There really isn't a lot to say about Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater. It's the same game that debuted on the PlayStation 2 over six years ago. Well, that's true for the most part. There are a few 3DS additions -- and some necessary control changes, but for the most part it's an enhanced port without too many surprises.
First, the additions. Weapons and items are equipped using the touch screen, which is intuitive and simple to use. The touch screen is also used to toggle aiming mode between third-person and first-person perspectives. Rudimentary motion controls are also used in some areas. Upon crossing a rickety wooden bridge, for example, I had to be careful to hold the 3DS as steady as possible. Tipping it too far to the left or right sent Snake toppling over the edge.
Players can also use the 3DS camera to create camouflage for Snake. In theory, you could coat snake in any texture you want, your favorite coffee mug, perhaps. Of course, we imagine the first choice for many players will be more ... anatomical.
Of course, with only one analog stick, camera control is something of an issue. Snake Eater 3D adopts the same camera control scheme as the PSP Metal Gear outings, essentially treating the face buttons as a rudimentary right stick. It's functional, but far from ideal, especially when trying to quickly tranquilize a guard before he sounds an alarm.
Again though, it's still essentially the same game a generation of players has grown to love, and it seems to be a perfectly capable 3DS title. That said, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is on the way, and the PS3 does have two analog sticks.
Reader Comments (39)
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 3:11AM Epoque said
Can you play it with the original Snake Eater / classic MGS camera? That might help with the second analogue problem. Personally, I couldn't get past the first chapter in Portable Ops thanks to the camera, but I haven't tried the supposedly improved Peace Walker yet (HD Collection will be my first go).
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 5:05AM Extinction said
@Epoque Rudimentary OPTIONAL motion controls are also used in some areas.? Please?
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Posted: Jun 10th 2011 5:42AM Nolan North said
@Extinction
From the way it sounds, as long as you're holding the system steady you may not even notice the sections.
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From the way it sounds, as long as you're holding the system steady you may not even notice the sections.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 3:51PM Haggard said
@Nolan North
They would probably throw in auto-wobble, so that you have to bank sharply left or right to correct.
I'm sure there's a giant bank of science and literature on the art of 'balance as you walk a beam' gameplay; with over three million possible objects that can be walked across, and an infinite combination of wind and balance hiccups that can be used to bring you unique, emergent gameplay every time a column conveniently falls across a ravine.
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They would probably throw in auto-wobble, so that you have to bank sharply left or right to correct.
I'm sure there's a giant bank of science and literature on the art of 'balance as you walk a beam' gameplay; with over three million possible objects that can be walked across, and an infinite combination of wind and balance hiccups that can be used to bring you unique, emergent gameplay every time a column conveniently falls across a ravine.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 3:13AM DarkSan00 said
it would be better if I could switch items wth the d pad and use the screen as a stick
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 3:14AM Esposch said
Yeah, this does seem a bit less of a good deal when compared to the PS3 version. Ignoring the dual analog support, the PS3 version has 3 games and this one only has one.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 3:31AM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
One analog nub has never really been a problem for me for the PSP, and it's not for me for the 3DS, either. I can deal with this.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 9:51AM mrantimatter said
@BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam
It made several games rather hard to control. Dual-stick controls, once perfected on the ps2, became the standard because they made camera control so much easier and intuitive.
Always had problems with single stick controls in games like the 3rd birthday or resistance, for example.
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It made several games rather hard to control. Dual-stick controls, once perfected on the ps2, became the standard because they made camera control so much easier and intuitive.
Always had problems with single stick controls in games like the 3rd birthday or resistance, for example.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 3:43PM xxxsam said
@mrantimatter
IMO - games without camera control are absolutely fine, provided the developers put a lot of effort into getting the camera just right. Probably doing that well also requires careful level design.
But it it is a bit of a concern when games that originally relied on player control of the camera are ported to systems that don't have it.
