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Which Metal Gear Games Do You Consider Essential to Play?
- Thread starter kubev
- Start date
I'll tell you what Kojima himself thinks.
He considers MGS1-3 as sort of its own trilogy.
He thinks newcomers should start with 3 and go to 1 and 2. This is what I did way back in 2005 (I was recommended the series, then purchased the first two to play on my PS2).
My personal opinion is give MGS1 a fair shake (it's very hard in the beginning, but get past that and it's a lot more tolerable). My reasoning is just narrative wise. Some reveals in 3 (which is a prequel) might not land as much.
But I simultaneously think beginning with 3 is perfectly fine. Like I said I did it and well ... I'm a lifelong obsessive Kojima fan at this point.
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It's my personal opinion that 3 wraps up the series properly from a thematic standpoint.
As for 4, Peace Walker and 5...
4 is an anomaly gameplay wise and narrative wise. It's kind of a bridge towards later games in terms of core gameplay. Narratively... well, let's just say Kojima wanted to stop making Metal Gear Solid games since 2. So anything added here is IMO supplementary, but fans were complaining about some unexplained phenomena in 2 so he made 4....and uh let's just say the old critiques of Kojima are really indefensible here with MGS4 XD.
Peace Walker and Phantom Pain is Monster Hunter/GTA/Splinter Cell/Management simulator. They have comparably much less story than the first few games. Almost minimalistic unless you listen to optional audiotapes.
Entirely optional narrative wise IMO. Gameplay wise people are somewhat split right down the middle.
He considers MGS1-3 as sort of its own trilogy.
He thinks newcomers should start with 3 and go to 1 and 2. This is what I did way back in 2005 (I was recommended the series, then purchased the first two to play on my PS2).
My personal opinion is give MGS1 a fair shake (it's very hard in the beginning, but get past that and it's a lot more tolerable). My reasoning is just narrative wise. Some reveals in 3 (which is a prequel) might not land as much.
But I simultaneously think beginning with 3 is perfectly fine. Like I said I did it and well ... I'm a lifelong obsessive Kojima fan at this point.
—
It's my personal opinion that 3 wraps up the series properly from a thematic standpoint.
As for 4, Peace Walker and 5...
4 is an anomaly gameplay wise and narrative wise. It's kind of a bridge towards later games in terms of core gameplay. Narratively... well, let's just say Kojima wanted to stop making Metal Gear Solid games since 2. So anything added here is IMO supplementary, but fans were complaining about some unexplained phenomena in 2 so he made 4....and uh let's just say the old critiques of Kojima are really indefensible here with MGS4 XD.
Peace Walker and Phantom Pain is Monster Hunter/GTA/Splinter Cell/Management simulator. They have comparably much less story than the first few games. Almost minimalistic unless you listen to optional audiotapes.
Entirely optional narrative wise IMO. Gameplay wise people are somewhat split right down the middle.
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Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (in the HD collection, i believe).
Metal Gear Solid (you've already played).
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (give it another shot, please).
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence.
Ground Zeros.
4, Portable Ops, Peace Walker, and MGSV are all great but highly flawed games. So give them your time if the series really clicks.
The first Metal Gear is completely skippable, but worth a runthhrough with a guide if you want to say you've beat them all.
Metal Gear Solid (you've already played).
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (give it another shot, please).
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence.
Ground Zeros.
4, Portable Ops, Peace Walker, and MGSV are all great but highly flawed games. So give them your time if the series really clicks.
The first Metal Gear is completely skippable, but worth a runthhrough with a guide if you want to say you've beat them all.
OP
OP
Haha. I'm tempted to make one, but I feel as though there are too many games in the series for that, and most people aren't differentiating between whether you should play a game or if it's okay to simply WATCH it.
EDIT: I've created a poll. Given the limited number of options I could include, I feel that I've broken the choices down as well as possible to represent the suggestions made in the thread. I feel bad about including an 'Other' option, as it does sound like some of the portable games could stand on their own, but I'm reading the responses and should still get the info I need about them.
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1-4 and Rising. I don't consider PW and MGSV canon so I just pretend they don't exist.
1 does a good job of introducing players to the world and filling newcomers in, as well as retconning past events so you sort of don't need to play the original 2 if you don't want to.
2 continues the story while expanding the greater scope of the story as well as establishing the overall antagonists, do NOT skip it if you plan on going ahead.
3 goes back to set the stage for the events of the whole series, and it probably won't make immediate sense but what goes on in that game have massive ramifications for later events.
4 is... Divisive. I mean I love it, because I enjoy MGS for the serious heartwrenching stuff juxtaposed with silliness, and MGS4 had plenty of it. I kinda hate most of its gameplay though, with chapter 3 just being mostly abysmal. Still, if you've played up until this point you may as well just see it through for the finale.
Rising is a fun hack and slash with incredible boss fights and a banging soundtrack.
