Metal Gear Solid 2 Review

An in-depth review of Metal Gear Solid 2 originally released for the Playstation 2. Since the HD re-release is extremely faithful to the original I've decided to use footage captured from that version instead. Watching in 480p resolution should look very similar to the original release if that's what you prefer.
Other videos in this series:
MGS1: • Metal Gear Solid Review
MGS3: • Metal Gear Solid 3 Review
MGS4: • Metal Gear Solid 4 Review
Peace Walker: • Metal Gear Solid: Peac...

[@SamsarasArt]

The voice actor for Campbell did a phenomenal job. He walked a fine line where it isn't obvious for people playing for the first time but recognize that he sounds more robotic upon subsequent playthroughs. That task required an amazingly talented VA and Paul Eiding nailed it.

[@HaonProductions]

I recently replayed MGS1 and 2 which reminded me of this element. Notably though, in The Twin Snakes, Campbell sounds a lot less expressive as well, to me at least. I have to wonder if the direction had something to with that or what.

[@plugshirt1762]

The dialogue is also amazing for this. When I first played I was really disappointed when I realized Campbell seemed like he only really ever gave straightforward lines and never talked about anything substantial to the player which seemed like a major downgrade form the original. When I realized that one of my few complaints of the game was actually foreshadowing for the twist I was just left stunned at how amazing the writing was

[@generfeld]

yeah he always sounds a little robot but you excuse it cause he's military. then you start to question it more

[@SamsarasArt]

​​@@HaonProductionsit's probably because of the direction. Campbell isn't the only one giving a worse performance. In fact everyone but Mei Ling turned in a worse performance in that game. Silicon Knights botched quite a few things in the Twin Snakes. Aside from the voice acting, the soundtrack, gameplay, boss fights, and cutscenes are inferior to the original.

[@Jazmillenium]

That colonel voice acting bit vs the AI version is amazing. I never thought of that.

[@colinobriant6895]

It explains why at some point I just started clicking through his dialogue though. I think it's really cool that he is more robotic, but like a few of this game's other story elements, it's an overall detriment (another example being the identical plot to Shadow Moses during the plant chapter), since it made the colonel boring to listen to when he talks for so much of the game. I like it, but I don't.

[@colinobriant6895]

Soriddo Sunēku I agree, I was just trying to express how funny I thought it was that Kojima would make the game less enjoyable for the sake of the plot and theming he's going for. These are the reasons that detractors of MGS2 hate it, but its fans think it's brilliant. MGS2 was full of neat little dichotomies like that.

[@maximillianlylat1589]

Waifu Rider the voice actor remembers the wjole quote too i got to hear him do it live at alamo city Comic-Con :3

[@EinFelsbrocken]

The comparison still makes me shiver. Perfect execution of the idea.

[@archentity]

"Big Boss is the president!!?!??! O_O"

[@MoriyaMug]

If you look at the Document of MGS2, it reveals that the reflection of Snake in the floor isn't actually a reflection, but a dupe of his model, rendered upside down and made visible through a semi-transparent floor. Neat trick.

[@Cernunn0s90]

Snake's ass also has a much higher poly count than any other character's behind. Funfact:D

[@SuperGeronimo999]

A bit late, but are you sure its reffering to MGS2 and not MGS1? Because these semi-transparent floors are only in MGS1's starting area...

[@MightyDesperado]

That’s actually how all mirrored effects are done except when using Raytracing, which is only coming to use very recently

[@pokemnfan1]

Yeah, that's how nearly all mirrors in video games work.

[@shpladau]

@@MightyDesperado I doubt screen space reflections work that way either.

[@Drforrester31]

I'll never forget the sheer panic I felt when the Colonel calls and says to shut off the game. It was late and everything too and seriously felt like the game was talking to me personally

[@wingmandecrayt8932]

I shut off the console after the colonel told me because I thought that's how you progress the game. XD

[@AllThisOverASliceOfGabagool]

I shit myself at around the same point when it said about sitting too close to the TV. I couldn't play the game for 3 days because it shit me up so much

[@generfeld]

yeah it creeped the hell out of me too, I was thinking "wtf is going on, who do I believe, whats real/not real" etc. I didnt know if it was an Easter Egg because it was not hidden. very odd and scary

[@iWillWakeYouUp]

One of the Metal Gear Ray mechs is called "A05E", which looks like"ROSE". Check it out, you can see it at 34:10. I believe this is significant. The real rose is taken out of the mission and the fake AI rose takes her place a while before the Ray fight. Not only that, but the fake Rose shittalks Raiden and taunts him. I believe that name is no coincidence.

[@L33PL4Y]

iWillWakeYouUp Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. It's hard to tell how much of the hidden stuff in Kojima's games is intentional and coincidental, but that's definitely an interesting thought to consider. My only issue with your theory is that you destroy that Ray, and yet the AI Rose continues to talk to Raiden through the codec before and during the Solidus fight.

[@iWillWakeYouUp]

EBsessor I didn't mean that the Ray is a "personification" of the AI Rose, but just another little hint that she's an AI now.

[@shukterhousejive]

Some Final Notes: 1) MGS2 was straight-up unfinished. 2 dead-cell members were cut and absorbed into vamp, Shell 2 was trimmed all the way back, and some other things had to be tweaked to accommodate the sudden lack of budget 2) The terminals are used to "link" the player to the game, asking for their important details much like the MOTHER series. This culminates in Raiden holding his dogtag with the player's name on it, which I'm surprised wasn't mentioned in the review 3) The best easter egg is the ice cube bucket in the tanker. Shoot it and ice cubes will fall out, and will melt proportionately to their proximity to other cubes 4) Zone of the Enders definitely deserves a look, it plays out as a giant piss-take on Evangelion and it's structured similarly to this game (normal gameplay for the first half, setpieces for the second)

[@harry_kaiser]

Something cool about the Fatman fight is that whenever Fatman places a bomb, he twirls. His skates are constantly trailing markings underneath him, so when you locate the general area of a bomb, you can just look at the markings on the floor to see which side he placed the bombs on. Awesome game design in my opinion.

[@bulma12345678910]

Damn, just noticed look at the codec sound-waves during the Tanker 1:34 and then compare it to how they look during the Plant 10:46. Raiden has a gun pointed at his head the whole time

[@Douce1337]

Not sure if that was the intent, but seeing how a design as negligible as that was even changed at all...yea I'd believe it. good find lol

[@hazardousjazzgasm129]

Considering one of the lines during the final boss, that soldiers are tools like weapons and do not deserve to have free will, yeah I'd say that's deliberate. Excellent observation, never noticed that

[@heldinahtmlhell]

Epic spot, sir. I dont think that's coincidental. It's just *too* gun-shaped!

