A perfect example of how to butcher a classic.
So when Silicone Knights, decided to remake it, they had a hell of alot to live upto. Did they do it? no way! What they did do, is take the gameplay from MGS 2 and blend it in with the maps of the first game. Which sounds cool, but when you take into account, that the maps in he original were designed to be a challenge and you change that by giving Snake extra abilities, it makes things alot less of a challenge.
Thats not to say it isn't nice to look at the make over they gave the game, because the game does look lush, and it is nice to see things with more pixels. Plus the extra attributes Snake has gained, makes things more fun(Stashing bodys in lockers is always fun).
The real thing that has bothered me about the remake, is the cutscenes, and voice actors. The cutscenes in the original, were awesome to say the least. Not abit of pretention in sight. It was down to the point, and gave it abit of realisim it did very well. The new cut scenes have loads of over the top slow motion and surreal fights. For an example, one of the most memerable cutscenes of the orginal game, was when Snake is confronted by the Hind D for the first time and has to desend down the building via a rope. Look at what Silicone Knights did. They felt the need to put slow motion in the cutscene and have Snake jump on a missle the hind had fired, all while he fires his Stinger launcher at the Hind. It goes to and beyond ridiculous in this game.
The voice actors are just as bad as the cutscenes. Why they couldn't just port the voices from the original is beyond me. All the main characters have the same voices, like Snake, Liquid, Ocelot. But they changed voices. I cant give any examples, because its been years since i've played this game, but i do remember the most hurtful voice, which was the Ninja. His voice fitted the character perfectily in the original, so when i heard his voice in the remake it just didn't go at all and left me seeing the red mist.
The game overall is a wash out really, because all they've done is take Hideo's work from the first two games, and merge them together only with ridiculous over the top, american style cutscenes. You'd think Micheal Bay was involved.
Graphics: One of the few good things about the game. Its good to see more pixels on this classic. 8
Soundtrack: The soundtrack itself is different, but i think its a pretty well made score so theres no knocking that. The voice actors that were back for this one are fine, but the new ones can jeb right off. 6
Gameplay: Ok, while it makes things easier, it is nice to see Snake more atheletic this time round. 7
S**** Box: Awful cutscenes, some voice actors, lazy game really, becuae if you played the original, you have pretty much seen everything it had to offer, and offers little more than gameplay from MGS2.
Overall: I've been very harsh on this game, but like i say the original is the Mona lisa of games, and its hard to top a masterpiece. If you've never played MGS before, i urge you to get the original instead. It might be dated in everything tech-wise. But its lost nothing in story. If you've played the original and not this, i wouldn't bother. The only thing worth playing it for is its ok (by this day) graphics. 6.5
Value: 3-10 pound on a push.