Metal Gear

Certainly an interesting game for everything it's trying to do, even if the ways it does them are another matter sometimes. Get a guide and it's doable enough as you fumble with keycards and have a bit of fun taking out the not-very-alert guards. The NES version added some silliness like "mazes" and such to make extra sure you were getting that guide, though it was quite obtuse enough already.

We know the NES version has issues but it's still a pretty fun game and definitely was back in the day. Plus, things like the bad translation is charming today. I know that's not the only problem, there are some clunky parts, but still. I've been a huge fan of MG since it became Solid but even for me I do admit that this is a little hard to go back to.

This rating is for the MSX game, the NES version gets a 53.

Odd to see a Kojima game with brief dialog. As a game, MG was revolutionary but also very obnoxious in its design decisions. For example, the card key system was a clunky mess and it's possible you could literally be rendered unable to complete a game if you accidentally killed a hostage. The ai in this game is also incredibly stupid with a short range of sight, and sneaking never feels like a struggle or have tension. Respectable as an early attempt stealth at a game, but nothing amazing.

That's totally Kyle Reese on the cover

This hasn't aged especially well, though I can respect its ideas.

there's a lot of archaic design decisions (those fucking keycards UGH) but having played this in around 2010, this actually holds up fairly well. the elements that made the series what it is are present in some form, even if they haven't taken shape. worth a play, especially for fans of the Solid games.

30 years later when I was briefly teased with a remake of this during the post post POST credit scene of Metal Gear 5 I almost imploded. This game great. I feel asleep. (PS play the non NES version, it's bundled in that Metal Gear remastered collection tucked inside part 3)