[@hellomynameismrsilly]

Oh wow! Well done my friend! Can definitely get on board with that.

[@L33PL4Y]

bulma12345678910 You just blew my fucking mind. Thank you for pointing this out, I'm so glad I'm aware of it now. Your comment needs more likes.

[@Whiteplane]

Underwater escort mission...

[@waiflu]

while backtracking

[@jackojock101]

with mines

[@justbny9278]

a backtracking mine trapped underwater escort mission.

[@remembertotakeshowerspleas355]

lol

[@soisoisoisoisoisois0]

The absolute madmen

[@Douce1337]

I started with Metal Gear Solid 2, and I kind of want to go back and replay it. Unfortunately my favorite part of the game is more of an experience that happens to the player only once: When everything starts falling apart, and you figure out that certain things were fake. It was scary, and a really incredible experience. If I went back to MGS2 and got to Arsenal Gear, I probably wouldn't enjoy it as much as when I did it blind.

[@Wattorok]

I remember almost shitting my pants when I heard the "Turn off the game console now!".

[@Douce1337]

^ I reacted like that when I saw this for the first time. i.imgur.com/caDE2R0.png

[@TypeVertigo]

MGS2's plot makes so much more sense fifteen years later when the Internet is more pervasive than ever before and misinformation is a daily occurrence. In my country (not the US), we just elected a new president and most of the campaign materials used were circulated via social media, where fact-checking is increasingly becoming passé and people are incredibly gullible. Playing MGS2 shortly after just proved to me how far ahead of its time this game was - it predicted this would happen!

[@Jose-se9pu]

Which country is that?

[@TypeVertigo]

The Philippines.

[@blackpantah4893]

TypeVertigo, well said and I fully agree.

[@foursix32]

Philippines? Goodness. How's life under self-proclaimed Hitler?

[@TypeVertigo]

foursix32 Terrible. People keep covering for his potty mouth - his Cabinet officials and his civilian fanatics alike. Any hope for decent discourse and a healthy debate is dead. When that's gone, so goes any hope of a proper democracy working.

[@Kakeraverse]

I seriously watch these MGS reviews almost everyday.

[@ryebred6470]

Sorry, what? Snake dies on the tanker. Iroquis Pliskin is the guy you meet

[@DGdescendant22]

Lol

[@Sorrelhas]

It's simple research, really.

[@rdm0108]

......OHHH WHHHAAAATTTT!!!!!!

[@elementguy14DS]

That more of a comment really.

[@SA80TAGE]

Iroquis translates to Snake... and Pliskin is a reference to Snake Pliskin from Escape from New York movie, the direct influence for Solid Snake.

[@WeCareAlot4693]

Your fucking "Turn the video off" annotation scared me. lol

[@yippiyay7099]

Booster Gold HEHE It scared you? That annotation made me laugh my ass off XD

[@MrBulbasaurlover]

Oh, I didn't see it as I'm on mobile D:

[@thisismyhomenow6853]

JakobRW The game tells you to turn your console off.

[@cheddar07]

This is my home now First time playing through the game, I turned it off....

[@ObsoleteEdge]

+cheddar07 I don't blame you.

[@user-gg5kf8zk9g]

you call that a kissing noise

[@Ecselsiour]

heythere friendo No ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@aqualitymagentachickenmask3298]

SNAKE BEAAATERRR~

[@Klontruppe]

@@aqualitymagentachickenmask3298 His snake sure was solid.

[@kinggizzwizfizz]

Klontruppe then liquid afterwards ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@Grgrqr]

@@Klontruppe whyyyyyy

[@VaatiVidya]

Maybe you should put "matthewmitosis" and other alternatives in your channel tags because dummies like me couldn't remember your exact name!

[@jiminyinmyjamys]

Wow didn’t think I’d see you here

[@frostedlambs]

@@jiminyinmyjamys wow didnt think I'd see you here jimmy

[@traviscasey9108]

@@jiminyinmyjamys Yeah I thought the same thing!

[@agrojester1156]

I wasn't expecting to see any of you either!!!

[@ChaseFace]

Breaking news: KZbinrs watch KZbin videos from other KZbinrs!

[@plugshirt1762]

The part about raiden getting his child soldier backstory is a part of the way he begins to separate from the player and go against the ai by rejecting the fact he is being controlled and becoming his own person. This is shown very bluntly by him finding the dog tag of the player at the end and discarding it showing you are no longer in control

[@c0mplex_Ale]

that’s badass, Raiden becomes his own person in a meta level

[@ARX78]

"Honestly though, you've played this game for a long time. Don't you have anything else to do with your time?" (Campbell 2001)

[@aqualitymagentachickenmask3298]

I quite like this one, the whole feel and atmosphere smoothly glides from sleepy, moody, and cozy to gory, gritty, and unsettling. And despite the obnoxious waxing-poetic the game does I also love the story, due to how well it's paced into delivering the mind-bending sequences, and how well done the meta-commentary is.

[@jacket2038]

Fortune: ANGST ANGST ANGST ANGST ANGST ANGST

[@Skotone514]

ANGST

[@hitmanwolf]

NO! i Angst alone! **pulls his cape and runs**

[@ronwisegamgee]

I suspect that, in Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions, the character going through the VR exercises using the VR Snake avatar is Raiden. He even mentions how he's completed over 300 VR missions, and MGS: VR Missions has around 300 levels.

[@PeanutButterAndJellyBros]

MGS2 is like the game that came from the future that can no longer return home. My favorite out of the series.

[@DJWaffleston]

This game had one of the most memorable endings of all time. If you haven't played this, don't even watch any playthrough, It's way too good without spoiling it it for you.

[@yellow6297]

It's the president, you fight him in his robot.

[@Ikkey]

MGS3 tho

[@odsttrooper3724]

yellow pretty good summary

[@Martinator0325]

@@yellow6297 Lmfao this is making me want a list of spoilers for games that are just so ridiculous they don't spoil anything

[@plugshirt1762]

@@Ikkey mgs3 has an amazing ending as well but the ending of mgs2 is just next level

[@TheStolken]

Oh man, I never noticed the annotations you hid throughout the video. That's some clever stuff dude.

[@TheStolken]

"I can't find the hidden annotations"

[@llucllumador380]

***** "Turn OFF the video right now"

[@mikekhmour]

***** I NEED SCISSORS, 61

[@JazivelHD]

When the game came out I was still fairly young, and hadn't played MGS1 (although I had watched someone play the first few hours). Near the end I actually got scared, and turned the game off when it told me to. My Xbox had actually been malfunctioning for a long time at that point, so when I turned it off I wasn't able to turn it back on for at least another day. Looking back on it, it's actually kind of cool if a bit stupid on my part.

