Why Metal Gear Solid is the greatest Video Game Story ever told Part 1

This will be a three part editorial on why the Metal Gear Solid franchise is to me, the greatest story ever told in a video game. When Metal Gear Solid 1 for the Playstation 1 came out, I was around 13 years old and thus too young to understand the awesomeness of this game. However when Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty for the Playstation 2 arrived; I was old enough to own my own console and had some money to buy any game I wanted, there was no real reason why I chose Metal Gear Solid 2, It was a complete random choice. One thing is for sure though, when I played that game I was completely sucked in to the Metal Gear Solid universe, and that one game remains to be the game that I have beaten more times out of any other game I have owned. I have played a whole lot of phenomenal video games in my lifetime, but as far as story and presentation I have to say Metal Gear Solid is the overall best.

This three part editorial is to show why I appreciate this game so much and to hopefully bring new people into this master piece franchise who maybe never tried it out before. I plan to go into depth about the genius behind Hideo Kojima's master piece of a franchise, discussing the best parts of the series. This part of the editorial will focus on the Facts and the Reality that the series represents, look out for Part 2 which will arrive next week.

[DragonWarrior_4]

What?!

[The_Darkest_Red]

Allow me to tell you what. MGS story is the best in a game ever. I dare say better than 95% of movies. Maybe more.

Play them now!

[GameForFame]

Many complain about the different aspects of these games but at the same time so many people have different ideas of what video games should offer.

I've always welcomed the lengthy cut-scenes as it seems to just immerse you even more so into the story, at least for me and the people I know that enjoy the games. Usually I do not seem to feel such a connection to characters in games, which might sound weird, but for some reason I get so into the story/characters/action.

Crazy action and then you're hit with some movie-like video and it all just seems so deep. The crazy twists and turns, the complex and sometimes "out there" ideas - for some reason it all just seems to work so perfectly. MGS for the original PS is what basically made me a "hardcore" gamer - I had never played anything like it and it just seemed so amazing. The footprints, the silliness in things like the box, choking out guys - everything. It just seemed so deep and I never really experienced anything like it up until then. I never knew video games could offer such an experience.

MGS is like my FF, I know so many people get into those and I never really have, but I think I know where they're coming from.

[Greywulf]

editing.

Thats all, just a snip here and a snip there. Thats all.

[irish-leprecaun]

may loose the series its title of best story.

[Megaton]

The plot kinda crawls up its own ass sometimes, but I still agree it's one of the best in gaming. Could definitely benefit from some editing.

MGS4 was an extremely important game. It wrapped up the story on some of the biggest and most beloved characters in gaming. It's not everyday that a franchise as old and complex as Metal Gear comes to an end (story-wise).

[Elimin8]

yes it is.

[Timesplitter14]

How does it feel like to have over 25 disagrees and ZERO agrees?

[ceedubya9]

I don't even need to read this article, because I agree 100%.

That game sucked you in from the start and never let go.

[pain777pas]

Can't really argue this opinion. I have a hardtime trying to think of game that is even in its league. FF7 is right up there with Crisis Core + FF7 but you cannot ignore the masterpiece that is the MGS series.

[A_Little_Girl]

great article and well written, anyone that disagree is a fanboy

[The Matrix]

I'm not going to argue with that. MGS had a great story. Especially snake eater :) Idk about THE best but definitely up there.

[Millah]

Oh is that so? I love how these stupid articles try to argue things as if its a matter of fact instead of opinions. Anyone who disagrees is a fanboy? No, anyone who tries to act as if its fact is the fanboy.

MGS has a great story and is definitely top 3, but to say its number 1 is purely opinion. In my opinion Xenogears is the greatest video game story ever told BY FAR. But I'm not going to try and force it down your throat as if its fact, because its only an opinion.

[somekindofmike]

I read it as... the fact is that it was a "great article and well written" not that it was fact that MGS has the best story ever, but I may be wrong...

[MetalGearBear]

that true.
also, best stealth games in all history.

[theEnemy]

And every gamer should have atleast played a Metal Gear Solid game(1-4)

Luckily I have played 1-4. Greatest series ever.

[deadreckoning666]

ICO, Shadow of the Colossus,Beyond Good and Evil,GTA4 are great too. Storywise MGS is second to none but as an overall game id take MW2 or Conviction any day. No fanboyism here, but Sam Fisher is wayyy cooler than Solid Snake and the only reason people say otherwise is because Snakes been around longer and people dont like change.

[cranium]

Dude you've never even played MW2 or Conviction so stop talking. Oh wait, now that I see how many bubbles you have I understand.

