CNET Networks Entertainment GameSpot | GameFAQs | Metacritic | MP3.com | TV.com
Home | About Metacritic | About Metascores | What's New | Wireless Versions | Discussion Forums | Advertising Inquiries | Contact Us | RSS
Metacritic.com: We Deal With Criticism
     Help
> Switch to Advanced Search  
Film Video/DVD Music Games Books TV
Printer-Friendly Version Email This Page Discuss In Our Forums

Games

Playstation Reviews
PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo Reviews
Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64


PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

 

Upcoming & Recent Releases

sort by name sort by score

xx 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
40 Alan Hansen's Sports Challenge
35 Alvin and the Chipmunks
38 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am
xx Asterix at the Olympic Games
xx Baroque
65 Bee Movie Game
xx Ben 10: Protector of Earth
50 Boogie
70 Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party
69 Buzz! Junior: Monster Rumble
63 Buzz! Junior: RoboJam
77 Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz
75 Buzz! The Mega Quiz
xx Cabela's Monster Bass
67 Cars Mater-National
43 Cheggers' Party Quiz
66 College Hoops 2K8
xx Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics Exceed
60 Dance Dance Revolution Disney Channel Edition
xx Dancing with the Stars
xx Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves The Mermaids
73 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
xx EyeToy: Play Astro Zoo
xx Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess
76 Fire Pro Wrestling Returns
xx Go, Diego, Go! Safari Rescue
39 Godzilla: Unleashed
46 Golden Compass, The
82 Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
64 Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law
xx History Channel: Battle for the Pacific, The
xx Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon - Special Edition
xx International Cricket Captain III
xx Jumper
xx Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore
xx King of Clubs
74 King of Fighters XI, The
xx Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge
xx Major League Baseball 2K8
67 Manhunt 2
xx MLB 08: The Show
xx Monster Jam
52 MX vs. ATV Untamed
xx Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3
xx NCAA March Madness 08
62 Need for Speed ProStreet
69 Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power
60 PDC World Championship Darts 2008
xx Petz: Catz 2
xx Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
xx Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
xx PopCap Hits Vol. 1
xx Power Rangers: Super Legends
81 Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
80 Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords
41 RealPlay Golf
47 RealPlay Pool
24 RealPlay PuzzleSphere
25 RealPlay Racing
81 Rock Band
xx Sega Superstars Tennis
68 Simpsons Game, The
70 SingStar R&B
59 Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
xx Spiderwick Chronicles, The
57 Star Trek: Conquest
47 Swashbucklers: Blue vs. Grey
72 Twisted Metal: Head-On Extra Twisted Edition
xx Winter Sports 2008: The Ultimate Challenge
xx World Championship Paintball
71 WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008
52 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX: The Beginning of Destiny

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.



Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ps2 Game Reviews
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Critic Score
Metascore: 96 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.3 out of 10
based on 42 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 227 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Since the incident on Shadow Moses Island, Metal Gear's top-secret technology has been leaked into the black market through the machinations of Revolver Ocelot. As a result, countless variations of Metal Gears have sprung up in every corner of the globe, making the weapon an increasingly common component of the armed forces of nuclear powers. In the midst of all of this, Solid Snake, now a member of the anti-Metal Gear group "Philanthropy," has learned that a new prototype Metal Gear has been developed by the U.S. Marines and is being transported in secret to an unknown destination. To learn more about this new machine, Snake must infiltrate the transport, disguised as a tanker, as it makes its way down the Hudson River. Just as Snake is about to begin his mission, however, the ship is seized by a mysterious and well-armed group bent on stealing the new Metal Gear for their own, nefarious purposes. [Konami]

PUBLISHER: Konami
DEVELOPER: Konami
GENRE(S): Action
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2001