[@fuckingpippaman]

Damn i was so scared to go through the hallway before the ninja fight. The sounds were so scary,i was blocked there for 2 weeks until i decided to finally walk through

[@ChaseFace]

Awesome. I guarantee Kojima would love to know that. His biggest passion is seeing people emotionally moved by his games, even if it means scaring them or making them cry.

[@fuckingpippaman]

Hahaha, nice. Well i was like 10 years old but still when i play it today and get there, those ''sounds'' send chills down my spine anyway. I remember asking my mum if she could go through the hallway, and basically she said whats the worst that could happen? Its a game do it already hahhaha. EDIT: About being emotionally moved, am i the only one that started crying like a baby when emma died in mgs2? Seeing Otacon.... omg

[@iWillWakeYouUp]

Xbox? You do realize that MGS2 was a PS2 exclusive, right? Or are you talking about the HD collection?

[@fuckingpippaman]

It was mgs2 substance on ps2/xbox/pc

[@MyMrFuckoff]

It is funny how prescient the "censoring the internet" plot turned out to be. I remember laughing at it when the game came out and I had shitty dial up internet I'd occasionally use to post on a forum about anime or videogames, maybe "alta-vista" some facts for a school project. These days it doesn't at all seem like a ridiculous goal for an evil shadow government.

[@Cernunn0s90]

The game also basically predicts social media, and the amount of junk we write and upload to the web.

[@CruelestChris]

@@Cernunn0s90 Eh, people were already doing that at the time, it was just on dozens of little forums and blogs rather than a big centralised service like Twitter or Facebook. Even before that there was Usenet.

[@Cernunn0s90]

@@CruelestChris Of course. I know that, but MGS2 envisioned a future where social media was a large part of society, and an engine for spreading fake news, and create echo chambers, where convenient "truths" would develop and spread.

[@CruelestChris]

@@Cernunn0s90 Eh, it doesn't strike me as being any more specific than works before it, and Japan already had people becoming internet hermits by the time it came out.

[@mrreyes5004]

@@CruelestChris _Eh,_ but it wasn't just Japan or internet hermits, the game _explicitly_ predicted internet users worldwide using it in public life. Of course it's more specific than works before it because GW's speech (using Rose and Campbell's images) directly call out the player individually (for wanting to selfishly live up to an impossible hero figure) and the entire world for becoming more and more dependent on a vulnerable internet net. Screw a few little hermits on small forums, the game (and Kojima) outright predicted an entire globe of public extroverts spewing content unregulated, and my goodness does it deserve (and now has) tons of respect for that. Peace out.

[@odyseeisbetterthanyoutube6819]

I think Kojima's message was pretty straight forward, in time we all fade from history. Up to this point, the only ones that were exceptions to that were political, cultural, religious, science, and military leaders (i.e Julius Caesar, Leonardo Da Vinci, Shakesphere,Adolph Hitler, etc). However even the true images of these people become distorted and become more legend than fact as time moves forward. It becomes a false history and the original people are lost in the process. But now, for the first time in history, all of us can preserve our true selves digitally and share our experiences with the future generations. For example, I can make a video describing how I feel about current world events, describe my family and friends, or generally discuss any aspect of my life. That makes me appear as a person to my ancestors 200 years from now, rather than just some name on a family tree. They'll see my face, hear my voice, and feel my emotions as if they were talking to someone in their time. I have often thought of this before while working on my family tree. When I look at it, I see names (at least as far back as I can find), photos (if I'm lucky), and other documents, but other than that I have very little information on them as people and what their struggles were. Maybe it is my love for history, but I would be really interested to know who they were and maybe learn some life lessons while I'm at it. I know some of my ancestors would be interested too.

[@edmundblackadder2292]

Late reply, but you explained it absolutely perfectly! I never realised so much of what you said there. My interpretation of the game was that most of what we consume can be easily manipulated without our knowledge, yet the human element cannot be altered, not unlike MGS1. We should focus on what really matters, as opposed to trivial information

[@charlie1234500]

Maybe the idea that they become "legends" is probably a good thing. Even if they become inhuman. As it sets a standard for creativity, invention and inspiration. Like to better oneself to be like the "legend" instead of a lazy, unambitious, talentless person or what have you. Nowadays, people want to be a Jake/Logan Paul instead of a Shakespeare or a Da Vinci.

[@mattmas6628]

It’s been half a decade since u posted this but I wanted to tell u it was genius and changed my perspective

[@thelovebelow3378]

what a wonderful comment and perspective. thanks for leaving it.

[@Tuberuser187]

The first five minutes make a great case for why graphics do actually matter, the rain effects during that tanker scene took a lot of artistic and aesthetic design and some impressive technical achievements and attention to detail. As the narrator explains it does an excellent job of enhancing the atmosphere of the game, graphical enhancements like that would not have been possible on a console with fewer resources. The game didn't _need_ those effects, the gameplay would have been largely unchanged but this sequence was definitely better off and greatly improved by having those effects. Creating an engaging atmosphere is an important aspect, having greater hardware performance allows the designers and artists to create a better atmosphere.

[@iWillWakeYouUp]

I recommend watching a video called something like "Graphics Do Matter" or "Why Graphics Matter" by "FoxeoGames". Just search for "graphics matter important" or something like that and you should find the video in question. It's a good video. It highlights why graphics are an integral part of a game. IF you have the capability, better visual fidelity will always give you a better experience. On limited hardware, it's of course important to evaluate all the differen components of a game and focus on what's most important. In action games, 60FPS is absolutely crucual in my opinion. Since I've stepped into the awesome world of PC gaming, 60FPS is a lot more important to me - but I can still enjoy games at 30FPS. Stable 30FPS is absolutely fine for games like Assassin's Creed Rogue. A game like that is fine at 30FPS. 60 would be superior in every way of course, but the devs have to balance graphics and framerate of course, and I think 30 is fine. Whatever. What I'm trying to say is that graphics are extremely important. People just repeat what they're being told and what they hear without giving it a second thought.

[@uknownada]

iWillWakeYouUp I used to have that mindset. I thought games having pretty visuals really didn't matter and that because they were focusing on it, I assumed the gameplay itself was bad. I was actually judging a game by its graphics. I was a hypocrite, like many people with this mindset. I noticed a lot of times whenever people say "graphics don't matter", they usually judge a game positively if it goes retro. Games like AVGN Adventures or Amazing Princess Sara which are actually pretty shitty, but they don't care. Because it looks retro. Even Shovel Knight, which is a great game, would have gotten as much praise as it had no matter what regardless, because it was retro. People that say "graphics don't matter" don't know shit about game design. They just want to look smarter than they actually are.

