My Favourite Gaming Sequels: Metal Gear Solid 3

The reason I didn’t pick Metal Gear Solid 2 for this list is because it wasn’t an improvement over the first Metal Gear Solid. Oftentimes, the game was too bogged down by its self-reverence and a cyber-punk plot that makes virtually no sense even in the MGS universe. Add on to that a forgettable location in the Big Shell, a lack of real gameplay ‘progression’, with the game basically being broken up into multiple rooms to get through, and the fact that instead of Solid Snake, gamers are forced to play through the majority of the game as Raiden; a whiny, blonde rookie with an annoying girlfriend who rants at you through Codec conversations, and it just wasn't a great video game sequel.

Metal Gear Solid 3, however, is a pure gaming masterpiece. The way in which it improved on Metal Gear Solid 1 makes it seem like a completely different game, if it weren’t for the focus on stealth and the level of detail in the mechanics, as well as the voice acting and cutscenes that let you know that this is a true Metal Gear Solid game.

I may be cheating by including a prequel in this title, but the truth is that MGS3 is a sequel in spirit; improving upon the MGS formula by adding a survival mechanic, which at the time was fresh and innovative, even fun to engage with. Discovering all the different animals one could eat and their effects was an interesting exercise in experimenting with gameplay mechanics. 

Experimentation is very much at the core of MGS3; if you can think up a strategy, you can do it. Throw a captive snake at a guard to make him run away. Shoot a beehive to have the murderous insects chase down and sting patrolling enemies out of your way. Eat a fake death pill until the alerted enemies calm down and return to their posts. All is possible in this game and more. The detail is astonishing and creates a joy of experimentation that I haven’t found in many games since.

This scene demonstrates the beehive strategy; much to Naked Snake's delight.
Video credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn7q_Psx_Kc

What I like best about MGS3 is that detail, along with the hidden items and unlockable weapons that become available through replay, the sense of survival, as well as the fact that there is probably the most gameplay-bang-for-buck in the MGS series. Less time is spent explaining the ins-and-outs of VR systems and nuclear waste disposal politics, and more time is spent setting up and delivering a plot right out of a James Bond movie. The classic MGS pillars are still there in some of the cutscenes, but they are dialled back as we are treated to an emotional story about betrayal, loyalty, patriotism, and the hero’s journey. Next to MGS1, which was an exciting modern-spy thriller in its own right, this story is the best in the series and I am confident in saying that.

How it iterates on MGS gameplay is one of my favourite examples; the addition of CQC to the series makes fighting with your fists a viable and even enjoyable strategy beyond simply running up behind an enemy and choking them ‘till they drop, or mindlessly tapping the Circle button to punch someone, wait patiently for them to get up and mindlessly tap Circle again. CQC adds a layer of complexity to the mix, allowing for interrogation, throat-slitting or satisfying combat throws. 

CQC made hand-to-hand combat feel much more exciting than previous titles.
Image credit: http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/CQC

On top of this, the new, more open level design allows for different infiltration methods and experimentation, with multiple routes into and out of different areas of the game. There’s even an optional side path that lets players infiltrate and destroy enemy supply shacks which has a direct gameplay impact, as guards complain of hunger and act less alert as a result. You can even blow up a chopper early on in the game so that it won’t show up later on, or even snipe a boss while he is sleeping so that he doesn’t show up later in the game to fight you (even though I highly suggest you do not do this, as The End’s boss battle is among the finest in gaming’s history).

The End is one of the best boss battles in gaming history that demonstrates perfectly what MGS3 is about.
Image credit: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-the-end-boss-kojima-mgs-1516008

The characters are all authentically plugged from MGS tropes and play them out in style. Revolver Ocelot gets a show-stealing appearance as a rookie double-agent that learns the ins and outs of combat through Snake as a kind of mentor figure, and The Boss is about the best example of a strong female portrayal in any video game to date.

The Boss is a very strong female character, and is responsible arguably the most emotional moments of the franchise.
Image credit: http://www.gamepedia.com/blogs/858-the-10-best-metal-gear-games

I could go on about how every tiny detail of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater makes it among the best sequels in gaming, but I would have a monster of a post. Let me conclude this particular line by saying that MGS3 is among the best games I’ve ever played, as well as the best sequel, if you only play one Metal Gear Solid game, make it this one.