Stealth Evolved While "Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake" was also made for the MSX2 home computer it showed a tremendous improvement over "Metal Gear" in every aspect of its design. This time around, Hideo Kojima actually focused on creating a stealth game instead of merely adjusting an action game to meet hardware constraints. Unlike the linear view of the soldiers in the previous game, the guards in "Metal Gear 2" have a 45-degree field vision and the ability to turn their heads from side to side. They patrol slower, stopping and examining the surroundings, with the ability to move from screen to screen instead of being limited to only one. The floor layouts were made more realistic in their composition to give a feeling of an actual base as opposed to the improbable "cartoon-like" design of Outer Heaven. There are living quarters (featuring sleeping guards), bathrooms, sauna, freezer food storage, and a lounge. Even small children are frequent, running around the fortress. Some of them provide you with indirect tips and suggestions. Sound plays a vital role in this game, which again is an improvement over the original where only an alarm is set off via non-silenced weapons. In this game the player can use sound as a distraction tool; a knock on the wall would prompt a guard to investigate. However, noise-sensitive floors can also give away Snake's position to the enemy. There is even a battle with a stealth-cloaked boss that forces the player to use sound instead of visuals. Alert Mode has been redesigned from the previous game. When discovered visually by a guard or camera (or by using non-silenced weapons) the game enters Level 3 Alert Mode. There is only 1 Alert mode as guards freely travel from screen to screen, eliminating the need for the difference set in "Metal Gear". The player has the option to eliminate all the guards or run and hide long enough for the Alert to pass. If Snake manages to evade his pursuers and hide effectively from their view, the game will enter Level 2 Evasion Mode, in which the guards will feverishly patrol the area. Failure to find Snake will drop the game back to Level 1 Infiltration, and the guards will return to their patrol routes. Abilities and Equipment Snake has a wider range of abilities compared to the first game. As before he can run, punch, and shoot, but now he can also crouch and crawl. This enables him to crawl inside Vent Shafts or under vehicles and tables to avoid detection. Crouching behind an object (as some are too short to merely stand behind) helps to avoid moving cameras and crawling over noise-sensitive ground will not alert guards. While Snake can't use any weapons while crawling he does have the ability to pick up landmines safely. An Oxygen Gauge is added for when you enter a gas room or are under water. This is a big enhancement from "Metal Gear" where Snake took immediate damage in a gas room or while diving. Further more, the gas mask and the oxygen tank only extend the oxygen bar and are not infinite as in the previous game. This is directly related to the new Gas Grenades that can kill the enemies depending on which direction the air current is heading. If the gas flows back towards Snake he will receive damage unless a gas mask is equipped. Most of the weapons and equipment are similar to the first game. The grenades can now be thrown by hand instead of using a grenade launcher and must be found separately unlike the generic ammo packs of the first game. There are no remote control missiles (as the game does not feature electrified flooring) but instead there is a rocket launcher and a Stinger Missile launcher. C4 explosives are an updated version of the Plastic Explosives used in "Metal Gear". Once set it can be detonated remotely or via timer. There is a Shape-Changing broche that turns into keys depending on if it's frozen or warmed up. Staying in the cold sewers too long will cause Snake to catch a cold. Sneezing alerts the guards to his position and in order to cure the cold Snake has to find Cold Medicine. The Card Keys are back, but with a new feature. For every 3 cards collected Snake can trade them in for a single card that will open the same doors; for example the Red Card will open security level 1-3 doors. This way the player does not need to try 9 different cards near each door. In addition to the returning Cardboard Box the player is treated to a metal bucket and a camouflage mat that disguise in a similar fashion. Equipping cigarettes without moving will show Snake moving the cigarette in and out of his mouth with the smoke blowing. In fact, the smoke is used to see infrared beams and to gauge wind