Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel

Reviewed by Leland Bonaparte
February 25, 2006

Author: Kris Oprisko Artwork: Ashley Wood Publisher: Konami Platform: Sony PSP Review Rating: Recommended

Since I was a little kid, comic book collecting was the thing to do. In this day and age, everything has gone digital. As a result, Konami's flagship title has gone interactive. Metal Gear Solid is the first of many games to go interactive on the PSP. The story is translated by IDW Publishing's Kris Oprisko and artwork by Ashley Wood.

Finally someone decided to use the full capabilities of the PSP! Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel is based on the PSOne version of the series. The animation is some of the best I've seen. The sound effects are exhilarating and bring the comic to life.

Hey why is it interactive? Well not only is it a comic, but it also has a memory building simulation mode. In this mode you can unlock a history and library of Metal Gear Solid. There are three different modes: VR Simulation, Metal Search, and Memory Building Mode. VR mode is the regular events during the Shadow Moses Island Incident. Metal Search mode is where you search the VR simulation mode for vital memory elements. When highlighting different ideas, characters unlock the story. The last mode, Memory Building Simulation Mode allows you to re-construct memories of Shadow Moses Island.

As we get into new ways of gaming, interactive graphic novels are a new and innovative way to game. This is one of the first interactive comics for the PSP, and there is still more to come. With the rest of the Metal Gear series and Silent Hill on the way, Konami is really taking advantage of the PSP. It's a way for people who enjoy the back stories of the games and going the extra mile to get their fans involved. The art and the price are right at $19.99.

Images (Courtesy Konami. Click image to enlarge):