Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons Of Liberty

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{{Infobox CVG|title = Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty|image = |developer = Konami|publisher = Konami (producer, writer, director)|series = [Metal Gear (series)|engine =|released = MGS2 Sons of Liberty
PlayStation 2
North America November 14, 2001 in video gamingJapan November 29, 2001 in video gamingEurope March 8, 2002 in video gaming
South Korea May 30, 2002 in video gaming
MGS2 Substance
Xbox
North America November 5, 2002 in video gaming
Europe March 7, 2003 in video gaming
PlayStation 2Japan December 19, 2002 in video gamingNorth America March 3, 2003 in video gaming
Europe March 28, 2003 in video gaming
PC Microsoft Windows
North America March 27, 2003 in video gaming
Europe March 28, 2003 in video gaming|genre = Stealth game|modes = Single player: Mature (M)
[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization: 15+
British Board of Film Classification: 15
Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia): MA15+
Office of Film and Literature Classification (New Zealand): R16|platforms = MGS2: Sons of LibertyPlayStation 2MGS2: Substance
XboxPlayStation 2
Microsoft Windows|media = 1 DVD directed by [Hideo Kojima, video game developer by Konami and video game publisher by Konami for the PlayStation 2 in 2001 in video gaming. Chronologically, it is the sixth game in the Metal Gear (series), and a direct sequel to Metal Gear Solid.

Series lead Solid Snake and Virtual reality-trained rookie soldier Raiden (Metal Gear) infiltrate the Big Shell, a massive offshore clean-up facility that has been seized by terrorists calling themselves "Sons of Liberty". They demand a massive ransom in exchange for the life of the President of the United States, and threaten to destroy the facility and create a cataclysmic environmental disaster if their demands are not met. The motives and identities of many of the antagonists and allies change rapidly, as the heroes discover a world-shaking conspiracy constructed by a powerful organization known as the Patriots.

It was well-received publicly and critically, shipping over 7 million copies worldwide and scoring an average of 95% in Game Rankings' aggregate. Its release was followed by an expanded edition, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, a prequel to the entire Metal Gear series, followed in 2004. A direct sequel to Sons of Liberty, titled Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, is currently in development for release on the PlayStation 3 console.

Gameplay Metal Gear Solid 2 essentially continues and expands upon the gameplay in the original Metal Gear Solid and its predecessors, namely involving getting from point A to point B without being seen by the enemy soldiers or their surveillance devices. The player sets off an alarm if seen, sending enemy reinforcements after them; during which they can only progress safely by remaining out of sight for a set period of time. However, there are some major alterations from the previous title.

Most fundamental are the wider range of skills offered to the player. The new first-person aiming mode allows players to target specific points in the game world or on their enemies, greatly expanding tactical options—guards could be blinded by steam, distracted by a flying piece of fruit or hit in key weak spots, such as radios which disables the enemy from requesting "back-up" and the head; which would result in an instant death or the soldier being put to sleep immediately, depending on whether the player was using a standard gun or a tranquilizer gun. Players can now walk slowly, allowing them to sneak over noisy flooring without making a sound, or hang off gantryways to slip past below guards' feet. The corner-press move from the original title, which allowed players a sneak-peak around the next bend, was expanded to allow players to fire around edges from cover.

To prevent an imbalance of power, guards were given more advanced AI, and unlike MGS, work in squads. This amounts to them calling on their radios for a strike team upon seeing the hero, then attempting to flank him and cut off his escape while avoiding the player's attacks. Often strike teams will carry body armour and riot shields, making them an even greater threat to the player. Even if the player escapes to some hiding place like a locker or vent, a Clearing team will sweep in to check the area, often blowing the player's cover and causing another fraught chase to safety.

Boss battles and set-pieces remain roughly similar to gaming tradition—a case of finding a strategy that bypasses the defenses of the enemy and takes them down. However, in a major break from action game standards, it is also possible to clear the entire game—including boss fights—without causing a single deliberate death, through use of tranquilizer guns, stun grenades, and melee attacks.