I didn't play any of the original games so I'll probably get this one anyhow (just to see what the fuss is about), unless reviews say it sucks for some reason. For those who already played the game, or who are considering getting it for PS3, that might not be such a clear decision...
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IMO - games without camera control are absolutely fine, provided the developers put a lot of effort into getting the camera just right. Probably doing that well also requires careful level design.
But it it is a bit of a concern when games that originally relied on player control of the camera are ported to systems that don't have it.
I didn't play any of the original games so I'll probably get this one anyhow (just to see what the fuss is about), unless reviews say it sucks for some reason. For those who already played the game, or who are considering getting it for PS3, that might not be such a clear decision...
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 7:56PM omgwtf said
@BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam
I always found the one nub on the PSP to be a real pain in shooters... The auto lock takes the fun out of aiming. on the SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 2 it wasn't too bad, but on Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron even on the hardest difficulty, I just ran around holding the R shoulder button and killed pretty much anything in my path. I fear the 3DS will face the same problem with shooters the PSP had...
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I always found the one nub on the PSP to be a real pain in shooters... The auto lock takes the fun out of aiming. on the SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 2 it wasn't too bad, but on Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron even on the hardest difficulty, I just ran around holding the R shoulder button and killed pretty much anything in my path. I fear the 3DS will face the same problem with shooters the PSP had...
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:01AM TRONdll said
Does the camera camo thing tile the captured image onto the uniform, or does it wrap it?
If it's the latter, then Snake may be donning a Tron suit for the entirety of the game.
If it's the latter, then Snake may be donning a Tron suit for the entirety of the game.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:01AM Ospov said
MGS3 was actually my favorite MGS game. If I ever get a 3DS (probably after the next variation) I would definitely like to check this out. I'm picking up the MGS collection on the PS3 too :)
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 12:58PM Ospov said
@ijustw1n
Yeah it was a lot of fun. It felt more like a classic action movie than the other MGS games. I loved all the other MGS games, but they dealt with all these different conspiracy theories and nanotechnology and secret organizations...it's all really hard to follow. MGS3 was different since it came before all the other ones in the timeline. There really wasn't any of that other stuff. It was just Snake trying to save the day and the story was just much more enjoyable to me because it was easier to follow.
That being said, you should still pick up MGS4 though because it was the best game on the PS3 when it came out. It feels slightly dated now, but it's still definitely worth a playthrough. It wrapped up the series quite nicely I thought.
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Yeah it was a lot of fun. It felt more like a classic action movie than the other MGS games. I loved all the other MGS games, but they dealt with all these different conspiracy theories and nanotechnology and secret organizations...it's all really hard to follow. MGS3 was different since it came before all the other ones in the timeline. There really wasn't any of that other stuff. It was just Snake trying to save the day and the story was just much more enjoyable to me because it was easier to follow.
That being said, you should still pick up MGS4 though because it was the best game on the PS3 when it came out. It feels slightly dated now, but it's still definitely worth a playthrough. It wrapped up the series quite nicely I thought.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:13AM mrmobius said
If I ever come on Joystiq, and there is a screenshot of this game with 'anatomical' images, I'm out, gone, never coming back!
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:20AM captplut9465 said
The camera could be a problem on a lot of 3DS games now it's going to get more third person games. I will probably rent this and buy the PS3 version (yeah, I have Subsistence already). I had an irritating time with the camera face buttons on many PSP games.
The camo option sounds great. I want Chocobo camouflage!
The camo option sounds great. I want Chocobo camouflage!
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:32AM Arsenal said
Touch screen weapons and coffee mug camo!?!?! I've been waiting for that in Snake Eater forever!!!! Forget the collection, you have to use a controller to equip the weapons and then wear regular camo... That's so 2004. $40 sold!!
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:47AM Fuzunga said
Why would they not put camera controls on the touch screen?
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 12:23PM captplut9465 said
@Fuzunga
It might be awkward since you have to use your left thumb for movement and left shoulder to unholster and right to shoot, if that's the way they're going with controls.
