Played any older MG games recently?

[fgdj2000]

After finishing MGSV I felt I wanted to revisit some of the earlier games again. Currently I'm playing through MGS1 on the Vita (my thoughts on that in the "What is Metal Gear to you?"-Thread.), but I also found myself popping in Metal Gear Rising again. Visually, it hasn't aged that well in terms of detail. Character meodels look slightly dated and the environments weren't even that good back in 2013. However it runs a butter-smooth 60 fps and plays so fluently. Imo it is still the best spin-off MGS has ever had. It plays and feels very different, but still connected. Don't get me wrong it isn't a definitive continuation of MGS4. For me the main narrative of MGS ends there and has no need to continue. However, as a what-if scenario for a crazy spin-off / parody, MGR makes everything right. It doesn't want to be the definitive continuation. Gameplay-wise there are probably better, more intense games in the genre (think Devil May Cry (before 2013) and Bayonetta), but it still features a pretty strong fighting system with the veryell implemented zan-datsu mechanic, which is sont that easy to pull off but very rewarding if you do and for me, never gets old.

In short, while MGS games usually are games that blow my mind and give me a hell of an experience and make me think about life, MGR succeeds in being very simple, very entertaining and just makes me really relax for some reason. And I still recommend it to anyone who can get something out of the genre. Just don't take it too seriously.

Has anyone else popped in any older MG games recently? Especially spin-offs? I never played through Acid and sadly never through Ghost Babel.
What was your experience after finishing MGSV? Did it change your experience of say MGS1, where you see Liquid and Mantis after haveing seen then as children?

[A.G.]

For me the series in 2008. It was the last time I was excited for a Metal Gear game. Since then I typically replay the 6 games (what I regard as a complete series) once a year. Strangely, I end up playing them around the time of the year that fits with the game:

MGS1 - December. It's become a tradition to close out the year. Last week of the month.
MGS2 - April, the month of the Big Shell chapter.
MGS3 - August, the month the game takes place.
MGS4 - June or July. No reason.
MG1 & MG2 - no set time, just whenever I feel like. Usually in the fall.

Been years since I played Peace Walker. No desire to revisit it. MGS5, touched it once since October. Second start to finish play through is highly unlikely.

I do feel an urge to replay Ghost Babel. Great game! Non-canon greatness!

[Cerberus_0408]

Well, personally I go through the HDC whenever I feel like it. If I'm tired of GTA or whatever else is fun, then MGS is my go-to.

[fgdj2000]

Do you guys only play through the story mode or also through some of the VR Missions. For me, tbh, the MGS2 VR and Alternate Missions and Snake Tales never did it for me. But MGS1 VR Missions are somehow still addictive.

[Cerberus_0408]

Snake Tales are indeed TOO FARKING DIFFICULT for me but MGS2 still has a SH!TLOAD of replay value just trying to beat my previous records (Alternate and VR levels). I would go through the story mode from time to time if I wanted some trophies.

In the same vein, I just have a bloody obsession with PW's extra ops since they force you to not only recruit soldiers and vehicles, but also manage your headquarters in order to acquire the more high-value weapons and equipment. Now THAT is how one scores an S Rank on every mission.

[fgdj2000]

The only Snake Tale I ever finished was External Gazer (I think). That kept me engaged for some reason with its crazy plot twists and reality-bending storylines. It should be canon!

Yeah, and the Extra Ops are also great. I had a really good time with shooting balloons THough I never bothered for S-Ranks. However, MGSV might still change that. And Metal Gear Rising has me replaying fights in order to get higher scores, even though I don't usually care for that.

Also, you really need to play MGS1 and the VR Missions. They are really great. MGS1's gameplay lends itself better to VR Missions than MGS2's IMO, because it's more arcadey. So do PW and Rising for the same reasons.

[Cerberus_0408]

Sadly, MGS1's graphics are NO MATCH for MGS2's. That, and the fact that MGS2's HDC can be played on the TV, is why I generally stick to said game, unlike MGS1 which requires the Vita (at least for me).

(If you haven't already caught on, MGS2<MGS1 for me since I don't have to squint on the TV)

[A.G.]

VR Missions are hit and miss for miss. Some are fun, some are interesting, and some are just frustrating sh*t.

[The Mad Jackyl]

Hey all, sorry for not having been around for a long time. I've become a bad mod these days :/ However, I feel lately like I'd like to post a lot more. Got things to talk about, you know?

I was thinking about this very topic recently because I got a Nintendo 3DS as a gift and with it, MGS3:3D. This game is pretty awesome! It's a new level of difficulty, which is welcome since I probably completed the original one on the PS2 at least 25 times. Anyone played it? The 3D effects are extremely well done and it's given me a chance to go over an old favorite again. With the smaller screen and camouflaging of soldiers, I keep getting spotted quite easily. It's hard to detect them if they're standing silently in the forest somewhere and I'll nearly overrun them while trying to get somewhere. There are some surprises like tilting the 3DS while standing on a branch or walking along a rope bridge in order to keep your center of gravity. It was surprisingly hard the first few times I tried it! The game looks great, plays nearly as well as the original and also sounds great!

I'm feeling like a greenhorn again - I got completely lost in the Bolshaya Past Base cave system. Couldn't find my way for the longest time! It's kind of great because it's been so long that I have forgotten some things. I used to know where every item drop was and the earliest point in the game in which I could get certain weapons. I'd forgotten much of this and was out of ammo for my 1911 pistol and couldn't remember where to find the M22 silenced tranquilizer for the life of me. I had to get gritty with it and avoid most encounters or sneak up and do knife takedowns on all the rest until I finally found an M22. Pretty rewarding experience so far. Anyone else tried this game? A.G., I know you must own it in some form

[Cerberus_0408]

The easiest way to get around the pitch black cave (props to Kojima for giving us environments like that) is to generally switch on the cigar until you can get your bearings, then, use the torch after you've climbed to the top of the waterfall and dropped down.

As for weapon drops, MGS indeed plays UNLIKE most shooters, where enemies surrender ammo and items when killed. I still remember the unspecific locations of certain weapons, like the XM16E1 carbine, the AK-47 assault rifle, the 12 gauge shotgun, the Scorpion SMG, the GPMG...hell, this list can go on forever. Just going through MGS3 can be an experience in itself.

[A.G.]

Don't have a 3DS so have never played that version of MGS3.