Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (played on PS5 for review)

A massive improvement in all regards, “Solid Snake” represents the point when the Metal Gear series got good. The presentation has leapt in quality by leaps and bounds, exploring no longer adheres to “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” rules (you know, nothing exists beyond the frame—enemies can see between screens, is what I’m saying), and the plot is, well, still stupid but it’s at least trying to be thoughtful. Boss fights remain subpar and there’s still too much backtracking to not dock points over, but if you weren’t enchanted with the first game, give this a chance.

7