[Darkeyes]

Reads post.... See's Bubbles.... facepalm....

[ShinMaster]

GTA4??? great story???

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Yeah man.Foreign guy comes to America, lives a life of crime & murder trying to make his way to the top.

A real rags to riches story.Not like that's ever been done before..

/Immense sarcasm

[Simon_Brezhnev]

i think RPGs have the greatest stories

[dktxx2]

Most have pretty crappy stories. Then there are some that have great characters, but still have crappy or cliche stories behind them (Final Fantasy.) Then their's dragon quest 8 (the only one i know of at least) that has both. Of course personal preferences largely determine what a great story is.

[crazy25000]

I couldnt believe how awesome it was.....I used to say ill play for 5 more minutes and ended up playing it for 4-5 more hours!

[PotNoodle]

Agree. The Metal Gear Solid series is my favourite game series of all time.

[table]

The one game I have played through more than any other is also MGS2. Amazing... truely amazing game series. Funny thing is the story was so complex it wasn't until several years later I read up on it to fully understand what the hell was going on. Now that I understand it, I can fully appreciate Kojima's genius.

[cranium]

I don't know how you did it. I have read the downloadable encyclopedia, beat MGS4 8 times and I just recently purchased and beat MGS. I know about half of the stuff that goes on in MGS4. It's a freaking nightmare to figure out :(

[PLAYINB3YOND]

TBH before MGS4 I had never had a chance to play a MGS game but IMO MGS$ is one of the greatest games with the greatest story ever made. It should have got all the GOTY accolades and it really is an amazing acheivment, it easily allowed me to catch up on the backstory and the humour was the best.

[irish-leprecaun]

little stole most of its game of thee year awards!

[RockmanII7]

I only saw 1 GoTY in '08 and Halo 3 won it. (PS before you disagree, the link is here http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... and remember it was 2008).

[Cenobia]

GOTY is not announced by one company/website/TV show. A lot of people have a lot of different opinions about GOTY and it's more of a fun thing to see who shares what opinion. You can also see what ~5 games were the best of the year.

I believe the G4 awards were voted on, and any game that came out THE FUDGING YEAR BEFORE should have been disqualified.

[cereal_killa]

Halo 3 came out in 2007 duuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! so how could it have won GOTY 2008 LBP and MGS own that title. and just because G4 claims Halo GOTY doesn't mean that 1 show speaks for every other site, magazine, ect..

[El Botto]

Thats why one can only truly play next gen and beyond on the PS3.

[TheColbertinator]

Look I think Metal Gear is one of the greatest franchises,if not the greatest,of all time.Honestly though you Sony fans need to remember that Metal Gear began on the MSX and followed its progress on the Nintendo systems.Not to mention that Metal Gear Solid 2 appeared on Xbox and Metal Gear Solid:Twin Snakes appeared on the Nintendo Gamecube.MGS has never been truly exclusive to Sony.

Even Kojima worked on several non-Sony consoles like the Sega CD(Snatcher),Lunar Knights(NDS),boktai(Gameboy Advance),and the Iphone.

[PirateThom]

Please, let's not even count those NES abominations (Metal Gear and Snake's Revenge). They weren't even done by Kojima, they broke Metal Gear and Snake's Revenge sucked.

[ShinMaster]

It didn't follow any progress on NES.
The NES simply got downgraded ports.

I remember playing on a Sony MSX.

Anyways. It says Metal Gear SOLID. The first MGS game being on PS1.

[-MD-]

Well I'm glad your precious franchise made it's way to Microsoft's camp. AGAIN.

[Etseix]

metal gear rising?

metal gear SOLID

even kojima said no Snake for Xbox =/

Kojima preffers PS brand instead any other, all the ppl knows that,

[TheTruth89]

LOL
Raiden != Snake
Understand?

360 just use the 'Metal Gear Solid' prefix, but this game is not MGS

MGS5 will come exclusively for PS3.

[ifhd]

true.

[SKUD]

True dat.

[Amir51]

Metal Gear Solid is my favorite gaming series of all time.

Aside from the gripping story and superb gameplay the thing that stands out for me is that it seems obvious that its always a game made with love, as cliche as it sounds.

The trademark series humor, all the secrets, easter eggs and in jokes the series had. All the times the 4th wall was almost completely breached.

And the most creative boss fights ever! Psycho mantis? The End?

THE MICROWAVE!!!!!

No other series has been so consistently outstanding and praised.

I salute you kojima, fair f*cking play.

[Etseix]

dam straight!

