Since this is a comic book, art is one of the most important aspects. Metal Gear follows the same layout of a traditional comic with each panel shown one at a time on the PSP screen. The game’s visuals, which are supplied by artist Ashley Wood (whom gamers should recognize from his work on Contra: Shattered Solider), time perfectly with the “look” of the series. Rather than going for a detailed look, everything has more of a stylized, brushed ink look resembling the concept sketches used for the games. You never see every detail, but instead just the important aspects. The brushed art really gives the on-screen action a sense of vitality and movement that helps push the story.
The inclusion of sound really helps to move the story. In addition to instances of low-key, Metal Gear style music, the on panel actions are accompanied by sounds straight from the game. One of the only aural elements not carried over are voices. The absence of voices is unfortunate, though understandable since a number of lines have been rewritten and added to the story -– so it wouldn’t have been as simple as including the game’s sound effects.
The idea of an interactive comic book might sound like an exciting prospect, though the experience isn’t as in-depth as it sounds. The level of interactivity is limited to pressing a button to advance the panel or page. Other than that, the only interaction comes with scanning objects. At any time during the story, you can pause and enter scan mode, bringing up a cursor that you can move over each panel. When you hit a hotspot, you can scan the object that will then bring up new information on the object which then goes into an encyclopedia of everything Metal Gear. It is a fun distraction for Metal Gear fans, but the “game” of it all feels way to forced.
The lack of the limited interactivity leads to a product without much replay value. Since the story is so well-known and set in stone, there isn’t much wiggle room. The story is just as cool as it was the first time on the PlayStation (or if you’re a latecomer, the GameCube), though there isn’t much available to keep you coming back after your first viewing. The story really would have benefited from being an original story with a “Choose Your Own Adventure” element. Being able to decide where the story goes would definitely add much-needed replay value. I could easily see a whole new genre of game come out of this, all it takes is a little out of the box thinking.
For $20, the Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel isn't a bad purchase if you like comics, Metal Gear or both.