Plot Characters The protagonist of MGS2 is Raiden (Metal Gear)Colonel : And by the way Snake, we’re changing your code name for all following communication. // Snake: What’s wrong with “Snake”? // Colonel: Just a precaution. You are now designated "Raiden". (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Kenyū Horiuchi in Japanese and Quinton Flynn in English), a rookie agent for special-forces unit FOXHOUND. He is supported remotely by the Colonel (v.b. Takeshi Aono and Paul Eiding),(Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) his commanding officer, and List of Metal Gear Solid 2 characters#RosemaryRaiden : Rose! You’re not supposed to be involved! What’s going on!? // Rose : Jack, I’m a part of this mission. // Raiden : Colonel, what the hell is going on? // Colonel : Raiden, meet the mission analyst. She’ll be overseeing the data saving and support. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Kikuko Inoue and Lara Cody), his girlfriend who was assigned to the mission without his knowledge. She provides moral support and background on the game's characters, as well as constantly asking Raiden about the significance of April 30- the day after his mission. Allies formed on the mission include Lt. Junior Grade Iroquois PliskinSEAL: I'm not an enemy. Calm down. My name is S... My name is Pliskin. Iroquois Pliskin, Lieutenant Junior Grade. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Akio Ōtsuka and David Hayter), a Navy SEAL of mysterious background who provides his knowledge of the facility; Peter StillmanMan : My name is Peter, Peter Stillman. // Pliskin : A lecturer at NSEOD, Indian Head. Also consultant to the NYPD Bomb Squad. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Shōzō Iizuka and Greg Eagles), an NYPD bomb-disposal expert; List of recurring Metal Gear characters#OtaconPliskin : Raiden, let me introduce you to my partner -- Otacon. // Raiden : Otacon? // Otacon : Hey, Raiden. Nice to meet you. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Hideyuki Tanaka and Christopher Randolph), a computer security specialist; and a "cyborg ninja" imitating Gray Fox (Metal Gear)'s persona, but calling itself Mr. X.Ninja : I'm like you...I have no name. // Raiden : Are you Mr. X?. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)??? : Be careful! There are Claymore mines around there. // Raiden : Who is this! // ??? : Stealth-equipped Claymore mines, invisible to the naked eye. Use the mine detector. // Raiden : Identify yourself. // ??? : Just call me "Deepthroat." // Raiden : Deepthroat? You mean from Shadow Moses? // Deepthroat : Mr. X, then. // Raiden : Mr. X now, is it? Why would it matter if I called you Deepthroat? Mr. X : Never mind about that. Mr. X : Let's just say I'm one of your fans. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

The antagonists of the piece are the Sons of Liberty,Colonel : The terrorists call themselves “Sons of Liberty.” (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) a group of terrorists who seize control of the Big Shell Disposal Facility, including anti-terror training unit Dead Cell, and a Russian mercenary force.Colonel : Former members of the Navy SEAL’s special anti-terrorist training squad, “Dead Cell.” Russian private army members may also be involved. It’s a highly trained group and they have the Big Shell under complete control. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) The Dead Cell team members are List of Metal Gear Solid 2 characters#VampRaiden : What was that man just now? // Pliskin : That blood sucking freak? That was Vamp. // Raiden : What is he? // Pliskin : One of the members of Dead Cell. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Ryōtarō Okiayu and Phil LaMarr), an immortal man exhibiting vampire-like attributes; List of Metal Gear Solid 2 characters#FatmanFatman : I am Fatman. I am the greatest humanity has to offer and the lowest. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Kōzō Shioya and Barry Dennen), a rotund man with an exceptional knowledge of bombs; and List of Metal Gear Solid 2 characters#FortuneFortune : Maybe you can give me death. My name is Fortune. Lucky in war and nothing else. And without a death to call my own. Hurry. Kill me, please. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Yumi Touma and Maula Gale), a woman capable of cheating death by supernatural means. Their leader (v.b. John Cygan) claims to be Solid Snake,Colonel : The name of their leader is Solid Snake. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) previously declared dead after a terrorist attack.Colonel : Right. But it can’t be THE Solid Snake. He died two years ago, on that tanker, after he blew it sky-high. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Assisting the Sons of Liberty are Olga Gurlukovich (v.b. Kyoko Terase and Vanessa Marshall), commander of a rogue Russian mercenary armyRaiden : I saw a female soldier -- Russian. // Pliskin : Must be Olga Gurlukovich. // Raiden : How do you know? // Pliskin : Unlike you, I've been briefed. // Raiden : She's not a Dead Cell? // Pliskin : No, she commands a Russian private army. // Raiden : They must be the ones patrolling the Big Shell. // Pliskin : That's right. She's led the group ever since her old man, Colonel Gurlukovich, died. Watch yourself with her. She's a tough one. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and Revolver Ocelot"Snake" : Ocelot, I leave this place in your hands. I have the intruder to take care of. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Kōji Totani and Patric Zimmerman), a disenfranchised Russian nationalist and former FOXHOUND agent.

