Users and Critics about MGS2

As a result of promising trailers and the huge commercial success of its predecessor Metal Gear Solid, there was a high level of anticipation in the gaming community surrounding the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Metal Gear Solid 2 received a large amount of critical and fan praise, maintaining a critical average of 95%, marking it the 4th highest game on the PlayStation 2 and the 17th highest overall at Game Rankings, having sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

Game Informer Magazine gave the game a score of 10/10, and it received high reviews from nearly all major publications and websites.

While critics praised the game's level of graphical detail, in particular the use of in-game graphics to render plot-driving cut scenes, the title's storyline was the source of mixed opinions. The storyline explores many philosophical and cyberpunk themes in great detail, including meme theory, artificial intelligence, information control, conspiracy theories, political and military maneuvering, evolution, existentialism, censorship, the manipulation of free will and the nature of reality.

Although some have praised Hideo Kojima's ambitious script, some even calling it the first example of a postmodern video game, others considered the plot to be "incomprehensible" and overly heavy for an action game. Some also felt that the lengthy dialogue sections heavily disrupted the gameplay, and that the dialogue itself was overly disjointed and convoluted. Another criticism of the game among fans was that the majority of the game was played as Raiden instead of Solid Snake.

Game Marks:

Electronic Gaming Monthly [9.5/10], Game Informer [10/10], GamePro [5/5],

GameSpot[9.6/10], GameSpy[97/100], GameZone[9.8/10], IGN[9.7/10],

Official PlayStation Magazine [5/5]

Game Awards:

E3 2001 Game Critics Awards: Best Console Game, Best Action/Adventure Game

E3 2000 Game Critics Awards: Special Commendation for Graphics

Game Informer 2001 Game of the Year

EDGE Magazine "Innovation of the Year" award