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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater ps2 Game Reviews
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Critic Score
Metascore: 91 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.0 out of 10
based on 68 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 243 votes
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Rate this game

In the struggle to achieve world peace and world dominance, rivaling governments are secretly developing weapons technology that could threaten the future existence of life. Destined to be the first, a race ensues to become the ultimate nation. A special elite tactical soldier is summoned to penetrate deep in the heart of enemy territory and obtain intel about "Metal Gear," a prototype weapon with nuclear capabilities. This is your mission and you must infiltrate alone. Interactive environments where traps catch enemies and prey. Rely on camouflage, combat, hunting and instincts to survive. Set in the 1960s where politics and war are shaping real world history. Blockbuster musical score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams. [Konami]

PUBLISHER: Konami
DEVELOPER: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
GENRE(S): Action
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: November 17, 2004

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
GamePro
Snake Eater revives the spirit of the first Solid, with an intriguing scenario, intense action, and a long adventure that stays riveting almost every step of the way--all wrapped in high-gloss cinematic cut-scenes and voice-overs that could have come from any A-action film.
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100
PSM Magazine
Snake Eater has one of the greatest gaggle of villains ever assembled in a game. [Jan 2005, p.60]
100
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
The most noteworthy part of the game is easily the end sequence. Without spoiling it, it's a chase that combines elements of MGS, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "Return of the Jedi", "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker", and "Ico" into an utterly engrossing and visceral ride.
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100
Gaming Age
Possibly the best-looking PS2 game EVER! The character models are intricately detailed to show facial grimaces, wrinkles on clothing, and wonderful animation throughout the entire game.
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100
GMR Magazine
Culminates in one of the greatest ending sequences in gaming and what's probably the most impressive display of the PlayStation 2's untapped graphical abilities.
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100
Adrenaline Vault
With the radar screen gone and the camouflage index, stamina gauge, inclusive healing system and a whole host of new gadgets in, the series is more tactical than ever.
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100
Cinescape
You might be surprised that this game isn't an Xbox game when you first see it on the TV. It looks great and while it does have some telltale signs of being a PS2 game, it's still absolutely gorgeous.
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100
Play Magazine
The edge-of-your seat action is incredibly intense and perfectly paced. Combined with ties to real-life events, the immersion level is off the charts. [Jan 2005, p.64]
100
Into Liquid Sky
It takes the quality gameplay from the second game and vastly improves it, while taking the better story pacing from the first game in mind when providing the lengthy tale that really involves the gamer.
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100
Australian GamePro
Marks a return of the series that should thoroughly satisfy fans as well as newcomers and silence the criticism that MGS2 received.
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99
PSX Extreme
The character development...oh, man...the character development is unbelievable. Seeing such fantastic depth in these characters completely blew me away; some of them feel so life-like it's quite frightening.
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98
Gaming Target
Is Metal Gear Solid 3 the best game of the year? Yes. Is Metal Gear Solid 3 the best in its series? No.
97
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
The best of the bunch yet. If you've never indulged in tactical espionage action before, you really have no excuse to let this pass you by. Absolutely vital. [PSM2]
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97
Next Level Gaming
Without a doubt the best Metal Gear Solid game ever made. It also also one of the most beautiful games ever created on the Playstation 2 system.
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97
Game Over Online
Not only is Snake Eater a triumphant return to the PS2, it's perhaps the best installment of the franchise to date. The inclusion of camouflage and greater attention to hand to hand combat via the CQC system are great additions to gameplay.
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96
BonusStage
Except for the slow first few hours of the game and an occasionally annoying camera, MGS 3 is damn near a perfect game.
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96
IGN
This is the best game in the Metal Gear Solid series and it pushes the PS2 just as far as it can go. With a total of 20-25 hours for the first time this provides a fantastic experience that will stimulate multiple parts of your brain and make you feel all fuzzy inside.
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95
eToychest
It has all of the elements of a blockbuster movie mixed with the interactivity of a video game, resulting in an experience that is both invigorating and intriguing. In other words, this is game is a work of art, and needs to be experienced.
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95
PGNx Media
Much like "San Andreas," it doesn't force this stuff on you. It lets you uncover them on your own. It's like having a surprise being unwrapped just a little at a time. This is certainly a much tougher game than the first two and the higher sense of realism plays an important role into that.
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95
