Robotech War Cry, A New Robotech Blog
What is Robotech? An Advanced science fiction series game with story and genre depth that is making me write a new book on it, War Cry, and a game guide as well.
By Jacob Malewitz
Stealth games are cool. There’s Thief and Thief 2, of course, which are said to push beyond what the typical first person shooter is. Less action. More intrigue. More colourful storylines, for one, and often superior gameplay.
This review highlights the classic game Metal Gear, which led to a slew of sequels, canonized into the mythos of the stories sometimes, while others are rejected by the original storytellers of the Metal Gear game. What is Metal Gear? Of course, it led to Metal Gear Solid, and Metal Gear Solid 2. I believe it also led to Thief and stealth games like Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six. There is still action—as always—but you’re avoiding action instead of blasting everyone away.
This original game, in my mind, influenced countless others on other consoles and even in computer games. It’s innovative today, but just another old classic that’s attached to a hit game. That said, Metal Gear is ranked as one of the top 200 NES games ever created.
It all started here.
Release:
Oddly enough, most sites cite the original Metal Gear game not for a traditional console system, but for an “MSX2” home computer. Developed by Konami, it came out in 1987, was later adapted for many other systems, and is currently available on some cell phones for your enjoyment. There is even a version of the game added to Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence for PS2.Thought it would be impossible to find? Wrong!
Gameplay:
It’s traditionally done, but the added invention of stealth and engaging storyline make Metal Gear a standout. You’re more an adventurer than a hired gun, and the added element of replayablity, via the attracting opponent attention, adds to the depth of the gameplay.
Story:
You’re “Solid Snake,” sent on your first mission by a special forces team. You are told, from beginning to end, your mission parameters via a radio. Then outside characters explain to you other points, like how to defeat bosses. It’s a rather simple storyline, but different, and innovative, in that the whole story isn’t shown to you in some glamorous 3D shot or long world books. This is the first showing of “Outer Heaven,” the South African world in which the canonical Metal Gear games are based in. The story here is set in 1995. As Snake, you’re the last hope, as one agent has already been sent to Outer Heaven and contact was lost. It’s not Zelda, but it’s interesting to explore.
Graphics
The rather cumbersome graphics look to be advanced for the time. It’s even more of a rudimentary game to look at than say Zelda or Mario. In other words, you’ve got graphics still not up to the best of Nintendo.
Replayability:
Replayability is where “Metal Gear” gets good. By having to be more, shall I say, “stealthy,” you’re allowed to employ many different strategies. Want to kill a bunch of dudes? Well, no problem. If you let someone see you, others will eventually come to blast you off the map. This is all set up by a warning system. If you see an exclamation point, !, then you’ve been spotted. If you see two exclamation points, big action is coming, or you’re going to have to retreat.
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