Although Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes doesn't attain a new standard of innovation, it does offer fans and newcomers alike a riveting, wholly entertaining experience quite unlike any they've encountered before in this genre. Emerging on the GameCube as a bolder, refined hybrid, Twin Snakes captures the essence of the original classic and combines it with the acclaimed gameplay nuances of its sequel, Sons of Liberty. The end result is simply remarkable, thanks to the collective talents of Silicon Knights and Konami Entertainment of Japan (KCEJ), who introduce a distinct dimension that couldn't possibly be achieved six years ago. Unfortunately, this achievement comes at a high price that mars its potential for perfection.

"This is a top-secret black op. Don't expect any official support."

I won't divulge too much of the story in order to avoid any spoilers. At this point in time, I am sure many gamers have played the original and are aware of how the events unfold. But for the sake of newcomers and persons whose interests have been piqued, I'll go over the basics.

The story takes place at an Alaskan nuclear disposal facility on Shadow Moses Island. The hero, Solid Snake, is coercively brought back into duty to infiltrate the area and prevent a terrorist takeover from escalating into a nuclear war. During his debriefing, Snake learns that the terrorists are in fact former comrades from his old military outfit, FOXHOUND. Naturally, things end up a lot more complicated then they appear. Snake is issued two mission objectives: rescue the DARPA Chief, Donald Anderson, and the President of ArmsTech, Kenneth Baker; both who are being held hostage. And secondly, determine the severity of the terrorist threat. However, Snake quickly discovers his objectives will involve more than just nuclear weapons and saving a couple of old men. As you progress throughout the game, you'll become entangled with a series of political riddles, plot twists, and the inevitable encounter with the devastatingly powerful battle tank itself, Metal Gear.

Let's get the nitpicking out of the way. The controls could benefit from a bit more polish. For the record, I am very fond of the GameCube controller. However, it's no substitute for the Dual Shock, which I basically consider to be better suited for this type of game. Perhaps I wouldn't feel so awkward with simple tactics like disengaging the first-person view during gunfights or holstering my weapon if it weren't for the relative degree of hand gymnastics required.

"I am NOT a rookie!"

Certain commands that were originally executed by one button have been inexplicably replaced by a combination of two (or three) buttons at once, essentially creating a very disorienting gameplay experience. I realize this is minor, but having to press the Start button in conjunction with the B or A button for simple codec transmissions or those vital moments when you need to pause the game for bathroom breaks is just wrong. Despite the option to configure the first-person view, I would've preferred a custom configuration setting to map the buttons according to my tastes. It left me to wonder if critical aspects like this are actually screened during the QA process.

I was also disappointed by the fact that the new moves don't appear to have as significant an effect on the overall gameplay as they did in the sequel. Perhaps my standards were set a bit too high? I'll admit that the new first-person view feature definitely makes it a lot easier to dispatch Genome Soldiers and even helps a few boss battles, as in the case of Revolver Ocelot. Nevertheless, one can use the same techniques and tactics from the original and complete the game with ease. The weapons however, are a different story altogether. The M9, for example, which I consider to be a godsend, makes tactical espionage an art (and a lot less bloody too).

Keep in mind, that I am not suggesting that the moves are entirely insignificant. I recognize their inclusion is intended to simplify your objectives and it's a safe bet to say they'll definitely come in handy on a more advanced difficulty setting. Especially since the enemies aren't as dense as they were back in the day. You'll encounter guard patrols that will immediately respond to any sudden movement or sound. Yes, that includes an unexpected sneeze. Gesundheit.

"Huh? I heard something . . ."

I heard from a few sources that the AI behaviors were programmed to be substantially more difficult than in Sons of Liberty, and I'd have to say they are to some extent. I picked up on this during numerous situations when I triggered an alert near an access point (read: a door). Much to my surprise, I was attacked by a random guard who literally seemed to pop out of nowhere. This usually occurred just after I cleared a room, which generally always had one way in and out. Obviously, I found this a bit unsettling and unrealistic from a gameplay standpoint, since they don't register on the radar. Another area overlooked by the QA process? We'll never know, but overall, I am still fond of the increased challenge factor, since it definitely makes the updated installment a lot more enjoyable than its predecessor. But one thing's for sure, I am finding myself getting killed a lot more often. (After awhile, I get sort of tired of hearing those strange voices, randomly screaming my name like I can't return at the press of a button.)

And speaking of voices, I am greatly saddened by the alterations made to Mei Ling, Natasha Romaneko, and Naomi Hunter. Well, mainly Mei Ling. She still sounds just as cute as before, but I miss the accent. Now she sounds all American and a lot more articulate than before (which I assume was their objective). Unless you're a diehard fanboy, most of you won't care either way. It's not that bad, really, but I wish they would've trained Jennifer Hale to deliver a more dynamic performance; she basically comes across flat as a board!