[@1000rogueleader]

Tuberuser187 I think you are missing the actual point of what Matt actually says. He wasn't speaking anything about graphical fidelity. The PS2 was not the most powerful system of its era, nor was Metal Gear Solid 2 the best looking game on the machine. Even, today, when you go back and look at that scene, it looks dated because the graphics have noticeably aged. No, what Matt is pointing out is the insane attention to detail that Kojima and his team took to make the game look like that, even with the limited hardware they were working with. You can also see this in his Legend of Zelda: Windwaker review. Matt notes how much Nintendo was lambasted for the cel-shaded art style because it wasn't as "realistic" or highly detailed as the more realistic art style that Nintendo used in their original Zelda tech demo for the Gamecube, but, as Matt notes, the style allowed Nintendo to push their creativity, to create a living breathing world, and to put in an insane amount of detail, specifically because the art style wasn't so detailed. Matt is not so much worried about hardware performance or "graphics", because the PS2 was weak hardware, and the Windwaker didn't push the Gamecube, but about the amount of time and love each company put into crafting their world. What he is saying is not that graphics matter, but that attention to detail matters, and the second one can overcome the other. ***** When people say, graphics don't matter, it is usually said to counter the affirmation that a game sucks because it doesn't have the prettiest graphics. These people aren't judging other, more beautiful games because they are worth less, but are saying that you shouldn't dismiss games because they are not the most graphically advanced games. The whole idea contained behind that statement is that graphics should not be the end all, be all of how we judge games, and is a direct attack on the fact that, in the video game industry as it is today, that is what it has become, where people immediately dismiss a game because it isn't running 1080p, 60fps, or it has retro graphics or an interesting artstyle, and those things make the games "kiddie" and not worth anyone's time, thus forcing video game companies to chase these impossible graphics benchmarks in an endless game to try to one-up each other, rather than create the detailed and lovable worlds that Kojima and Nintendo have been creating for years.

[@Tuberuser187]

1000rogueleader Well you missed the point I was making which was my own point and not along the same lines as the one the video narrator was saying.

[@1000rogueleader]

Tuberuser187 Considering the fact that its a point which I believe actually flies in the face of what he is really trying to get across all of his videos, I decided it was better to answer it, seeing as Matt himself rarely answers comments. And I got the point of what you were saying, I just felt it was a little off base.

[@michaelbiland5575]

MGS2 is one of my favourite games that I've played.

[@ZamboinElite]

I think Metal Gear Solid 2 is the best example of a game director putting his/her vision first, over the wants of the player- and I love it. I think Metal Gear Solid 2 does amazing things with the medium of games and is one of the best games ever made. The heavy meta themes are not pretentious and like you said, only become more imposing upon reflection. The whole project was an exercise in human nature and really went to great lengths to achieve it's intended goal. The gameplay is fun and the story is good, it's the massive subtext about the player, the nature of sequels and the human experience that push this game over the edge into greatness. Looking back, people being mad over the bait and switch missed the point. That was the point, to subvert our real world expectations and teach us something about ourselves. The game takes the concepts of the Psycho Mantis fight and other fourth wall gimmicks and made the entire game one. It's really amazing to think of what was achieved with this game, I really do love it.

[@TheSupergamer300Show]

28:15 to 28:28 This theory may actually have been the point of that backstory. When Raiden first meets Pliskin (a.k.a. Snake before he was revealed to be alive), they conversate about how Raiden was trained to be in the field of battle before it was revealed that Solidus put him through hell. They talk about how Raiden was trained in VR, and Pliskin seems rather displeased about it, even saying this: "War as a video game - what better way of raising a soldier." He also says this as an army of Snakes from the first Metal Gear Solid are running like they're in, well, an army.

[@nicocortes5145]

Humor so dry you almost miss it. Great analysis.

[@stephenramos2824]

can't wait for the 6th in a series of 4 reviews

[@Daniel-Rosa.]

I played Sons of Liberty without any previous contact with Metal Gear ever, and these were the effects: The story blew me away beyond comprehension, I idolized Solid Snake and I got obsessed knowing that there were more of these. And Raiden... Well, he was me.

[@dobleasylum6218]

I have watched all the videos Matthew has to offer,and I have to say that you really have a special gift sir.The detail, the intelligence, the veracity and the power to maintain composition and clarity. Respect for you Matthew! I do hope that Mgs5 is in your agenda. If not that one, the uncharted series will be a nice touch!

[@joebailey8294]

I doubt he is very interested in uncharted.

[@knurdyob]

yes, I was thinking exactly the same thing! after seing these reviews I am really interested in seeing his opinion on Mgsv and the uncharted series, especially Uncharted 4, I just feel like it's a game made with a lot of thought behind it and deserves a real analysis like these dissecting what was done right and wrong

[@knurdyob]

***** I have watched those, but I still feel some of his criticisms are flawed, I feel like mathews have always been more fair, even when I don't agree with them

[@stavis7861]

Dude mad respect man, just your knowledge of things like the game engine and the texturing is impressive and if that wasn't enough the review itself is so in-depth and well thought out. I appreciate the time you took to do this man, keep doing what you do

[@heartless2219]

I really like how MGS2 is more relevant today than it was at its release. also, although people act like mgr revengeance was a big departure, it was a logical extension to his character in 2 and 4. with similar themes, although way more over the top

[@Anim8tor42]

One of the finest reviews of a game I've ever seen, fully in depth, you truly understand the source matter. And even showed off a few things I'd never found before, and I've played the game multiple times.

[@SonofTiamat]

Fantastic review, but I would have also talked about how the new analog controls on the Dual Shock 2 enhance the gameplay more. When hiding in a locker, you have to press the R1 button lightly to make Snake slowly put his face up to the slats. Press it too hard and Snake will nock his head against in a bumbling fashion, making a noise that could potentially alert guards searching for him. Also, going back to the VR narrative, the stage in which Raiden takes on the Metal Gear Rays is from Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions from the PSX. The first time I played MGS2 after having played VR Missions that really surprised me. The arena itself had been for the photography mini-game in VR where Snake could take pictures of Naomi while gentle, comforting music played. In MGS2, the same location becomes a battlefield with intense music. That always really got to me.

