Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (2005)

What a beautiful game. I unfortunately was spoiled on a few major boss fights prior to playing this just due to how long it's been around but that wasn't nearly enough to keep me from really enjoying the hell out of this.

It really fires on all cylinders; really great winding plot with a satisfying payoff at the end, deeply satisfying stealth gameplay, and honestly visually it still holds up pretty well (at least the HD version does).

My main complaint is just that I wish the stealth sections were longer and the areas they took place in larger. This was a massive upgrade from Metal Gear Solid 2, where I felt constricted by the Big Shell's environments in a very negative way, but I wish they had taken it even further. Also, I really struggled to figure out how to fight the final boss, to the point where it got frustrating and took the wind out of what should have been an emotional climax. But that's more anecdotal.

It's incredibly good. Maybe the best stealth game I've played? I love Dishonored but the camo and stamina systems in this were fantastic to play with. Gonna have to think about it.

I'm torn, while this was a good 18 hour experience, i'm unsure if it really is indeed the 'best metal gear' that I kept hearing/reading!
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye

For one thing, if you are playing these sequentially, by the time you make your way to the third iteration (of the main series) The game doesn't hit as hard as the original metal gear solid. (Or am I alone on that?) I played that just a few years ago and it blew me away... HOWEVER, this is a good game... It is definitely a Solid game... it has so MANY quality of life improvements as well as expanded elements of play that fit nice and snug here.

MGS3: Snake Eater isn't just about super secret sneaking missions and CQC. It's about survival! You can eat all kinds of snakes, but i couldn't find a way to snack on any in flight meals while hitching a ride on fixed wing aircraft.

I am guessing from what i've seen that the survival mechanics introduced here is what the later games were largely inspired by.

The story was very good and ties things together a bit nicely and the cold war setting is great, but i definitely thought the first game was the most iconic and mind blowing of this series: it pushes the system it was on into a place that rivals that of a PC game's presentation in addition to having a gripping and timely story (in addition to introducing many new ideas), the sequel also manages to up the ante on the story, and improve on gameplay a bit, however THIS game takes a backseat somewhat and tries to balance the elements and make for a nice james bond like presentation with the 'solid' emphasis being on solid gameplay which would have to make it one of the more approachable ones.

in the end this was such a solid stealth game, which at times was also very playful and funny. You know you are playing a good stealther when you can just slowly trawl through and observe things without feeling a need to rush through any part of the game. Maybe the biggest acclaim for this one is the boss fights because they offer a significant amount of variety and presentation.

One thing I love about kojima's games is how it seems that he is an artist in which the console itself is his tapestry he paints. I say this because he always does such a great and fantastic job working within the constraints of the medium. Despite this, I am looking forward to later games that might be KB and Mouse friendly. :D

It doesn't matter if you are a Green Beret. Wear your damn mask!