1 does a good job of introducing players to the world and filling newcomers in, as well as retconning past events so you sort of don't need to play the original 2 if you don't want to.
2 continues the story while expanding the greater scope of the story as well as establishing the overall antagonists, do NOT skip it if you plan on going ahead.
3 goes back to set the stage for the events of the whole series, and it probably won't make immediate sense but what goes on in that game have massive ramifications for later events.
4 is... Divisive. I mean I love it, because I enjoy MGS for the serious heartwrenching stuff juxtaposed with silliness, and MGS4 had plenty of it. I kinda hate most of its gameplay though, with chapter 3 just being mostly abysmal. Still, if you've played up until this point you may as well just see it through for the finale.
Rising is a fun hack and slash with incredible boss fights and a banging soundtrack.
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1-4 honestly. Peace Walker would be essential if they actually did anything with it in 5. As it stands the story of both is pretty pointless and thus nonessential.
Yep this is how I feel. I'd argue that TTT is also an optional try like 5 is.
Peace Walker is pretty fun with friends, I enjoyed it enough to get the Platinum and its theme song is godly. It did absolutely nothing for me story-wise though.
1
2
3
4
Portable Ops
Peace Walker
GZ
V
Rising
love or hate individual instalments, few can argue that they're all essential, iconic gaming.
2
3
4
Portable Ops
Peace Walker
GZ
V
Rising
love or hate individual instalments, few can argue that they're all essential, iconic gaming.
1-4. The first two MG are old so YMMV, Peace Walker was bad, and I never bothered with TPP or MGS V after playing PW.
OP
OP
This actually makes a lot of sense. Maybe I should try the first solution you mentioned first, as I've played Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain (though not all the way through in the case of the latter), and I do find Big Boss' "story" (or what little there is of a story, anyway) more interesting than the stuff that happens to Snake or is referenced in the original Metal Gear Solid. Plus, this would allow me to at least temporarily bypass the control issues I have with MGS2, and I can always force myself to get through MGS2 at a later date if I absolutely feel the need to experience it firsthand. With that in mind, I'll not spoil MGS2 for myself just yet by watching Metal Gear Scanlon 2. I think I'll just jump right to MGS3 for now.
1, 2, 3 and 4 are absolute musts for anyone.
TPP and PW are also great and recommended as well.
TPP and PW are also great and recommended as well.
If you're having trouble with the controls in MGS2, you're probably going to have trouble with the controls in MGS3. There weren't any major changes. Your best bets are probably Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain. They both control wonderfully and give you a ton of options. MGS4 is kinda in between. I haven't played Peace Walker.
1-4 tell a complete story. Whether you're a fan of how it ends is a question, but there's a definitive ending.
Peace Walker is excellent and MGSV makes little sense without it.
Peace Walker is excellent and MGSV makes little sense without it.
That "canvas" is paper thin at best. You play one mission, you've played them all. MSGV is crappy, open world, hitman 2016.
1-3 is all you need to know.
4 is the conclusion to the story told in 1 and 2, but it's extremely flawed and the sheer amount of asspulls can be quite jarring.
Peace Walker and 5 are awful from a narrative standpoint and try to develop a point that was already pretty well-defined at the end of 3. I'd even argue they do the main character a disservice and only exist to add convolution and stupidity where none was needed.
4 is the conclusion to the story told in 1 and 2, but it's extremely flawed and the sheer amount of asspulls can be quite jarring.
Peace Walker and 5 are awful from a narrative standpoint and try to develop a point that was already pretty well-defined at the end of 3. I'd even argue they do the main character a disservice and only exist to add convolution and stupidity where none was needed.
Play Metal Gear Solid 1 to 4 and you can ignore the rest. What I like about the those game is their pacing. They go straight the the point and you can enjoy them in a similar manner as summer over the top blockbuster movies. In the other games, they introduced base management, recruitment and a lot of padding to the games which in my opinion completely ruined them.
Also some people will shit on 4 but most of those people went straight to it or played little of the previous game. 4 is the ultimate fan service (good sense of the term not titties lol) and send off for the series. In order to enjoy it you have to be invested in the previous 3 games. DO NOT play 4 if you have not played the previous games, you will not enjoy it
If you have the slightest interest in tactical games, play the Acid spinoffs on PSP. They are amazing
Edit: Please don't play Twin Snake as your first entry. It's best played after the original version as it's more of a "If Snake was Neo in the MGS world"
Also some people will shit on 4 but most of those people went straight to it or played little of the previous game. 4 is the ultimate fan service (good sense of the term not titties lol) and send off for the series. In order to enjoy it you have to be invested in the previous 3 games. DO NOT play 4 if you have not played the previous games, you will not enjoy it
If you have the slightest interest in tactical games, play the Acid spinoffs on PSP. They are amazing
Edit: Please don't play Twin Snake as your first entry. It's best played after the original version as it's more of a "If Snake was Neo in the MGS world"
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MGS 1-4
I know people have issues with MGS4 but it's definitely essential. It's the grand finale of the characters and plot lines of the series and however stupid it can get you need to play through and experience it properly. I have really fond memories of it.
