"Fighting was the only thing I was good at, but at least I always fought for what I believed in..."

Those expecting a remake along the same lines of Resident Evil should take note - this is a direct remake of the original Metal Gear Solid. If you have to view it as something other than the same game, think of it as a director's cut. You see, Metal Gear Solid was technically outstanding. You can argue that point all you like - regardless of whether you like the game or not, you can't deny the importance of it. It practically invented the stealth genre, and along with it, the importance of a involving story in a game such as this.

While you may think purchasing a game that plays exactly the same as one you originally bought - and likely completed on numerous occasions - slightly crazy, you could well be missing the big picture. Make no mistake about it - The Twin Snakes is one damn fine game. It's been developed with a passion not many other developers can boast about, while in terms of presentation, it's perilously close to raising the bar once again. The fact that after near-on six years the game feels as fresh as it did when it was first released is testament to just how highly this game should be held in regard.

So, effectively what you're getting here is the definitive version of Metal Gear Solid, exactly as Hideo Kojima originally intended it to be. You play as Solid Snake, sent in to neutralise a terrorist situation in the middle of Alaska with nothing more than quick thinking and a pack of Marlboro. Anyone who's played the original will know what's in store, but for the few in the back that haven't, what follows is one of the most exciting, compelling and utterly complicated plots you're ever likely to come across in the videogames medium.

Except, this time, every cut-scene, every room, every intricate detail has been remodelled in the Metal Gear Solid 2 engine. Not only does this give the original a very attractive facelift, but it also adds to Snake's list of abilities. He can now hang onto ledges, fire in first person mode, hold people up, peek and fire around corners and pretty much do anything he was able to do in the critically acclaimed sequel. While it doesn't necessarily make the gameplay significantly different, it does make certain sections a lot easier - especially with the addition of the first person mode.

Blockbuster facelift

The focus here though is how much more satisfying the story is when watched with its facelift. While you may have seen all of the cut-scenes before, they all hit here with a much higher impact. Sure, some of the fights look like they've been ripped directly out of The Matrix, but there's no denying just how well they work within the game. I'd love to tell you everything about it, share with you my excitement of watching these wonderful set pieces unfold before my very eyes, but to do so would ruin the experience for anyone who hasn't played the game - remake or original.

Because, even if you have played the original game to the point where your fingers are nothing more than inch-long stumps, this is an experience you shouldn't miss. You'll appreciate every detail in an adventure such as this, and those who weren't put off by the lengthy cut-scenes or codec sequences will find these even more enjoyable. The voice-acting is still up to the standard of most blockbuster movies and is as authentic as videogames come. The original cast have returned here, re-recording every single line from the original, although the dialogue remains the same as before. Quite bafflingly though, both Mei Ling and Nastasha seem to have lost their ethnic accents, but the quality of the acting is quite remarkable otherwise.

Translating the game to the GameCube was no easy task, and while everything runs along smoothly and looks the part, controlling the game is something that will take a bit of getting used to. Those used to controlling Snake on the PS2 pad will hold the GameCube controller with as much appreciation as a soggy sandwich. Though it is just a matter of getting used to the new control set, some functions just don't feel the same on Nintendo's cheerful game pad. Quickly equipping items via a quick tap of the shoulder buttons doesn't work as well as it should, while lowering your pistol without firing a shot requires you to press the X button while your finger is still on the A button - fiddly at the best of times.

Yet, while a nuisance at first, you'll quickly become accustomed to the new system, and it really is one of the only small flaws you'll find with this game. Since the game plays exactly like the original, it lasts around the same amount of time and is likely to give you around eight to ten hours worth of quality entertainment. It's worth noting that you'll probably spend about quarter or that time watching cut-scenes, which alone is enough to put some people off, although they do add a lot to the game.

So, is this version of the original worth your time and money? If you've never even played Metal Gear Solid, there should be no doubt in your mind that you need this game. It stands up as one of the most memorable games of all time and the remake only furthers that notion. Because of this, I can whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who has played the original already - not just because playing through it in this incarnation is ultimately refreshing, but because to see it in this light really exemplifies just what Metal Gear Solid should be seen as.

GAME's Verdict

• A restructured masterpiece.
• Fantastic voice-acting within engrossing cut-scenes.
• The unparalleled story of Metal Gear Solid spliced with the brilliant Metal Gear Solid 2 engine.

• GameCube controller takes a little getting used to.
• Where are Mei Ling and Nastasha's accents?
• Essentially the same game released six years ago, albeit with updated visuals and a couple of extra moves.

Review by: Scot Bennett
Review Published: 03.05