direction. The Radar is introduced in a 3x3 screen grid, allowing Snake to see his position and the position of the enemies in the surrounding area. When a mine detector is equipped the radar will show the locations of landmines. It's also used to aim the Stinger Missiles. The radar is jammed during the Alert and Evasion modes. Snake's mission starts by having to use the radar to find the hostage he is sent to retrieve. The player must also use the actual game manual and box case through out the game. Tap Codes can only be deciphered via chart in the manual and when the Colonel changes his frequency he tells Snake that the new one is on the Back of the Game Case (in a screenshot). There are no more generic prisoners to rescue for new ranks, instead the health bar only increases after a boss character is defeated. The game also features interesting elements such as tracking a patrolling guard through a jungle, trailing a sinking swamp, using chocolate in a ration to neutralize acid puddles, and staking out a women's bathroom to find your contact. The Transceiver radio has undergone a few changes as well. This time both Snake and the person he is talking with are shown on the radio screen, allowing for a more intimate appeal of the cast. The conversations are also no longer limited to specific locations as Snake can call various members of his support crew for advice at any time; such as the character McDonell Miller who provides Snake with general tips on military training. Improvements made to this tool add an extra level of realism to the experience of "Metal Gear 2". Complex Storytelling The mass improvements to gameplay were mirrored by the introduction of complex storytelling. Unlike the fairly linear and simplistic plot of "Metal Gear", "Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake" tackles themes regarding political intrigue, battlefield ethics, military history, and the effects of warfare. The first game used brief dialog sequences from characters encountered by Snake to tell the story. In the second installment Kojima introduced a more dynamic way to move the plot though the use of cutscenes. Though the game still used dialog boxes, it was more free-flowing with the text changing speed depending on the type of conversation. Death scenes and pondering moments type in slowly while action battle cries are fast and direct. In addition, there is a much greater interaction between Snake and the characters he meets. It should be noted that this game is the first to feature on-screen deaths of supporting cast characters. "Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake" also has a conclusive ending as the series was not meant to continue. The Solid Snake/Big Boss story arc introduced in "Metal Gear" was brought to a close in a decisive battle. Game Development, Distribution, and Pop Culture References "Metal Gear" for the NES was a sales hit in the Western Markets which led to Konami commissioning a sequel. "Snake's Revenge" was developed for the NES with Hideo Kojima out of the loop. In an interview he explained that he only found out about this game on a train ride home when he met with director of the project. Apparently he worked with Kojima on the original "Metal Gear" for the MSX2. The guy explained the "Snake's Revenge" project and told Kojima that he should create an official sequel as this game wasn't going to be "it". By the time Kojima reached his doorstep he already had concepts for the game in his mind. While he had no plans to continue the series, the creation of "Snake's Revenge" inspired him to create an official sequel. The game came out on July 19th, 1990; 3 months after "Snake's Revenge" hit the shelves in U.S. Unfortunately, "Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake" was limited to a Japan-only release and the MSX2 system was fading out. As such the game was unknown to the rest of the world until 8 years later. Much as the first game, "Metal Gear 2" had many Pop Culture references. The original face portraits were modeled after the likeness of actual actors and celebrity-like figures; Mel Gibson as Solid Snake, Sean Connery as Big Boss, Christina Applegate as Holly White, Dolph Lundgren as George Kasler, Tom Berenger as Gray Fox, Richard Crenna as Roy Campbell, Danny DeVito as Yozev Norden and Albert Einstein as Dr. Pettrovich Madnar. Some of the boss characters were named in reference to movies and novels; Black Color a reference to the novel "The Blackcollar", The Running Man, Ultra Box named after "Ultravox" and Predator named after the movie. The operation orders printed on page 37 of the original MSX2 manual was an homage of a similar operation