I know people have issues with MGS4 but it's definitely essential. It's the grand finale of the characters and plot lines of the series and however stupid it can get you need to play through and experience it properly. I have really fond memories of it.
1 (PS1), 2 (HD), 3 (HD or 3DS), Twin Snakes (to get used to the voice acting change), 4, Peace Walker (HD), Revengeance, Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain
The first two games are fun but most of the essential stuff is covered in the Solid games and there's even a fair bit of content that's outright contradictory (I'm pretty sure Metal Gear 2 takes place after the oil crisis was solved with a magical new source of energy called OILIX or something).
The ones I listed are all fun to play, at the very least, and it's enjoyable to be critical of the later story misgivings.
The first two games are fun but most of the essential stuff is covered in the Solid games and there's even a fair bit of content that's outright contradictory (I'm pretty sure Metal Gear 2 takes place after the oil crisis was solved with a magical new source of energy called OILIX or something).
The ones I listed are all fun to play, at the very least, and it's enjoyable to be critical of the later story misgivings.
1-4, with a little bit of reading to know what happened in MG 1 and 2.
Personally I played 3,1,2,4 and loved it
The others have there own postitives and negatives but play the essential 4 first
Personally I played 3,1,2,4 and loved it
The others have there own postitives and negatives but play the essential 4 first
1-3 are classics and a must play. Skip Twin Snakes as it sucks.
4 if you still want a final closure for the series. MGS5 if you just want great gameplay.
If you want something completely different from the series definetly play MG Rising as it is one of the best in the series.
Edit: Forgot about Ghost Babel and Metal Gear Acid. GB is a gameboy game and isn't canon but it has great story. Acid series are their own universe with interesting stories but the main draw is the card based strategy gameplay.
4 if you still want a final closure for the series. MGS5 if you just want great gameplay.
If you want something completely different from the series definetly play MG Rising as it is one of the best in the series.
Edit: Forgot about Ghost Babel and Metal Gear Acid. GB is a gameboy game and isn't canon but it has great story. Acid series are their own universe with interesting stories but the main draw is the card based strategy gameplay.
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MGS1 is a masterpiece, full stop.
MGS2 and 3 are great but have some flaws regarding Kojima's excesses at times.
MGS4 is a beautiful mess that hasn't aged all that well but is worth playing as a conclusion to the series.
MGS5 is the worst game in the series despite maybe having the tightest core stealth gameplay mechanics of any of them, but I say avoid it. It adds NOTHING to the overarching MGS universe of value. One of the most disappointing games I've ever played in my entire life, easily.
MGS2 and 3 are great but have some flaws regarding Kojima's excesses at times.
MGS4 is a beautiful mess that hasn't aged all that well but is worth playing as a conclusion to the series.
MGS5 is the worst game in the series despite maybe having the tightest core stealth gameplay mechanics of any of them, but I say avoid it. It adds NOTHING to the overarching MGS universe of value. One of the most disappointing games I've ever played in my entire life, easily.
MGS1
MGS2
MGS3
Glad to see that the three games are by far the most relevant titles in the saga according to the poll. If you skip everything else, you don't miss that much. If you have to play another one, try Peace Walker (the actual MGS5) or Ground Zeroes for a taste of the only real Metal Gear released this generation, but preferably only if you have experienced the 3 main titles.
MGS2
MGS3
Glad to see that the three games are by far the most relevant titles in the saga according to the poll. If you skip everything else, you don't miss that much. If you have to play another one, try Peace Walker (the actual MGS5) or Ground Zeroes for a taste of the only real Metal Gear released this generation, but preferably only if you have experienced the 3 main titles.
Did you mean to recommend the NES version of Metal Gear of the MSX version? Why?
I played both 1 and 2 back to back not that long ago, and in my humble opinion MGS 1 has a lot simpler controls. Had no trouble playing through MGS 1, had a whole lot of trouble while playing MGS 2.
if you can only play one of them? 3 stands alone so well
if you can play 1 + 2 as well do that first, 2 is my favorite
if youve played 1-3 and u want more MG2 and MGS4 are really interesting and cool
also id recommend ghost babel
other mgs games are skippable imo
if you can play 1 + 2 as well do that first, 2 is my favorite
if youve played 1-3 and u want more MG2 and MGS4 are really interesting and cool
also id recommend ghost babel
other mgs games are skippable imo
1-4 for sure, you play metal gear for the incredible story and characters. People like 5's gameplay but I found what little story that was there awful. Portable games offer some fun stories but I personally don't find them worth it. Rising is supposedly fun but from what I've seen doesn't seem to have the same feel as the main stream MG games.
