Plot. Set in the time of the Cold War-era in Russia, a FOX operative named "Jack", a.k.a. Naked Snake, is on a mission to rescue an advanced weapons designer and sabotage a superweapon known as the Shagohod. The mentor of Naked Snake, The Boss, a female American agent defects to the Soviet Union. The first attempt goes wrong, as a GRU Colonel named Volgin, fires an American made nuclear missile at the Soviet design bureau OKB-754, which sparks an international incident. In order for the United States to clear it's name and avoid a third world war, Naked Snake is sent once again to stop the terrorists, and assassinate the woman who taught him everything.
Design. The game has the same graphics as Metal Gear Solid 2, but the game's design brings it to a new level as the location involves flora and fauna, and not just getting inside a base as well. The jungle, forests, swamps, lakes, rivers and mountains define the landscapes and the exciting experience of the game. Also, the game's violence has raised as well, and there are some strong languages that causes the game to not be appropriate for children
Development. Originally this game was meant to be released on the PlayStation 3, but due to it's long wait, it was then converted to the PlayStation 2. Kojima wished to drastically change the setting of the game in the jungle, which he and Metal Gear fans wanted to do. I'd say that was a very good decision, Kojima is a real genius. Hideo Kojima is the director of the game. The boss battles were designed differently than the ones from the original games. Fans wanted a better camera view than a fixed camera, but it was not implemented in the game.
Music. Harry Gregson-Williams reprised his role in the music of the game and blended techno and rock in the game, which I found it to be cool, more like a James Bond style music. Rika Muranaka also composed the ending theme of the game "Don't Be Afraid". Cynthia Harrell performed the main theme of the game "Snake Eater", which got her an award for "Best Original Vocal Song - Pop" Award from the Game Audio Network Guild from the Game Developers Conference in 2005. The song "Snake Eater" was like something similar to a theme from the old James Bond movies.
Characters. New characters were introduced such as: Major Zero, EVA, Naked Snake, the Cobra Unit (The Pain, The Fear, The End, The Sorrow, The Boss), Volgin, and also it featured a much younger Ocelot. In this story, this is where the "father" of Snake and Liquid, became the 20th Century's greatest soldier, Big Boss. Like Solid Snake, Naked Snake is known to be a big smoker. Major Zero reveals in some Codec conversations with Para-Medic, to be a major fan of the James Bond movies, which he talks about constantly. Para-Medic also talks about the movies of the 50's and 60's to give Snake some advice about them. The game introduced also a younger Donald Anderson, then known as Sigint.
Rantings. Well, the one thing that bothers me is that even if you have the right camouflage in the right setting, the soldiers seem to see you and you're in trouble. The mountainous areas got me bushed as well, with the helicopters chasing you when the area is on high alert, but the safe haven are taking them down with either an RPG or a nearby turret in the area. When hiding, the Alert Mode is a lot slower than the last two games, which is a bother and a nerve-wrecking case. The boss battle against The End was a real pain in the ass, his camouflage makes it harder to get him since you have to kill him by sniping, and he will be hiding between trees and bushes. The End will appear right behind you if you're taking too long to shoot him.
Good Aspects. My favorite parts of the game are the beginning, and also the references to the past two games. My favorite references are in the scene of Granin's office: Where you can view the designs of both Metal Gear REX, and Metal Gear RAY. The music fit the game, as if it was a James Bond movie. The action, the replay value, is what will have gamers plunge much more deeper in to the world of Metal Gear Solid. I also liked the references to past movies of that time of the 50's and 60's. My father would talk to me about those movies at that time that he was younger . Come to think of it, we both hate the movies of this generation, too many remakes destroying classics.
Overall. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a great game that surpasses it's predecessor. A great prequel to a great storyline, I give this game a 10 out of 10