Poll: Favourite Metal Gear game?

[Vlado]

Metal Gear is my favourite game series. I can hardly imagine respecting a game creator more than Kojima. While some criticise the games for their long cutscenes, I am the kind of gamer who prefers games that have a story to tell, and, in Metal Gear's case, it is a most compelling story. Kojima's anti-war sentiments expressed strongly throughout the series make Metal Gear really stand out. The stealth gameplay is also something I greatly enjoy, so it's pretty much the perfect combination for me.

My favourite by a tiny margin is still MGS3, mostly thanks to the fascinating dynamics between Snake/Big Boss and Ocelot, the setting (far more alive and vibrant than the smaller, enclosed spaces of the previous games), and perhaps the ending. And the one game I'd like to specially mention is Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, which is really remarkable for a 2D game from 1990 - it has a good story and contains most of the mechanics present in MGS, it's interesting to see them at work in two dimensions. If you like the series and haven't played it yet, please do.

Bonus question: Solid Snake or Naked Snake/Big Boss? (Big Boss for me - he's more charming and his story is more interesting.)

I can't wait for The Phantom Pain!

 

[Aerith]

Let's see what Metal Gear Solid 3 had to offer:
- Fantastic gameplay all around
- An amazing story that was filled with intrigue
- Some of the best characters I have ever seen in a videogame (BOSS <3)
- An overall great setting
- Fantastic writing, as in dialog and stuff.

I mean, what's not to love about this game!

 

[thejboy88]

Metal Gear Solid, by a long shot. It's what introduced me to the series and is, by far, the best game I ever owned on the PS1.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

I love Metal Gear and this is a tough one because they all have their different strengths:

-Metal Gear Solid 2 has the best story
-Metal Gear Solid 3 has the best gameplay
-Metal Gear Solid 4 has the best online (of any game ever)
-Metal Gear Solid is just really well rounded, not really any major flaw or weakness

I guess I'd have to side with MGS3. The only thing I don't think I cared for story-wise was I never really knew exactly how the Philosopher's Legacy switched hands as Eva supposedly got it but then Snake had it in his pocket but yet didn't get it all. And the physics behind the Shagohod don't make any sense.

 

[ArcadianDrew]

For me it's MGS3 Subsistance. This one had the free roaming camera that really added to stealth gameplay. I think it's the best in the series in terms of gameplay and characters, the setting being a jungle + other areas really allowed the designers to come up with some interesting mechanics, like the camouflage system and the stamina bar where you had to eat food to keep Snake at optimal capacity. Though I will say, Metal Gear Solid had the best setting and atmosphere of the series, Shadow Moses was a great place for the game to be set, and it's a shame that modern games don't utilise a single location for the setting anymore, now everything has to be open world with big yet samey maps; Metal Gear Solid felt more focused as a result of having that one location.

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

I'm definitely a big fan of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, especially the HD version on PS3 that has all the added gubbins from the Subsistence version. The free camera makes the game play a lot smoother. The mostly jungle setting helps create a fantastic atmosphere, the story is, in my mind, the strongest of the games and the boss battles are pant-wettingly fun. I know some people grumble about the micromanaging of Snake's camo, injuries and food supplies but I actually find it really engaging and helpful to the immersion. Basically, it's easily my favourite Metal Gear game.

 

[Casual Shinji]

I mean, what's not to love about this game!

Well, the Cobra unit was kinda terrible. The End was great, but the Pain, the Fear, and the Fury were just glorified henchmen with zero character and extremely weak accompanying Boss fights.

OT: Metal Gear Solid

It still strikes the best balance overall in the series. The graphics were still fairly primative so Kojima couldn't go all balls out with his... cinemastrubation. There was more subtlety to the characters and the voice acting, with Hayter having not yet descended into uber gruff soldier man. And the setting and characters felt appropriately grounded despite everything being larger than life. It also handles its story and themes with a lot more nuance, as opposed to MGS3 which went for a straight gut punch. MGS1 somehow felt way more emotional while being less upfront about it.

That D-pad aiming with the sniper rifle aged horribly though. Seriously, fuck you Sniper Wolf!

 

[Gladion]

I picked "other" for two reasons. Firstly, after Ground Zeroes, I really want to give TPP a chance to snatch the throne from Snake Eater. Second, I think that each of these games should be viewed individually (except maybe MGS 1&2), because although they have an overarching narrative and certainly belong together thematically, I think they are more individual than they are usually considered, in the sense that they seem very representative of their respective generations, if that makes any sense.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I've only played MGS through to completion but I have played others in the series like 2, 4 and, Revengence. I think Revengence had the greatest fun factor for me. I love the combat engine and I love the boss fights but when it comes to the core series, MGS is my favorite by virtue of it being the only one I've bothered completing. I'm starting a new campaign on MGS4 though because I finally got another copy and I want some more trophies.