instructions from the J.C. Pollock novel, "Crossfire". Several aspects of the actual storyline in the game was influenced by the book, including the protagonist Frank Kessler, who shares his first name with Frank Jaeger and his surname with George Kasler (spelled "Kessler" in the fan translation of the MSX2 version). The manufacturer of the toilets installed in Zanzibar Building is listed as Gainax, named after the Japanese animation studio of the same name. Pegimin H, a fictional substance from the Japanese series "Ultra Q", is listed as one of Zanzibar Land's natural resource. In the original MSX2 version, the enemy uses Minovsky Particles, a fictional electronic wave from "Mobile Suit Gundam", to disable Snake's radar during the game's alert phase. Gundam mecha designer Hajime Katoki would later provide the mecha designs for "Policenauts". Updated Version As with "Metal Gear", "Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake" was released on mobile phones in Japan on October 1, 2004. It was the first time this game was on a different system and when it was included in "Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence" it was the first time an official English translation was made. Kojima and his team updated the game, same as they did with "Metal Gear": > Easy and Original difficulty settings are available. > Boss Survival and the Infinite Ammo Bandanna are unlocked after completing the game once. > The script was changed to include more kanji characters than the MSX2 version. > The character portraits used in the game (transceiver and cutscenes) have been changed from Pop Culture references to the art style used by Yoji Shinkawa in other games. This was a vital change to bridge the visual gap between the MG and the MGS plot arcs. However, the mouth motion while talking is not present in the new version. > Character name changes: Natasha Markova was changed to Gustava Heffner, Yozef Norden was changed to Johan Jacobsen, Petrovich Madnar was given the full name of Drago Petrovich Madnar, Black Color was changed to Black Ninja, Ultra Box was changed to the Four Horsemen, Predator was changed to Jungle Evil, and Night Sight was changed to Night Fright. These changes aimed for better character background accuracy, relevance to other games in the series, and not relying on the now-outdated pop culture references. > Certain Items were modified visually and functionally to relate better to other games. The graphical icons for each of three ration types are now colored differently to tell them apart. Equipping the cigarettes will now drain the player's life bar. Moreover, the graphical icon was changed to no longer resemble a package of Lucky Strikes. The Thermal Goggles, an item that did not appear in the MSX version, can be found in B1 in first building. It can be used as an alternative to the cigarettes. In the MSX2 version, the player could only place six landmines per screen while in the updated version this was increased to sixteen. The times it takes for Natasha/Gustava's brooch to change shape and for the eggs to hatch were shortened slightly. If a hollow wall is punched, a question mark will appear over it. NOTE: The U.S. manual for "Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence" did not feature any information for "Metal Gear" and "Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake". As such, frequency digits and tap codes that the game's original manual and package contained were left out. Characters (Information is taken from the original MSX2 manual and the "Metal Gear Solid" official guide) Solid Snake The "Legend" that brought down Outer Heaven. Snake retired from FOXHOUND after his last mission, freelancing as a mercenary as well as doing some wetwork for the CIA. He is brought back for this mission by Roy Campbell. Colonel Roy Campbell A former Green Beret. After the fall of Big Boss he became the new Commanding Officer of the FOXHOUND unit. Gray Fox - He owns a "FOX" title which is the maximum commemoration in FOX-HOUND, and was always a top in the unit. In operation N312, he infiltrated Outer Heaven and actively collected data on Metal Gear. When Big Boss disappeared, all trace of him was lost and it appears he followed after his commander. True name is concealed by Classified National Security Codes. Holly White - Born from a French mother and an English father, she became interested in literature at an early age. