Solid Snake has returned for an all new adventure, or has he? Not quite. What we have here is a remake of a game that was released in the late 90’s. Metal Gear Solid was one of the most critically acclaimed titles for the original Playstation. Being released the same year as the equally popular mammoth The Legend of Zelda, was no easy task, but Solid Snake held his own to star in one of the most sought after games of that generation. Not only did it innovate the action genre, but it also showed that you didn’t always need to kill someone to meet your objectives. Since then, the series has continued with the equally impressive (but more convoluted) sequel Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty for the Playstation 2 and its upcoming third sequel also due out for that console. When Konami announced that a remake of the original game would be developed, critics didn’t know what to think. Not only was this supposed remake placed in the hands of a new developer (to the series), but it was being released only for the Nintendo Gamecube. Reactions were mixed of course, but the fans were in a positive uproar, some even vowing to buy a Gamecube simply to play the Twin Snakes. Does this remake live up to the standards set by the original and does its “new” features provide enough for a second try? Well, that is a question up for debate.  

For those uninitiated to the series, Metal Gear Solid is a game that surrounds a lone ranger operative on his quest to foil the plans of insane power happy terrorists that have a disturbing love for nuclear warheads. Yes, before Sam Fisher, there was (and still is) Solid Snake. The action genre could be summed up simply by saying his name because for all intents and purposes, he is the face of the past generation of action games. His callous attitude and unwavering devotion to his mission are just two examples of what makes him such an appealing character. He will do anything to complete the mission that is assigned to him, but like all other action heroes, the developers weren’t going to sit around and make it easy for him. Metal Gear Solid is a very morbid game in the sense that the story is there to shock and distress you more than it is to soothe and comfort. Every single character in the game will have some tragic hero trait that will literally tear them apart, and while Snake seems to be the biggest target, he remains the most composed. If you have heard the title of this game before, then chances are you have heard that its story is convoluted, long, confusing, but most importantly excellently deep. No game up to that point in the gaming industry had made gamers think so much about the characters they were saving (or killing). The story is what has kept many gamers from putting their controllers down during the game’s sometimes numerous frustrating sequences. 

So now in terms of the remake, how well has the story held up? Well aside from some extra info here and there, nothing much has changed. Small lines and conversations have been added to fill in some of the blanks left by the original version and a few references to Sons of Liberty have also been made in a way to bridge the gap between platforms. The cut scenes (and there are plenty of them) have been completely reworked and stylized. It never takes away from the effect of the story line, and some of the sequences are absolutely amazing, but some fans and critics will of course pick it apart until the ravens begin to feed on what’s left.    

The Twin Snakes is an action game with a heavy focus on stealth. If you think you can complete the game with guns shooting off caps everywhere, you are dead wrong. The game emphasizes stealth and non-lethal methods of completing your missions, and while it’s sometimes unavoidable (boss battles), other times it’s because you will find yourself running out of ammo. Each enemy has a field of view that shows up on your radar, so you must be sure to keep clear of them as they patrol across the maps. You have the ability to kill them, put them to sleep and hide them. The biggest change to the original version comes in the form of enemy AI. In some cases, the enemies prove to be smarter than even their MGS2 counterparts. Once they find you, they will call for a ton of enemy soldiers to take you down, and when that happens, all you can do is run, or try and kill them yourself (which isn’t the best idea).

All of the moves and techniques from MGS2 have been transported over to this remake. From the ledge hanging, to the M9 tranquilizer, all of the more fun and enjoyable perks of the sequel have made it over. The only complaint that can come from this is the fact that you will never have to use any of these techniques if you don’t want to. They simply feel like filler, and sometimes out of place. The only significant addition to the gameplay has been the ability to aim and fire your weapon in a first person view. This can make things a lot easier for you, but then again, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Part of the original’s charm was its ability to really challenge your mind and gaming abilities. Some boss battles have been reduced to picking off a wounded horse, that horse being the boss. All in all, The Twin Snakes feels a whole lot easier, and maybe it’s just the fact that I have played the original before or maybe its not. Depending on how much you choose to use the feature, may affect your opinion. One thing that has become noticeable is the amount of time that it takes to complete the game. The Twin Snakes can be completed fairly easily in under six hours for most MGS vets, while it will balloon to about ten for the newcomers. Since practically none of the actual levels have been altered, it will be fairly easy for vets to navigate. One thing that hasn’t changed though is the immersive boss battles, innovative stealth gameplay and the small added bonuses (dog tags, boss survival mode and the famous camera). Metal Gear Solid was a masterpiece of a game, and the Twin Snakes only loses a little bit of the polish that made the original so enthralling.  

The visuals have been completely redone for the remake of MGS and it shows. After playing Twin Snakes, and replaying the original PS1 version, it’s sometimes difficult to see what made you so enthralled. Its one of those games that simply hasn’t aged well, yet maintains its effect. The Twin Snakes takes that thought into full consideration by implementing the MGS2 engine into the game, with improved textures, character models and environments. The models are by far the most appealing aspect of the visuals. They move, act and feel real and considering the type of story they are trying to present, the effort is well respected. Of course, this is a remake, and we have to be nitpicky for the sake of the original’s integrity so here we go. The framerate has some noticeable stutters here and there that can detract from the more intense moments, and some of the textures are too blurry and lack the quality that MGS2 presented. It’s not much, but it’s something that had to be pointed out for the fans.

What can be said about the sound that wasn’t in the original? The soundtrack is excellent (and revamped), the voice acting is great (although going through the same lines a second time has become noticeable since some of the characters accents are gone, and others like Naomi feel forced) and the sound effects remain as effective as ever.  

Now back to the obvious question almost every fan has asked at one point. Is The Twin Snakes better than the original version? If you have played it before, it most likely wont hold the same effect as it would on a newcomer to the series. So if you were looking for something completely new, look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you happen to be new to the series, I would definitely suggest skipping the Playstation version and moving right along to this one. It should give you the same effect that the original had on the fans when it was released those few years back. If you are a big fan though, I doubt this review will stop you, because it is a big collector’s item for all those people who simply can’t get enough of snake. Until Snake Eater comes along, we have one more chance to experience the original, and that is definitely a worthwhile opportunity.