"Solid" is the word to describe this DGN!
Challenging title to review. Not really a game. Not a movie. More than just any old graphic novel.
I am extremely biased when it comes to anything metal gear. I am a huge fan. I love Hideo Kojima, Kojima Productions, and the MGS series. So when I heard about MGS: DGN, I was stoked. I am happy to report to you all that I am not dissapointed in this latest creation at all.
It is the retelling of the original Metal Gear Solid game that was made originally for the psone and for pc. Just retold in comic book fashion. It took me about 3hrs. to complete from start to finish (the story anyways), and that was with some dabbling in the "memory building simulation mode". Basically that entails of you hitting the square button to bring up a target reticle so that you can find hidden material in certain frames. The materials can then be unlocked and reviewed. They go into detail about characters and events that happen in MGS and how they relate to each other(at least that is what I have gotten out of it so far).
PROS:
*The story was well done and I found that even though I had beaten the game several years ago(and all the following ones too :) it still had the power to evoke some emotion with in me. Good story telling I guess.
*The art style was awesome. Did the original MGS justice, and in a way kinda felt 'natural'. Kinda like the original game was gritty and dirty, so was the art work.
*The sound quality was great. Firefights were just the best. Plus, the music was always fitting for the situation.
*The memory building simulator mode is pretty neat. I can forsee myself rewatching MGS:DGN over and over till I have found as many pieces hidden with the stills as I can. LOL, and then I will get frustrated at the last couple that have eluded me and go to some site that tells me exactly where they all are.
*To the fans of the MGS series, this is a must own!
CONS:
*I do feel that it was kinda short at only 3hrs. the battles were over as quick as they began. But, I feel that this is very minor grievance.
*After having watched it, I don't think that newcomers to the series would find it as entertaining. *BEWARE* It can be just a little lucid at times.
*There were times that the automated text was moving to fast for me to read and to take in the pictures at the same time. I had to go back and rewatch the entire page.
*I would like to address the issue of thier being no voice overs. While that may have been really cool, I don't find that it was necessary. MGS:DGN did not suffer in anyway from it. This is after all a DGNOVEL! Not a DGMOVIE!
Novel = Meant to be read. Anyways.......
In the trailer for MGS:DGN it claims that it is the start of the Digital Graphic Novel genre(?). If that is so, I can not wait to see what the future holds. It set the bar real high and I look forward to the day that I have a seperate folder full of DGNs! Of course, all the MGS/Kojima Productions DGNs will be in the front >) This was an enjoyable buy, well worth the 20 bucks.
Enjoy...