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her shocking Afghanistan report and became famous as a documentary program director for KTV, winning a Grammy Award for her documentary "Unknown Bloodstream". She was once contracted as a fashion model for "Vogue" magazine. Playing a spy role for the CIA she has snuck into Zanzibar Land under the guise of a journalist. McDonell Miller Hired by Campbell as survival consultant for FOX-HOUND. He has served as a survival master in SAS (Special Air Skytroopers of Britain), The Green Beret Squad, US Marine boot camp, and most recently FOXHOUND. He is also volunteers as a coach in MERC SCHOOL (Mercenary School) twice a year. When he served as a drill sergeant in the FOX-HOUND, he was referred to as a 'Hell Master' and draftees called him "Master Miller" with respect. He divorced his first wife Nadine, and is currently residing in L.A. with his daughter Catherine. George Kesler (Kasler) After his career in various mercenary troops like South Africa mercenaries and French Foreign Legion, in the "Zanzibar Independence War", ("War of the Mercenaries") he was severely wounded in his right thigh, and his professional military career was over. Once worked as a negotiator but shortly afterwards became a war informant. He has been serving as an advisor for FOX-HOUND bringing in his battlefield experiences and knowledge of mercenaries. Dr. Drago Petrovich Madnar In 1994-5 he was forced to developed the TX-55 "Metal Gear Prototype" and TX-11 "Cyberoids" for the military fortress Outer Heaven. Reformed the mercenary base using engineering and powered-gear technologies of the time, and is famed as a "Father of Robotology". After the Outer Heaven incident he sought asylum in the West leaving behind his only daughter Ellen. Dr. Kio Marv In the East he was conducting a study on fertilizer evolution planning using bio-masses and by accident he discovered the "OILIX" prototype in one of his experiments. The discovery made him world-famous. He has no family and is also known for being a computer games maniac, subscribing many games he developed himself to various magazines. On his way to America to join the International Energy Problem Conference, he was kidnapped and taken to a fortress in Zanzibar Land. Marv has severe heart problems. Gustava Heffner (Natasha Morkova) Was once called the "Ice Princess" in the Olympics, and won 2 championships in a row. Fell in love with a Western man Frank Jaegar in Calgary. Tried to seek asylum with him, but failed, and was stripped of her competition rights. Then she joined STB (Czechoslovakia International Secret Police). On a mission to escort Dr. Marv to America, the plane was hijacked by Zanzibar Land mercenaries. Gustava was among the passengers and her current situation is unknown. Johan Jacobsen (Yozef Norden) A zoologist, also known as a UN endangered species preservation authority. Has been aquainted with Dr. Madnar since they were college graduates. He was once a Green Peace. Currently he is the vice president of WWARF (World Wide Animal Rights Federation) and also a living matter accountant for the science magazine "Maxwell". He is now in near Zanzibar to investigate animals indigenous to the area. Charlie Helicopter Pilot designated to retrieve Solid Snake upon the completion of Operation Intrude F014. Zanzibar Land Mercenaries Black Ninja (Black Color) Hi-tech ninja who had heightened his flesh to the limit with drugs and encased within flex armors from "Out-of-Earth Environment Special Force", a NASA top-secret project team. The troop was dismissed before its actual debut in a controversy over being too dangerous. Running Man Former short-range runner famed during the Barcelona Olympic. Doping ended his life as an athlete, and he became a mercenary and joined European terrorism. In France, he once served as a sub-leader of an extreme terrorists group Les Enfants Terribles. Within SEK (German domestic anti-terrorism special force), he is feared as a "running man". Red Blaster An elite assassination-only man who achieved special operations degree in Rumumba University of USSR. Former SPETSNAZ and favors detonating operations using explosives. He is also a master at throwing grenades. Jungle Evil (Predator) From former RECS (reconnaissance)commando squad. Professional in ambush and favors guerrilla tactics, he is called as "an assassin without form". Night Fright (Night Sight) A survivor of a legendary guerrilla squad "Whispers", which is said to be more advanced than the Green Berets in jungle warfare in North Vietnam. He attacks with a Wei Shen Sho Ciang, a gun with "few noise". He has latest camouflage system making him invisible and radar-stealth. Four Horsemen (Ultra Box) An assassination squad for close-quarter combat. A gang of elites from SAS, GSG 9(Grenzschutzgruppe 9), and UDT (Underwater Detonation Team). Machinery of Zanzibar Land Metal Gear G (Gustave) Metal Gear D |
