DrakeFox: I think the special thing about the Metal Gear Solid series is that, at the time, it had a lot of cutscenes and a somewhat hard to follow plot combined with actual gameplay once in a while.

Does it make it the world's best stealth game ever? Not by a long shot. It's pretty good, still somewhat enjoyable if you don't mind the overly drawn out exposition and the rather weird controls (the control scheme was laid out before third person action game controls were anywhere near standardized).

Add to that the fact that MGS1 and MGS2 were really pinnacles of graphics at the time of release (MGS2 still looks pretty good, and that was one of the earlier PS2 games)

I played through MGS1 and MGS2, found them okay. Tried to play MGS3 but that game really annoys me with the ambiguous stealth system (so if I have the right camo that guy might not see me even if he's looking this way, but if I don't he might see me before my camera gives me a chance to see he's there? Sounds perfectly fine...no wait it doesn't). Didn't make it better that the PS2 had rather horrendous load times to enter menus to heal or change camo.

As it stands, it's rather okay with a silly obtuse plot. Personally I'd prefer to play Thief or Splinter Cell, and I think even Monaco does the stealth action concept better (note I really like Monaco, but it's hardly focused on stealth)

darthspudius: I wouldn't imagine Nintendo kids getting into it.

jamyskis: Since I got into the MGS series by playing GameCube-exclusive Twin Snakes, I thought I'd point out the irony of that statement.

darthspudius: I think the problem you have is you're not playing it from the start. The original MGS is a master piece of the ps1 days.

stg83: Indeed, it is still one of my favorite games of all time but I may be a bit biased in that regard. ;)

The series definitely needs to be played from the beginning to really appreciated and at the time of release the impact of MGS was undeniable as redefining the potential of the medium of video games in terms of cinematic story telling. The long cut scenes that are the series staple are certainly an acquired taste though. :)

darthspudius: Yeah I mean I adore the game series but I fecking hate the cutscenes in MGS 2 and some of them in MGS 4. Just too long and too silly. MGS 3 whilst was quite silly had fantastic very very likeable characters. Personally I think the first and third are the only well paced games. MGS 4 whilst being a good story was 20 minutes game play vs 20 minute cutscenes haha

stg83: Indeed, story telling and pacing is much better in MGS 1 & 3 compared to 2 & 4 where some cutscenes are really dragged out a lot. I have heard many horror stories about the mini movies in MGS4 but I still haven't played it yet so far. Hopefully, going to get the MGS Legacy collection soon on PS3 to start my playthrough of the series from the beginning. :)

darthspudius: Personally speaking I think the change in controls for the xbox 360 was better (if you have one ofcourse). They do away with that pressure sensitive controls. Horrible idea.

stg83: I have always been on the PS ecosystem so will be playing the series on PS3 where oddly MGS 4 is still exclusive, but yeah the pressure sensitive controls was never a good idea.

Ganni1987: MGS1 is what I consider an interactive movie, everything is so well made, for me it's the best MGS game of the series. I also enjoyed MGS2, have seen a friend play 3 and 4 but I didn't find them as strong as the first 2. I've seen the series going downhill, and as for the spinoffs I wouldn't touch those with a 10 foot pole.

Ganni1987: MGS1 is what I consider an interactive movie, everything is so well made, for me it's the best MGS game of the series. I also enjoyed MGS2, have seen a friend play 3 and 4 but I didn't find them as strong as the first 2. I've seen the series going downhill, and as for the spinoffs I wouldn't touch those with a 10 foot pole.