GamingTrend
The boss battles, camouflage use, Close Quarters Combat and wound treating are simply revolutionary for this game.
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95
Game Chronicles
A gaming masterpiece. Hideo Kojima infuses a game that is a joy to play with an interesting story, great characters, top-notch visuals, immersive sound, and a great sense of humor.
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95
GameZone
Snake Eater isn't a breakthrough game for PS2 like "Sons of Liberty" was, but the graphics are still jaw-dropping. The lighting, shadow and weapon/explosion effects are unbelievable.
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95
Game Informer
To anyone who thinks that MGS 3 is all about flash and no substance, I say this: You are an idiot. [Jan 2005, p.120]
95
1UP
If Kojima had you and lost you with 2, then all will be forgiven here; if you don't yet know the joy of the best-executed stealth game in town, then put on your facepaint and get set for a mission that's truly unstinting in its virtues.
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95
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Creepy, creative, and tenacious, the Cobra team outdoes even the wicked Foxhound squad from "MGS" in terms of flat-out coolness. The nerve-racking, ambitious duel against one boss, code-named The End, will likely go down as one of gaming's finest. So will the game itself. [Holiday 2004, p.110]
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95
PALGN
The captivating storyline and uniquely brilliant gameplay make this arguably the best game on the PS2.
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95
GameBiz
The flawless and tense gameplay is held together by an intriguing cinematic storyline complete with twists and themes as well as beautiful graphics, music and sound.
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94
XGP Gaming
Now, don't think it's like The Jungle Book here; this isn't a jungle full of furry critters and swinging apes. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
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94
Inside Gamer Online
The series has been known for extravagant production values, but this one is without a doubt the top of the heap. Graphically, Snake Eater takes everything about "Sons of Liberty" ' which is still to this day one of the best looking Playstation 2 games ' and one-ups it in every way imaginable.
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92
Gamezilla!
A truly good game, mired only by small weakness and as short of a single player game as has been presented before.
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92
Worth Playing
The core gameplay is similar, but the new camouflage and stamina additions require strategic adjustments that perfectly fit the deliberate, tactical feel of the game. It's a beautifully crafted game from every angle.
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92
Pelit (Finland)
With stylish, entertaining and versatile gameplay, great story and excellent pacing this a sneaking mission not to be missed. The camera is often frustratingly clumsy, though. [Mar. 05]
91
Game Revolution
The result turns what should be an engaging, clever and straightforward story about a super-agent out to save the world into a never-ending, philosophical after-school special. Luckily, the gameplay is still so good that we'll surely forget Kojima's ego and his lack of tact when Snake's next course is served.
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90
Yahoo! Games
For our money, the crown jewel of the bunch is the most atypical boss battle we've seen in a long time -- a long, absorbing, drawn-out, paranoid, grueling sniper duel of attrition, spanning three maps, and requiring all the focus and patience you can muster.
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90
Cheat Code Central
Not only are the character models gorgeously detailed but you'll see everything from coffee cups to magazines lying around some of the rooms not to mention the tall grass that sways in the wind as if every single blade was animated individually.
90
DarkStation
Combines great stealth action with a superb storyline and excellent visuals.
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90
GamerFeed
Something you look back on and think to yourself "I was lucky to be a part of that experience."
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90
NTSC-uk
It is in the depiction of conflict as a state of being where Kojima wins-out, though, with his character's movements on-screen depicting the strain, horror and (sometimes) glory of war.
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90
Maxim Online
More immersion, more espionage, more metallic gear!
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90
My Gamer
From beginning to end, Snake Eater is hugely enjoyable—putting the PS2 controller down and walking away from the console has never been so difficult.
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90
Thunderbolt
It’s an amazing game, easily one of the finest in the Metal Gear family. Even if this weren’t a MGS game, it would still be one of the greatest currently out on any of the consoles.
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90
Sydney Morning Herald
While convoluted, the story is more approachable than its predecessor, with strong villains, plot twists, humour and much pretentiousness.
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90
Game Power Australia
Clearly, this isn't another shooter which you'll blow through in an action-packed weekend, it's a game all about discovery and patience.
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90
GameSpot AU
An outstanding gaming experience that sucks you into its expansive storyline.
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90
netjak
When all is said and done, Snake Eater achieves what no other game can on such a level: complete immersion into an action-driven interactive movie.
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90
AltGaming
There has never been, and will not be for a long time a more convincing and immersive game released.
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90
RewiredMind
