Well, as promised - more pics. Though, many of these have already been featured in the past, they were smaller in size and the E3 thumbnails we presented were small to say the least. Bigger is better after all, so here's 19 more shots for your enjoyment.

   
   
   
   
   
 
 

The more I utter the words - Metal Gear Solid 2 off my tongue, the greater my anticipation builds. While still being several months away from release, the game has generated more hype and excitement than many feature films could hope to gain in a mere month. The fact of the matter is that many gamers are looking forward to this game.

...and who could blame them?

Since the trailer was unveiled at Toyko Game Show, followed by an impressive followup at E3 and ECTS, the entire gaming industry was in a combined state of amazement. Even the most jaded gamers and console loyalists would find it hard to downplay the excellence displayed within Metal Gear Solid 2. Screenshots hardly do the game justice, but they're siginificant enough to convey that this game is in a league of its own.

Konami has unveiled several new screens, among them include a familiar prop that fans of the classic series will recall instantly - the cardboard box. Yup, it's back and just gives me a sudden jolt to know that this small novelty item will be integrated into a much larger and exciting adventure. In addition, the new screens display new areas that have not been featured in the E3 trailer and show us more of the world starring the heroic Solid Snake.

Rather than gush as to how much I want this game and carry on in solicit fashion (as the previous notes below express everything which I need to say about the game at present), enjoy the 25 new screens, and stay tuned for more pics tomorrow!

Last Updated: 5/24/00

If you've had the chance to check out the exciting trailer of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, then you're aware of just how awesome Hideo Kojima's latest installment will grace the PlayStation when it's released later this year. Boasting a sharp degree of new visuals, along with a higher arc of 'tactical espionage action' as Snake returns to stop the all new threat to the world - Metal Gear Ray. To top it off, arch-nemesis Liquid Snake and fellow comrade Revolver Ocelot will also appear in the exciting sequel, both which will add to the story's action-filled storyline.

To recap the action depicted in the pics below, the setting takes in the 21st century. Snake is engaged in a private radio comminique with Otacon (who of course, made his debut from Metal Gear Solid). As our hero prepares to embark from his sneak point, an small infantry unit lands on the tanker. Dialogue is exchanged between a commanding office and a young female (who we later find in the trailer engaged in a brief encounter with Snake ala Matrix-psuedo sequences depicting marksmanship of bullets vs. knives). Additonal scenes continue to showcase actual gameplay of Snake eluding detection from guards, complete with all new enviromental effects (the scene of Snake carefully sneaking around the tanker during a rain storm is comes off being among the most realistic visuals yet to be seen on console hardware!).

Watch as you discover units acting as a team, as opposed to acting seperately. Units will act as decoys, set up traps, and even call for backup. Snake of course has new 'tricks' to utilize such as shooting at pipes which will release steam (which brings temperature into effect this time around and will surely hurt the any approaching guards). A actual shadow now is cast when Snake moves about and also plays an integral part in the sequel - like in the first PlayStation adventure when soliders were able to detect movement and sound, you must be aware as to if your shadow can be detected - watch the movie and take note as Snake discovers this and quickly hides in order to avoid detection!) Of course, there are a number of highlights which in itself can warrant a full feature dissecting the video piece by piece, but this is just a sample of what to expect.

As expressed in my previous report, the game is simply an experience and will require a greater level of skill, patience, and pure savvy. Initally during the era of Metal Gear Solid, Kojima-san set out to create a game which was among the most vibrant titles ever to be experienced on Sony PlayStation. Clearly, in the new installment, no attention to details was spared, both in realism or it its graphic presentation. Note the various weather effects, the manner in which different lighting are used throughout the bunker, the keen degree of artificial intelligence, the outfits, and most importantly - the manner in which all the action comes together, its among one of the few video games in this era which will truly envelop you! As one magazine stated:

"Metal Gear Solid is not only a game, it is a masterpiece! Everything seems to be perfect: grahpics, sound, story....Hideo Kojima has shown us the marvels of the game medium and its capabilities through Metal Gear Solid."

