Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Kojima Productions' masterpiece is an absolute must-buy. Seriously, go buy it now.
Published: April 6, 2006
Not only does this give the game that same stort of "what if" set-up, but like all the MGS games, it blends them in with the more fantastic elements like superpowered bosses (all of which are a blast to fight, by the way) to form a game that's plausible without ever taking itself too seriously. It's a brilliant mix, and the game is peppered with tongue-in-cheek references to previous games, little hidden jokes (holding R1 during most cutscenes will let you see things from Snake's perspective), and awesome uses of in-game time flow.
Of course, the core of the game is fairly close to previous MGS games; Snake still creeps about with stealth as the main focus, taking care not to alert guards that patrol along paths, and crawling under things and into tight spaces when the heat is on. The biggest difference here, and the area where the improved camera makes the most difference is in the lack of the series' familiar radar system for tracking enemies. In Snake Eater, you were forced to use a combination of motion tracking and personal sonar equipment, but I honestly never used them because of how good the new camera was.
Since the game is about survival, Snake becomes quite resourceful. You can use a knife to hack up snakes, rats, mushrooms, birds, crocodiles and just about anything else that seems edible in the jungle. You can also capture said items, particularly the poisonous ones, and use them on enemies or in boss battles. This becomes increasingly important as the game goes on because Snake can effectively heal himself so long as he keeps his stamina up. Eating does this, though different foods will taste better/worse and refill the stamina gauge accordingly.
Bosses in the game are also subject to these laws, and you can actually use this against them, knocking them out rather than killing them to gain far more powerful types of camouflage and weapons. The camo is crucial to sneaking around, requiring plenty of adjustment as the environment changes, and Subsistence actually gives you more types of camo to goof around with if that's your thing - and it should be, since it's the key to avoiding the enemy spotting you.
There is one more important addition to things, and it furthers Snake's badass image. Through boss battles and various encounters with enemies, you'll eventually get injured. This can be as simple as having a bone fracture, or as complex as bullets lodged in body parts. Aside from fractures getting patched up with splints and bandages, bullets are actually dug out with a knife (or, in extreme situations, an effing fork).
Ointment for burns, antiseptic for cuts and wounds, sutures for sewing up gashes and so on are all applied via a Cure Menu that works very, very well. Hell, the game actually keeps track of the major medical injuries you receive and the things you eat, leading to one of the coolest reveals about a character ever once you team up with a partner. Of course, that, like many of the little touches, is something that happens briefly, giving you a little levity and a break from the tension of patrolling troops.
