| Metal Gear | |
| File:Image:Grey fox.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami
Template:Infobox/status |
| Release date | 1987 (MSX, NES) |
| Genre | Stealth action |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Age rating(s) | |
| Platform(s) | MSX NES Commodore 64 |
| Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough | |
Metal Gear is a series of stealth games that was released by Konami in 1987 for the MSX system. It was later ported to the NES in 1988. All the games star Solid Snake, a special agent who specializes in infiltration and espionage. Each game goes with the motto "Tactical Espionage Action", which basically describes the gameplay of Metal Gear.
The Story
The year was 1995. At that time, nuclear disarmament was only a pipe dream, and fears of nuclear attack ran rampant. Deep in South Africa, a mercenary group controlled a stronghold called Outer Heaven. According to leaked information, this group had access to a new kind of weapon that would change the scale of warfare irreversibly. The elite special forces team Fox Hound was called upon to gather further intelligence related to this supposed weapon of mass destruction. To this end they sent their best agent, Grey Fox, to go under cover, infiltrate Outer Heaven, and report back with new information. Grey Fox's report consisted of exactly two words: "Metal Gear." Then contact was broken. Deeply disturbed by the loss of communication with Grey Fox and the apparent urgency of his brief message, Fox Hound sent another agent, Solid Snake, into Outer Heaven to find Grey Fox and discover the secret of the mysterious Metal Gear. Snake found his way inside the fortress, enlisting the aid of various prisoners to continue his search for Grey Fox and Metal Gear. Eventually Snake located Fox and learned that Metal Gear was, in actuality, a walking, nuclear-capable tank. The implications of this new weapon were staggering; Metal Gear's mobility and its ability to launch a nuclear warhead from any position made it an imposing factor in the global tension between nuclear superpowers. Solid Snake went on to rescue the scientist behind Metal Gear's development and from him learned Metal Gear's weak point. Finally, Snake discovered Metal Gear itself, on the 100th basement floor of Outer Heaven, and using his knowledge of the behemoth, he destroyed it. After Metal Gear's destruction, Snake received a shock: The leader of the Outer Heaven mercenaries, and the man behind Metal Gear, was none other than Fox Hound's leader, Big Boss! Big Boss had been pulling the strings behind Snake's mission in Outer Heaven all along. Stunned by this betrayal, Snake went on to engage Big Boss in battle, emerging victorious. With Metal Gear destroyed and the traitor vanquished, Solid Snake flew off into the sunset.
-GameSpot©'s History of Metal Gear
The story in Metal Gear was unlike anything ever seen in a video game before (at the time). It had a depth that no other game had created. This, along with it's innovative gameplay, made it an instant classic to gamers patient enough to adjust to the new style of play (at this time, most games had involved destroying everything on screen; many players were frustrated from Metal Gear's stealthy and more realistic approach to action gaming and in turn, gave up quickly).
Gameplay
Sequels
Work In Progress
 | This article is a stub. You can help Codex Gamicus by expanding it. |