I think you're misunderstanding me here. I was perfectly aware of what was going on, but that doesn't mean I can't think that the story is stupid

And if they wanted me to play through it again, they should have made it less hate-able ;P

Yes, MGS2 STILL looks fucking amazing. and this is a PS2 game that came out in 2001.

It's hard to truly appreciate how great Metal Gear Solid 2 was until you've read James Clinton Howell's essay analyzing MGS2 and realize how much the game subconciously played with your mind.

http://www.deltaheadtranslation.com/MGS2/DOTM_TOC.htm

Seriously, after reading all that and having played every game in the series, it's hard to argue that MGS2 isn't by far the greatest game in the series.

MGS2 is awesome...but my least favorite but in that franchise it doesnt mean anything!!

MGS3
MGS1 & 4
MGS2!

Still one of my favorites games of all time. Those who don`t like the story (yes, I am serious) are not clever, because this is the best written story in any game. You have to be smart to understand the genius of the story.
Sorry for those who thinks otherwise. This is the truth and nothing but the truth. And it`s a fact.

Idiots like this guy are the reason why these forums are getting worse and worse each day.

As stated before, I hold the MGS series to a higher standard. An 8/10 for an MGS game is the equivalent of a 9.5/10 for any other series.

@ Seihyouken (your name is IMPOSSIBLE to spell without looking at it), thanks for the link. I'm actually going to check that out.

MGS4 8.5?! Thats quite low but hey, its your opinion.

For me:

MGS1 was the best game I played on the PS1 by far. Better than FF7, Crash, GT, RE, Need for Speed. The story, graphics, gameplay, characters, everything was just so damn perfect. Its my second favourite game of all time. 10/10

MGS3 was the best game tied with GTA: SA that I played on the PS2. The remastered awesome gameplay, stealth, story, and some very emotional moments. Graphics was the best at the time. 10/10

MGS4 is the best game I have EVER played. Games like Uncharted 2, Bioshock, Demons Souls, are still quite some way behind this masterpiece. I agree with the long cutscenes but they tied the story together so well and watching them was entertaining. Boss battles were very good and the ending, almost brought tears to my eyes. 10/10

For me, MGS2 is a 9.3/10 

One more thing I'd like to add before I go: I have to applaud Kojima. After playing MGS1, I expected MGS2 to be more of the same, except on a boat. Boy, was I wrong. Playing that game, all the way up to the last moment, you never knew what to expect. That alone made the game amazing. The man didn't give us what we wanted, he gave us what he felt we needed. He gave us HIS vision.

When MGS3 rolled around, he did it again. I wanted Solid Snake. He gave me Naked Snake. And again, it was better than anything I could've expected or imagined.

And finally, with MGS4, he did it again. We all had our opinions of what would have happened and what probably SHOULD happen. Kojima ignored all of that. He gave us a very different and nostalgic experience.

Developers like him are rare. There are too many "me too" games and games that simply spoon feed us more of what they think we want. That's all well and good. I'm glad that there are guys like the makers of Braid, Metroid Prime, Pikmin, Metal Gear Solid, and such that go their own way.

This sums up what type of game designer I want to be.

Anyone who doesn't like the story either has their own opinion or they are just gamers that want something to shoot every ten seconds.