This game came out along with it's almost identical twin, snake eater, in the fall of the ps2-lifespan.
While the introduction of the ps3 was all of the buzz, this golden treasure got bumped off the radar if you didn't consider yourself a fan.
It almost felt like an nobelesse oublige, but nothing could be further from the truth. It's an explosive goodbye waver from the lauded ps2, as well as a blast off towards the next generation console in terms of graphics, gameplay and narrative.
New added features like changing outfits, restoring health with hunting for prey or resting while hiding.
Even broken bones can be set and cuts sown together with medical supplies; all great realistic additions graciously welcomed into the trademark user-interface.
Of course there is also the introduction of the close quarter combat.
I'll admit though, the close quarter combat feels a bit dissapointing, especially when attempting to recreate the tutorial video's. Some of it is simply not there. And the things you do manage to recreate, are mostly by accident, while setting off all kinds of alarms.
It's frustrating, because you do want to play the game as it is intended to be played, but doing so forces you to play parts over and over again ad nauseum, without any insight in what it is you're doing wrong.
Powering through old school style though, ironicly, works flawlessly.
In fact, you leave the cqc for what it is, everything else what makes the metal series so great jump into gear, smoothing the wrinkle across your forehead and allows you to get sucked in the amazing story this game has in store.
Leaving you dazed from a dramatic thrill ride only metal gear can deliver that in the end, as always, will stick with you for quite some time.