[@Timestopper117]

I personally feel that this entry in the series has the strongest story. Many will dispute this opinion claiming that accolade belong to the 1st, 3rd, or even 4th game, but there's something about Big Shell, Dead Cell, and the post-modern concepts of Sons of Liberty I find fascinating. Kojima gets alot of undeserved, in my opinion at least, flak for introducing the concept of nanomachines and the over-arcing antagonistic force that is The Patriots to the franchise. Whereas I personally found those elements to be the two things I cherish the most out of MGS's story. Just the thought of an Illuminati/NWO-esque multinational organization hellbent on world domination to preserve the wish of a long-dead soldier sends chills up my spine with each line of exposition dedicated to explaining the pure scope of their power and control.

[@jimbogreen7029]

BarelyAttractiveTwentySomething Well nanomachines were in the first game. And there wasn't supposed to be any more of these games after two.

[@RickGrimes807]

Well said.

[@wiseanchovy]

One of my favorite phrases is "MGS2 is the Neon Genesis Evangelion of video games"

[@suwatsaksri7191]

Both Raiden and Shinji are characters that really dont deserve the hate, they were developted pretty well and their behaviours are for the most part believable, its really annoying how many people call them whiny whitout even looking into the context of their situation

[@wiseanchovy]

Suwat Saksri exactly! They were great characters. Just because they didn't act like you wanted them to doesn't mean they were bad characters

[@suwatsaksri7191]

wiseanchovy thats my favorite part in MGS2, where Raiden, naked and ultimately reborn, remembered his part, he wasnt the effeminate pretty boy, he was a character with baggage and a past that is arguably just as dark as Big Boss' and he begins to struggle and resist the players control by not allowing us to choke enemies because he has to hold his crotch while also having to sneeze since its cold and the dog tag scene was brilliant

[@wiseanchovy]

***** "evangelion is overrated" "mgs2 is underrated" false and false. Evangelion deserves the praise it gets, probably not by some fans but most critics. Meanwhile, mgs2 is considered by many to be one of the most intellectual games of all time. Most use it to argue that video games can be art

[@antiparrot2483]

+wiseanchovy I always thought of mgs 2 as the matrix of video games including the same things that defined the matrix like symbolism, what's real and what's not, and even a bit of slow-mo near the beginning of the game. It could have just been a good stealth game to play and be just that, but It went above and beyond with its commentary similar to the matrix. But that's just me.

[@WanderPIerce]

I love how in depth your reviews are, I can tell you take a great deal of time reviewing what you are going to say in your show. Huge fan already, keep it up.

[@sflaxy]

This is the review that I've spent the last ten years looking for. MGS is my favourite series of games, and its so great to watch such a well thought out and eloquent review. Thanks so much.

[@Treblaine]

"Stating that it's easy to make the same game, and what that what we really wanted" FOR FUCK SAKE NO! That's not what people expect when they expect a sequel. If they wanted a remake, they would have asked for that.

[@augustuscb]

Spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Regarding MGS2 being a meta-narrative as one big VR mission, I think Link's Awakening did something similar. You find out that the entire world you're in is a dream and and it'll end once you beat the bosses. After the game ends and your back in reality, however, you're still left with the memory of your adventure. It's a clever analogy on the nature of games in general and I absolutely love it. I've never played any of the MGS games, but I'm definitely interested in 2 now.

[@L33PL4Y]

Augustus CB I like this comment very much. Thanks for sharing.

[@augustuscb]

Thank you. The pleasure is mine.

[@augustuscb]

Watching someone talk about a game is very different from playing it yourself. Plus, I can't resist watching Matthew's videos. I actually have the HD collection within reach, so I might get to it soon.

[@L33PL4Y]

Augustus CB I recommend the Legacy Collection since it comes with every canonical game in the series, from the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, through all the Metal Gear Solid entries. Great buy.

[@augustuscb]

Regarding Link's Awakening, I've actually written an absurdly long commentary on the game. I am inspired by Matthewmatosis and I tried to talk about the game as an experience the best I could. Here it is if you're interested: augustusc8.wordpress.com/2016/01/11/2/

[@GummyDavidson]

When Colonel and Rose told me to turn off the game it made my 9 year old self turn off the game straight away, either it was my age or the fact it was 5am.

[@TheGoldenChile]

the subtext of the parallel intro is spot on, mate. brilliant video as always.

[@heldinahtmlhell]

Really enjoyed your MGS reviews, man. Must take eons to edit. But so much more preferable than having to look at some goon's face while they shout and make funny faces and generally attempt to be hilarious, whilst always failing. One thing you missed, I believe, is the constant use of Codec. It fits one of the overriding themes of the MGS2, that of information gathering and the pervading nature of technology. And, if you want to be pretentious (as I do :)), you could say it preempts the way people use technology now, in preference to face-to-face communication. Also, the constant forced Codec calls and guidance you receive plays into the notion that it's a VR mission, and you/Raiden are being manipulated through the entire game. Good stuff though. You 'got' as much as any one individual can get from this game.

[@battlinjoe2592]

30:45 I legit stopped the video after this explanation and stared into space for the next 5 minutes. No joke that's something that completely slipped my mind. Gonna go question reality again, now.

[@senecauk8363]

I could've put this comment on any Matthewmatosis video, but this is the one I was watching when I had this realisation. I've long enjoyed M's content, and found a real sense of kindness, calm and...easing in his voice/accent. While I don't agree with every take, there's something about the voice I've always...trusted. While there is some interesting research into which accents people tend to trust more (I believe Irish accents do indeed score higher), I finally figured it out today. There's an old channel 4 documentary from 2001 about a photographer (who sadly passed away in the last few years, of natural causes I believe) who got too close to the heroin addicts he was documenting, and got hooked himself. There are a couple of documentaries about him, but the one called Cold Turkey, available on KZbin, depicts his attempt to get clean in his flat, locked in with 2 friends- one of whom is an Irish documentary filmmaker. As someone who has an uncomfortable understanding of how difficult an exercise would be, and granting the fact that the filmmaker (who also narrates) loses his cool a fair few times, the willingness to do something like this to help a friend has imbued the unseen voice with a sense of empathy and trustworthiness in me. So, apropos of nothing, and as any readers have likely guessed, the guy sounds a bit like Matthewmatosis. ...just wanted to share this realisation with KZbin, where it was born!

[@TheToodinho]

Once again you managed to touch every single point worth discussion and gave a very good analysis,I wished you could take more time to talk about solidus and Olga but with the lenght the way it is i can see why you focused on the important stuff,loved the anotations and I hope your reviews are passed on into history,because right now your the best reviewer I've ever seen.