Psycho Mantis.. jesus man.. o__e''

am I the only one who killed Mantis without changing the controller to the 2nd port?

yea i know, he dodged all the moves, (like. 6 punches, then the 7 hits) yes , true, i didnt change the controller (BECUASE I DIDNT KNOW THAT ! LOL"!) i took around 3-4 hours to beat him :P ROFL, but hey, thats like my best trophy for me

*beat Psycho Mantis without changing the controller to the 2nd port*

P.D- yeah, i was gettin all angry all the times that he killed me (cuz i had already wasted like 2-3 hours on him)

[Amir51]

Yeah i didn't realize the controller port trick until after i beat the game, i cant remember how i did it i was only 10 or something at the time.

I do remember getting stuck for ages at the part where you have to call meryl to open the tanker door, as i actually lost the cd case!

[Keowrath]

SHAME ON YOU!!!!

Absolutely no mention of the ladder! You call yourself an MGS fan and you forgot the freaking ladder!? Blasphemy!

J/K.

But the ladder WAS epic too =)

[Amir51]

haha the ladder was awesome too!

And the crazy parts in MGS2 - FISSION MAILED

How about the hideo puns...

'No where to hideo'

'HIDEO 1'

[shutupandplay]

Pshhh, all the droids doing damage control in the rage article, can`t even come in here and give MGS a nod. Sad.

[Lord_Ranos]

wHY U PUT rAGE ON THIS ARTICLE DUMBAZZZ

[Neo604]

kojima really put a lot of detail in it.
I agree.

[-Mezzo-]

I don't have to read an article on something i am already aware off, MGS story has always been the best.

[-Mezzo-]

I agree that it is the best story ever told, but i am sad that it's going to Xbox 360 well not because i wanted an exclusive for PS3 but for the fact that such a big/remarkable franchise will have to cut out it's shinny ends just to fit in that M$ box and we PS3 owner will have to suffer as well.

[RockmanII7]

So your going to suffer because of MGS: Rising? You have a bad taste in games.

[freitox]

To me MGS1 was a revelation of what a game could be, I played the game for the first time without a memory card:O The game is just a benchmark in storytelling and presentation, I was young when I first played it, probable younger than the reviewer, but that game hit me like a brick, it was one of the best gaming experiences I have had, actually here is a top(just to bore you a bit:):
MGS1 tie Shadow of The colossus
MGS2
ICO
MGS3
MGS4
Mark of Kri
Infamous
Bioshock
Cod4

intense,engaging,awesome,grea t pace, all around great experiences.

MGS1 is the psx game that has aged better, FACT. :)

[gamejediben]

Seriously if this franchise ever were to disappear from gaming... I would too.

Metal Gear to a fan is their REASON for gaming. I dont think Kojima will ever be topped.

[chewmandinga]

"This is Snake, Colonel can you hear me?"

Best intro - EVER! My text tone is the Codec ring haha.

But...Where the F*CK is my Metal Gear 1 download for the EURO PSN?!?! Konami know I want it and they're not giving it to me because they are cruel cruel bast*rds.

[umair_s51]

Where can I that tone?

[chewmandinga]

Metal Gear Solid 3 Codec Sound, on the first link there is a forum, and in that there should be a link to a page where you can get it.

my friend bluetooth'd me his a few weeks ago. I used to have the "gong - MORTAL KOMBAT!" sound from the movie, but i just love pretending i have the codec (no soliton radar yet though. made of currently existing technology so it won't work on my crappy phone lol).

[umair_s51]

Bubbles for you my friend

[chewmandinga]

The next step is replacing your contacts photos with character GIFs. Nothing i love more than talking to my girlfriend with Colonel Campbell looking back at me...

[umair_s51]

You know what, I highly doubt articles like these usually hitting the front page, as this isn't even news.

But this is MGS.

[greyfox235]

go to newgrounds and tyoe metal gear fiesta

[vShinobi]

Hard to say the greatest ever but definitely among the greats, MGS4 was simply outstanding.

[Braid]

Never played such a great game on any platform, never seen such a great story in a game or even in a movie. MGS is the only thing that has always made me proud of being a gamer, and it was actually THE reason of me being a gamer. Now the series has ended as epic as it could be and I literally don't know what to do with my PS3. I know that The Last Guardian and Heavy Rain will kick a$$, but I still feel like an adopted child while playing other games. Some bloodlines must come to an end eh? :(

PS: I can't wait to get my hands on Peace Walker too but let's face it guys, the game has never been the same on PSP. And please don't tell me that there'll be another MGS game called Metal Gear... Gaiden. Please don't. I'll consider it never released!

