Written by: Sean O'Neill

Those of you who have followed GCA at all should know two things. The first is that I am a huge Silicon Knights fan; the second is Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation is one of my favorite games of all time. So when I found out that SK was working on a remake of one of my favorite games, a heart-attack ensued.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes puts you in the role of the famous Solid Snake, a one man stealth crew that is sent to find out how to stop a group of terrorists from launching nuclear warheads using a newly stolen device called Metal Gear. The first question many of you have got to be asking is how different Twin Snakes is from its original outing on the Playstation. Is it an entirely new experience or a simple port? Gladly, I would say it falls somewhere in the middle. Let me brief you on the mission and how it differs from those in the past.

The first item I want to tackle on MGS:TTS is its control set up. As you all know, MGS:TTS is now equipped with the ability to jump into a first person mode to pick off enemies with your gun. This opens up a great new element to the gameplay, while at the same time, crippling one of the game's best battles. Let me explain, in the original you go up against a sharp shooter named Revolver Ocelot. In the PS1 version of the title you were forced to maneuver and find cover as you would exchange shots with this marksman. Now you can simply find yourself a corner where you have the ability to jump into the first person mode and scope him as he turns the corners. Outside of this example, the first person mode is a welcome addition that helps add to the “stealthing”. I would have liked to see some elements of the gameplay that were changed to encourage or even force a player to use this feature, but all in all it’s very helpful.

In terms of moving Snake, you have your standard run and walk movements, which you will need to switch alternatively as you sneak around corners or outrun enemies’ fire. Still, the somewhat clunky fight mechanics feel a bit dated. One thing that surprised me was how much Snake could maneuver. Even with games like Splinter Cell and Rogue Ops out, MGS still manages to hold up to them in terms of maneuverability. Cool little details such as knocking on walls to gather guard’s attention can offer some fun gameplay. Using items such as cardboard boxes to sneak past enemies or hiding in lockers as they patrol right past you keeps the emphasis on sneaking. A problem that I kept having trouble with involved the access of the ever-popular Codec. For some reason Silicon Knights made players press start and A, instead of just using the start button… a button that has no direct function. While it’s a minor thing, I did find myself struggling to reach my commander while still evading enemies.

One thing that set Metal Gear apart was its amazing story. It’s all here but with a few extra bonuses. Famed Japanese director, Ryuhei Kitamura has reworked many of the old cut scenes and added a more dynamic look to them. Bullet time battles and breakneck camera moves offer a slick new perspective on how the story is told while still sticking to the script. Speaking of script, all the dialog has been totally rerecorded. David Hayter and crew do an amazing job giving believable personalities to these characters in what I would argue is some of the best voice acting ever to grace video games. My favorite new addition in terms of the story telling is the new Psycho Mantis sequence. For those of you who have never experienced the original, be prepared for a gaming experience like no other. Those seasoned veterans will crack a smile as Mantis examines your memory card remarking on your Eternal Darkness and Super Smash Brothers saves. The game is packed with these types of cut scenes, in fact when you open your copy of MGS: TTS you will notice it’s on two disks. Other nice touches are Easter eggs such as pictures of the developers and a few Nintendo trinkets. One thing that I loved about the original was its heart-pumping soundtrack. Just like in the original, the music changes seamlessly to fit the situation. You can be walking down a hallway and then a guard spots you; the music will pick up in pace and offer a much more frantic feel to the game. The score has been reworked a bit, offering what I feel is a better listening experience.