RF Generation Message Board

By the time I was in high school my gaming experience was pretty robust, but because I was never into RPGs or adventure games, I was actually unaccustomed to playing games that you would save and come back to and complete over a long period of time. I played countless hours of Super Mario Kart, NBA Jam, and Star Fox for example, and I certainly completed my share of story-light platformers like Kirby's Dreamland and Super Mario World. Through the 8-bit and 16-bit generations, I rarely completed a game that had a cohesive narrative.

When I borrowed a copy of Metal Gear Solid from a friend of mine, that all changed for me. During those first cinematic cuts scenes I realized immediately that I was experiencing something unlike anything I had before. What I didn't realize at the time was that Metal Gear Solid in 1998 provided an experience unlike anything anyone had seen before.

[img width=620 height=350]http://geekti.me/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/214719-Metal_Gear_Solid_1_ascensor.jpg[/img]

It's ironic that I'm hosting Metal Gear Solid on a rare month of trading places with Singlebanana which puts me in the host chair of a retro game because I always considered Metal Gear Solid to be my personal introduction to video games' modern era. This was my "this isn't just kid's stuff anymore" moment, and I will never forget playing the game into the wee hours of the night on school nights, hoping not to wake up my parents.

Over the years and with its many sequels the Metal Gear Solid series has solidified itself as one of my all-time favorites, but the original game will always be the fondest in my heart. I have completed it about five or six times over the years and I can't wait to do it again with the community.

[img width=650 height=365]http://img.jeuxvideo.fr/028A016D2253800-c2-photo-oYToxOntzOjE6InciO2k6NjUwO30%3D-metal-gear-solid.jpg[/img]

Participants:
grayghost81
fleach
schlibby
russlyman
metalfro
retrorage
unforgivingpain
bartman87
oatbob

Checkpoints:
Week One - Raven in a tank.
Week Two - Press the circle button repeatedly to regain your strength.
Week Three - Raven in an icebox.
Week Four - Complete your mission.

By complete coincidence I completed that game 2 days ago. It was the first ever metal gear game ive played and i thought it was fantastic.

Ill pretend im playing it again in September and add some more comments  ;)

sign me up. I watched my friend play though this when it came out and never got to play it. Its on the PSN for $9.99 with cross by for PSP so that helps. I can lay in bed and play.

I'm out.  Already beat it and no interest to play again.

I'm in for this as well.  I bought MGS years and years ago, played it, enjoyed it, but never beat it.  I really need to rectify that.

Put me in.  I haven't played this game since it came out, I've forgotten almost everything about it.

Might play my copy of Twin Snakes

I'm in!  This should be interesting, I just played through MGS:Ground Zeroes a few days ago.

Metal Gear Solid was one of the first games I completed as well. I mostly played games like Killer Instinct, Tecmo Super Bowl, Super Mario Kart, NBA Jam, and GoldenEye 007.

About the checkpoint... I remember "Fission Mailed" in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

Welcome to the playthrough!

The real first checkpoint will be up within the next few days. Just start the game for now. And yeah fission mailed is from the second game and in fact time paradox is from the third.

Thank you. I look forward to playing through it.
Thanks for explaining the checkpoints as well.

i'm tentatively in...still working on my WTB list which takes up most of my free time. less than 250 games to price out of 1400 total, so i should be done this week.

Alright friends the first checkpoint is up! Veterans will get to it pretty quickly but I want first-timers to go at their own pace and learn how to play the game.

If you're playing ahead the second checkpoint will probably be somewhere around

Spoiler (hover to show)

the torture scene.

I put about four hours into the game this afternoon but don't judge anything by that because I'm being a Cheater McCheaterstein with some of the game's more famous bonus items. I could just stealth past everyone very easily, but I can't resist the urge to...

[img width=400 height=300]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/mgsmeme_zpskti8btsu.jpg[/img]

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ *crunch*

Anyway, this game is so great. Every time I play it I remember all the little quirks and easter eggs and other fun stuff you can do.

If it's your first time playing the game, I really want to hear from you the most. How do you like the controls? Are you playing stealthy or running around like an idiot? What do you think of all the dialogue?