Other characters include Emma Emmerich (v.b. Maria Yamamoto and Jennifer Hale), Otacon's step-sister and a computer wiz-kid;Raiden : Wait a second. Isn't Emma Emmerich -- // Otacon : My sister. // Raiden : What's she doing here? // Otacon : You got me. She's a computer whiz who specializes in neural-AI and ultra-variable volume data analysis using complex logic. How she got involved in weapons development is beyond me. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Sergei Gurlukovich (v.b. Osamu Saka and Earl Boen), Ocelot's former commanding officer and Olga's father;Otacon : We’ve ID’d the old man. // Snake : Who is he? // Otacon : Sergei Gurlukovich. // Snake : Gurlukovich! One of Ocelot’s allies? // Otacon : Yeah...the GRU colonel. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) President James Johnson (v.b. Yuzuru Fujimoto and Paul Lukather), held hostage by the Sons of Liberty;"Snake" : Hostages, huh? // Colonel : A VIP from one of the major conservation groups, and one from our own government -- the Most Important Person in a sense. // "Snake" : The most important person -- ? // Colonel : James Johnson. // "Snake" : The President! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and DIA operative Richard AmesOcelot : I always knew the DIA turned out second-rate liars. // Ames : What are you talking about? // Ocelot : No need for denials. You know what you are -- Colonel Ames. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) (v.b. Masaharu Satō and Peter Reneday). Solid Snake (v.b. Akio Ōtsuka and David Hayter) returns,Snake : This is Snake. Do you read me, Otacon? (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) along with Liquid Snake (v.b. Banjō Ginga and Cam Clarke) who communicates via Ocelot through unknown means,Ocelot : It’s been a while, brother. // Snake : Who are you? // Ocelot : You know who I am. // Snake : Liquid? (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and a third Snake, Solidus Snake,President Johnson : My predecessor... George Sears. That was the name the public came to know him by. But I knew him by his codename, "Solidus Snake." He was the third Snake, preceded by Solid and Liquid... a survivor of the Les Enfants Terrible project. Neither Solid nor Liquid, he was a well-balanced masterpiece. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) is introduced.

The title features cameos by List of recurring Metal Gear characters#Mei Ling, the communications expert who aided Snake in the first game,??? : What a crock! What did you do with that little cheat sheet I made you! // Snake : What's going on over there? // ??? : Oh, hi, Snake. Do you know that Otacon's been -- // Otacon : Er, Mei Ling, we're in the middle of a mission and everything! So can we, you know... // Mei Ling : Fine. Sure. And Snake, the real meaning of "Care avoids err" is that if you're cautious, you can avoid making serious mistakes. Even if you've gotten used to the mission, watch what you do. Good luck! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and List of recurring Metal Gear characters#Johnny Sasaki, the luckless soldier with chronic digestive problems.

Prologue - Tanker Chapter Sons of Liberty opens on a busy, traffic filled George Washington Bridge in New York City,-- George Washington Bridge -- (Caption, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) on August 8th, 2007, two years after the Shadow Moses island incident (the events of the original Metal Gear Solid). Solid Snake and Otacon, now members of the Non-governmental organization Philanthropy, are investigating the development of a new Metal GearOtacon : The mission objective is to make visual confirmation of the new Metal Gear being transported by that tanker, and bring back photographic evidence. Don't you forget that you're a part of "Philanthropy" now, an anti-Metal Gear organization and officially recognized by the UN. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) consistently described as being Amphibious vehicle and having been designed to "wipe the floor with all the other models"Otacon : This new one seems to have been designed to wipe the floor with all the other models. The only consistent description is that it's an amphibious, anti-Metal Gear vehicle... (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001 which have been built since Metal Gear REX's design was leaked.Otacon : Too true. Okay, Snake, let's get to work. You know the technical specs of Metal Gear were sold on the black market after Shadow Moses? // Snake : All Ocelot's doing... // Otacon : Exactly. And now every state, group, and dotcom has its own version of Metal Gear. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Shortly after Snake's arrival on the disguised oil tanker U.S.S. Discovery, a group of Russian terrorists under the command of Russian nationalist Sergei Gurlukovich attack the ship.Snake : Looks like were not the only ones after Metal Gear tonight. // Russians? // Otacon : You sure? // Snake : No Marine barber touched that head of hair. Otacon, the ship appears to be under their control. The men have Russian gear, but I haven’t been able to find out anything else about their origin. // Otacon : I know who they are. // Snake : You do? // Otacon : We’ve ID’d the old man. // Snake : Who is he? // Otacon : Sergei Gurlukovich. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) After sneaking up to the bridge, Snake encounters Olga, Sergei's daughter, who refuses to leave the tanker despite being pregnant.Olga : I have nowhere else to go. Father, I want to stay and fight. // Sergei : There is no choice to make here, Olga! Need I remind you that you are carrying my grandchild? (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

