Blogging the experience of gameplayhttps://www.gamelog.cl/gamers/GamerPage.php?idgamer=252https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1066The graphics were nothing short of revolutionary at the time the game was released. While the Nintendo 64 console was head and shoulders above its SNES predecessor, Ocarina of Time incorporated even stronger graphics than games like Super Mario 64, with attention to detail that truly brings Zelda into the realm of art. As for controls and cardinality, while a Link to the Past for the SNES incorporated free-roaming controlls on a fixed 2d plane, Ocarina of Time opens up this free roam ability with 3d manueverabily. The N64 controller feels like it was meant for this game; Ocarina of Time is designed so well that the controls are seemlessly integrated with gameplay in all aspects. This was hands-down the best game for the N64.Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:00:20 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1066&iddiary=2288https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1066After revisiting Zelda for the first time in many years, I'm reminded why it's considered to be one of the greatest games of all time. The characters and plot are largely the same as other previous Zelda games - a hero Link must rise and save Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule from the evil Ganon(dorf) - a storyline that has served the series well. The game's progression takes place through narrative cutscenes throughout the game, as well as dialog with a vast number of NPC's who play a variety of roles with ranging influence in the main storyline. While gameplay is mainly focused on the main linear storyline, there are a ton of sidequests and minigames to engage in, allowing for a much longer and more dynamic level of gameplay - fishing at the lake, getting the big Goron sword, obstacle courses, shooting ranges, foot races, chicken hunts, and many more.Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:42:16 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1066&iddiary=2283https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593Sorry for the last three submissions; they were meant to be submitted as one followup log entry subsequent to the first, but the gamelog site wouldn't accept the submission unless the entry was shortened into smaller installments.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:20:05 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593&iddiary=1407https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593Features unique to the Subsistence release (sort of a special addition re-release of the original Snake Eater game) include an online multiplayer mode (which I did not test due to the limitations of my PS2), copies of the first two Metal Gear games for the NES, a “Secret Theater Mode” for those who want to just view the cutscenes from the game as a movie rather than playing through the entire game (an understandably daunting task), and a new user controlled 3d camera mode (in my opinion the most valuable addition to the game). Gameplay has improved radically since even the original MGS game for the PS1, which did not have the first person camera angle included in MGS2 and MGS3. The Subsistence edition however, offers a much more flexible 3rd person camera angle which allows near complete 3d rotation of the camera around Snake with the right analog joystick, allowing for much easier control and visibility during regular gameplay. The learning curve for the controls isn’t too difficult to master after a half hour to an hour of play. The Subsistence edition of MGS3 is a must have for fans of the series, and a better investment than the original Snake Eater game for those just getting into the Metal Gear series.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:16:32 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593&iddiary=1402https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593A departure from earlier games in the series is the outdoor, jungle environment setting. Snake is forced to keep his health and stamina up by gathering various plants and hunting various animals throughout the game, some of which are poisonous, and some of which may actually attack snake (poisonous snakes, alligators, etc.) Also introduced as a new facet of the series is First Aid; when Snake is injured or poisoned to an extent that inhibits his ability to complete his objective, he must self-apply first aid to his wounds. The final major addition to MGS gameplay in MGS3 is the camouflage index; it becomes desirable at times to don various outfits that allow him to blend in better with his varied surroundings, either causing Snake to be near invisible in his environment, or stick out like a sore thumb if an ineffective outfit causes a low camouflage index. All of these novel innovations to the series add to the complexity of the game (in a positive way), and lend themselves to the new jungle setting.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:16:06 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593&iddiary=1401https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593The plot becomes increasingly complex, as Snake’s mission objectives are drastically revised and more of the Boss’s motives and a greater conspiracy are unraveled through the game’s progression. In the tradition of earlier Metal Gear Solid games, characters and the plot of the game unfold through a series of long, but tolerable and extremely well made cut-scenes and radio conversations, playing out much more like an interactive movie than a simple shoot’em up action game. Also held over from earlier games is the emphasis on stealth movement and combat. Snake acquires a variety of weapons throughout the game, but more stealthy movement is strongly advised (especially on the harder difficulty settings) as it makes the game wildly more strategic (not to mention much easier). As a result the stealth element is thankfully something that the MGS series has gotten down to a science, with MGS3 being no exception to that standard of excellence.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:15:14 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593&iddiary=1400https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593I just picked up my copy of MGS3 for the first time in several months, reminded once again of how truly amazing the game is, arguably the best in the Metal Gear saga. The original MGS3 was released in 2004, dubbed "Snake Eater" due to its wilderness survival theme as the protagonist (code named Naked Snake) is dropped from a plane into the heart of the Soviet Jungle. Unlike prior canonical Metal Gear games, which have followed a chronological sequence of events, Snake Eater takes place in the 1960's and serves as a prequel to the rest of the series (set mostly within a few years from now). Naked Snake is confirmed later in the game to be the character Big Boss, a future element and antagonist in the Metal Gear series. MGS3 delves into much of the series background history as a result, focusing on Snake’s past and training as a soldier, and his reasons for ultimately turning against his country in the later day Metal Gear games. Snake’s mission is infiltrate an old Soviet weapons factory and rescue a defecting Russian scientist named Sokolov. Though Snake is sent in alone, forced to acquire weapons on site and survive in the jungle, he has a support team via radio to help him keep his wits about him. The mission goes as planned until a member of his support team code named “The Boss,” who happens to be Snakes former mentor and is recognized as the single best soldier in the world, defects to the Soviet Union and betrays Snake during the operation. Upon their encounter and Boss’s betrayal, Colonel Volgin and his Cobra Unit are also introduced into the story. Following the tradition of prior Metal Gear games, the Cobra Unit (much like the renegade FOXHOUND unit from MGS1 and MGS2) consists of a group of highly advanced soldiers, bordering on supernaturally adept, who serve as the under-bosses at various points throughout subsequent gameplay.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:16:43 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=593&iddiary=1380