Snake Eater just pips "Resident Evil 4" when it comes to boss battles, with Konami's title boasting some of the finest boss confrontations since the first PlayStation Metal Gear Solid; we’re talking Psycho Mantis territory now people, for inventiveness, sheer scope and fun.
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90
Computer and Video Games
Perhaps Snake Eater's greatest achievement for games in general is this: it makes it very clear that making an organic environment like a jungle is not merely a case of changing colours, textures and maps. It's a lush, chaotic place out there in the real, natural world, and computers are just at the very edge of starting to replicate what that's like. Snake Eater does it so much better than anyone else. [PSW]
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90
Boomtown
Certainly not perfect, but it provides an unrivalled single player experience.
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90
GameSpy
While some serious camera and less serious interface problems keep it from perfection, Snake Eater is both an exciting return to form and the most successful fusion yet of video games with Hollywood-style storytelling.
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89
TotalGames.net
We'd like to say that Metal Gear Solid 3 is on a par with the original PSone game and in many ways it's much better, but it also feels like it has been left behind in some fundamental areas by the likes of "Splinter Cell."
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87
GameSpot
The mechanics of Metal Gear Solid 3 can be just as confounding as the storyline--but also just as rewarding, especially once you reach some of the game's memorable, dramatic confrontations. In short, this is a great game that embodies both the impressive style and the one-of-a-kind spirit of its predecessors.
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85
GameCritics
Kojima is both retro and eccentric, and unless you're willing to accept that, his work won't fly for you. But if you are, if you are on his wave-length and able to appreciate all the witty touches that make his games sing, his work becomes rewarding in ways almost no other games are.
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85
Console Gameworld
While Snake Eater is still highly cinematic in it's presentation and design, it's based on a bad movie. To paraphrase from the Indiana Jones films: you'll beat it, kid, but that doesn't mean you have to like it.
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80
EuroGamer
Only poor pacing early on, a frustrating mechanical legacy and a sense that Konami still hasn't quite cracked the union of storytelling and gameplay prevent this scoring higher.
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80
PSX Nation
The shortness of the experience, reliance on a barely-improved gameplay formula, melodramatic storyline twists and stepped-up quality of its competitors (particularly Sam Fisher's "Splinter Cell" games from Ubi Soft) prevent us from scoring Snake Eater higher.
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80
G4 TV
With some weapons, like the sniper rifle, you can't move at all if it's equipped. This is all the more frustrating after playing games like "Splinter Cell" where it's pulled off with aplomb.
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80
The New York Times
Wonderfully detailed and imaginative, Snake Eater can also be extremely frustrating.
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80
Edge Magazine
It’s the most loveable, exasperating, unhinged, pretentious, ambitious, gorgeous, funny, tedious, thrilling, subversive and just plain silly Metal Gear yet. It’s the most Metal Gear Metal Gear yet, a franchise turned in on itself, a snake eating its own tail. It’s perversely wonderful. [Jan 2005, p.80]
80
games(TM)
While certain recent games handle storytelling better than this, there remains a certain charm and magic about Snake Eater that just can't be found in titles without Kojima's Midas touch. It's a game that nobody else would dare make and that works for and against it.
80
GameShark
With Snake Eater’s few flaws, awkward camera and ludicrously long cut scenes, the new features added to this chapter of the series with the camouflage and the need to eat does give the game a little more depth to help make up for the shortcomings.
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80
Gamer.tv
Has the right balance between beautifully-cinematic storytelling and thrilling gameplay.
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80
Total Video Games
A lot of the new features fail to add anything of any substantial merit and actually continue to break up the experience, whilst the jungle location is certainly a required taste.
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80
AceGamez
An unwieldy control system and restrictive camera view initially frustrate, but once you are used to it a whole world of deep and engaging gameplay opens up.
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80
VideoGamesLife
Continued innovation combined with respect for the series’ heritage means Solid Snake fans have yet more hours to wile away in Kojima’s land of deception and false-truths, but many are likely to be left scratching their heads at an even more frequent rate than at the release of Sons of Liberty four years ago.
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70
Gamestyle
There's little point in buying this version. Gamestyle recommends either waiting for the upgrade or renting this for a solid weekend of tactical espionage action.
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64
RealGamer
Simply, "Metal Gear Solid" was a slice of videogame perfection, "Metal Gear Solid 2" was too similar to its predecessor, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has tried to shake things up a little, admirably so, but has been a little too revolutionary in the process.
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50
Detroit Free Press
Not since the movie "Rambo 3" have we seen such cheesy dialogue and a storyline so over the top that it can be comical. That's fitting because the plot also borrows heavily from "Rambo 3," or at least the worst parts of it.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 243 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