After he successfully tranquilizes her in combat, he sneaks his way down to the holds in order to record pictures of the new Metal Gear, RAY, an amphibious anti-Metal Gear prototype.Otacon : Ok, we’re finally there. // Snake : So this is the new Metal Gear... // Otacon : Yep. And we’re going to show the whole world its baby pictures. Get the prototype on camera. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Matters rapidly escalate as Revolver Ocelot betrays and murders Sergei GurlukovichSergei : Ocelot, you...! Have you sold us out? // Ocelot : I was never in your employ, Gurlukovich... (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) It is revealed that Ocelot was the recipient of a new arm following Metal Gear Solid, that of the late Liquid Snake, which via unknown means causes a change in Revolver Ocelot's demeanor and behavior, with Liquid somehow 'possessing' him.Ocelot : It’s been a while, brother. // Snake : Who are you? // Ocelot : You know who I am. Snake : Liquid? // Liquid-Ocelot : I -- I live on, through this arm. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Under Liquid's control he sinks the tanker,Liquid-Ocelot : You’re going down, Snake, with this tanker! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and escapes with RAY before regaining command of his body. Ocelot : No problems...proceeding as planned, sir. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

Plant Chapter The player finds himself in control of Raiden, supposedly operating under a reformed FOXHOUND two years after the Tanker Chapter on April 29,-- Verrazano Bridge, April 29th -- (Caption, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) 2009. Initially referred to as "Snake",Colonel : And by the way Snake, we're changing your code name for all following communication. // Snake : What’s wrong with "Snake"? // Colonel : Just a precaution. You are now designated "Raiden". (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) his orders are to rescue hostages, including the US President, from the terrorist group Sons of Liberty, who are also threatening to destroy the Big Shell Clean-Up Facility they have seized.Colonel : You have two missions objectives. One: infiltrate the offshore decontamination facility “Big Shell” and safeguard the President and other hostages. And two: disarm the terrorists by any means necessary. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Raiden infiltrates the Shell via sea while SEAL Team 10 enters by air.Colonel : You should know... that SEAL Team 10 is also conducting a rescue operation. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) He joins forces up with SEAL Lieutenant Junior Grade Iroquois PliskinPliskin : I'm not an enemy. Calm down. My name is S... My name is Pliskin. Iroquois Pliskin, Lieutenant Junior Grade. // Raiden : Are you a Navy SEAL? How did you get in? // Pliskin : Fast rope descent from a Navy chopper. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)Snake uses the name 'Pliskin' to hide his identity. This is a reference to the 1981 movie 'Escape from New York' in which the main characters name is 'Snake Pliskin'. and bomb specialist Peter Stillman to disable explosives planted on the Shell by Stillman's former pupil, Fatman, now a member of the terrorists. While Raiden successfully eliminates Fatman, Stillman dies as a result of one of Fatman's traps.

