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| Metal Gear Solid |
From story-driven installments to spinoffs, the Metal Gear franchise rocked the globe with its unique way of gameplay as this game invented the genre of "stealth action" in the first place as well as memorable characters known to many. To date, over 51 million copies sold and it became the most successful franchise in video game history. So successful, everyone's fighting to get their products on a Metal Gear game.
Now though, the future of this franchise is now in doubt even though they've announced a new installment to the series despite Hideo Kojima's departure from the franchise and while we are wistfully look through the history of this great video game franchise, let's list down the installments from the past, present, and the future.
Metal Gear (MSX2/1987) - The saga that started it all, Metal Gear was launched in the MSX2 in July 1987 and players assume the role of FOXHOUND agent Solid Snake as he infiltrates Outer Heaven to put a stop of a deadly nuclear weapon known as Metal Gear.
Metal Gear 2 SOLID SNAKE (MSX2/1990) - Three years after the first game became a hit, a sequel to the first one, titled METAL GEAR 2 SOLID SNAKE, was launched and in this game, Solid Snake infiltrates Zanzibar Land as he's on a mission to rescue a scientist named Dr. Kio Marv and put a stop to a new Metal Gear.
Metal Gear Solid (PSX/1998) - This is the installment that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history when it was launched on the PlayStation in 1998. It marks the series' jump into 3D graphics and true stealth action gaming. Solid Snake was summoned to infiltrate a nuclear weapons base known as Shadow Moses island that was under the control of the terrorists and as he races against time, he will learn the truth about what's going on in Shadow Moses. A year after it became success, a definitive "INTEGRAL" edition was launched featuring VR Missions and special extras.
METAL GEAR Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color/2000) - Spinoff to the hit franchise, Ghost Babel is Metal Gear's foray to the Game Boy Advance and as the gameplay is similar to the first two games, it features an all-original storyline you won't find in this saga.
Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty (PS2/2001) - Sons of Liberty is one of the most dramatic installment of the Metal Gear franchise when it was first launched in the PlayStation 2 on the autumn of 2001 (although it was delayed following the 9.11 attack in America). Aside from Solid Snake, Sons of Liberty introduces a new playable character named Raiden as he infiltrates the Big Shell, controlled by the terrorists, and rescue the hostages including the US President. However, as the story progresses, everything you know about Big Shell and why will soon be changed and all that suspense makes Sons of Liberty one of the most enjoyable games in the last decade. So enjoyable, it even has a definitive SUBSTANCE version launched a year later with added extras and became part of the METAL GEAR SOLID HD EDITION alongside the Snake Eater prequel since late 2011 on the PS3 and XBOX 360.
Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes (GameCube/2004) - The installment that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history has been remade exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube since 2004. Combining MGS1 storytelling with MGS2-inspired gameplay, The Twin Snakes allows players, new and returning, revisiting the Shadow Moses incident in a whole new perspective as well as the memorable friends and foes Snake encountered during his mission.
Metal Gear AC!D (PSP/2004) - One of the first games of the PSP system when it was first launched in 2004, Metal Gear AC!D is a strategy-based action card game where players assume the role of Snake and Teliko as they infiltrate enemy territory with a collectible arsenal of cards, each with their own abilities to turn the tide of the battle.
Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater (PS2/2004) - The forgotten tale of Big Boss has been told in this prequel of the Metal Gear saga launched on the PS4 in late 2004. When Naked Snake's mission to rescue a Russian scientist ended in disaster, the US Government needs to prove its innocence to the world by sending Snake on a mission to kill his mentor, The Boss, who is now defected to the Soviet Union. Because it's set in the era of the Cold War, players rely on some old-school tactics to survive enemy territory such as collecting camouflage uniforms, hunt animals for food, search for arsenal of weapons, and more importantly, CQC. The definitive SUBSISTENCE edition, launched a year later, features additional content such as the first ever METAL GEAR ONLINE multiplayer and two classic Metal Gear games included, making it the perfect METAL GEAR experience for veterans and newcomers alike. It was part of the HD Edition alongside MGS2 since late 2011 on the PS3 and XBOX 360. Also, in Spring 2012, a 3DS version of the said game, titled METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D, was launched, using the full capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS while revisiting the forgotten tale of Big Boss.
Metal Gear AC!D2 (PSP/2005) - Sequel to the 2004 spinoff, AC!D2 pits players assuming the role of either Snake or new agent Venus as they infiltrate on a research lab while taking on numerous enemies using a wide array of collectible cards as well as new ones inspired from past installments and other works. Some cards can even trigger 3D clips from either Snake Eater or from one of the gravure models.
Metal Gear AC!D2 (PSP/2005) - Sequel to the 2004 spinoff, AC!D2 pits players assuming the role of either Snake or new agent Venus as they infiltrate on a research lab while taking on numerous enemies using a wide array of collectible cards as well as new ones inspired from past installments and other works. Some cards can even trigger 3D clips from either Snake Eater or from one of the gravure models.
Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (PSP/2006) - Metal Gear Solid meets PSP for the first time as Portable Ops brings the same stealth action fans love in portable gaming. Set moments after Operation Snake Eater, Snake was captured by his former comrades at the San Hieronymo Peninsula and with the help of the young Roy Campbell, Snake needs to form a team to end FOX's reign of terror in the San Hieronymo Peninsula. This game introduces a Comrade System which allows players to play as a soldier they've captured and there are different kinds of soldiers to collect and play. They can even recruit one via password or Wi-Fi and with a well-trained army, they can take on multiplayer battles online or ad-hoc. A year later, a standalone game called MGS Portable Ops + was launched featuring additional soldiers to capture as well as new multiplayer modes to play.
Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots (PS3/2008) - When MGS4 was launched in the PS3 in the 12th of June, 2008, fans have been waited for years to play the most definitive installment of the Metal Gear Saga and whey they said "definitive" it really is because in the not-to-distant future when war means business and the rise of private military corporations (PMCs), Old Snake, and with the help of some old friends from the past, are on a globe-trotting mission to stop Liquid's plot for world domination. Featuring a wide range of customizable weapons, helpful gadgets, and a storyline to end all storylines, it's the ultimate Metal Gear experience and also, Metal Gear Online returns as a standalone game mode on MGS4 where players take on other players through different multiplayer modes.
Metal Gear Solid Touch (iPhone/iPod Touch/2009) - Metal Gear Solid goes mobile with the launch of Metal Gear Solid Touch on the iPhone and iPod Touch since Spring 2009. Based on the hit Guns of the Patriots game, players need to shoot their way through five chapters inspired from the said installment and use points for extra contents.
Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker (PSP/2010) - The MGS prequel saga continues in Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker. Launched in the Playstation Portable in the spring of 2010, Peace Walker sees the continuing story of Big Boss as he's on Costa Rica with the help of his new ally, Kaz Miller, taking on a new mission from a mysterious visitor to stop a powerful new threat. Peace Walker introduces players to Mother Base as for every time they captured a new soldier, it will became part of the crew and it is essential to develop new weapons and equipment that will be proven useful in harder missions. It is the first to introduce co-op gameplay where players work together to complete goals and take on tougher bosses. Life is great when you're cooperating with others as a team and thanks to the Transfarring feature provided in the HD Edition, launched on the PS3 in late 2011, players can continue where they left off everyone or play online either cooperatively or against others in multiplayer battles.
Metal Gear Solid Social Ops (Android/iPhone/2012) - In cooperation with Gree, Social Ops is an app-based game where players collect different cards ranging from characters and mech, based on rarity of course, that will help them turn the tide against a wave of opponents in different missions.
Metal Gear Rising REVENGEANCE (PS3/2013) - Launched exclusively on the PS3 in the winter of early 2013, this spinoff is a collaboration between Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, developers of mentally insane games such as Bayonetta and Vanquish. This is the first time a Metal Gear game that lets players kill everyone on sight and it's definitely the most BRUTAL hack-and-slash game ever made. As Raiden, he lives by the mantra of protecting the innocent right until a terrible incident that lead him fueled with the soul of revenge. Armed with the HF Blade, Raiden slashes his way through the villages of Eastern Europe, the sewers of Mexico, the streets of Denver, Colorado, the underbelly of World Marshal HQ, and all roads lead to the climactic battle in Pakistan, all for revenge.
Metal Gear Solid V GROUND ZEROES (PS3/PS4/XBOX One/XBOX 360/2014) - Served as the prologue for The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss on a mission to infiltrate a US military base in Cuba while rescuing Chico and Paz following the dramatic conclusion in Peace Walker. After meeting certain conditions in the Ground Zeroes mission, players can take on additional missions as well as special Deja Vu and Jamais Vu missions.
Metal Gear Solid V THE PHANTOM PAIN (PS3/PS4/XBOX One/XBOX 360/PC/2015) - The Phantom Pain is the gripping conclusion to the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga where it centers on the legendary Big Boss awakened from a coma nine years after the destruction of Mother Base as seen on Ground Zeroes. Desperate for revenge, Venom Snake was accompanied by his trusted partner Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller, his former rival Revolver "Shalashaska" Ocelot, and his men from Diamond Dogs, as he vows to put an end to Cipher's dark conspiracy. Spanning from Afghanistan to Central Africa, the game gives players unprecedented stealth freedom in the form of open world gaming as well as treats in store from this game and the inevitable plot twists that will keep them guessing for more.
Metal Gear SURVIVE (PS4/XBOX One/PC/2018) - This will be the first ever Metal Gear game to be made following Kojima's departure from the Metal Gear franchise and in this upcoming multiplayer-focused co-op game, players will pit the role of one of the Mother Base soldiers who are ended up on a distorted dimension and they will need to work together as a group to survive a nightmare-filled landscape.
Kept you waiting, huh? Anyway, happy 30th anniversary to the Metal Gear saga and let's raise a cigar and some cardboard boxes to one of the greatest video game franchises in history. Here's hoping that even without its creator, the franchise will survive in the hearts of fans because the end is where they'll start from.
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