Metal Gear Solid facts for kids

Metal Gear Solid is a super popular action-adventure and stealth game that first came out in 1998. It was created by a famous game designer named Hideo Kojima and made by the company Konami.

This game was first released for the PlayStation on September 3, 1998. It was actually the third main game in the Metal Gear series. The series has grown a lot, with more than ten games and many spin-offs!

What is Metal Gear Solid?

Metal Gear Solid is a game where you play as a special agent named Solid Snake. Your main goal is to sneak around and avoid being seen by enemies. This type of game is called a stealth game. Instead of fighting everyone, you try to be smart and sneaky!

The game also has a big story with lots of twists and turns. It's like playing through an action movie! You'll meet interesting characters and uncover secrets as you play.

The Story of Metal Gear Solid

The game's story takes place in a secret base called Shadow Moses Island. This island is in Alaska. A group of special forces soldiers, called FOXHOUND, have taken over the base. They are threatening to launch a nuclear weapon!

Your mission as Solid Snake is to stop them. You need to rescue two important people: the head of DARPA (a government agency) and the president of a weapons company. You also have to stop the terrorists from launching the nuclear missile.

Key Characters in the Game

• Solid Snake: He is the main hero you play as. Snake is a super-skilled spy and soldier. He's known for being very quiet and good at sneaking.
• Liquid Snake: This character is the leader of the FOXHOUND terrorists. He is also Solid Snake's twin brother! They have a big rivalry throughout the game.
• Meryl Silverburgh: She is a young soldier who helps Solid Snake during his mission. She is brave and learns a lot from Snake.
• Otacon: His real name is Hal Emmerich. He is a smart scientist who helps Snake with information and technology. He's a bit shy but very helpful.
• Revolver Ocelot: A tricky and dangerous enemy who is an expert with revolvers. He often seems to have his own secret plans.

Gameplay: How You Play

In Metal Gear Solid, you spend a lot of time hiding. You can crawl through vents, peek around corners, and use the environment to stay out of sight. If enemies see you, they will try to catch you!

You have a special device called a "codec" to talk to your team. They give you hints and story updates. You also use different weapons and gadgets, but often the best way to win is to avoid fighting altogether.

Why is it Important?

Metal Gear Solid was a huge success when it came out. It was one of the first games to have such a detailed story and movie-like scenes. It made stealth games very popular.

The game also made people think about big ideas like war, peace, and what it means to be a hero. It showed that video games could tell deep and exciting stories, just like movies or books.

Images for kids

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  From top to bottom: Big Boss, Liquid Snake, and Solid Snake, three central characters in the Metal Gear series, as drawn by Yoji Shinkawa.

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  Hideo Kojima has been in charge of directing the Metal Gear games since the series' debut.