John D. gave it a6:
I have no idea why people like this game so much. Gameplay is very poor, camera is horrible and frustrating and playing through levels take too much time. Changing your camoflage is pretty useless because the enemies can still see you, and if you don't wanna die, you must sit around in the bushes for way too long. Camera makes you want to kill everybody and the way it changest to a firs-person view when you go to the bushes is anoying, and you cant change it to a third-person viw. Also a big problem is that you can't see your enemies before they can see you because of the camera. The first level is annaoying as hell, but if you can play through that the game starts to get a little better, but still this game has too many flaws to be an excellent game experience. Cutscenes are cool (but a little too long) and graphics are excellent for a PS2 game, but I'd rather buy subsistence.

Nathan P. gave it a10:
My favourite game ever, an amazing experience.

Gray Fox gave it a10:
The Guy At Detroit Free Press must be very rough huh?Who played original MG and GMS on other consoles knows the story not just rambo 3 behind it man! Think befor You press and choose wisely because this game have more work in it than you think. Big Red i cant believe you AI is easy??PLay On EU extreme noob!T he Story is crazy? Make better with the whole MGS universe!!Y ou stupid people who never think just write that bull**it here !keep thinking. Respect To Other Players who take this game with honor.

Pawel K. gave it a10:
MGS 3 is perhaps the best video game for the PS2. It has original gameplay that offers tons of replay value, interesting characters and an amazing story line. Although the controls of the game can be cumbersome at first once you get used to them the game really takes off. The game is survival but if you just want to sneak changing the game mode to easy or normal makes that feature almost none existent. The game feels real, there's a huge amount of realism, you heal wounds, hunt animals, lose energy, look through sights to aim weapons(rather than everyone having a laser pointer, enemies react differently depending on where they're shot and so many more innovations. Hideo Kojima makes a gmae that fels like a movie, the cut scenes are long but entertaining and if your a fan and sometimes even if your not the story sucks you in. The greatest thing about metal gear is how it's compatible with most gamers, if you want to be a real spy, you sneak distracting enemies then quietly sneak by or holding them up at knife point for information, if you want to be an ak welding psyco grab some ammo, some rockets and shoot everything that moves(and doesn't move). The 5 difficulty settings very easy, easy, normal, hard and extreme are basically to raise or lower the realism and offer replay value up the ying yang. The game is fun, innovative, with gripping story line a pure classic master peace. Perfect 10.

Paul J. gave it a10:
Together with subsistence the best game ever created for the sixth generation consoles.

Thompson gave it a10:
A bonafide classic! This is no game, this is an experience!

Big Red gave it a5:
Way too many interruptions in this game. Between the endless calls and the never ending cut-scenes you hardly get a chance to play. 2 hours into this game and I have only played for about 15 minutes of actual game time. Sure you can skip everything, but then you miss out on the story, which starts off promising but then gets crazy and stupid. Some cool gadgets, but I know they didn’t have those back in the days of the Cold War. I do like the camouflage options, but I wish that there was an easier way to change them instead of going into a main menu and then a submenu. I have some issues with the control and camera system too. I have to constantly switch between first and third person modes because I can’t tell where the bad guys are. Their lines of sight don’t show like they did in MGS. And Snake keeps wanting to hug trees and walls instead of crawl next to them. The AI is really stupid, they don’t work in a team, instead they just wait for you to run into them. Which is what you do, because you can’t see them until they are on top of you. The Jungle environment gets repetitive all too soon. I really don’t like these crazy supernatural enemies. They were fine in MGS, pushed it in MGS2 and ruined them here. What is with the evil Russian “Emperor Palpatine”? I’m glad I got this game cheap at EB Games instead of buying it new. I was hoping for MGS but better, instead it was worse.

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