All criticisms aside, I am absolutely in love with the game; graphically it's a gem to be marveled at. I can never look at the PlayStation version the same way again. Not even the Bleem or PC versions can measure up to the caliber of Twin Snakes. Yeah, it looks that good. And the cinematic sequences, masterfully led by Japanese film director and writer Ryuhei Kitamura, are bound to leave you impressed, one after another. Ryuhei definitely knows how to create a sensational atmosphere, even if it does come across as a bit over-the-top, like something right out of a Matrix film. For instance, why is it that the guard in the hangar bay freaks out when his commanding officer sternly informs him that there's an intruder? His exaggerated reaction doesn't seem appropriate for the scene as it was originally depicted. But enough of that . . .

"Colonel, disengaging fanboy codec transmissions."

"Are you an Otaku, too?"

It's unfortunate that after seventeen years, a Metal Gear game finally graces a Nintendo console, and yet it doesn't even contain a whole lot of hidden bonuses. Granted, you've got some cool extras thrown in there and all of the original tricks of the trade from the original (that includes being able to see Meryl's panties, you perverts). There are even a few Nintendo bonuses thrown in there for the diligent players to discover. But, for me, that wasn't enough. I would've liked something more like a sound test, a couple of VR missions, artwork, or maybe even the original NES classic (or even better, the MSX version released exclusively in Japan). Little bonuses like that would have truly put this package over the top, making it a true collector's item.

I realize that this is all wishful thinking, but when you've bested the ultimate enemy, collected every dog tag, and squeezed out every ounce of replay value that the game has to offer, what's there left to do? In any case, fans will embrace Twin Snakes for everything its worth; they aren't the ones who need to be told to buy the game. They own it, and they'll continue to enjoy anything Hideo Kojima and his development team throw at them. It's the rest of society that needs to be brought into the loop. So if you're among that group of people still sitting at home pondering whether this is worth your time and cash, buy the game. Buy it today and experience the definitive game that put tactical espionage action on the map.

Okay, I am ready to go . . .

· · · Chris "Bahn" Scantleberry

Is Twin Snakes a better game than the original Metal Gear Solid? Yes. Is it a better overall product than MGS? Well, that's debatable. On one hand there is the vastly improved graphics engine and tons of additions to the stealth portion of gameplay, but on the other there's the often too-overdone cinematics and removal of the almost action-game feel MGS had.

With MGS you could blow through areas violently if so desired and it could be done in a way that you never got hurt. TS removes that element by adding the shielded reinforcements and increased responsiveness of the guards from MGS2: The Sons of Liberty. That's balanced out by the first-person aiming and tranquilizer gun that make the majority of the game far easier to fly through. Cameras are now not even a consideration and guards are easier prey to kill stealthily even though straight-up battles are much harder.

If it's been a long time since someone played MGS there's a good chance he wouldn't even notice most of the differences, since most of the gameplay remains unchanged. Of particular note are the boss battles, which remain the highlight of the game and ooze personality. A lot of this is a very good thing, since the original was such an incredible product and the tweaks manage to add so much without destroying the essence. It's still an absolute blast to play through and remains far superior to the crazy-in-the-head sequel, a fact that by itself makes it a requisite product for gamers everywhere.

Then comes what some might consider the real changes: all the additions, alterations, and modifications to the cut scenes. As they are the real focus of MGS, so much hinges on the delivery and execution of characters talking away about absolutely anything regarding Metal Gear or their life stories. To that end TS most definitely delivers, from the utterly amazing Ninja hallway slaughter to the stunning battles near the end. Unfortunately it also brings a lot of differences to the characters and music, and not always for the better. Vulcan Raven has his stoic wiseman aura all but stripped and the beautiful melody of "The Best Is Yet to Come" has been removed from almost every relevant scene. I'm not sure it's even possible to create a better and/or more fitting piece of music, so I'm not entirely sure why they even tried.

My other main problem with the new cut scenes is that they often remove that precariously delicate act of the suspension of disbelief that Metal Gear Solid did so well. The original had a lot of ideas but either stuck with more mundane ways of showing things or didn't try explaining things to the point where they proudly display all their underlying flaws. In TS, Snake tosses a grenade down a tank barrel and reaches the operator, which isn't possible in any post-WWI tank; later he jumps onto a passing missile and leaps off it to perform an impossible shot; Liquid does flips on a couple-inch-wide steel beam for no reason at all; the list of craziness goes on and on. The sense of Snake as a real person is all but shot here, instead he is replaced with a high-flying inhuman action hero capable of moving at incredible speeds.

It's funny how in the end Snake seems more fake than he did in the blurry, low-polygon original while all the guards now seem more real. Yet all these criticisms are primarily just fanboy nitpicking, as in the end Twin Snakes still delivers an incredible product that provided me with more joy than any other game in recent memory. Sure, it's something I already played to death years ago, but it seems I'm doomed to repeat history.

Time to go screw with some guards.

· · · Chris "MechDeus" Rubin