• Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Nov 17, 2004
  • Also On: 3DS
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2101 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. RaulC.
    Dec 13, 2004
    10
    A Masterpiece! Knowing that the greatest sin of the three top console games(Halo 2, San Andreas, and MGS3) is that they´re all an extension of a winning formula, there is littlle else wrong in here in matters of perfection. Built in the final stages of the PS2 MGS3 might not have the ooohh! and aaahh! provided by the first time experience of watching MGS2 when it appeared onthe A Masterpiece! Knowing that the greatest sin of the three top console games(Halo 2, San Andreas, and MGS3) is that they´re all an extension of a winning formula, there is littlle else wrong in here in matters of perfection. Built in the final stages of the PS2 MGS3 might not have the ooohh! and aaahh! provided by the first time experience of watching MGS2 when it appeared onthe console. Nevertheless this may be the finest example of great graphics on the system to date, a living breathing environment where you feel so inmerse that you could almost fell the moisture arround you. Unfortunately the classic MGS camera falls short to this extraordinary setting and gameplay, even if Kojima stated that they wanted to keep it this way for the trilogy finale. Great storytelling, the best in the series for me, cool characters, and a lot of subtext and details to keep you hooked for a long time. You won´t find a package like this again on this console generation, and unless you hate survival/steallth games, you can´t go wrong here, it's a must buy. Expand
  2. James
    Dec 11, 2004
    10
    This game is friggin incredible. My Game of the Year.
  3. SmashOne
    Dec 8, 2004
    10
    This is an excellent game. I was blown away by the the first one but the second was didn't really do it for me. This one has come back to blow me away again. The story line and th eway it's told are brilliant. The camo and the various types of terrain add a lot to the game and show a great deal of originality. The last two got a bit tedious with all the bulidings, rooms and This is an excellent game. I was blown away by the the first one but the second was didn't really do it for me. This one has come back to blow me away again. The story line and th eway it's told are brilliant. The camo and the various types of terrain add a lot to the game and show a great deal of originality. The last two got a bit tedious with all the bulidings, rooms and corridors. Not so here. The boss battles are pretty good and the whole package feels right. Great job by Konami and Hideo. Expand
  4. AnthonyC.
    Dec 5, 2004
    9
    A step up from two. Story telling at it's best. Kojima is a genius. Big Boss is the coolest character since Neo.
  5. MarcD.
    Dec 4, 2004
    7
    Its a good game...but it simply doesn't impact me the same which Metal Gear Solid 2 did. Perhaps the series is starting to show it's age.
  6. CalvinS.
    Dec 4, 2004
    10
    The best Metal Gear Solid game ever.The Cobra Units is my best part.This game is both for parents and kids.The End and The Sorrow are the 2 best Cobra Units and the hardest.This game provides fun for the family.
  7. JoeT.
    Dec 3, 2004
    10
    mgs3 jungles, caves,swamps etc. is superb looking. Things like different kind of snakes,frogs,birds,fish catching them all is tricky specially on higher difficulty. 2 things i wish they done is, first i wish they put the camouflage uniform in an item window similar to equipping your box,weapon,binoculars. it'll be much quicker to changed your outfit more frequently. 2nd thing is i mgs3 jungles, caves,swamps etc. is superb looking. Things like different kind of snakes,frogs,birds,fish catching them all is tricky specially on higher difficulty. 2 things i wish they done is, first i wish they put the camouflage uniform in an item window similar to equipping your box,weapon,binoculars. it'll be much quicker to changed your outfit more frequently. 2nd thing is i wish hideo kojima spread out the camouflage uniform, force naked snake to play the game without any weapon only ap sensor,thermal google throughout game, only unlocking them if they finish the game, at different levels of difficulty. Kojima is a bit influenced by the critics, especially with the legendary cobra units, the characters like the fury, the pain, the fear, the end, was not thoroughly explained backstory of superb characters which is quite sad, i really love long cutscenes of mgs2 character explanation. please bring back the dog tags( completed all dg tgs in mgs 2 sons of liberty/substance 2001/2002) Raiden is a good character, i cant understand people hating him, especially what he experienced as child used as war soldier and his parents being killed, I'm even doubting some critics if they played mgs2 for complaining about raiden, if your a critic i want you to listen and play mgs2 again and listen to col. campbell and rose last codec transmition to Raiden before the last fight w/ solidus snake(itll explain you why raiden, was chosen for S3 plan(selection for societal sanity)Raiden and Rose combination is outstanding character development) I love mgs series for humor, personatily, uniqueness of the characters, story, emotion of the game. rewarding story.. A must buy game for excellent gaming experience. Expand
