Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel

 PSP
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Jun 13, 2006
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Detroit Free Press
    100
    The end result feels more groundbreaking than it sounds: It's a delicate dance of images and sounds that should woo anyone interested in digital art, comic books or the game series.
  2. Next Level Gaming
    87
    Metal Gear fans who don’t usually read graphic novels will definitely enjoy the Metal Gear Solid DGN. If you’re willing to work for it, you’ll get lots of information about the games and characters in the Metal Gear universe, which any Metal Gear fan should love.
  3. DailyGame
    85
    After years of seeing Konami pump out game after game in the MGS universe, it's a pleasant surprise to see them use the franchise in a wholly unique way.
  5. Game Chronicles
    85
    It was a fresh and inventive way to experience a stunning graphic novel.
  6. PSX Extreme
    84
    The way Konami has transformed Ashley Wood's artwork into a highly-navigable, multimedia presentation is is nothing short of awesome.
  7. IGN
    83
    While it isn't exactly a game, it's not exactly a movie either thanks to the interactive elements and the memory matrix. It's probably not for everyone either; if you're a hardcore fan, you'll really like this experience, but otherwise, you may only casually watch the disc once or twice before you put it down.
  8. Play Magazine
    80
    There are subtle, impressive touches to the presentation and dialogue that evoke a feel of game-like adventure, making up for the labored plotting. [July 2006, p.72]
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  9. Yahoo!
    80
    Twenty bones for a good read isn't a bad deal by any means -- especially one as well illustrated as this. Add in its extra features, and it's approaching a bargain.
  10. GamePro
    80
    Keep in mind, unless you're really a devout fan of the series, much of what's contained in MGS: Digital Graphic Novel will probably confuse the heck out of you.
  11. 1UP
    80
    Ultimately, Digital Graphic Novel might be the truest MGS experience -- no gameplay to get in the way of pure plot. While it may be geared only at franchise fans, it's hard to fault Konami or Kojima Productions for bringing out something that we haven't seen much of on the PSP lately: interesting software.
  12. GamesRadar+
    80
    There's a cool, involving story to check out, and for $20 it's still cheaper than most UMD movies, yet still packs in some great detective gameplay moments.
  13. GameZone
    80
    The interactive elements don't exactly move mountains, but the rest of the content and overall experience is a trip every Metal Gear Solid fan should take.
  14. PSM Magazine
    80
    The serious MGS fan shouldn't hesitate for a second. It's a great way to relive the story, and maybe even expand your knowledge of the series. [Aug 2006, p.82]
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  15. Cheat Code Central
    80
    It's a new, fully-realized medium of entertainment that I predict we're going to see a lot of in the future, especially on handheld systems.
  16. My Gamer
    78
    This disc a great new way to experience the events that really made Solid Snake popular. Hardcore fans will love all the extra details that they can find in this small UMD disc. However, the memory building mode is not for everyone.
  17. GameShark
    75
    In the end buying the Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel is like buying the $70 dollar collector's edition of game when you could get it for 49.95. Sure the extras don't really matter but they are cool guilty pleasures that you just have to own.
  18. GamerFeed
    70
    Seeing as how it's $20, MGS:DGN is one of those "what the hell" purchases. Even if you're not a Metal Gear fan it's worth checking out, if for nothing else than to admire the slick art work and check out a confusing story that you might have missed.
  19. Digital Entertainment News
    70
    Even fans of the series may be hard-pressed to find this a worthwhile purchase – they already know the story.
  20. VideoGamer
    70
    Ultimately the Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel is nothing more than fan service, and those for whom the paper-based version was an essential purchase will certainly get a kick out of it.
  21. Modojo
    60
    Seeing as how it's $20, MGS:DGN is one of those "what the hell" purchases. Even if you're not a Metal Gear fan it's worth checking out, if for nothing else than to admire the slick art work and check out a confusing story that you might have missed.
  22. Games Master UK
    60
    Definitely a curio, but not one that's without interest. [Christmas 2006, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. Gamestyle
    60
    Ultimately though it is one long drawn out cutscene cut up by little bits of gameplay that do not seem to fit in as well.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best PSP Game of 2006
70
#70 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2006
50
#50 Most Shared PSP Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
  1. Darkhawk
    Aug 30, 2011
    8
    More than a comic, less than a game.

    First off: if you're thinking of getting this to fill a narrative gap in the MGS series, don't. The    More than a comic, less than a game.

    First off: if you're thinking of getting this to fill a narrative gap in the MGS series, don't. The PSone classic itself is only $10.00 on the PSN, so for two dollars more, you can actually replay the best PS1 game ever, in lieu of reading the comic.

