The shockwaves from the PS2 trailer of MGS2 can still be felt. Here's another aftershock, complete with enhancements for Xbox.
In what could be considered the biggest Xbox announcement yet, Konami revealed in September that it had already begun work on five titles for the Xbox, including an installment of the worldwide best seller Metal Gear Solid. Based on the PlayStation 2 Metal Gear Solid sequel, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami's Metal Gear Solid X will feature enhancements and improvements exclusive to the Xbox.
Although just what improvements will be made remain unknown, Konami has said that it plans to take advantage of the Xbox's superior hardware and hard disk features. Obvious candidates for such upgrades are the audio and visuals. As is apparent from the screens accompanying this preview, the visual quality of MGS2 is second to none. Few would argue that this is one of the most beautiful games ever created. The textures, lighting and character models all reek of quality. Even subtle effects such as rain and smoke are masterfully crafted.
The animation is top-notch as well. As can be seen in the MPEGs available below, the characters move with frightening realism. Enemies move as a cohesive unit, following and covering each other, progressing with caution rather than simply roaming around aimlessly. Extremely cool Matrix-like special effects such as motion blur and perfectly documented slow motion scenes are some of the most impressive effects ever seen on a console.
The audio is also of the utmost quality. Harry Gregson-Williams, who produced the orchestral scores for Enemy of the State and The Rock, is handling the orchestration in MGS2, which, as would be expected, sounds exceptional. The same can be said for the sound effects. The whizzing of bullets as they fly through the air and the ricocheting of fired rounds are all reproduced very convincingly. And although we have yet to hear any voice acting in MGS2, it's safe to assume that it will be even more brilliant than it was in the original Metal Gear Solid.
Rather than facing the Alaskan wilderness, Snake will this time find himself in New York. In addition, the majority of the trailers shown of the game have shown Snake aboard a ship. Although it's unknown what role the ship will play in the story, it's obviously going to be a major part of the game.
While few details have been revealed regarding the game's story, it has been made known that the centerpiece of the antagonist's regiment will be the Sons of Liberty, replacing the Fox Hound unit found in the original Metal Gear Solid. In addition, a seemingly much more advanced future generation weapon dubbed Metal Gear Ray has replaced Metal Gear Rex. From what has been shown in the trailers, it is expected that Metal Gear Ray will roam the streets of New York in a very Godzilla-like fashion. Snake will also find himself forced to survive on a ship of some type.
It's important to keep in mind that this preview is based on what has been shown of Metal Gear Solid 2 for the PlayStation 2. While it's an almost sure bet that the majority of the changes that will be made to the game for its release on the Xbox as Metal Gear Solid X will be purely cosmetic, the plot and storyline could also undergo alterations. Rest assured, however, that XboxWeb will keep a close eye on MGSX and report any developments as soon as they're made known.
In the mean time, enjoy the screens and MPEGs we have of MGS2, and imagine how amazingly, indescribably wonderful the enhanced and improved Metal Gear Solid X will be on the Xbox. Almost scary, isn't it?
Josh White
