E3 2004: Metal Gear Solid 3 Hands-On

MGS3 was probably the biggest game of the show, but is it all just hyperbole? Find out in our detailed hands-on playtest.

Update: Video coverage added.

Leading Konami's E3 pack was none other than the third chapter of Hideo Kojima's highly acclaimed Metal Gear Solid series. Witnessing the ridiculous line snaking its way around corners to finally play this game, we plotted, planned, and coordinated an attack with a Konami PR representative, knocking some unsuspecting player out and snatching the controllers away from him.

As the others within Kikizo's group dragged his unconscious body away and stuffed him in a locker, we spent some quality time with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater in hopes of getting to grips with this anticipated new instalment, its camouflage index and the close quarter combat system (CQC).

When we were done, I must admit that we stepped away from the game scratching our heads, somewhat unsatisfied by the experience... and looking around, I didn't notice any enthusiasm coming from any of the other players either; all of the excitement in the Konami booth was pretty much relegated to the Nano Breaker, Neo Contra, and Rumble Roses gaming setups.

That's not to say that Metal Gear Solid 3 is a bad game by any means. On the contrary, if we had hours to sit with the game and explore all of its nuances and play mechanics I'd more than likely be raving about it, but alas, there's only so much you can take in on the E3 showfloor. A shame really since the latest chapter in the Metal Gear Solid saga is an interesting departure from the previous entries, introducing players to a brand new jungle setting that will change the series' dynamics considerably.

The story takes place some time in the 1960s, at a time when two world powers are struggling for dominance. In the midst of this power struggle, "a newly created weapon of mass destruction" lurks in the shadows and Snake has been called in once again to embark on yet another dangerous mission, one that will take him through natural jungle environments into the heart of enemy territory in hopes of uncovering the secrets behind this powerful new weapon.

However, in order to successfully accomplish this task, Snake will need to become one with nature and rely on basic primal instincts to survive the harsh jungle environments, using it to his advantage against the enemy. Sharpened combat and hunting techniques are the order of the day if players want to survive.

At the start of the game players get to view a cool cutscene of Snake parachuting out of a plane down into what appears to be a Vietnamese jungle - complete with gators, snakes, and enemy sentries patrolling the areas.

Once in the jungle the first order of business is to avoid detection and retrieve Snake's all-important backpack, filled with all the survival gear a boyscout would ever need: guns, rifles, grenades, and camouflage gear just to name a few important items. After performing a brief tree climbing exercise and balancing act in order to retrieve the pack from one of the branches, we worked our way through the jungle in hopes of completing the rescue mission.

The game's basic control scheme remains pretty similar to that of its predecessors while introducing new features that enhance the gameplay experience. One of the interesting aspects of MGS3's gameplay compared to its predecessors is the emphasis it places on true stealth mechanics.

Unlike the previous MGS games, in which Snake's stealth tactics included hiding in lockers, crevices, wall indentations and giant boxes - not to mention the luxury inclusion of an enemy radar, MGS3 foregoes all of that and emphasizes proper use of its Camouflage index system in order to hide in plain sight and avoid detection while infiltrating enemy infested areas.

In using the new Camouflage index system players will be able to select from a variety of camouflage designs available to them from the outset as well as acquire additional camouflage patterns online to be incorporated into the game.

Applying the camouflage to Snake's face and matching the appropriate body gear to try and blend in with the environments will certainly put one's color coordination skills to the test, but at least the results are immediate thanks to a percentage system displayed at the upper right corner of the screen.

The better the percentage, the less detectable he is in the jungle, enabling him to sneak up on enemy sentinels and take them out - slowly but methodically - using the new Close Quarters Combat system. This fighting system allows Snake to make use of Special Forces offensive and defensive combat techniques, used in actual combat in jungles, bushes, and even indoor areas when using a gun wasn't an option.

Close Quarters Combat specializes in effectively using your bare hands, a knife, and pistol to fight your way through multiple enemies that are within close range and is quite effective in unpredictable environments such as jungles where you never know where the next attack will come from.

From the brief exposure we had to the CQC system, Snake can engage in this unique form of combat when equipped with a handgun + CQC knife. Not only can Snake perform smooth flowing strikes, chokes, and powerful throws that can render the enemy unconscious, he can also sneak up on and threaten enemy guards in order to obtain important info, restrain an enemy from attacking, and use them to shield him from other enemy attacks.

If the combination of the camouflage index and CQC system sounds somewhat daunting don't worry, you're not the only one. I got caught quite a number of times by enemy guards while trying to creep up on them or fool them into thinking that I was a tree, but as with anything in life, practice makes perfect - and all said and done, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is surely poised to introduce new levels of depth into the world of tactical espionage.

Graphically, Metal Gear Solid 3 looks amazing and is set to break new grounds in visual story telling, with high quality video graphics and physics. The graphics are very detailed with beautifully modelled, natural surroundings, sporting sharp textures and some very nice lighting effects filtering through the forest of trees throughout the jungle.

While trying to listen to video game audio at a show like E3 is a somewhat futile exercise, we fully expect MGS3 to receive special treatment in that department as the game's soundtrack is once again being handled by Hollywood's own Harry Gregson-Williams - whose credits also include hit movies such as The Rock, Shrek, Enemy of the State, The Replacement Killers, and Armageddon.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is set for a November 2004 release, although whether it actually makes that release remains to be seen. Hopefully the wait won't be too long before fans can hide up in trees and bring Solid Snake crashing down on the head of an enemy guard. We'll have much more on MGS3 as the game nears completion.

Joseph Jackson
Staff Writer, Kikizo.com