    If you're here because you adore Metal Gear, here's what you need to know:

    Presentation:
    The beautiful Ashley Wood artwork has been fully animated. This means character's limbs move, weapons fire, snow falls, etc. You can hop to any page at any time, and the "Memory Building" mode allows you to zoom in and reveal new and hidden images. It's more than just a comic.

    Graphics:
    Beyond animation, the neat difference between this and the printed version is all the new and hidden images. Pressing [] lets you move around a comic panel, zooming in and out of layers to uncover and identify new images and elements. A simple example: zooming into Vulcan Raven's tank reveals the interior: Snake's grenade bearing down on two enemy soldiers. Even cooler: when "Deepthroat" first calls, zooming past Snake reveals a stealth-camo'd Gray Fox hiding behind him.

    Sound:
    The MGS sound effects are here, but inexplicably most of the music is not. It might have to do with recent plagiarism accusations, but either way it's a disappointment. No voice acting either.

    Gameplay:
    There's a surprising amount of "game" in here, if you're interested. There are ~400 hidden "memory elements" to acquire through the aforementioned pan-and-scan method. Because much of this exposes hidden comic panels and new perspectives, it's definitely a fun mode to explore. The additional memory-cube is overwhelming at first, but as a connect-the-dots puzzle can be quite compelling. The cube is unlocked piece by piece, and - thankfully - if you've hit a roadblock, the game tells you what element to look for next. It's usually not too difficult to then guess where it might be found. (i.e. look for "Katana" during the Gray Fox battle, or "Save the Hostages" during the opening briefing.)

    Lasting Appeal:
    All told, watching the comic takes a couple hours, then searching out all elements and building memory cube sans guide probably 6 or so more. [Minor spoilers] It IS worth it to seek out all elements, because as you get closer to the end, you'll uncover some pretty interesting revelations.

    Closing Comments:
    For fans only, a great adaptation of the comic, with plenty of new and hidden material to be found.    … Full Review »
  2. Patrick1
    Nov 28, 2019
    10
    Great Game, for all fans of interactive comics in the Metal Gear Universe !!!
  3. DiegoEscalona
    May 27, 2019
    7
    ``El Gameplay´´
    Eso, es lo que este juego es. Un simple Gameplay (juego visualizado para vivir una experiencia cinematográfica sin necesidad    ``El Gameplay´´
    Eso, es lo que este juego es. Un simple Gameplay (juego visualizado para vivir una experiencia cinematográfica sin necesidad de usar los controles) en forma de historieta.
    Evaluemos por lo que es y no por lo que pudo haber sido.

    ´Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel´ relata en forma de cómic todos los acontecimientos y cinemáticas del primer juego para la PS1. Algo así como todo el juego pero ilustrado en forma de historietas. El diseño se ve fenomenal, respeta mucho el estilo artístico del juego, los planos y dirección en general son muy decentes y acertados.
    Sin embargo, como este juego deja a un lado totalmente la parte de la jugabilidad, esto hace que nuestra atención se enfoque principalmente en la historia y personajes, y es aquí donde cae el primer error: El Guión.

    Mientras el primer juego mantenía una narrativa llena de suspenso, pistas bien posicionadas, giros argumentales muy bien justificados, diálogos casi perfectos y memorables. En esta adaptación explican TODO lo que no debería ser explicado, los personajes se encargan de ´Guiar´ al espectador a través de escenas que creen puedan parecer confusas, exponiendo ellos mismos unsignificado superficial en cada uno de ellos.

    Se supone que todo esto ya es trabajo del jugador o espectador, el poder captar, y descubrir las intenciones ocultas, referencias, Easter Eggs, y diálogos con múltiples interpretaciones. Pero cuando los personajes en si se encargan de explicártelo, pierde toda la gracia.
    A parte de eso, hay diálogos que parece que fueron escritos por un fan apasionado sin medir la delicadez y profundidad de la situación e historia. Ejemplo: Hay algunos momentos donde Snake exclama lo ´genial´ que son cierto tipo de armas, como si fuera un niño pequeño quien hubiera escrito dicha escena. Esto hace que se pierda la seriedad y credibilidad del personaje, el cual en las entregas anteriores nos lo describen como un hombre frío, solitario, estratega, de pocas palabras, pero que cada una de ellas da para múltiples reflexiones.

    En resumen, esta entrega me pareció un agradable y aceptable tributo al primer juego de ´Metal Gear Solid´ cuyo único problema cae en los diálogos lo cual resta mucho, ya que es una de las cosas más importantes de la entrega original. Pero aparte de eso, la construcción, cinematica y en conjunto como tal es una obra de gran entretenimiento, y la recomiendo para aquellos que desean experimentar el primer juego desde un punto de vista diferente.

    -Guión: 6/10
    -Personajes: 9/10
    -Diseño: 10/10
    -Entretenimiento: 8.5/10    … Full Review »
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