It's the final part of our Metal Gear Solid trilogy, in which John and Stace discuss the qualities, themes and design of Metal Gear Solid 2's opening Tanker sequence.
Has there been a better opening to video game sequel?
Raiden was introduced in Metal Gear Solid 2 to the ire of some fans. In this opinion article, we argue that the character didn't deserve the backlash that was received upon release.
He just wasn't interesting sadly and to have Snake in the game, even playing him for a bit then give us the old switcharoo was just bad.
Put it this way, he was so bland they had to make him a cool cyborg ninja in the 4th game.
i also has mixed feelings about Raiden.. First reason was because I didn't even know he was the main character in the game (I only bought gaming magazines once in a while) and I had a MGS 2 demo in the bunker which was starring Snake.
Second reason I won't say he is uninteresting but just overshadowed by Snake.. the gameplay in the end of the game with the double analog sticks saber slicing was nice and I liked Raiden for that reason (improved in MGS Rising).
Playing with Solid Snake was just a wow moment every time in comparison.. Only Naked Snake could stand against Solid Snake for me..
He definitely grew on me as the game progressed but I was initially pissed because I was expecting to play as Snake. It was the old bait-and-switch lol.
Maybe. But his dialogue and voice acting didn't do him any good. No offense to the voice actor, he was much better in mgs4, so it's not his fault. Raiden was extremely whiny and just not interesting.
I didn't mind Raiden, in part 2. I never cared for rising but it was way more action heavy and at the time its not what I was looking for in a mgs game. I would retry it though these days
I enjoyed doing cartwheels while holding my balls on a giant warship, haha! Definitely a great character. I also enjoyed his spinoff game, it was short and simple but they did a good job putting it together.
Earn all of the new and old Trophies/Achievements in MGS2 with the help of our Metal Gear Solid 2 Trophy & Achievement guide!
CG writes: Modder oct0xor released the rather excellent Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance third person mod yesterday, which allows you to experience the game without the forced camera angles/perspectives. It does take a bit of getting used to and would benefit greatly from having a first-person movement option when aiming especially with regards to boss battles. However, it does breathe a new-lease-of-life into this now aged game which originally launched on November 13th 2001 on Playstation 2.