 

[Netscape]

Metal Gear Solid, by a long shot. It's what introduced me to the series and is, by far, the best game I ever owned on the PS1.

Going to have to agree, but I fully admit I'm also biased. MGS was my first entry to the series and the only game I've gone back to play more than once so far. I still need to finish 2, but haven't got around to it yet.

Snake Eater was really good, had a memorable story and solid gameplay. I've always preferred the first MGS though, the atmosphere and story were just a lot more engaging to me.

 

[Kingjackl]

I don't know if we're counting it, seeing as it's not on the poll, but I really like Metal Gear Rising Revengeance's cheesy parody take on the series. I haven't played Ground Zeroes, but from what I understand, it seems to have continued the trend started in MGS4 of Kojima taking things a bit too seriously for my liking. In addition to being an awesome game in it's own right, I like the self-awareness in Rising that most other Metal Gear games lack.

That being said, MGS3 is still my favourite game ever.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance because fuck you!

Hahaha, no, I'm kidding (kinda).

Out of the Metal Gear games I've played Snake Eater was my favorite one. I never really got into MGS though, the tonal dissonance just always bothered me too much. Kojima just goes from gritty war realism to poop jokes way too fast for my liking. That's why I love Metal Gear Rising, because it's willing to be incredibly silly in every way and I think that the Metal Gear universe is much more entertaining when viewed that way.

Seriously though, Jetstream Sam is the best thing to come out of the Metal Gear universe.

Spoiler

 

[Kyrian007]

I had to go with "other." It would have been MGS 3. I prefered Shadow Moses, but the gameplay from PS1 era was so limiting... I'd have to go with 3. And then came the GameCube and Twin Snakes. I remembered playing Sons of Liberty and thinking, If MGS had THIS gameplay it may be the best game ever. So when they actually DID just that... Twin Snakes is in my top 5 of ALL TIME. Plus it was a step in the right direction when they cranked the action in the cutscenes to the absurd level that Twin Snakes did. Twin Snakes ITSELF is worth buying a GameCube. Not to mention all the other really awesome exclusives you can go back to with it.

And Twin Snakes, even though it's just MGS, is so much better that I have to classify it as "other."

 

[Hawki]

I've only played MGS1-3, and the original Metal Gear. Out of all of those, if the question was "best," I'd have to say MGS3, due to how its gameplay was basically a step up from everything that had come before (both stealth and boss fights), and the story was excellent as well.

But as the question was "favorite," I'd still have to go with MGS1. First MGS game I played, and it's no doubt a case of nostalgia overwhelming other factors, but damn, I love that game. Even now, in both story and plot, I can find enjoyment in it.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

I really like Peace Walker, because it delivers the most satisfying nonsense of any game ever made. I mean c'mon, there's..

Spoiler

FUCKING DINOSAURS

How can you not love a game with that kinda shit? It's amazing! And the damn things shoot lasers!

I have to admit MGS3 is probably the best because its story makes sense and its gameplay is fun, but Peace Walker is soooo great.

 

[SmallHatLogan]

Metal Gear (MSX) is the only Metal Gear game I've finished, so I'll go with that one.

Spoiler: Plus it has this bitchin' tune.

 

[Sir Pootis]

For me, in the main series, it's a tie between MGS3 and Peace Walker, mostly because I feel that they take themselves less seriously that the other games in the series (especially Peace Walker). I prefer silly Metal Gear over overly angsty Metal Gear, like MGS4 was.

And, what would be the point of talking about Metal Gear and silliness without mentioning Rising?

Spoiler

 

[TheTwelve]

I'm not surprised Snake Eater is the winner. It's definitely the only MGS that felt to me like an "epic".

Still, in terms of a good all around game with no dull moments, tight storyline and perfect length --- I'm going with Metal Gear Solid.

 

[JemothSkarii]

Snake Eater is great. But Peace Walker is my favorite.

I love the base building and hiring (kidnapping) crew. I love the humour and the idea of MSF. The vehicle missions were a great challenge and I really enjoyed the plot.

Just wish the levels were bigger and the missions longer. Ahh well. Can't get everything.

Unless Phantom Pain scratches my itch.