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the_sunken_library's review
2.0
A fun storyline that makes me want to play the game. However, this book is badly written, cheesey American trash.
iphone9's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sevejax's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It's a rough time. It feels like the author didn't play the game, just glanced at a script and the wikipedia plot summary. Liquid's monologue near the end of the game is left basically in tact, and it feels like Benson took the quote "you enjoy all the killing, that's why" and turned Snake into a killing machine for no reason.
mikelelex's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure if someone who is not familiar with the series would. The dialogue is kind of cheese at some points, and I feel that some parts that worked in the game (the heating and cooling of the PAL card, for example) don't work that well in a book format.
Overall, I really enjoy reliving the story of Solid in Shadow Moses.
Overall, I really enjoy reliving the story of Solid in Shadow Moses.
rschmidt7's review against another edition
2.0
You don't read a novelization of a video game expecting it to be "good" writing, but boy, was this terrible! Raymond Benson writes like a middle aged man channeling the voice of a thirteen year old - bizarre, corny jokes and references to women as babes are abundant here.
Benson was in charge of writing the Bond novels at one point. Based on this book, however, I'm convinced he wrote it purely for the money and treated the whole thing as a joke. His disdain and disregard for the source material is evident.
I read this because I loved the MGS game in the 90s. The game is a thoughtful examination of political, social, and moral themes. This book, on the other hand, is trash. The only reason it avoided 1 star is because MGS is still a great story, even poorly told.
Benson was in charge of writing the Bond novels at one point. Based on this book, however, I'm convinced he wrote it purely for the money and treated the whole thing as a joke. His disdain and disregard for the source material is evident.
I read this because I loved the MGS game in the 90s. The game is a thoughtful examination of political, social, and moral themes. This book, on the other hand, is trash. The only reason it avoided 1 star is because MGS is still a great story, even poorly told.
opaulino's review against another edition
5.0
It was a really well written book, Benson does a great job at fleshing out the story. There's a bunch of action in the book and overall it was told very well, if you a fan of action/espionage, do yourself a favor and check this book out!
sleepey's review
4.0
This book is infamous among Metal Gear fans for being a terrible adaptation, & it often comes up alongside the same handful of really bizarre quotes (like the one where Snake randomly says Merry Christmas to a couple of guys he's knocking out), so I was curious to see how unhinged it would get. Unfortunately (?) it turned out to just be... kind of good actually?
The worst lines all come out in the first few chapters & then the rest is just a super readable retelling of the story. Maybe a little campier than the original script but you soon settle into it. There are some minor changes here & there, mainly to fit the format better or to foreshadow the later games, all pretty positive honestly.
I don't think a person who's never heard of MGS would really get much out of this. But if you've played the game & it's been a while & you want to relive the story (but as a book for some reason) I'd say it does the job pretty well.
The worst lines all come out in the first few chapters & then the rest is just a super readable retelling of the story. Maybe a little campier than the original script but you soon settle into it. There are some minor changes here & there, mainly to fit the format better or to foreshadow the later games, all pretty positive honestly.
I don't think a person who's never heard of MGS would really get much out of this. But if you've played the game & it's been a while & you want to relive the story (but as a book for some reason) I'd say it does the job pretty well.
django947's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
singular_coyote's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Accurate to the base game which I appreciate. Kinda reminds me of reading the Warrior Cats books - take that as you will.