Metal Gear Solid by Raymond Benson
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Book Reviews of Metal Gear Solid
Book Review: Solid Novelization (Sorry... Irresistable Pun.)
Summary: 4 Stars
Let me start by saying that I am a fan of the game, but more importantly I'm a massive fan of the story spun in the game's universe. I'll try to be objective about the material though, that way anyone unfamiliar with the Metal Gear franchise won't feel left out.
Metal Gear Solid is your basic story of an underdog against incredible odds. It's a spy story with all the trappings of the genre... add in a bit of the supernatural, and a good dose of idiosyncratic humor and you've got a good idea what you're going in to.
The protagonist, codenamed Solid Snake, is a thirty-three year old life-long soldier living comfortably in secluded retirement until a special operations team comes to break the peace. Snake is quickly brought to a mobile command center on board a sub and told about a group of terrorist led by his former unit (FoxHound).
Foxhound, led by Liquid Snake, has taken over Shadow Moses island. Shadow Moses is a nuclear disposal facility, and a secret base for testing advanced weaponry. Foxhound has nukes, and soon enough they will have the ability to launch them. What do they want? The remains of the world's greatest soldier, a man killed years before by Solid Snake. And that's just the beginning of the labyrinthine plot, and only a gloss over what is REALLY going on.
There are elements of the labors of Hercules as Snake fights his way through the base and the special members of Foxhound. Members like Sniper Wolf, the worlds greatest sniper. Vulcan Raven, a gigantic shaman. Revolver Ocelot, an expert marksman with a taste for six shooters. Psycho Mantis, a telekinetic and telepathic sadist. And Decoy Octopus, the world's greatest master of disguise. There's also a mysterious Cyborg Ninja with ties to Snake's past who may be friend or foe.
To end before I go off on too much of a tangent, the story will keep you riveted as long as you don't mind suspending a little bit of disbelief.
To those who have played the game, and know the story, but still may want this: Get it, the author does great justice to the material, and there are a few inside references that show that he did indeed play the game before sitting down to write.
Literature it isn't, but it's a damn good read to kill a few hours with.
Book Review: A High Tech Adventure
Summary: 4 Stars
A FOXHOUND agent known as Solid Snake, is called out of retirement to avert a worldwide crisis. Solid Snake is to go after renegade FOXHOUND operatives that have taken control of a nuclear disposal facility that are located in the frozen Aleutians. Snake has to defeat a very powerful group of people. This group has been genetically engineered for war. They have incredible abilities, some of which extend into the extrasensory range. Snake himself is the product of genetic engineering. He was created from the DNA of a super warrior. Unbeknownst to him, he has a twin brother who has chosen to be a renegade.
As Snake battles through this group of renegades and the soldiers in their control, he learns about his past and he also discovers that there are people whom he cannot trust. This teaches him to be more vigilant, and he learns a great deal about what he is made of. Snake also realizes that he has some secret supporters who are helping him on this mission. He has to race against time to rescue hostages and stop a nuclear catastrophe which will give the renegades power to control the world.
"Metal Gear Solid," is composed of the perfect combination of a thriller, a science fiction and an adventure story. The action is fast paced and nonstop. Several times, I caught myself holding my breath, as I was reading. In addition to a great plot, the character development is wonderful. Snakes character goes through some major transitions as he fights for both his life and to do what is right. Other characters in the story also evolve, and some severely regress.
This book is associated with the game "Metal Gear Solid." I have never played the game, yet I was still able to enjoy the story. People who enjoy science fiction, thrillers and espionage stories will all be thrilled to read "Metal Gear Solid."
Book Review: More Liquid than Solid
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, I want to say, this review is coming from a die-hard fan of the Metal Gear Solid series. This Raymond Benson novelization of the hit PS1 classic, Metal Gear Solid, has its ups and downs, but for the most part, does not give the original material enough credit.
It seems to me that the heavy, mature elements that were so beautifully interwoven in the narrative of Metal Gear Solid, the PS1 game, is missing here. Actually, much of the dialogue is, in my opinion, stupider. Very much so, it seems as though Benson "dumbed" it down, perhaps to cater to a wider audience.
Aside from the cheesy dialogue, Benson, for the most part, does a good job of showcasing the original material. This is a must-have book for any Metal Gear Solid collector, and it is pretty cheap. Look out for the book based on the 2nd game, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, to hit bookshelves soon!
4/5
Book Review: Bringing The Video Game To The Novel... A Great Move!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought a copy of this book at Borders and I have to say the author did a good job of putting the piece of the video game into a novel together. When you open the book, you will be amazed of Mr. Benson's imagination of what was not included in the game or if Snake encounters a boss. When that happens, the author creates his own image and includes specific details on how the story is laid out. This book will keep your entertained and when I started reading it, I didn't want to put the book down! Benson also changes the dialogue a little bit (probably for copyright reasons) to a more modern one. There is a few swearing in the book that was not mentioned in the game and a lot more insight of the characters. If you are a Metal Gear Solid fan, get this book! Get the second one too when it comes out!Book Review: From J. Kaye's Book Blog
Summary: 4 Stars
Solid Snake and his brother Liquid Snake were 'made'. DNA from 'Big Boss', the greatest modern day warrior/soldier, was taken and manipulated to produce better soldier/warriors - thus the Snake Brothers. This action-packed novel reads like a combination of Rambo and the Power Rangers with the Snake's mentor, the Colonel, and villains named Revolver Ocelot and Decoy Octopus. However, there is a undercurrent of depth with Solid Snake's questioning himself about his destiny and the correctness of DNA manipulation.
Raymond Benson also wrote some James Bond books, so the action is detailed and the weapons are 007ish.
All is all, is was an entertaining and fast read. While I probably wouldn't read another book of this series, I would watch a movie.