Also, just wanted to throw out there that I'm playing the game with the original discs on the PS3. The only glitch I've noticed so far was the falling snow appears purple, but otherwise it's been smooth sailing and looks great with the upscaling. If you've played the game before and you're wondering how you do that one thing where you have to do the things with the things (you know what I'm talking about), you can do it easily. PM me if you can't figure it out when you get there.

Count me in!  ;D

Welcome to the site and welcome to the playthrough! Enjoy the game!

I played a little bit today. I downloaded it on the PS3 and my PSP. I did not get very far though. I got up the elevator and through the vents than died. I still need to get a handle on the stealth and controls. Hoping I can get the hang of it and enjoy the game.

The controls can take a little getting used to for someone new to the game. I would argue that this game is easier to go back than something like a Resident Evil with tank controls. The key is "learning" what each button does and how they relate to what snake does automatically, like sticking to walls.

It can certainly be frustrating when you're caught in a crawl and the enemies can unload into you because the standing up animation can take very long especially if you're frazzled from being discovered.

The first thing I ever bought on eBay, circa 2001:

[img width=700 height=1244]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/0904152040_zpscqlpx6ea.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/0904152040_zpscqlpx6ea.jpg.html)

Pics of my MGS T-Shirt coming soon!

As I said at the start of this thread I played this game very recently. I used original discs on a PS3.

I couldn't believe how great this game was. It's like a modern game where it's more like a film than a game, but on a PS1! And all the fourth wall breaking was great.

Definitely looking forwards to trying out other games in the series (including going back to the 2 NES games).

I think I had only 1 problem with this game; the O button is the yes/continue/ok type button and the X button was cancel/back. Don't know if you Americans have that same problem or if that is only on the European version. But it's the complete opposite of every other game. Very confusing!

Yep, it was that way in the states too. That's the way the controller buttons were meant to be, but for the most part only Japanese games kept it.

I beat the Raven tank

Excellent work, my friend. Is this your first time with the game? What do you think?

The second checkpoint will be up soon.

This is my first time playing this game and I love it

Awesome! I'm so glad to hear it.

The checkpoint for week two is up. This one should take you all a little bit longer to get to, and I'd also encourage you to take your time, as this is probably the coolest chunk of the game.

Enjoy and don't forget to check in everybody!

Just passed Psycho Mantis. Taking a break at Sniper Wolf.

The controls took some time and I still mess up from time to time. Especial after playing 10 hours of Phantom Pain this week. I killed Meryl, because I was trying to use a choke for a knock out. I remember now how frustrating and unforgiving games could be. I died at least six times just getting to the elevator at the opening of the game. the Game Over screen is a classic with the gun shot sound when you make your selection. This game is great. It takes me back to a simpler time in my life. It also reminds me of how far video games have advanced.

Am I the only one who thinks DARPA Chief Donald Anderson looks like a Minecraft villager?

I've started this game three times (on three consoles --> PS1, PS2, DC) and for some reason have never followed through.  I believe people who say it's the greatest game of all time... it's just that stealth/stalking games have never been my forte.  Anyways, I would love to play with you guys, so let's go!

"It's on the back of the CD case."

CIB is the only way!

Yes, the fourth wall breaks are amazing. Although I sold my first copy of MGS which was a Greatest Hits, I remember how awesome that was. Unfortunately they did not put Meryl's Codec on the back of Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for PS2. That is the only copy I currently own, but my playthrough adventure is still an enjoyable one.

[img width=700 height=464]http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h150/UNFORGIVINGPAIN/Metal_Gear_Solid%201%20Essential_Collection.jpg[/img]

I didn't realize it wasn't on the back of that edition. What a strange oversight. Here's the original if anyone needs it, but I hope we're all past that point in the game.

[img width=700 height=602]http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/201/548083-mgs_back.jpg[/img]

@Oatbob: Glad to have you aboard and I hope playing with the group will inspire you to complete the game. It's worth it, trust me!

I'm playing the bleem! for Dreamcast version, so the controls are even wonkier.  The wall-stick is conveniently still on the analog with normal movement.  D-pad left and right are the R1/L1 triggers (item/weapon equip), while the actual triggers are the L2/R2 (item/weapon select).  D-pad down is the codec, and I have to remember face buttons, but that's about it.  Oh, and the Japanese X-O flip...