[clintos59]

Will be always on WHOLE NOTHER LEVEL STATUS in "GREATNESS" just because it DELIVERS more than EXPECTED & lures the player in with its AMAZING STORY that brings the player to feel the BOND u get with the "Baddest Stealth Action Hero" in gaming history.

What im trying to say is you wont ever get the kind of cennection & bond with any other series out there besides the MGS series. This is a series that us gamers who fell in love with this series, will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN even when WERE DEAD & GONE this series will live on to be "The GREATEST STORY TELLING Series of ALL TIME". Thanx Kojima for giving us such an amazing series u wont find in any other series that is CONSISTANT at what u do best. Nuff said.

[Digitaldude]

Amen to this article.
Its even better to those who actually understand it, playing through it once doesnt mean you understand it.

[Saaking]

To all the bots, be honest, you wanted MGS 4 but what you got was a spin-off with one of the weakest and lamest characters in series that probably doesn't even feature any of the classic gameplay features of the Metal Gear Solid series. As I've said before it just has "solid" in the title so MS can they they stole MGS. It should be Metal Gear: Raiden not Solid.

[cereal_killa]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

"I didnt say anything about Sorid Snake" Classic!!!

[Saaking]

Kojima owned that stupid MS rep

[Shadow017]

LOL Kojima looked so sad and constipated representing MGS on microsoft e3.

[PS360PCROCKS]

Personally I think Gears Of War wins! Lmao j/k j/k

[nikada]

while i do agree that MGS is one of those best games, though i wouldnt say its the best game ever. I don't even think any game can be called the best game ever, because we like them, cause they're different, not because they're a copy of some other game. and because they're all different we cant really compare them. We only know which are god bad, so bad that they're just retarded ( yes Damnmation you), and those epic games that we never forget playing ( fallout3, bioshock, masseffect, MGS, halo and the like...)

[DelbertGrady]

MGS is better than any book I've ever read!!!

[-Mezzo-]

Agreed.

[Born2BK1NG]

I beat the first metal gear solid, and metal gear solid 2 SOL. Beat SOL today, and I must say, what a complex story to understand, and no demo theatre. But still awsumness.

[psychotic_duck]

But I feel like Sons of Liberty was the best in the series. Don't get me wrong, I love Metal Gear. My username here is a MGS-type codename, and on the PSN my names are Decoy_Octopus and Raging_Raven. I'm a die-hard fan, but for some reason, MGS2 remains my favorite.

There are a number of reasons why I love it so much more than any of the other games. First and foremost is the main theme. I absolutely love the intro music. I feel like it captures the game so well. Unfortunately it was plagiarized from an old Russian orchestral composer and subsequently was not used in Guns of the Patriots, which is a pity. Furthermore, the whole dog tag quest in MGS2 was thoroughly rewarding to me. I also LOVED the humor. My favorite moments are with Plisken. Like when you shoot the cardboard box and call him about it later.

[Keowrath]

Until 4 came out I had played 2 more than any other Metal Gear. Wierdly enough though it was my least favourite of the series. Nothing against Raiden but I wanted to play as Snake not be supported by him.

I completely agree with you about the music though. MGS2 has an absolutely outstanding theme tune although after listening to it (probably about 1000 times I started prefering MGS3 theme more)

And yeah, I think the reason I played 2 so much was the dog tag hunt =)

[ssipmraw]

ive said this many time before

there is only one brand of system in which you can enjoy the complete metal gear solid series.

Playstation

[Admiral_Benson]

Definitely the best game series in terms of story for me personally.

I loved the depth, thought and detail that went into all the characters, the history and the Metal Gear universe as a whole. The way it ties into real world events, politics and history aswell makes it all the more tangible and immersive. Truly great stuff.

You become attached to characters as they each have their own distinct characteristics, mannerisms and pyschological makeup.

The moment that nailed it for me was in MGS4 when you go back to Shadow Moses and you begin to hear the voices from MGS1 (as if Snake is remembering the last time he was there)as you try to infiltrate the base again. That brought back so many memories and honestly made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Such a brilliant touch and just one of the many moments of sheer brilliance that Kojima san and Co have given us!

[somekindofmike]

Kojima is a game director like no other, in my opinion he is a close to an artist we have from a games director currently.

[somekindofmike]

I agree with the article, MGS has the best story in a game I have ever experienced, but what I want to know is, if you disagree with the article, what other games have a story which are on par with MGS because in all honestly I haven't experienced them. I'm not say they aren't out there, I want to know what they are so I can go buy them and experience more greatness!