With the assistance of a mysterious cyborg ninja calling itself Mr. X,Raiden : Identify yourself. // Ninja : I'm like you...I have no name. // Raiden : Are you Mr. X? // Ninja : Hmm...if you like. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001), Raiden locates the President, and discovers that the Big Shell is the development facility for a new Metal Gear. Known as Arsenal Gear, it houses a powerful AI supercomputer, "GW", capable of controlling information transmitted over the Internet. The President also claims the democratic process is a sham, and the true rulers of the United States are an organisation known as the Patriots (Metal Gear).President Johnson : I don't have any control. The real power is in the Patriots' hands. Politics, the military, the economy -- they control it all. They even choose who becomes President... Putting it simply, the Patriots rule this country. This country is shaped and controlled as the Patriots see fit. The people are shown what they want to believe. What you call government is actually a well-staged production aimed at satisfying the public! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Revolver Ocelot kills him soon after, and Raiden proceeds to his final objective: disabling Arsenal Gear and thus halting a nuclear strike. Pliskin, having revealed himself as the true Solid Snake, and Emma Emmerich, an Arsenal Gear engineer, assist Raiden in attempting to destroy the "GW" AI by uploading a virus. However, the transfer is aborted partway through, and Emma dies in the ensuing attack. Snake and Raiden are left with no choice but to disable Arsenal physically. As Snake's partner Otacon escapes with the surviving hostages by helicopter,Snake: Otacon, take care of the hostages. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Mr. X returns, revealing itself to be Olga Gurlukovich,Raiden : You! // Olga : Ready for some shut-eye? (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and knocks Raiden unconscious with an electric blast.

Awakening naked in an Arsenal torture chamber, Raiden is probed by Solidus Snake, the true terrorist leader. Solidus reveals that he once adopted Raiden as his sonSolidus: This is my son... I taught him everything. Jack... I never thought I'd see you again... You don't remember...? Your name... your skills... everything you know... you know from me. I was your godfather, I named you. I should've known they would recruit you. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and that Raiden is now a Patriot agent. Olga, working as a Patriot double-agent within the Sons of Liberty, helps Raiden escape, and he locates Snake within Arsenal Gear. As they fight through the mammoth vessel, Raiden's commanding officer begins to act extremely erratically. It becomes apparent that the "Colonel" that Raiden has been taking orders from is actually a creation of the GW super-computer, pieced together from information about List of recurring Metal Gear characters#Roy Campbell coupled with Raiden's own expectations in order to manipulate him. The erratic behavior of the simulation is the result of the virus uploaded earlier beginning to damage GW's systems.

With Snake holding off a vengeful Fortune,Fortune : It's been a long wait, Solid Snake -- the root of all my sorrows. // Snake : What? // Fortune : Two years ago, you killed my father. That was the beginning of hell for us. Everyone I love has been taken from me, one by one... and no matter how hard I try, I can't follow them. An endless nightmare... The only thing we live for is to see it end. Our wait is almost over. Snake : Raiden, get out of here! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Raiden is forced into battle with dozens of Metal Gear RAY units. Olga intervenes to protect him, but is restrained by one of Solidus' robotic tentacles. Olga explains that 2 years ago, right after giving birth to her child, the Patriots took her away and have been holding her ever since. Olga continues to explain that the Patriots blackmailed her, ordering her to become a double-agent and make the S3 plan a success or her child would be killed. After explaining, Solidus shoots Olga in the head and throws her corpse out of the way. Her last words are: "If you die, my baby dies. And I can't let that happen, not until you've seen her." The RAY units begin to malfunction, attacking each other and Solidus as the virus tears through the GW AI's program.Solidus: What's going on!? What's wrong with it!? // Ocelot : The AI -- GW -- it's out of control. Solidus: Stupid machines! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Arsenal begins an emergency ascent,Ocelot: It's too late! Arsenal's system control is going haywire! ...It's on an emergency ascent course! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) and Snake- now restrained by Fortune,Fortune: I've captured Snake. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Solidus, and Raiden are carried to the roof of the fortress as it surfaces. To Solidus' increasing rage, Ocelot reveals that he too is a Patriot agent, the entire episode of the day was a carefully coordinated attempt to reenact the events of the Shadow Moses Incident; what Ocelot describes as the 'S3 Plan', or Solid Snake Simulation, designed to turn Raiden into the perfect soldier.Ocelot: Everything you've done here has been scripted -- a little exercise set up by us. // Solidus: Exercise!? // Ocelot: The S3 Plan was conceived as a means to produce soldiers on par with Solid Snake. That's what I told you. But the VR Training the boy was put through is not the meat of the project. You think this terrorist incident is your own doing, Solidus? THIS is the S3 training kernel -- an orchestrated recreation of Shadow Moses. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) He kills Fortune and boards the prototype Metal Gear RAY stolen from the Tanker two years previous, and attempts to finish off the survivors of the exercise. However, Liquid possesses him, and announces his plan to hunt down the Patriots based on his host's knowledge.Ocelot: No! No, not now!! // Liquid-Ocelot: Brothers!! // Snake: Liquid! Liquid-Ocelot: I'm off to bury the Patriots for good. // Solidus: You know where they are? How? // Liquid: Why do you think I choose Ocelot as my host? (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Setting Arsenal on a collision-course with New York, Liquid-Ocelot launches RAY into the ocean, followed by Snake.Liquid: Like surfing? It's a good way to go. // Snake: Liquid! Stop this thing! // Liquid: Hey, Snake! You coming? (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