Come Spring 2000, prepare to be marveled once more as MGS was only the beginning and now the game which we all endeavored and have eagerly awaited for will soon arrive in a way that you've never imagined. If you haven't already, download the movie, as it's definitely worth every minute. Note the graphic improvements, the methodic footback Snake utilizes, the entire manner in which the soundtrack harmonizes with the action as it raises in climax and quickly becomes mellow during brief intermissions...there's so much unveiled in this trailer that it will leave you begging for more! Prepare to have your wits tested, your reflexes flexed and your gaming thrists quenced...Metal Gear Solid starts again!

Enjoy the screenshots, and for a closer look behind the man and the game, head over to IGN for the exclusive interview as well as a full feature of the MGS movie broken down piece by piece. Click the links below for more details, and of course, we'll also remain on top of the game's development for more details.

Related Links

Interview with Hideo Kojima

Metal Gear Solid movie feature

MGS2 Homepage

Last Updated: 5/20/00 - Best Non-Playable Game @ E³

It was all about Metal Gear Solid 2 this year, hands down. On day one of E3, I had to listen to the cries of joy from the team about how fantastic the trailer was, so naturally I camped out during the remaining days to enjoy Hideo Kojima's latest installment starring the suave, butt-kicking espionage agent - Solid Snake. Think that the adventure on PlayStation was impressive and had you on the edge of your seat. You haven't experienced true 'tactical espionage action' until you've witnessed what's in store for you in the sequel (and yes, we have the footage for those of you who haven't seen the footage, just head over to our Multimedia section). Every hour, Konami's acre was filled with attendees (many like myself who seen it multiple times, and with good reason). This by far is one of the most impressive displays of PlayStation 2 power in the works, and to think that this is going to be a first generation title is frightening in itself as to what future games will be. For 15 minutes, all eyes laid upon the video wall, in awe, amazement, and concluding one thought - Metal Gear Solid 2 alone will sell PlayStation 2 units.

E3 Pics

Last Updated: 5/13/00
By now, the news has hit the net regarding the return of Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. With day one at the show being such an intense moment for me, the attention beckoned for me to visit Konami's booth. Each hour, MGS2 would be shown off to attendees who gathered with digital cameras, and other photographic equipment (or mechanical tools for notes),

The entire sequence which spans about 15 minutes, showcases the game in full splendor of PlayStation 2 excellence. Not since Tekken Tag Tournament have I personally seen a game that actually gives a well deserved testimony that the PS2's potential has yet to be untapped. MGS2 in short takes the cinematic experience and raised it to new heights by introducing it in an brand new interactive world. Soldiers have a greater awareness of locating you throughout the playing building structures, while maintaining the same variables (i.e. sound, field of vision, et al) in order to detain you. Thanks to the systems powerful polygon processing power, Snake contains sharper textures, movements and environments are more surreal, in essence - the game makes you literally feel that you're Snake. I was quite impressed when the Metal Gear series was launched on the PlayStation platform and that feeling retains itself tenfold. While previous games have given the impression of a virtual world, MGS2 has went forth to provide a world that's virtually realistic, unpredictable, and thus makes for one action packed 3D experience.

Not surprisingly, the feature was packed during each scheduled session. Everyone, whether a PlayStation fan or the jaded gamer of the truth could not deny that this game will be amazing, and will sell systems (my count included). MGS2 questions to all the effects of the digitalization of society. The concluding caption rings true: MGS changed the world of video games, and now the world changes MGS. Translation? Recall that the initial MGS adventure focused on escaping the restraints of DNA. Hideo Kojima elaborates on the theme for the sequel stating "Life makes the species evolve by mixing genes and passing on genetic information to future generations." Further notations from Kojima highlight that [MGS2] is about leaving the soul and way of life to future generations. The game shows how to bridge the gap between reality and fiction. Prepare yourselves, Konami set out to create yet another blockbuster and MGS2 is the action game to get!

· · · Bahn