[@Araneus21]

You can't show the player a map and only use half of it... Final Fantasy 7's Midgar comes to mind...

[@jcbbb]

Damn! What a review! You've made a new fan...

[@SamexualFoland32]

A new video! Excited to watch as I loved your previous retrospectives. Keep up the good work and ill keep watching.

[@dynamight98]

Halfway thru your mgs videos. Watching not correct order cause I know these games like back of my hand but I loved your MGS3 review. Loving this one so far. Earned my sub bro most definitely.

[@ysalimirii]

MGS2 aged like a fine wine. I believe it is not only the best game in the series, but one of the best of that decade.

[@megabyte01]

Whoa... I just noticed something really trippy. at the 34:05 mark (sorry, I still haven't learned how to timestamp comments) When Raiden is fighting the metal gear rays, one of them is named "RAY - RO5E". Is it just me, or does that name look a lot like Roy (Cambell) and Rose, the aliases that the AIs try to use to trick Raiden? I could be reading too much into it. What do you guys think?

[@Skotone514]

I've noticed that as well, but I'm not sure what to think of it.

[@TheAnonimo411]

+Michael Brennock wow is really intersting your descovery but i dont think so xD

[@ProxyStarkilla]

The Rose thing is obviously for Rose, but I think you're reading too much into Roy.

[@Vulgarth1]

You're reading too much into it. The AI versions of Rose and Campbell aren't being run on a RAY's hard drive or something.

[@daveKoRnfan]

Really glad to have seen this in my subscription box, your reviews are brilliant and really in depth. I loved your use of annotations :)

[@EveHarvester]

You are the best reviewer on youtube. Not too much humor, not too much facts. You have a great rhythm to your reviews, and I am more excited for your content uploads than most every other youtube channel. Keep up the good work you wonderful, talented man.

[@flyingfoxxx1984]

Very good review because you go deeper and deeper in the rabbit's hole, with great thoughts on the game. Funny how you notice that the first boss of the game is a pregnant woman and yet, you don't find it particularly strange. :) It's the first disturbing element in a succession of frustrating moments that regularly make a mockery of the player's actions. "Emasculating", as you said later concerning the Fortune fight. You wonder if things are "delibarate" in this game. I think we can agree that every single one of them is. :) It's no coincidence that nothing is as it seems. It is made obvious early in the tanker chapter with the Raven doll, which is a metaphor for the whole game and basically says: "at first glance, sure, this is the sequel (shadow) of MGS1, but when you look closely, it's a deception, a joke, and ultimately a timeless enigma about your anticipation of (and reaction to) this subterfuge".

[@Ockeroid]

25:55 - "SCISSORS: 61" Excellent review, thanks!

[@Grgrqr]

Don’t you find it annoying whenever another KZbin shows up in a comment section? Why don’t they get a separate account for this?

[@mediyogurt]

@@Grgrqr no that's stupid

[@robbyalp]

Such a solid review that puts things in a way i never even considered, thank you for really going into such depth with what this game achieved. It is a strange game but its a shame there are almost no sequels trying to push the limits in the same way.

[@b0tster]

I love your monotone, as odd as tata sounds. How you totally have a complete monotone over obviously hilarious stuff just adds to the humor. Good work!

[@SaberStash]

This game was truly ahead of its time. Fascinating experience.

[@doctoradventure413]

I actually shot all the sensors just using the pistol since I couldn't find the sniper rifle until afterwards

[@panterxbeats]

I applaud you for this review and your videos in general, Matthew.

[@Erkin86]

Just about to turn my computer off and saw you posted this. Made me so happy,made my day. Love your reviews love this series. Keep up the great work.

[@Anzariel]

I played the first three MGS games a long time ago. That was when my english was crude at the very best. While Metal Gear 1 and 3 were clear, despite some missed subtilities, MGS2 was a bit of a blur. In the end I enjoyed it, although I never really understood what was going on. This review completely shattered my false memories of the game and to this I say thank you for your light.

[@AntiActionFox]

What is your native language?

[@Anzariel]

French, but not from France. I live in Quebec, Canada. What you call *French Canadian* is actually the same language...in text book at the very least. The *slang* is different and the accent is also the case but if you read a book it'll be the same. There is also a term you could refer as international language. That pretty much covers books, tv, movies, news channel. I always loved to read so of course my french is excellent. In short, bring me to paris next time you visit. Oh, and I learned english mostly because of L4D. You can see my learning curve through my videos, at first I was barely speaking and now I'm very fluent and that was over a few years. Of course english tv shows, books and video games got me really good at reading and writing it down but L4D forced me to pick up the microphone and communicate with the other players. Two good friends teached me the finesse of the language here and there as a bonus, I owe them that.

[@AntiActionFox]

I think French sounds cool. My favorite French quote is "Raison d'être "

[@Wowaddict1701]

You say you played MGS2 while you didn't really understand English and you missed most of the context? I think you had a sizable advantage over everyone else that played.

[@Anzariel]

The visuals still talked to me. I WAS SO CONFUSED!

[@vdd]

Raiden wasn't as much of a surprise as people tend to let on. I remember they leaked footage of the scene where he meets Pliskin and the Fatman boss fight quite a few months before the game came out. It was on a demo disc i had. I wasnt especially surprised to see him

[@Vulgarth1]

I wanna know what demo disc you got, because the only ones available in the UK were the ones that featured the Tanker chapter. The entire Tanker chapter, as I recall, right up until you snap photos of RAY, but nothing else.

[@MajorGingex]

Excellent review, what an incredible in-depth analysis! looking forward to the MGS3 review.

[@tangramman]

29:12 AAAAAAAAAAA but seriously, your videos are amazing. Thank you pointing out so many things I never noticed, especially the Colonel's overlap of MGS1's conversations. Fantastic video.