Arsenal comes to a halt in downtown New York, launching Raiden and Solidus onto the roof of Federal Hall.Solidus: Federal Hall! (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Solidus reveals to Raiden his reasons for trying to steal Arsenal: a nuclear electro-magnetic pulse would take down Manhattan's digital infrastructure and allow Solidus to lead it as a republic against the Patriots, a nation of "Sons of Liberty".Solidus: We were going to declare another independence -- the dawn of a new nation -- here. The end of the Patriots' secret rule, liberation of this country -- this was where it was supposed to begin, this is where freedom could have been born. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Likewise the Patriots, via another AI in another Arsenal Gear,Raiden: How is that possible?! The AI was destroyed. // "JFK": Only GW... (Implying that there are other sets of Arsenal and AI. In this case, the speaker is JFK) (Game Script, The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2, Konami, 2002) contact Raiden to reveal the truth of their actions, the AIs being programmed to becoming "digital censors", removing trite and needless information from the electronic world in what they call "Selection for Societal Sanity", or "S3 Plan"."JFK": It's our responsibility as rulers. Just as in genetics unnecessary information and memory must be filtered out to stimulate the evolution of the species. The S3 Plan does not stand for Solid Snake Simulation. What it does stand for is Selection for Societal Sanity. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) However, with such a control over the flow of digital information, they could as easily be manipulating perceived history for the Patriot's needs. Believing the only option available is to track down the Patriots using the information in Raiden's neural implants, Solidus offers his son one final duel.Solidus: I have other reasons for wanting you dead. The clues to the Patriots inside GW have been erased, but there are other traces. Inside YOU. The information is being carried by the nanomachines in your cerebral cortex, and throughout the neural network they formed. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

Raiden defeats Solidus, and as crowds descend upon the wreckage of Arsenal Gear, Snake and Raiden meet one last time, where his mentor informs him that only he can choose what to believe in, and that he must pass on what he believes to be true.Snake: No one quite knows who or what they are. The memories you have and the role you were assigned are burdens you have to carry. It doesn't matter if they were real or not. That's never the point. There's no such thing in the world as absolute reality. We can tell other people about -- having faith. What we had faith in. What we found important enough to fight for. It's not whether you were right or wrong, but how much faith you were willing to have, that decides the future. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) Having planted a tracking device on Liquid-Ocelot's Metal Gear, he and Otacon plan to follow him, and to hunt down the Patriots, whose details were hidden in the GW computer virus disc.Raiden: Do you know where Liquid went? // Snake: I put a transmitter on his RAY. This contains a list of all the Patriots. This virus is coded to destroy only a specific part of GW -- namely the information about the Patriots identity. Which means, that there is a parameter coded in here that defines what that information is. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001) As Snake disappears into the crowd, Raiden is finally reunited with Rose, on April 30, 2009- the 220th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as President of the United States, and the anniversary of Rose and Raiden's first meeting.Rose: Do you remember this place? // Jack: Of course. This is where we first met... I remember now -- Today is the day I met you. That's it. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

In a brief epilogue, Otacon and Snake discuss the decoding of the virus disc, which reveals that all 12 members of the Patriots have been dead for approximately 100 years, and that one of them is a major sponsor of Philanthropy.Otacon: Of course. It contains the personal data of twelve people. There was a name on it -- Snake, it was one of our biggest contributors. They're already dead. All twelve of them. // Snake: When did it happen? // Otacon: Well, ah...about a hundred years ago. (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Konami, 2001)

Excised material According to Hideo Kojima in the documentary Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1, the original plot of the game revolved around nuclear weapon inspections in Iraq and Iran and had Solid Snake trying to stop the Metal Gear while it was located on an aircraft carrier, in a certain time limit, while trying to stop Liquid Snake and his group. However about six months into the project the Middle East began to heat up again and they decided that they couldn't make a game with such a plot. The tanker in the released game is based off of this original plot.