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
Cloudchaser
The environments are amazing, when on the deck of the tank the rain effects are extremely lifelike, along with rain drops hitting the ship and characters.
Read Full Review
100
GamePen
The best part of the whole thing is, you become so comfortable with the controls that the movements feel like a natural extension of your body. You’ll find your self ducking your head every time a bullet whizzes by you during a gunfight.
100
GamePro
MGS2 delivers everything it was teased, touted, hyped, and, in some circles, feared to be. It's easily one of the most memorable gaming experiences you're likely to have.
Read Full Review
100
Into Liquid Sky
Anyone who comes away from this game with anything more than a few nitpicky complaints should just give up videogaming, period. Everything that this game does goes above and beyond the capability of the current competition and will easily set a bar for quality for years to come.
Read Full Review
100
PSX Nation
Nearly everything in the game is interactive the way it would be in the real world whether it’s melting ice cubes to leaking flour bags. The detail is staggering.
Read Full Review
100
Maxim Online
You’ll be more impressed that you can make Snake stare lecherously at a centerfold poster one minute, only to have him pop out and choke someone to death the next.
Read Full Review
100
Total Video Games
A perfect balance between videogames and cinema.
Read Full Review
100
All Game Guide
Looks beautiful, plays precisely, and has a complex, detailed plot that will tax your brain and maybe even have you questioning the greater truths of life. If that's not a game that qualifies for a perfect score, then no game possibly can.
Read Full Review
100
Game Informer
From the attention to detail that went into the graphics to the sophistication of gameplay, Hideo Kojima and his team set out to create the perfect game, and the result is nothing short of this. [Dec 2001, p.84]
100
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
I know everyone is expecting this game to be good, but I have to tell you I was shocked at how great it is. [Dec 2001, p.159]
100
Cinescape
Astoundingly beautiful. From the sunset, to the rain effects, to the guard animation - everything is very well done. There’s dynamic cloth effects, beautiful lighting and most importantly, some incredible textures to round it off. [Grade = A+]
Read Full Review
100
GameShark
If you own a PS2 and you do not own and play through this game 100% you will forfeit your right to call yourself a game player and should trade in everything you own and become a monk.
Read Full Review
100
Hot Games
The game is nearly perfect, with stunning graphics, great sound, and controls that enhance rather than detract from the overall cinematic experience.
Read Full Review
100
Next Generation Magazine
A stunning creation, a tremendous achievement. [Jan 2002, p.73]
100
Core Magazine
MGS2 includes all kinds of incentive to play the game again and again, including the new collectable "Dog Tag" feature, but to be honest the real replay value lies with the beauty of the game.
Read Full Review
100
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
A must-own, state-of-the-art tactical espionage stealth-a-thon. [Jan 2007, p.106]
98
GameZone
The graphics are virtually flawless, down to the smallest detail - the interactivity with your environment and the attention to detail will have most people playing through multiple times just so they can find every little secret.
Read Full Review
98
GamingTrend
A masterpiece. The story and scope of MGS2 is much larger than the original and Kojima should be commended for creating a game that makes you feel like you are in the game. I never put this game down until I beat it.
Read Full Review
97
IGN
One of the most interesting aspects of MGS2's gameplay, though, is the emphasis on nonviolence. For a game with such a huge arsenal of destructive implements, and such a horribly rich killing experience for the twisted among us, it honestly provides considerable opportunity and incentive to be a benevolent commando.
Read Full Review
97
GameSpy
The experience will stay with you for a long time -- everything from the action to the masterful story...Game of the Year on PS2? No arguments here!
Read Full Review
97
Electric Playground
At times, it's hard to tell where sincerity ends and irony begins--select Snake's cigarettes in the inventory list and you're provided with the helpful information that cigarettes are highly addictive and bad for your health. Not like, for example, guns or anything.
Read Full Review
97
GamerWeb Sony
Not just a game, it's an experience, and well worth the three-year wait...It almost makes you wonder how Hideo Kojima might fare directing a movie based on the Metal Gear license.
Read Full Review
97
Gamezilla!
If you’re wearing body armor just before you start a new part of the plot, you’ll see your character wearing it in the cut-scene as well. I feel that this effect really adds to the suspension of disbelief in MGS2 and helps it be that much more impressive.
Read Full Review
96
GameSpot
Though you'll undoubtedly get swept up in the game's plot and be dazzled by its cinematics, it's the incredible story and the tense, enjoyable action at the heart of Metal Gear Solid 2 that make it so extraordinary.
Read Full Review
96
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
A bit plot heavy, but that's a tiny criticism of one of the most inventive, ambitious and downright fun games to play, well, ever.[GamesMaster Magazine]
95
Electronic Gaming Monthly
It’s infinitely more polished, more playable, more replayable, better-looking, and just plain fun to run around and play than most anything else out there. [Jan 2002, p.212]
95
Gaming Maxx
Enjoyable, captivating, and thrilling.
Read Full Review
95
Voodoo Extreme
A great game not only because it surpasses MGS1 in terms of graphics, sound, and control, but because it offers new and innovative gameplay.
Read Full Review
95
Cheat Code Central
Some reviews are superfluous and this is one of them. If have played the first one, you'll play the sequel because you know it's going to be a quality product. Who cares what other people think anyway?
94
Absolute Playstation
Almost perfect - storyline notwithstanding.
Read Full Review
94
Inside Gamer Online
It’s almost as fun to watch as it is to play.
Read Full Review
92
Game Chronicles
Aside from the over-abundance of movies and com-link chatter, there is a really great game hidden on this DVD. The freedom to explore and ultimately play this game as you see fit within the confines of the parameters of the script is a great feature that offers excellent replay potential.
Read Full Review
91
Gaming Age
A great game from a gameplay standpoint but fails pretty badly when it comes to the story. As a result, even though I've given it an A-, it turns out to be one of my biggest disappointments of the year.
Read Full Review
91
Game Over Online
A testosterone soaked soap opera. With a storyline that will keep you deciding who to trust and what really is going on right up until the end, it’s a great bit of entertainment.
Read Full Review
90
GMR Magazine
This highly anticipated sequel throws a real curveball early on in the game. It was probably the least confusing part of the story. [Feb 2003, p.92]
90
GameCritics
In a very Hitchcockian gesture Kojima structures the entire game around a plot twist no one will see coming and many might not even like. This kind of audience-foiling gutsiness is always a delight in my book.
Read Full Review
90
EuroGamer
As stunning and enjoyable as ever. You may feel foolish gripping the controller throughout a 40-minute cut scene, but MGS2 is something which must be experienced.
Read Full Review
90
Gamestyle
Truly astounding. Not tarnished at all by all the hype, and truly worth the wait.
Read Full Review
82
Action Trip
The gameplay factor is much lower for MGS2.
Read Full Review
80
Yahoo! Games
As good as this game is, as amazing as the graphics are, as fantastic as the audio is, as fun as it is to play, and as much as everyone loves Solid Snake, the obscene storyline virtually ruins everything.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
MGS2 suffers in its story. I can't spoil it for you, but I can at least warn you to be prepared for a plot that frequently reaches levels of sheer absurdity.
Read Full Review
77
TotalGames.net
SOL's storyline (and this is being generous) is woefully inept, consisting of such high-calibre nonsense that there's absolutely no point following it.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 227 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Liam G. gave it a10:
Best game I ever played, PERIOD!!! A story that introduces conspiracy theories that are completely plausible and that could explain things in real life (if the theory was true).The level of interactivity is incredible...scaring guards, catching colds, even making bags of flour start leaking when you shoot at them! The level of detail is astounding. My only reproach is the fact that you are forced to use a secondary caracter for more than half the game. Otherwise, a completely flawless game.