[@kakhagvelesiani3877]

MGS2 is my favorite one in the series and probably one of the favorite games ever. Commentary on the future of digital technology , evolution of internet and problems that will come with it , attempts to control it and censure , for example , from government. People gathering in groups , forums with people similar in ideas and etc. rejecting representatives of different view points from other forum and not opening up to bigger forum. Despite not knowing full facts and information , forming opinion on subject on half-truths , projecting their own bias and than spreading all of it very quickly due to medium and etc. How Raiden as well as player is perfect representative of masses , who projects own failures often on others and who you can form into something you want or make him accomplish his role set by scenario. How with giving him bits information that needed , creating environment and manipulating it , you would play role that is projected on you , however you wouldn't suspect manipulation and do it willingly , assuming role and try to do what is expected of you in that case , told to. In a way , that trick is not only that Patriots do with Raiden , but Game itself doing with us. We do what game tells us , taking on role that we are told without question and try to be like badass hero. We want to be like Solid Snake , but in reality most gamers are like Raiden ( completed bunch of VR missions but inexperienced in real missions , idolizes Snake tries to be like him ) , but in the end not only Solid Snake tells to Raiden , but the game itself tells to player ,, Don't try to be like Snake , find you own name , create your own destiny , be your own person , you decide what's right , what's reality '' and Raiden in the end throwing away dog tags with your name on it , deciding to take control of his destiny , his life and name. Plus whole campaign before release that with story in game itself made a point that not everything as it seems on surface and how you were easily manipulated by Kojima for hyping one thing , but getting another one in the end. Add to that great controls , vastly improved graphics from MGS1 at that time . Also how rare is it for a such huge title to something like that game did and take such huge risks. Yes , nowadays you won't see something like that from sequel of AAA title.

[@SpaceCredits]

Well said. How do you feel about the themed in today's current times

[@Willior47]

great analysis of a fantastic and often misunderstood game.

[@phuturephunk]

Dude, I've probably said this on other videos that you've produced, but...You are fantastic at this. The copy alone that you edit and narrate is award worthy.

[@slothyone]

I really appreciate the effort you've put into making these videos

[@ForeverMasterless]

I think MGS2 is the best video game story ever, but if you take the plot literally, you'll get nothing out of it. It is so unique in that it's story is literally 100% defined by its subtext. Not a single plot element is supposed to make literal sense. It doesn't matter who does what, when, why, or how. Worrying about why Solidus does what he does, why nobody recognizes him as the president, who is in allegiance with who, etc. is actually missing the point ENTIRELY. Nobody's motivations matter a single bit. Logic doesn't matter a single bit. If you take anything in MGS2 literally, you're already fucking it up. It doesn't matter what parts of the game are "real," or not, or if you're maybe inside a VR sim the whole time or not. Trying to figure the game out that way is futile. Everything is real, and nothing is. The game itself, the plot itself, isn't important. The subtext that those elements serve is ALL that matters. You got part of the way there, but you didn't seem to understand this aspect of it. Let's help you go from where you are to true understanding of the narrative. MGS2 is a very bitter game. Kojima didn't make plans on how to follow up MGS1, because he never wanted to make a follow-up. MGS2's design isn't the result of confusion about how to continue the series, as you seem to suggest, but an entirely different game about how the series shouldn't have been continued in the first place. It's a meta commentary on MGS1, the fans, Kojima himself, and (as you said) game sequels in general. His crazy mind spiraled out of control and he put tons of effort into making a game about how he didn't want to make a game. Only Kojima, lol. People have said the MGS2 is the most expensive "art" game ever made, and they're 100% right. That's exactly what it is. It's personal as fuck, and representative of one man's struggle as an artist and his relationship with his fans. Raiden doesn't just represent "the player," but a specific kind of player--fans of the first game. Kojima considered them whiny, entitled, and short-sighted. Kojima thought of MGS1 as a silly homage to action movies that didn't have any more room to grow, and was annoyed that people liked it so damn much (especially compared to his other games) that a sequel was supposedly "necessary" and forced on him by his bosses. He had suddenly attained celebrity status because of MGS1's success, and was for the first time forced to make something for the money rather than for the art. He wanted to make something new, and he wasn't allowed to. Every single element of the game serves this purpose, and the purpose of cheapening and redefining the experience of MGS1. Liquid comes back to make the player feel like their accomplishments in the first game are for nothing. Fortune makes you feel powerless against a boss in a way you never did in MGS1. Vamp comes back to life because no boss in MGS1 comes back to life. You have to get nodes to display the map because you didn't in MGS1. Every single element of the game is a hidden cipher and commentary on the first game. Raiden is whiny because the fans are whiny. Raiden idolizes and wants to be Snake because the fans idolize and want to play as Snake. Raiden's only experience are VR missions of Shadow Moses, because his VR missions and the fans experience of the first game are one and the same. Kojima is straight up criticizing his own fans and refusing to give them what he knows they want. Video games would be far more interesting if more people did the same. He even went so far as to trick people into thinking they would get to play as Snake until the last possible moment. He WANTED to piss people off, to shake them up, to get them to rethink their experience with the first game and what they want out of a sequel, and if there should even BE sequels to games. You view his decisions as a risk that paid off. I view them as a man who WANTED this game to either fail spectacularly, or open people's minds. He wanted to throw off the shackles of the series, but he's Kojima, so he couldn't just do that by making a crappy half-assed game. He had to do it by making an amazing game that he put a ton of effort into that was just different, and defied everyone's expectations, and tried so hard to change people's minds but instead flew over everyone's head. People didn't get it, but they bought it the fuck up anyway and just wrote off the brilliant narrative as meaningless weird shit, and he was still chained to the series because of its success. Kojima failed both ways. Or, rather, WE failed HIM. Isn't it telling that MGS4 would come out and attempt to answer all of MGS2's questions that were never meant to have answers? MGS4 gave us dumb and weird for the sake of dumb and weird, because that's all MGS was in the first place, right guys? And people wonder why we can't have nice things... MGS2 may have a lot of flaws as an enjoyable gaming experience, but it's undeniably an incredibly important work of art. If any game belongs in a museum, MGS2 does.

[@RocksYourFace44]

ForeverMasterless *clap*. . . *clap*. . . *clap*.

[@ForeverMasterless]

***** Oh for sure. I didn't get into that because my post was already long enough, and I consider that a side thing more than the main aim of the narrative. But Kojima was definitely prescient with his depiction of information overload and the need for curating, and this was when the internet was young as hell.

[@mourasantos]

+ForeverMasterless A lot of bull. Imagine if a film director had done the same thing, would you still be calling it brilliant?

[@ForeverMasterless]

Situations103 Yes, I would actually. Leaning hard on subtext at the expense of a more straightforward plot has made for plenty of great movies. Babadook, It Follows, Adaptation, Eraserhead, 2001, Mulholland Drive, etc.

[@mourasantos]

ForeverMasterless Those are all vastly different films. Adaptation is a fantastic movie, but I would never say it "leans hard" on subtext at the expense of more straightforward plot. Eraserhead is too surreal to have any subtext. I'm assuming the same applies to Mulholland Drive, although I never watched it. 2001 is a valid example. All of which is immaterial anyway, since-as the commentator above me pointed out-the Metal Gear Solid 2 game you described as being so brilliant doesn't feature any subtext at all (it isn't sub-text if you're being "hammered over the head with it"). All of the reasons you evoked for its supposed genius are not subtextual, but meta-textual.