Significant changes to the game's ending were made late in development following the September 11, 2001 attacks attacks in New York, where the finale occurs. A sequence depicting Arsenal Gear's displacement of the Statue of Liberty and crashing through half of Manhattan was removed, as was a short coda to appear after the credits, a breaking newscast showing the Statue of Liberty's new resting place, Ellis Island. At the point where Solidus dies, Raiden was supposed to have cut the rope on Federal Hall's flagpole, causing an American flag to fall over Solidus' body, and American flags which were supposed to be on all the flagpoles in New York were removed from the title.

MGS2 was also intended to reference the novel The New York Trilogy, notably in the naming of its characters. Raiden's support team would originally feature a field commander named Daniel Quinn (who would've been simply referred as the "Colonel" in-game); Maxine "Max" Work, an Asian woman who saves game data and quotes William Shakespeare, and William "Doc" Wilson, the creator of GW. All take their names from key characters in the book, and all three would turn out to be Artificial intelligences. None of these characters survived to the final edition, their roles being absorbed by other characters, namely the "Colonel Campbell" simulation, Rose, and Emma Emmerich. Peter Stillman, however takes his name from another City of Glass character.

Versions and re-releases The Japanese release was held back two weeks following the initial North American release. As a result, the developers added new features and cut scenes, including two new modes: Boss Survival and Casting Theatre (the latter allowed players to select cut scenes and change the character models used). Like the original Metal Gear Solid, a Premium Package of the game was issued in addition to the stand-alone version. The box came with the reversible cover art on the DVD case, a DVD video, an ISO 216-sized pamphlet and a metallic-colored Solid Snake figurine.

The game's original and fitting European release date of February 22, 2002, nearly three months after the other releases, was delayed another two weeks. The added features from the Japanese release were carried over to the European version, along with a new difficulty setting (European Extreme). In addition, the European edition featured a Making Of DVD video by French television production house FunTV. As well as collating all of MGS2's promotional trailers and a Gamespot feature on the title's closing days of production, it featured a documentary filmed at KCEJ West's Japanese studio.

The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 Released on September 12, 2002 in Japan and September 24 of the same year in North America, The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 is an interactive "making of" documentary released for the PlayStation 2. Since it's actually an interactive software and not a documentary in the traditional sense, the player can view all of the polygonal models used for characters, mechanics and areas in the game, as well as listen to the game's soundtrack. The disc also features all of the real time cut-scenes from the game (with the sound effects and voices removed) and their respective storyboards. Other features include special behind-the-scenes footage, all of the game's pre-release trailers, the completed script, Hideo Kojima's original game plan (available only in Japanese, although a fan-translation was made ), the chronicle of MGS2, and a gallery of Metal Gear Solid related products and merchandise. The disc also includes five "VR Training" levels that served as a precursor to Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (see below). Although it did not receive a standalone European release, the disc was packaged in the PAL PlayStation 2 version of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is a multi-platform updated version of the original MGS2 released for the PlayStation 2, as well as the Xbox and Personal computer. The game contains the main Sons of Liberty game with some subtle alterations (including a new infrared effects for the thermal goggles and a new set of dog tags), as well as the inclusion of Boss Survival and Casting Theater modes (neither of which were included in the original North American release).

The main addition of Substance is the inclusion of nearly 500 stand-alone missions (similar to those from Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions) with 300 missions set in a VR environment (including a set of missions played for a first person view) and 200 "Alternative Missions" (including bomb disposal missions) that take places in areas from the main game.In Missions mode, the player can choose between Solid Snake and Raiden, as well as unlock alternate outfits for both (such as Raiden in the Cyborg Ninja exoskeleton and Snake in his original sneaking suit from Metal Gear Solid). Substance also includes five plot-based "Snake Tales" missions starring Solid Snake. Due to the low production value of these missions, there is no spoken dialogue (plots are narrated through on-screen text displayed at key points) and all of the enemies and areas are from the main game (the majority taking place in the Big Shell). Exclusive to the PS2 version is the inclusion of a bonus skateboarding mode, based on the Evolution Skateboarding engine and featuring Snake and Raiden on the Big Shell.

