PlayStation, Windows
Everybody has a different favorite in this series. But the 1998 release of Metal Gear Solid set the blueprint for what the franchise grew to become in later years: prescient, politically infused stories met with supernatural, fourth wall-breaking sequences.
The stealth gameplay and clever enemy AI were impressive, pushing audiences to think on their toes to outwit potential threads. There’s an unbridled thrill to leering around a corner at a guard and knocking against a wall to get their attention. And even when everything goes awry, there’s a cardboard box to hide under or another mind game to play.
But beyond the cat-and-mouse bits, there was a deeper soul to everything in the game. Its villains each have tragic backstories that change the player’s perception even after multiple near-death bouts. The game even breaks the fourth wall multiple times, like when they’re forced to use a different controller port to prevent Psycho Mantis from using telekinetic powers. Inventive moments like this became historic emblems that shaped not just the series, but also the unique elements video games can offer as a medium.