[@duncanmacleod7287]

While overall Bluepoint did a decent job, I wish they didn't screw up so bad some of the textures, look at the amount of black crush on that door panel and floor at 3:43 compared to og, there's more of these throughout the game but I think mostly in the Tanker area.

[@TheArcv2]

I must say that your reviews are some of the finest that I have the pleasure to take in. Each review takes a very critical look all portion of the game and you are ready to openly take issue with parts that you found to be weak in each title. It can be very easy to take a game and say it good or it is bad with no middle ground but take part the pieces and see what makes them tick in order increase the understanding of it for the viewer. I could go on in my praise but please keep up these up.

[@Kuomon]

Excellent video as always, and I really enjoy your subtle jokes and nods throughout the video

[@reloadpsi]

You know you're brilliant when the general reaction to something you make is "I hate it! Make another one!"

[@Moonsbro]

when MGS2 first came out everyone hated it. its pretty funny how now the mgs fans consider it to be the best MGS game

[@linkfreak1176]

because it IS the best

[@SuperSecretAgentNein]

I can't imagine that more than a few MGS fans find this to be the best one.

[@linkfreak1176]

AgentNein Well it is the best

[@SuperSecretAgentNein]

...No.

[@SonofTiamat]

I thought most fans considered MGS3 the best. Although I did enjoy 2 quite a bit back in the day; I didn't even mind Raiden.

[@HelderP1337]

29:23 "Turn the video off, right now" ahah, you sir, are a genius! Absolutely amazing how you really "get" what MGS is all about, this are some of the best reviews I've ever seen, you know and understand the lore very well.

[@keeperofthek]

Thoughtful, interesting, and expansive without being long-winded. Your videos are a credit to youtube, and something this website sorely needs.

[@fearedjames]

15:50 cool thing on that break. I never knew you could climb the i beam. Its possible, with absolute perfect timing, to cartwheel over that gap like a complete jackass.

[@j.kwiatkowski6682]

This was the first Metal Gear game I played and overall I'd say it was pretty good, although I have some mixed feelings about it. The constant exposition and the convoluted plot really bogged it down for me. It was almost information overload. I really enjoyed the fourth wall breaks and I thought that sequence was executed very well. The fixed camera was something to get used to because I had never played a game previous akin to MGS. After I beat the game and went on to the next one in the series, it was weird playing MGS3 with shifting back into third person. At first I resented the attention to detail the gameplay had me doing (for instance shooting the radio) because I was mainly used to playing more casual games such as Arkham Asylum, Bioshock, and The Last of Us. Looking back at it now I really appreciate it. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I would probably recommend it to a friend. 8/10

[@jacknorton8363]

amazing review man! mgs2 is probably my favorite game ever. I subscribed to you just now.

[@goofsambo12]

How does your videos not have more views!. By far the best reviewer on the internet not just KZbin. Thanks again man for all your uploads and hard work. Really looking forward to the next video.

[@noahdowns3017]

I personally believe the ending speech from snake is meant to tell us the we have choices, even if they aren't obvious. We are our own, and we have a chance to form our paths. Only if we allow it, others will change it. We could lose ourselves. Although some things may bring light to and effect our opinions, they are still ours. With the new age of technology, it becomes easier to do this. Not only for the masses, but also for the minorities. We all have chances to show our individuality, and we all have chances to shed light on the many problems and difficulties we as humans face. Though we may be individual though, there will always be standards set by the modern ages. It's just a matter of if you fall in line, or you don't.

[@daveeast1683]

Kojima makes Metal Gear game where there's a big oil spill...years later, there's a huge BP oil spill. Apparently, Kojima can read the future...

[@mercury2157]

To add to that, Arsenal Gear was supposed to knock down a couple buildings and kill a bunch of people when it crashed in New York.

[@TheDocbach]

Indeed. He also foretold the coming of an era of mass mis-information led by the mass amount of trash on the internet. He also foretold the mass surveillance of the government. He also foretold the censorship of the internet. Hell, he also foretold that all of this would happen while we are all left in the dark just living our normal lives. Kojima is psychic.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@TheDocbach this sacrasm?

[@marciamakesmusic]

@@Gadget-Walkmen it isn't

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@marciamakesmusic seems like sacrasm

[@TheIronicTea]

This is the only youtube video where the subtitles work. Good job on the pronunciation, haha. Great video yet again.

[@TheManiacc45]

Lol i like the humor you put into the review. The shower thing was pretty funny. Its funny cause even with how long your reviews are, i can easily watch them cause cause how much i love the series and how good you review the game. Nice job.

[@LaughingUltros]

The problem with what Kojima did with MGS2 is that the genius of it requires an historical context, and it's just getting more and more lost on people who play it today. To truly understand what Kojima was aiming with this game, you need to do some outside research about the circumstances surrounding MGS2's release in the real world, not sure how the game will age to a new generation.

[@Cernunn0s90]

While I think that is true, the game has also grown well with the times in other aspects. MGS2 basically predicts the rise of social media. The plant chapter is supposed to take place in 2009, right around the same time Facebook started taking off. The game talks a lot about how the world, the web and our culture is filled up with useless information and half truths. In 2009 a lot of us talked about how silly social media is, and what a waste it is to read about what your aunt just had for dinner. There have also been a lot of discussions about how only the positive sides of our lives ends up on the web, painting a false image of our success and personalities, half truths?

[@llucllumador380]

I think its getting better with the time, now people can really understand the message behind the game, the treat of a controlled global network

[@hockeater]

Wait what? Backtrack through an underwater escort mission? Shit...

[@GoldStandardPunk66]

Superb Review You, Archengeia, and MrBtongue are the most insightful reviewers/analysts on this site.

[@plugshirt1762]

Yo I never even thought about shooting their radio that is such an awesome detail

[@theguyinthere]

please do phantom pain

[@clairemarlboro2165]

The graphics and attention to detail has always been one of my favourite things about MGS2 (and MGS3), when you considering it was a PS2 game that came out in 2001, when you think of it they were nearly next gen even though 2001 was early in the PS2's lifetime. Even nearly 15 years later they've aged extremely well. I mean compare MGS2 to other games that came out around then, like Grand Theft Auto III or the first Halo. They both look like dogshit now, but MGS2 is still beautiful.

[@Poet482]

You don't disappoint, Matt. Once again, a stellar review. Can't wait for Snake Eater.

[@GoncaloMartins1]

Awesome! I like this kind of reviews directed at people who already played the games. I'm looking forward to your MGS3 review!