Tank down!

Also, for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwRA9kSzYRQ

I only started last night, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the game this time around.  I just finished the ninja fight and freed Otakon.  That's about the furthest I ever made it in the past.  I'm looking forward to what's in store.

Checkpoint 2 cleared!

Got a bit of a late start on this game, only just firing it up Friday evening, but I've already put enough time into it to have completed the first checkpoint and now just beat Psycho Mantis. I know when I first played this game about 15 years ago, I got shortly beyond this point, and was out in the cold, contending with wolves, if memory serves. I look forward to actually passing that mark and seeing the rest of the game. I'm having fun so far overall, though I forgot that there's a LOT of trial and error involved. I have died a whole ton of times, and don't think I'd ever want to consider a speed run of this game. The boss fights are cool, but get kind of frustrating fast because the combat is a bit weak compared to the stealth elements. I must have played the Cyborg Ninja fight a dozen and a half times before I finally got my rhythm down and beat him. Psycho Mantis only took about 4-5 tries, however.

I got pass the check point and I am at the metal gear solid vs liquid

So he is at the final boss Rex.

I'm stopped at Sniper Wolf. I will return to this game Friday evening, but for right now I will be playing more Phantom Pain.

Quick question.

Are the spinoff games worth playing at all?  Acid?  Revengence?  Isn't there one starring Raiden.  I'm not super familiar with the series as a whole.

Revengeance was awesome but it is a totally different game. It starts Raiden. It's an action slice & dice like Bayonetta.

Acid is a CCG game. Haven't played it yet but a lot of people like it.

Revengence sounds fun.

Anways, I just plugged in Disc 2 for MGS, so I'm making good progress.

I forgot there's also Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions. It's a standalone game of VR missions like the ones in MGS but of course there are many more of them and they are a lot more creatively designed. It's cool if you absolutely want more MGS on the PS1.

Remember Mantis and the "trick"?

One of the coolest parts in the game, or in any game actually.

Some of my squad might not have gotten there yet, so please don't spoil it. ;)

I am in the prison cell now, and have had 2 rounds of torture.  My arm couldn't take a 3rd round last night (assuming there is one), so I left it there.  Now that I've played through more of the game, it seems to me that it wasn't at the area with the wolves that I stopped, but somewhere around that prison cell, possibly prior to torture, or just shortly after Ocaton's visit.  It's been 15 years, so my memory's a bit fuzzy on the details, but I think I may have reached the spot in the game where I gave up last time, so I'm looking forward to seeing what's beyond this point :)

FRO, do you need help figuring out how to get out of the cell? You ought not have to endure any more torture ;)

Maybe I do - Otacon brought me the ketchup bottle and rations, I just don't remember after all these years what I need to do to escape :P

Cool, finally I get to use my expertise on this game to help someone!

The two best ways I know of to get out (though I'm sure there are more):

Spoiler (hover to show)

Both methods involve waiting until the guard has his "stomach issues" and visits the restroom.

The first way is to just hide under the bed until he comes back and he'll think you're gone, but that's not fun and also puts you at a positional disadvantage because you have to crawl out from under the bed before knocking him out.

It's much more fun to wait until he's gone, lay still in the middle of the floor, and "use" the ketchup. You can probably guess what happens, but I'll leave the rest to you.

Hey FRO, did you get out of the cell yet?

I'm gonna post the penultimate checkpoint tomorrow morning, but I just wanted to thank y'all for a killer playthrough.

I think maybe my perception is colored by playing MGS followed immediately by MGSV, but goodness gracious you really have to stop for a minute and think: this may be the greatest video game franchise of all time.

I'm not talking about sales figures.

I'm talking about a series where at multiple distinct points in my life I can remember obsessing about each game as it came out, and pretty much every Sony system, I purchased to play the next Metal Gear Solid game.

I played the original MGS over and over in high school. I played MGS2 so much I almost lost my job over it. I put a gazillion hours into Peace Walker on the special edition Peace Walker PSP I bought just to play the game.