Abraham D. gave it a10:
A great sequel.

Isaac M. gave it a9:
Great game!! Raiden is the most painfully annoying character ever especially obvious when put next to the coolest character ever (Solid Snake) I just wanted to reach into the TV screen and throttle him!! Apart from Raiden though you can't fault this game except perhaps I would have liked the kind of innovation you saw with the original Metal Gear Solid (think Psycho Mantis - oh what fun he was) but a thoroughly worthy sequel.

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Everything in this game is just awesome, even story.

Nick gave it a9:
I like reading comments on MGS2. It's fun to compare the complete idiots and people who actually have a brain. "The game sucks! I'm too stupid to understand the story!" "You play as Raiden instead of Snake, now I can't have gay fantasies while I play! Worst game ever." "The gameplay is lame! I can't run around with a bazooka wtf!??? I wanna blow up everyone!!!!" If you can't appreciate great graphics, incredible music, a storyline on par with movies and stealthy gameplay perhaps GTA is more your kind of game. As it is, Metal Gear Solid 2 will always be remembered and cherished by those who want depth in their games.

Carlos From Peru gave it a1:
This game is a big disappointment. I was waiting for something better. The story is ridiculous.

Alex B. gave it a10:
A truly brilliant game. Hideo Kojima is an exceptional artist, and via technical wizardry brings to life an exciting, complex, and interesting story, rife with plot twists and unique characters. The controls may take a short learning curve, but they eventually become second nature and any obtuseness just adds to the difficulty factor that keeps you on the edge of your seat. As many reviews note, if you're a fan of videogames and own a PS2, there is no reason not to play this game.

Read more user comments...

Discuss this game in our forums

Return to top of page
Home | FILM | DVD/VIDEO | MUSIC | GAMES | BOOKS | TV | Forums | About Metacritic metacritic.com

About CNET Networks | Jobs | Advertise | Partnerships                                Visit other CNET Networks sites:

Copyright ©2007 CNET Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use