  8. JoeS.
    Nov 29, 2004
    10
    This game is sick, i picked it up the day it came out and im hooked, ,the graphics are unbelievable, and it has a brilliant story. Thumbs up Kojima and company.
  9. WeakSauce300
    Nov 29, 2004
    9
    So Addicting!
  10. MorganG.
    Nov 26, 2004
    10
    By far, one of the greastest games I have ever played, if not the best. I was very suprised by the story, as it didnt have as many plot twists as I would have imagined, but thats alright, having a nice, almost normal story. The levles are highly detalied, and I love the water effects. This game is beautiful, fun, and Ill be playing this game for months to come. Untill Ac!d is released on By far, one of the greastest games I have ever played, if not the best. I was very suprised by the story, as it didnt have as many plot twists as I would have imagined, but thats alright, having a nice, almost normal story. The levles are highly detalied, and I love the water effects. This game is beautiful, fun, and Ill be playing this game for months to come. Untill Ac!d is released on the PSP that is. Expand
  11. KarlK.
    Nov 25, 2004
    9
    A great game but just too much forests. I know we are becoming to used to these destroy all games and a lot of people just cant appreciate a good stealth game the only falws i found in this game was it's constant use of the dark forests. It became increasingly annoying not being able to see anything because of these dark forests but aside from that one of the best games out.
  12. Yoda/on/crack
    Nov 25, 2004
    10
    I havn't had this much fun playing a game in some time now. And i play a ton of games, so thats saying something. I gave this game a 10 b/c it does a great job of sucking you into the story. Once i started playing the game i couln't put it down. Yes, the ps2 is showing its age, but i'm willing to put up with it b/c of games like MGS3. Not many games have the kind of I havn't had this much fun playing a game in some time now. And i play a ton of games, so thats saying something. I gave this game a 10 b/c it does a great job of sucking you into the story. Once i started playing the game i couln't put it down. Yes, the ps2 is showing its age, but i'm willing to put up with it b/c of games like MGS3. Not many games have the kind of gameplay that MGS3 has. Another reason would have to be the fact that kojima cut down on the cutscenes compared MGS2. With less cutscenes the games storyline flows better. Expand
  13. Skoobz
    Nov 23, 2004
    10
    Aw geeze, my sony camcorder is better than your panasonic one. my ge dishwasher is better than your whirpool dishwasher. shut up already. splinter cell is good in its own merits and the same can be said for mgs3. mgs is more ground breaking. i could not believe what i was experiencing when i first played mgs. and up till now, i still can't believe the thrill of mgs3. hideo just keepsAw geeze, my sony camcorder is better than your panasonic one. my ge dishwasher is better than your whirpool dishwasher. shut up already. splinter cell is good in its own merits and the same can be said for mgs3. mgs is more ground breaking. i could not believe what i was experiencing when i first played mgs. and up till now, i still can't believe the thrill of mgs3. hideo just keeps on raising the bar higher and higher. i cannot wait to see what he has in store for us in mgs4. yes, i too thought sc was just a mgs hack, but after playing it, i've enjoyed it immensly also. ignore these dolts who tell you to stay clear from either game. rent them both, i'm sure you'll end up buying them both. i sure hope konami is brining snake to the pc again, because playing sc2 on the pc is fantastic. the eye candy is gorgeous. i can't wait to see snake on an nvidea gfx card...you can only do so much with the emotion engine of the ps2. Expand
