Metal Gear

My first impressions of the game was that it was quite hard for a 8 year old to play let alone understand. Though I did play it quite often and it became one of my favorite games, but I never fully understood what was going on in the game mostly due to the fact that the NES version was a port. The game was originally released on the MSX. This version of the game was by far superior to the ported NES version. It wasn't till the game was re-released bundled with Metal Gear Solid 3 that I fully was able to enjoy the game. Metal Gear was much like the later ones in this long running series. Jam-packed with story and real world issues as well as running away from foes and hiding under boxes. Good game over all and I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys this series.

I should mention upfront that I beat this game about 20 years after it's initial release (on the MGS3: Substance bonus disc) and as such it was difficult to be wholly objective.

In the near future of 1995 (the game came out in 1987) a terrorist group has seized the Outer Heaven facility in order to acquire the newly developed super-weapon Metal Gear TX-55. Rookie operative Solid Snake is dispatched to defuse the situation, though the mission is not what it seems.

If the plot sounds like a hokey 80's action flick, that's because it's an 80's game based on hokey 80's action flicks. One of the game's bosses are a couple of cyborgs called 'the Arnolds' for god's sake. Compared to the rest of the games in the series, the plotting and story here are bare minimum. None of the long-winded speeches, none of the 20+ minute cut-scenes; for better or worse its all about the game play.

Judged strictly by modern standards, the game is woefully outdated. 8-bit color scheme, midi-style music and limited player functions. That being said the game has aged far better than most games of its era. Despite the technical limitations the title still holds up as a playable game even today, this is due to the obvious genius of the core mechanics. Many of the ideas set up in this entry will carry on throughout the series (stealth over force, inventive boss battles, big plot twists, huge assortment of items and weapons) and even some of the actual game play segments will survive (in updated form) all up to MSG2: SOL.

I can't really recommend this to casual gamers, as most will not put up with the dated structure and limited story/character development, but for fans of the series and retro-naughts, this is a must play.

7/10

The first time I played Metal Gear I was about eight, I couldn't play it so I traded it for another game. Years down the track the urge to play the game again to finish it came up, so I bought it again.

If you like Metal Gear Solid, and you want to know about Solid Snake when he as a rookie, you might like it.

In terms of playability, Metal Gear is superb, while the graphics may not be on par with today's quality it still holds a firm standing as a great game.

The best part is the gameplay which holds its own against the gameplay of newer games.

A great game, buy it, you won't regret it.

You are Solid Snake and you must stop an uprising!

+)One of the first games to be story focused. It may be one of the first to have a twist at the end

+)Controls are very simple

+)Music is memorable

+)Some of the boss fights are fun

+)It is the first game in the Metal Gear series

~A LOT OF "Where do I go next." You WILL need a guide to get through this game ~No map to help you where to go ~Confusing layout ~Enemies are relentless if they spot you, but they will suddenly stop if you leave the screen ~Some of the boss fights are cheap. ~Item Management is horrible. You will have to go to the menu every time you want to use a keycard (There are many key card). You will have to go through all the keycard to see which one opens which door. ~Some poor level layout that will 100% cause damage to you

Overall for Metal Gear fans like myself, I felt obligated to play this game and see where it all started. It is worth the hassle if you can get pass all the frustrating parts. For the people who cannot go back and play an 8bit game, it is better to just read the story. You can read them in Metal Gear Solid(PS1).

This was one of the first really good games I played on the Nintendo. While I found some of the first parts rather challenging, the game is quite enjoyable to play once you get the hang of it. I had a lot of fun playing this game, and it was the first video game my dad played ever, even when I wasn't around (he actually finished the game before I did!). Sometimes I still wish I had it.