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It might be awkward since you have to use your left thumb for movement and left shoulder to unholster and right to shoot, if that's the way they're going with controls.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 5:45AM Deadpool said
Awkward snake? o_0
I think they have pills for that problem now.
I think they have pills for that problem now.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 7:12AM floating coffins said
@Deadpool
The pink ones keep you from screaming.
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The pink ones keep you from screaming.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 7:20AM TheShaper said
Really Mitchell? Anatomical? That's was the first thing that crossed YOUR mind.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 8:35AM isotrex said
haha. this "Of course, we imagine the first choice for many players will be more ... anatomical."
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 10:02AM TCJJ said
I was going to buy this, until Konami announced the HD collection for PS3. Now, this is an easy pass, especially because of the lack of decent camera control. Metroid Prime Hunters also uses those buttons for camera control, and whilst it works, it's nowhere near as good as an analog stick.
It does make me wonder why they didn't just move the face buttons on the 3DS and slap another circle pad on it. As long as it was put UNDER the buttons, unlike that awkward-looking Wii U controller. I guess it was just TOO much extra. Oh well. Still plenty of great 3DS titles on the way.
It does make me wonder why they didn't just move the face buttons on the 3DS and slap another circle pad on it. As long as it was put UNDER the buttons, unlike that awkward-looking Wii U controller. I guess it was just TOO much extra. Oh well. Still plenty of great 3DS titles on the way.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 11:34AM bunnyraven said
@TCJJ
IIRC, Hunters used the d-pad for strafing and the touch screen for looking around and that worked pretty good imo.
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IIRC, Hunters used the d-pad for strafing and the touch screen for looking around and that worked pretty good imo.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 11:57AM Boomaga said
@TCJJ
I'm in the same boat your are. MGS3 is easily my favorite in the series and one of my favorite games of all time and I was looking forward to reliving it on my 3DS.
That is until they announced that it would be in the Metal Gear Solid HD collection and I could get it for my Xbox 360. I would rather play MGS3 in HD on my 30+ inch TV with achievements rather than play it in 3D on a 3.5 inch screen with Yoshi statues.
I think Konami may have effectively killed off a ton of sales of this title because of the HD Collection.
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I'm in the same boat your are. MGS3 is easily my favorite in the series and one of my favorite games of all time and I was looking forward to reliving it on my 3DS.
That is until they announced that it would be in the Metal Gear Solid HD collection and I could get it for my Xbox 360. I would rather play MGS3 in HD on my 30+ inch TV with achievements rather than play it in 3D on a 3.5 inch screen with Yoshi statues.
I think Konami may have effectively killed off a ton of sales of this title because of the HD Collection.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 10:55AM eilegz said
enhanced port? but then zelda its a "remake".... oh seriously
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 11:59AM Boomaga said
@eilegz Enhanced port as in it's the same graphic elements and same original elements that completely composed the first game, with some Yoshi statues and 3D added. Zelda however was a major graphic overhaul where they remade characters and environments. While the graphics aren't up to date with the best 3DS can handle, when you put them side by side you can see a clear difference between the two.
When you put MGS3 and MGS 3D next to eachother, they look the exact same.
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When you put MGS3 and MGS 3D next to eachother, they look the exact same.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 12:21PM SolidSnakeEyes said
I'll get this and the HD collection. I wonder how easy it'll be to play using the Peace Walker controls considering the d-pad is small and below the stick. I don't know if the claw technique will work.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 2:08PM Tihn said
I'm tempted by the PS3 collection but I'm inclined to go with the 3DS version. Just because it's in 3D.
Unless the PS3 collection version also supports 3D.
Unless the PS3 collection version also supports 3D.
Posted: Jun 10th 2011 4:35PM adamshaftoe said
Glad to see Snake getting more exposure. But if I get nostalgic I think I'll just fire it up on the PS2 rather than buying it again for 3DS