  14. HickmanY.
    Nov 22, 2004
    10
    This is a case of a game being too good. People are becoming jaded and most gamers still think that mindless blow-em-up games are the best ones. How many games out there really change things? If anyone remembers gaming over the last 25 years like I do there have been a handful of games that changed the genre and Metal Gear for NES was a big leap!! Then on the day metal gear solid came out This is a case of a game being too good. People are becoming jaded and most gamers still think that mindless blow-em-up games are the best ones. How many games out there really change things? If anyone remembers gaming over the last 25 years like I do there have been a handful of games that changed the genre and Metal Gear for NES was a big leap!! Then on the day metal gear solid came out and the fist time anyone fought pcycho mantis people nearly pissed themselves. Mgs2 was completely lost on anyone who has a normal IQ and Mgs3 is so good its confusing most people. Whatever you can say about Hideo Kojima he has to be the single most important person in video games today. As far as all the SC fans I can only say that if not for Snake there would be no SC and MGS3 should not be missed... unless you like to dumb things down. Expand
  15. Sholmes
    Nov 22, 2004
    10
    Once again Metal Gear raises the bar in terms of what to expect in terms of video game storytelling. No other game provides a better mix of story presentation and excellent gameplay. Compared to any Splinter Cell game and their torrid single-player campaigns, complete with the extremely linear gameplay scenarios, laughably bad hit detection, broken AI, and awful animation. All these make Once again Metal Gear raises the bar in terms of what to expect in terms of video game storytelling. No other game provides a better mix of story presentation and excellent gameplay. Compared to any Splinter Cell game and their torrid single-player campaigns, complete with the extremely linear gameplay scenarios, laughably bad hit detection, broken AI, and awful animation. All these make MGS3 look absolutely fantastic, especially some of the environments, which are pehaps the most beautiful on ANY console. Don't let any Splinter Cell zealot with some stupid fanboy agenda try to spin you away, MGS3 is worth a look from everyone. Expand
  16. UmarA.
    Nov 21, 2004
    10
    Amazing!!
  17. ZackM.
    Nov 20, 2004
    10
    Snake Eater pushes gaming to the next level on the PS2. Just play it once and you will know what you
  18. BrandonW.
    Nov 19, 2004
    10
    This game is really exciting and the story has you trying to guess whats gonna happen next and then surprises you.
  19. JohnnyS.
    Nov 19, 2004
    10
    Another great kojima work. these games have real character.
  20. RobG.
    Nov 19, 2004
    9
    With videogames, one should trust the majority. it's perhaps the only medium in which i would advise you to trust the majority, anyway. games are interesting in this fashion: when a good game comes out, there is not nearly the amount of polarization as there would be in, say film. in short, everyone prolly really likes halo 2 because it's a very fun game. on the other hand,With videogames, one should trust the majority. it's perhaps the only medium in which i would advise you to trust the majority, anyway. games are interesting in this fashion: when a good game comes out, there is not nearly the amount of polarization as there would be in, say film. in short, everyone prolly really likes halo 2 because it's a very fun game. on the other hand, uninspired wastes-of-time (well...all videogames are, but that's beside the point) like the new bad boys video game will be chalked up as an entertainment commodity collectively hated by the masses, and with just cause. but, like all review consensus, you're likely to run into at least one or two stragglers who will tell you that, "it's not nearly as good as it was hyped up to be" or "this other game is better." with the latest metal gear (snake eater), the obvious argument for not liking the game would be the dated graphics, control and camera scheme all to be blamed by the ps2's nearly obsolete specs. of course, when i first started up my copy of snake eater, the first thought that popped into my head was not the graphical quality or the camera problems but the fact that i was playing another metal gear solid game. no other game franchise in history has done mature gamers a greater duty. simply put: yes, the graphics (though non-comparable to the x-box) are phenomenal and really push the ps2; yes, the gameplay is the best ever in an mgs game; yes, the game is better than metal gear solid 2 which at first was very well received until rayden (the protagonist) must have gotten on the gamer's nerves when they played it a second time through. so why the 9? well. i'm afraid that i have a big heart for the original metal gear solid on the playstation. that was a perfect game. snake eater, on the other hand, is longer, more fun, and a much prettier game. but let's just call snake eater the second greatest gaming story ever told. kojima continues to throw a-level action movie themes and practices into stories that are, at their core, truly romantic, which is a very tough thing to pull off, indeed. and the bondesque theme-song and opening credits for the game will make the hair stand up on your arms even though they may actually be derivative. but it's a very difficult task to do what movies have done with the concept of interactive video games. kojima is a video game revolutionary and like i said before: my only thought when starting this game was, "huzzah! another metal gear game!" Expand
