Hideo Kojima is one artist who seldom seems pleased with his final products. But unlike most picky auteurs, he sometimes gets a second chance to go back and perfect his creations. He first did this with Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and is now in the process of giving a touch-up to last year's immensely satisfying Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. However, the scope of the changes is such that "touch-up" is too weak a term. Indeed, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence has such profound additions that it looks like it could completely obsolete its parent game.
There are probably two main reasons why some people didn't enjoy MGS3: the cinema-heavy storyline presentation and the unhelpful, outdated overhead-style camera system. MGS3: Subsistence neatly clips that second one in the bud (and addresses widespread reviewer criticism) by adding an all-new third-person camera mode. Gone, it seems, will be the days of running right into an enemy's sight for lack of situational awareness. Now you'll be able to assess a situation from all reasonable angles, much like you can in other action games. This should be a huge step forward for the MGS series. However, masochists may still use the "classic" view if so desired.
The other big news? Online play! MGS3: Subsistence will allow a number of players -- at least eight, at this point -- to engage in some competitive tactical espionage action online. The unique flavor of MGS3's gameplay should translate into a similarly unique online experience. So far there are two main modes: team battle and Snake vs. enemies. Team battle looks like a fairly typical deathmatch between opposing squads, only with the huge addition of MGS-style stealth. Camouflage and CQC (close-quarters combat), for example, will actually work versus other players. In the other mode, one player is Snake while the rest try to hunt him down. Kojima promises that both modes will be highly configurable.
While these are the two biggest additions, they're far from the only ones. A new duel mode will let you replay boss battles, either with normal game rules or thus-far unexplained "tweaked" rules. A demo theater will allow the viewing of any cutscene in the game, while a secret theater will show off those bizarrely hilarious Flash movies Konami Japan has been releasing on its website of late. The additional face paints found in the European version of MGS3 will come standard, and there'll be an extra "Snake vs. Monkey" level.
Last but far from least, MGS3:S will include the full MSX versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, for the first time ever in English! (Well, outside of fan hacks.) If the emulation is spot-on, this opportunity to relive classic, previously unavailable Metal Gear adventures should prove worth the price of admission alone, at least for the hardcore. The rest of the game, meanwhile, should please just about anyone. The new camera system and online play are a potent one-two punch that will make a great game near-perfect. Sam Fisher, watch your back.
