Metal Gear Solid is a stealth game released for Playstation in 1998. It was directed, produced, and written by Hideo Kojima, and developed by Konami. It is a sequel to the MSX2 (computer) video games Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake which are 8-bit top-down 2D games which pioneered stealth mechanics that Kojima also worked on. The game follows Solid Snake, a soldier who infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility to neutralize the terrorist threat FOXHOUND, a renegade special forces unit. Snake must confront the terrorists, free hostages, and stop FOXHOUND from launching a nuclear strike on the United States.
In terms of gameplay, the player must control Solid Snake, the protagonist, and navigate the world avoiding detection by enemies. The player moving into the field of vision of an enemy causes detection and sets off an alarm that attracts armed enemies to his position (“alert mode”). The player must hide and remain undetected (“evasion mode”) until the in-game counter reaches zero at which the enemies are no longer suspicious (“infiltration mode”). There are also scenarios which lead to firefights between the player and enemies, switching away from full stealth mode.
To stay undetected, the player can use of both Solid Snake's abilities and the environment, using boxes and walls for cover, crawling under objects, and distracting the enemies with noise. There is also an on-screen radar that lets the player see the location of nearby enemies and their field of vision, though this can only be used during infiltration mode (when the enemies are not suspicious of you). Snake can use of many items and gadgets, such as infra-red goggles or the iconic cardboard box disguise (as referenced in the Super Smash Brothers series).
Despite having 3d capabilities, the game is still played primarily from an overhead perspective similar to the original 2D Metal Gear game. However, the camera angle will change during certain situations, such as when Snake is peeking around a corner or into first-person when crawling under spaces or using items like the sniper rifle and binoculars. The player can also use the first-person view while standing still to see Snake’s surroundings and what’s around him. This first-person aspect adds to the stealth effect puts an emphasis on scouting and being aware of one’s surroundings, in a way that previously wasn’t possible. These gameplay mechanics and tools have made Metal Gear Solid one of the most tactical and strategic action-adventure games of its time.
Metal Gear Solid is known to be one of the games which propelled and popularized the stealth game genre, at times referred to as “the founder of the stealth genre.” Along with its gameplay mechanics, it is praised for its well-made in-engine cinematic cutscenes and complicated storyline. These two elements together were some of the first in the gaming industry and has led Metal Gear Solid to become known as one of the greatest games of all time for Playstation and one of the most influential games when it comes to stealth genres and cinematic style.
Besides gameplay, other aspects of Metal Gear Solid propelled it to a top spot in video game history. One of which is the music, which increases in pace and uses strings during tense moments of the game. During cutscenes, the music becomes more dramatic and cinematic with chorus and orchestral elements. These movie-like and real-time cutscenes introduced gamers to a new style of immersive storytelling along with “codec” (voice-acted radio) conversations. These aspects added to Metal Gear Solid’s perceived production value, seeming like a stealth-centric video game at some points, and like a movie / radio drama at others.
Metal Gear Solid is game that created a shift in game style for its players. The emphasis on stealth promotes a less violent form of gameplay, as fights against large groups of enemies will often lead to death / losing the game. It forced players to play more passively, and taking their time with the game, in an era of fast-paced run-and-gun shooters. It creates a concept of the Tortoise and the Hare, where being precise, stealthy, and deliberate will lead to more success than trying to rush and fight everyone. Through sound, gameplay, cinematics, and narrative, Metal Gear Solid creates an immersive environment in which you play the hero trying to navigate an unfamiliar terrain (the nuclear facility) and save the United States from a nuclear attack. The introduction of 3D gameplay along with the classic 2D radar allows for users to have different perspectives of the environment while also bringing together new technology / mechanics and old. All in all, these aspects created a gaming environment which was unique and riveting in the age of fifth generation consoles.