[Madgunner]

i just read the first 7 Words on the title "why Mgs is the greatest.." and i already agreed.. then i saw that it was saying that MGS is the greatest video game STORY.. and i was still in agreement this is by FAR the best Franchise i've have ever had the privilege to experience

[Venoxn4g]

MW2 & Conviction will have better story? :D :D :D don't kiddin' :)
those games didn't even came and you can judge that they will have better stories? NO ONE GAME CAN BEAT MGS'S story..

best stories that I know has: MGS, RE, SH, Fahrenheit:indigo prophecy, and Max Payne (maybe) :)

[RGB]

IMO Metal Gear is the Best Series ever, Best Story ever Told in the games industry and all the games are fantastic. unlike Most who say they played 1-4, I've played all including MGSPO, MG & MG2. Can't want for Peace Walker, the last & 8th game in the Timeline, will be amazing.

@irish-leprecaun

"mgs: rising may loose the series its title of best story"

nope because Rising is a spinoff & is not apart of Hideo's MG Timeline as for now. PW is as Hideo Stated at E3.

[cyberwaffles]

simple, story is excellent. voice acting is superb, you get emotionally attached to the characters, the easter eggs are some of the best in a video game (remember in MGS3 where if you save the game after naked snake gets beaten, and then turn it off and then back on, you play that awesome mini game?), the plot twists, good gameplay, and a lot of things to do.

the story is very linear, but the gameplay boasts a lot of freedom. it's pretty amazing. a few complaints that i have with MGS is how some things feel a little tacked on or doesn't make much sense. MGS2 is a great game, but i felt like the game was trying to relive MGS1 too much. the whole SS3 and how ocelot said that the original members of the philosophers have been dead for over 100 years but then that contradicted another story plot. i think MGS4 had to clear up that contradiction by simply stating it was a lie even though i'm sure it was intentionally meant to be true until the contradiction became apparent. i also didn't care for otacon getting so emotional in MGS2 or how disturbing his back story was. i think kojima tried using too much shock value with otacon and the beauty and the beast corp.

and what was the deal with raiden's character design in MGS4? nails? high heel shoes? and was i the only one who caught on the reason why his blood was white...especially when it was drenched all over vamp (bisexual btw.) and i still don't understand how there were multiple big boss corpses in MGS4. i think if i remembered correctly, one of them was a decoy or something but it just doesn't seem right. and now peacewalker is having a whole bunch of big bosses which is weird. i guess you have to have a strange taste in story telling in order for it to be amazing.

either way, kojima's story telling is unrivaled. he's the only game designer/director/producer/wha tever that i know who can replicate hollywood movie quality games. i wish all developers had a touch of kojima so we could have better games.

[ElementX]

If only my PS3 was BC. I never finished the first MG game, I think I have the Windows version, I'll have to check, but I never owned PS2 so I couldn't play the others :*(

[DanteLinkX]

MGS story is the best in any video game out there, thats just a fact. It has SO MANY epic moments....

-Liquid vs Solid on top of MG.
-Phucking Grey fox vs Metal Gear.
-Naked vs The boss on the white flowers field.
-Snake pointing at his head and saying "Infinite ammo" (LOL EPIC in so many ways)
-Old Snake heading to GW.
-Raiden vs Vamp.
-MGS3 ending.
-MGS2 intro.
-MGS4 ending after credits.
-Volgin chase.
-Null introduction.

OMG I feel I can go on forever.

[Batzi]

Hell yea it is. Not only it has the best story in gaming and Hollywood but it's the best series of all time. Hideo Kojima is a genius and will always be. Can't wait to get my hands on both Rising and Peace Walker. Metal Gear FTW!

[Keowrath]

Personally, yes it is the greatest video game story ever told. I'm a huge MetalGearSolid fanboy. My console choice this generation revolved around one game and one game only, I'm pleased with the other titles on the system but it's MGS that sold the PS3 to me.

And I am so glad it did. I still think 3 is actually my favorite of the series but 4 had so many epic moments, Kojima did an excellent job for the fans. Familiar faces, familiar locations, the Rex vs Ray battle, the usual emotion from some of the characters.

MGS4 is and probably will be my game of this generation. I am disappointed Kojima decided to take the PSP route for Peace Walker. I would have loved to see Big Boss's story furthered in Hi-Def on a big TV but I really enjoyed Portable ops and can't wait for the release. Yes, I am also looking forward to Risings release, just not on the same scale as Peace Walker.

One thing that made this game what it is for me though was Snake... He's definitely my favorite video game character ever and I just wonder where the series will go IF they decide to continue the story.

[-Mezzo-]

MGS is the best ever,best story ever,best character's ever....period.