Substance was originally released as an Xbox exclusive in North America on November 5, 2002. The PS2 version was held back until March, 2003 and released alongside the PC version. All three versions of the game were released almost simultaneously in Europe, the PS2 version being bundled with a free copy of The Document of MGS2 to make up for a substantial delay in its release. Substance was released in Japan on December 19 of 2002 for the PS2 only.

Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel 2 In September 2006, an issue of Famitsu contained an interview with Hideo Kojima, wherein he revealed that a second Digital Graphic Novel is in development, based on IDW's MGS2: Sons of Liberty series drawn by Ashley Wood. The Big Shell portion of the graphic novel will be shown from Snake's point of view instead of Raiden's, as confirmed by Ryan Payton in the KP Report. No official date has been set for its release as of yet, however it will ship with an updated copy of the first DGN with full voice acting.

Music Hideo Kojima's choice of composer for Metal Gear Solid 2 was highly publicized in the follow-up to the game's release. Kojima decided upon Harry Gregson-Williams, a Hollywood, Los Angeles, California Film score from Hans Zimmer's studio, after watching The Replacement Killers with sound director Kazuki Muraoka. A Mixtape containing 18 tracks of Gregson-Williams' work was sent to his office. Flattered by the research put into creating the CD (as some of the tracks were unreleased, and that what tracks he'd worked on for some films were undocumented), he joined the project soon after.

In order to bypass the language barrier and allow the score to be developed before the cut-scenes were finalized, Gregson-Williams was sent short phrases or descriptions of the intended action. The resultant themes then shaped the action sequences in return. Gregson-Williams also remixed the original "Metal Gear Solid Main Theme" for use in the game's opening title sequence.

Norihiko Hibino, who had worked on previous Konami games such as Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, was responsible for all of the in-game music. He also worked on the majority of the game's cut scenes, re-orchestrating Gregson-Williams' "Main Theme" remix for use in several sequences.

As with Metal Gear Solid, the cut scene music includes orchestral and choir pieces, while the in-game soundtrack is scored with ambient music. However, the score as a whole incorporates more electronic elements (particularly breakbeat) than its predecessor, in order to reflect the plot's thematic thrust of a machine-dominated society. Rika Muranaka again provided a vocal ending theme, a jazz track entitled "Can't Say Goodbye to Yesterday", sung by Carla White. The game's music was released via 4 CDs: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Original Soundtrack, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Soundtrack 2: The Other Side, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Limited Sorter (Black Edition) & Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Ultimate Sorter (White Edition).

Reception Critical Response As a result of promising trailers and the huge commercial success of its predecessor Metal Gear Solid, there was a high level of anticipation in the gaming community surrounding the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Metal Gear Solid 2 received a large amount of critical and fan praise, maintaining a critical average of 95%, marking it the 4th highest game on the PlayStation 2 and the 14th highest overall at Game Rankings,http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages3/913941.asp while having sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

While critics praised the game's level of graphical detail, in particular the use of in-game graphics to render plot-driving cut scenes, the title's storyline was the source of mixed opinions. The storyline explores many philosophy and cyberpunk themes in great detail, including meme theory, artificial intelligence, information control, conspiracy theory, political and military maneuvering, evolution, existentialism, censorship, the manipulation of free will and the nature of reality. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty. Cyberpunk Review.Artemio Urbina (2002). Metal Gear Solid 2 Ending Analysis. Junker HQ. Retrieved on 21 February, 2007.Chris Zimbaldi (2004). MGS2 Story / Ending / Symbolism Analysis. metalgearsolid.org. Retrieved on 21 February, 2007. While some have praised Hideo Kojima's ambitious script, some even calling it the first example of a Postmodernism video game,Chris Zimbaldi (2005). Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty as a Post-Modern Tragedy. metalgearsolid.org. Retrieved on 21 February, 2007. others considered the plot to be "incomprehensible" and overly heavy for an action game. Some also felt that the lengthy dialogue sections heavily disrupted the gameplay, and that the dialogue itself was overly disjointed and convoluted.http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/metalgearsolid2

However on the British TV show When Games Attack the game was voted to have the worst storyline in computing game history due to in complexity and hardness to understand.

Awards

E3 2001 Game Critics Awards: Best Console Game, Best Action/Adventure Game
E3 2000 Game Critics Awards: Special Commendation for Graphics
Game Informer 2001 Game of the Year."Games of 2001." Game Informer. January 2002: p. 52