New Metal Gear Solid 2 story details

[02.22.01] » Demo release brings new plot and character information.

   Several web sites have gotten their hands on advance copies of Zone of the Enders and its bundled Metal Gear Solid 2 playable demo, and with its release a number of new story details have been revealed. The demo allows players to experience for themselves the beginning of the game, which has already been seen in some detail in the MGS2 promo movie unveiled at E3.

   The beginning of the intro reveals that Snake is still in possession of his stealth camouflage, but unfortunately it shorts out as he makes his leap from the George Washington Bridge onto the cargo ship where the game begins. It also gives us the first glimpse of the MGS2 codec, which now sports real-time 3D models of the characters rather than the animated sprites used in MGS.

   Although the movies available at this point are somewhat unclear, it's also evident that there's a second major character in play aside from Revolver Ocelot: Colonel Sergei Gurlukovich. Astute gamers will remember that Gurlukovich was mentioned in the original Metal Gear Solid as the potential customer for Metal Gear Rex who provided FOX-HOUND with the Hind-D gunship as a down payment. Although it's unsure whether Ocelot and Gurlukovich are playing on the same team, it's rather likely that they still have a good rapport. In addition, the knife-throwing girl seen in the previously released videos has been identified as Olga Gurlukovich, the colonel's pregnant daughter.

   None of this bodes too well for the theory that she is to be Snake's new romantic interest, although the fact that there has been no mentioned of Meryl as of yet leaves the door open. Also, the simple fact that Snake has the stealth camoflauge to begin with means that it's at least possible that the "bad" ending of Metal Gear Solid was the one that actually occurred.

   Expect further news once the GIA receives its own copy of the demo.