solid is one of the most original and interesting ever made. The manga/John Woo style of character and story development is perfectly executed (although it may strike some people who aren't into anime/manga as unusual), and I am endlessly enamoured with the dark, industrial setting of a military research bunker near Alaska. All of these elements contribute well to the development of themes central to the game--human solitude, human vulnerability, and human strength, amoung others. It is an understatement to say that MGS has a lot of character. I think it has plenty of thematic depth as well.

So when you mix the great production value (of course, the game doesn't look half as slick by today's standards--but that is one of the failings of mere production value trying to carry a video game) with an original and interesting background, laced with some thematic depth and much emphasis on the carefully engineered game mechanics, you are bound to end up with something that people will remember. Metal Gear Solid is definitely remembered by those who appreciated it.

posted by Parappa @ 2:55 PM