The Metal Gear Solid series

The Metal Gear Solid series is one of the most storied series in video games. The series is a stealth action game created by Hideo Kojima. In the series you take the role of a Special Forces Operative that has been sent into battle to face off against a superweapon called “Metal Gear.” The series pioneered the stealth genre. One aspect of the series that has always set Metal Gear Solid apart is the lengthy cinematic cutscenes. The storyline covers politics, warfare, science and other themes.

The Metal Gear series often utilizes “magical realism” combining a modern world with a supernatural one. For example, the character of Vamp is considered to be a vampire. His thrust for blood was developed when he was a child, when ” lost his family in a church bombing. In order to survive, Vamp fed on the blood of his family until his imminent rescue.” The series can have some ridiculous elements to it but I think it’s part of the charm.

Of the many entries in this series I think the best story was Metal Gear Solid. Published in 1998, it received a a metascore of 94/100 and sold over 6 million copies. Whether this is actually the best Metal Gear story I don’t know. However, it was my first game in the series. I remember that it changed my understanding of what a gaming story could be. The complex story was amazing and felt like I was playing a role in a movie. Engaging, dramatic and highly entertaining, the Metal Gear series has the best story.