I preordered Ground Zeroes only to cancel it. Then my wife brought it home for me on release day as a surprise.

MGS is part of my DNA. It is my favorite series of all time. I opined about whether the first Mass Effect or Metal Gear Solid was my favorite game of all time, but it isn't even a question.

Guys, I'm about fifty hours into MGSV right now and I can't get enough, but I can't express how grateful I am to have "done my homework" and played through the original MGS with you first.

It is incredible how far this franchise has come.

[img width=250 height=201]http://38.media.tumblr.com/51cb70a9b81ff657ca5474eee7a5b68c/tumblr_n9cn98GnHm1smxtnqo1_250.gif[/img]

Anyway, please check in and let the group know where you are. What are you liking and disliking about the game? Do you need help? Snake? Snnnaaaaaake???

Don't worry, I won't.  When I first played this game I didn't know about the "trick" and killed Mantis the proper way.

Week three checkpoint is up.

How's everyone doing?

I took a break from getting curb-stomped by Rex to go back to Destiny.  I enjoy the characters and dialogue.  It's really been an enjoyable game so far.  It plays like a modern game, and that is the mark of a classic.  The Taken King comes out Tuesday, so I better finish this MGS playthough because I'll be back to Destiny for the rest of the month.

@GrayGhost81 - yes, I got out of the cell, but haven't progressed too far beyond that.  Have had a few busy days full of work and life stuff, but I hope to jump back in this evening :)

Bob, you're very close to the end. Hang in there. That boss fight is an ass-ache because there's no checkpoint.

FRO, you won't have any trouble catching up by the end of the month.

sorry I havent been to active on this playthrough. Manly because I'm sucking at the game ha. I only gotten about 5 minutes into the game and keep dying and getting caught and what not. I'm going to try again a few more times and really sink some time into it and see what I can do for as catching up to the check points

If you're that close to the beginning, maybe start again at a lower difficulty?

I'm having a heck of a time figuring out how to get to the communication tower. I found the body armor and the cold medicine, and I know I'm supposed to go back to the spot where I confronted Sniper Wolf, but I can't find it! This is one of the reasons I probably gave up on this game in the first place. Without a good map to refer to, I get lost easily, and have no idea where to go. Can anyone point me in the right general direction?

EDIT: Okay, so shortly after posting this, I figured out how dumb I was being, and got going in the right direction.

Theres actually surprisingly little sneaking sections in this game. So if you suck at those sections like I did don't worry too much. It's only a small fraction of the game

Thanks for checking in guys, keep pushing. This playthrough started with such a bang, it would break my heart if y'all didn't finish the game.

The final check point will obviously be to finish the game. Don't give up!

Bump.

How's everyone doing? Floyd and I are going to record the podcast this weekend so if anyone has any final words, say them now!

You've all put so much time into this game already, time to go finish it!

Holy cow, I finally made it to disc 2! Can I just say, I'm glad to finally be done with Sniper Wolf, and I hope I don't have to use the PSG again? I realize that the game is shooting for some semblance of reality with the Diazepam and shakiness of using a Sniper rifle, but those parts are particularly frustrating. Especially the way you get knocked so far out of position and it takes FOREVER to find your target again, leaving you wife open to anywhere from 1 to 3 additional hits which just whittle your life bar away. I sincerely hope future MGS games, if they've included sniping sections, have tightened up those elements. I can safely say that MGS had nothing on Syphon Filter in that regard. SP made good use of sniper and scoped rifles.

EDIT: Well CRAP. My disc 2 is apparently damaged, and won't read. It looks like it's going to, then all I get is a blank screen. I won't be able to get to anywhere to have this disc resurfaced before the end of the month, most likely, so I will probably not be able to finish the play through in the month like I had hoped. Aaaaaaaargh! The worst part is, I bought this copy some 15 years ago. Had I been diligent and played through it when I bought it, like I started to, I probably would have discovered the issue back then, and the game store I bought it through would likely have done a resurface or exchange for me at that point.

Did anyone else find that bit near the end where you have to climb up and down a certain large machine 3 times a bit repetitive and tedious?

I remember that Sniper Wolf encounter vividly!

Psycho Mantis!!!