  21. Chimp
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    This game is not for everyone. and by that, i mean it is not for stupid people. with possibly the deepest plot in any game, it really is more than just a game. yes, i got half life 2 on tuesday and i know how unbelievably awesome that is....but this game is more important and personal to me because of its story. of course, the gameplay is amazing. this time around, you have to beThis game is not for everyone. and by that, i mean it is not for stupid people. with possibly the deepest plot in any game, it really is more than just a game. yes, i got half life 2 on tuesday and i know how unbelievably awesome that is....but this game is more important and personal to me because of its story. of course, the gameplay is amazing. this time around, you have to be stealthier than in the previous two games. the jungle is really cool, with animals and camoflage and all that. speaking of camoflage, let me just say if you're playing on normal or higher you will HAVE to use it. enemies are much more realistic this time around and can spot you from far away if you move or really stand out. the CQC system is genius, and the boss battles are amazing. also, its full of humour just like the other two, but its not in-your-face humour, more subtle. and the main theme is the best in any game ever. simply unbelievable. Expand
  22. Buried-In-The-Box
    Nov 18, 2004
    7
    This is a decent game to fill the void until Splinter Cell 3 arrives, but that's about it. After playing it for a couple of hours, I could see why I moved on when the SC games came out. After getting used to actually being able to play those games, it's hard to go back to this style which is watch the game more than play it since it is about 80% story and about 20% gameplay, This is a decent game to fill the void until Splinter Cell 3 arrives, but that's about it. After playing it for a couple of hours, I could see why I moved on when the SC games came out. After getting used to actually being able to play those games, it's hard to go back to this style which is watch the game more than play it since it is about 80% story and about 20% gameplay, just like every other MG game and up there with FF as far as that goes. Graphics are nothing to get excited about, but that's normal as PS2 has nothing left to offer graphics wise and foliage just can't be done right on it. The mullet thing needs to go to. With games like Splinter Cell 3 on the horizon, this only seems to have come out to take away some of its sales on the XBOX's original realease date of this November. It's too bad for Konami that Ubisoft put off the XBOX version until March, making this entire effort in vein. If you want to WATCH a good story unfold, maybe try this. If you want to actually PLAY a great stealth game, wait for SC3. At least you can PLAY it, instead of only watch it, and it lets you do real stealth moves and procedures along with graphics that stand up in 2004-2005, not graphics that were just OK in 1998-2001. Expand
  23. Alex
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    Sam Fisher, eat your heart out. The king of stealth returns. This is, by leaps and bounds, the best game in the MGS series.
  24. JamesH.
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    Go and buy this now, and I mean NOW!!
  25. AleksiK.
    Nov 15, 2004
    10
    Forget all other sh..ty games, cause the worlds best game returns and its better than ever!!
  26. Sean
    Nov 14, 2004
    10
    This is one sexy game.
  27. AndrejJ.
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    This is the best game in the world. Congrats to Hideo Kojima and every one who developed this game. It's a world wonder
  28. T.H.
    Nov 8, 2004
    10
    AWESOME
  29. Alfgrr
    Nov 2, 2004
    10
    This will kill every game that comes out this year.
  30. BuddhiC.
    Aug 29, 2004
    9
    I am an older white male and I served in the military during Nam (Vietnam War) Having experienced these harsh environments I know that MGS3 is the most realistic jungle senario I have ever experienced in a video game. But-But.But.But...Theres always a But. When your speaking in comparing the video game to real life,its not good,but the acual jungle environments and the type of gameplay I am an older white male and I served in the military during Nam (Vietnam War) Having experienced these harsh environments I know that MGS3 is the most realistic jungle senario I have ever experienced in a video game. But-But.But.But...Theres always a But. When your speaking in comparing the video game to real life,its not good,but the acual jungle environments and the type of gameplay MGS3 offers... is remarkable. Awesome...Awesome fun for Everyone! Expand
  31. IvanDrago
    Jun 27, 2004
    0
    Ill probably love this game when it comes out, because I love all of the others. But because its NOT out and I dont know, for now im giving it a big fat zero to drop the score because of all the fanboys voting prematurely. Now this user score is not accurate thanks to them.
