Online capability brings New Level of Gameplay for Metal Gear Fans!

As more and more information regarding the addition of a squad based online mode in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence reaches excited fans ears, questions are being asked left and right. How would a game like Metal Gear Solid perform in such conditions? What good is a cardboard box in the middle of a jungle? What new kinds of weaponry will be available? While Konami and game creator Hideo Kojima have stated they will remain tight-lipped until the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, certain aspects revealed in interviews and the recently released video clip speak volumes.

First off, we know that the combat will be squared into deathmatches, capture the flag scenarios, and "rescue missions" where one team attempts to transport a person or object to a certain location, while the other team attempts to destroy said object. We also know that teams will be divided into 8 people (or perhaps 16) with one member acting as "squad leader". This is interesting as the squad leader is seen as either Naked Snake, Revolver Ocelot, or Raidenovich Raikov. It is thusfar unknown if these three are unlockable characters, or are simply skins to denote rank. Also, it is not yet clear if there are to be more, however it seems very likely that there will be others.

Most of the weapons available in Metal Gear Solid 3 make an appearance with the notable inclusion of a backpack wielded flamethrower. Another known play mode is "Snake vs. Troops" where a single player squares off against an entire squad of other players. While this may seem like more of a slaughter than an actually fun game, logic states that odds are, Snake will have either better weaponry, a special item, or a health advantage to even out gameplay.

One interesting strategy is the use of the adult magazines as a distraction. Apparently, if a player is close to an adult magazine, they will hop onto it in regular MGS fashion and will remain so for a few seconds. This seems like a trick a sniper could use to great effect.

A possibly detracting note is the use of the new rotatable camera. While this feature makes the single player missions much more enjoyable, it could make performing actions like stealthily sneaking up on players near impossible.

Also, it is unclear whether or not players will have to pay a fee to use the online functions, even though Konami has recently announced that said service will be free in Japan.

While questions will remain until November, 2005 about all the nuances of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, there is no question that the inclusion of online play will be a quintessential turning point in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.

-- Article by Travis Whelpley