Reviewing Metal Gear Online
Metal Gear Online is Konami’s online component of Metal Gear Solid 4. At first it is difficult to imagine Hideo Kojima’s stealth hit as a multiplayer game, the final execution is surprisingly impressive. A 3rd person shooter like the single player campaign, a number of original game modes and several unique in game features make Metal Gear Online an enjoyable experience.
Game Modes
Metal Gear Online has all the typical gameplay modes including death match, team deathmatch, base capture and various capture the flag modes but it also boasts several unique, inventive and very entertaining modes not seen in other online titles. In the sneaking mode, two teams play as per the regular team deathmatch rules and one player is selected to take the role of Solid Snake from the single player campaign. While open warfare is happening between the two standard teams, the Snake player pursues his own goals, using stealth and subterfuge attempting to avoid detection by either team.
Team sneaking, unlike solo sneaking, does not employ Snake. Two teams, one defending and one attacking, are set head-to-head. Defending players are equipped like normal while attacking players have non-lethal weapons. That being said the entire attacking team is invisible and must capture the opposing team’s “flag”. Most people are familiar with CTF. Team sneaking, while sharing the same goals as CTF, plays much differently and makes for particularly engaging gameplay.
The Features of Metal Gear Online
Metal Gear Solid 4 boasts several unique plot mechanics including nanomachines, ID tags and the SOP system which governs it all. In Metal Gear Online players can now utilize the SOP system. Effective use of this system allows players to coordinate fields of fire and view realtime data on their fellow teammates. More than this, there are several skills and unique devices usable by players that can either aid their team’s SOP or disrupt their enemy’s.
It is important to note that players in Metal Gear Online are relatively slow compared to games like Unreal Tournament, Counterstrike and Halo. This is not an entirely unwelcomed change of pace, however, as it encourages players to use both reflex based skills and careful planning when dealing with enemies. PS3 owners tired of the old online experience may find Metal Gear Online both refreshing and engaging.