  32. whatashame
    Mar 20, 2004
    0
    Forty somthing votes, and everyone of you have hardly even seen the game, i would like to be the first to say that, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE LOSERS. Rate the game when you get it and have played it, you bunch of game whores. Damn.
    Not even the REAL CRITICS said anything about the game yet, but you Life-less virgins just have to say how much you can't wait for it.
    Why doesn?t
    Forty somthing votes, and everyone of you have hardly even seen the game, i would like to be the first to say that, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE LOSERS. Rate the game when you get it and have played it, you bunch of game whores. Damn.
    Not even the REAL CRITICS said anything about the game yet, but you Life-less virgins just have to say how much you can't wait for it.
    Why doesn?t Metacritic ban these losers from posting.. And my score goes to the people that voted here before the game came out(or seen it, or PLAYED IT, or bought it), and not to metal gear itself..
    Expand
  33. zeekpeek
    Feb 27, 2004
    1
    this game is really gay. i beat it in 10 minutes it is so easy. The people that make medal gear solid dont no how to make games .they need to make there games a tid bit harder peek rules. also everybody thinks this game is so SWEET! because u have a gun , guns are for idiots and people that dont no how to fight ,thats all i got to say it about this game SUCKS!
  34. ianfinn
    Dec 12, 2003
    10
    I am a number one fan of Metal Gear Solid. I think all the MGS games are the best games ever devloped. The graphics are fantastic. The graphics for MGS3 look SPECTACULAR. There is only one prob hurry yours ass up and release it already.

    PS
    This game rules
  35. joniLB
    Nov 24, 2003
    10
    i hear mgs goin rock the house, if you suka dun buy diz game you guy are fool. the best game in the world goin come out. damn the waiting and waiting, can't wait until it come out goin grab me it. i play all the mgs game already. but i think mgs 3 goin rock the world. buy the game if you fool dun buy the game i should kick your ass... aite g2g buh baii....
  36. HamzaBasmer
    Nov 22, 2003
    10
    I'm a #1 fan of the Metal Gear Solid games. All of the MGS games are the best games ever to be released! There is one problem though, they should make a REAL soundtrack cd with actual songs. This song definately suits MGS 3, "Holly Mcnarland - In The Air Tonight". Anyone reading this message PLEASE have a listen to it. (you can download it from Kazaa)
  37. DougP.
    Oct 1, 2003
    10
    ok first i'm 22 and no don't live at home. I have about 10 games for the ps2 this game rocks. Its easy to play easy to learn and great for company. i still can't beat the dam game. oh yeah did i mention that i got it for under 3 bucks, which makes the value so much better. It should sell for about 20 though - what a game.
  38. AhmedAlataby
    Aug 19, 2003
    10
    Oh man .. Kojima does it again ... the waiting .. THE WAITING .. believe me guys, this game is gonna be the bomb! I guess the people who played MGS2 already know what I mean .. :) .. Anyways .. The graphics looks (very) good, the music .. Hi mister Williams. and the gameplay is just .. WOW .. And they say that you might be play this game .. Online .. :S .. I sure hope so!! .. Thats why IOh man .. Kojima does it again ... the waiting .. THE WAITING .. believe me guys, this game is gonna be the bomb! I guess the people who played MGS2 already know what I mean .. :) .. Anyways .. The graphics looks (very) good, the music .. Hi mister Williams. and the gameplay is just .. WOW .. And they say that you might be play this game .. Online .. :S .. I sure hope so!! .. Thats why I think that this game really is worth the 10 points I gave it :D .. That's it folks !! SeeYa Expand

Awards & Rankings

5
2
#2 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
3
#3 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 68
  2. Negative: 0 out of 68
  1. netjak
    90
    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.
  2. Gaming Target
    98
    Is Metal Gear Solid 3 the best game of the year? Yes. Is Metal Gear Solid 3 the best in its series? No.
  3. There has never been, and will not be for a long time a more convincing and immersive game released.