March 4th for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Konami of Europe confirms PAL release date for Hideo Kojima’s jungle-based stealth classic
Konami of Europe has confirmed that the eagerly awaited Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - the latest creation from legendary designer Hideo Kojima - will be released on March 4th.
The release date will delight fans of the series and will allow European gamers to enjoy the latest and greatest addition to the classic Metal Gear Solid franchise. Set in the 1964, the game utilises a Cold War setting, with series hero Snake using weapons of the era as he attempts to rescue a defecting scientist. Tying up all the loose ends from previous games, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater also moves the game into more dangerous territories, using jungle and barren cave settings as opposed to the urban locations of its predecessors.
The new locations throw up a wealth of new gameplay challenges, with which Kojima tests the player. The rustling of leaves is enough to warn a guard of Snake's location, while natural hazards such as quicksand, crocodiles and snakes are additional problems for Snake to contend with. But the lush locations also throw up additional possibilities and Snake can capture snakes and throw them at unwary guards, or can hide in hollow trees to evade capture.
Similarly, Kojima's new 'Camouflage Index' idea maximizes the jungle locale and lets players change Snake's costume and face paint to match the surrounding area and help hide from guards. The anti-hero is also now adept at CQC (Close Quarters Combat) system, which gives the player access to a range of new, offensive moves. This new system facilitates the most advanced hand-to-hand combat techniques in the series to date, with Snake using guards as shields, throwing them or squeeze information from them.
The confirmation of the March 4th release date follows the recent news that the European versions of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will feature new extras over the US and Japanese version, full details of which will be disclosed soon.
"This is the date Metal Gear Solid fans have been waiting for," commented Kunio Neo, President for Konami of Europe. "We are delighted to be able to offer European players the chance to play a version of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater that has a number of new elements over the US and Japanese games, and are certain that the new jungle environments and gameplay features will delight fans of Snake's stealth missions. It represents a new high for the series, and we have very high hopes for the latest stunning game from Hideo Kojima."
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will be released for PlayStation 2 on March 4th. For more information, please contact Steve Merrett at Lunch PR on 020 7633 0694 or email steve@lunchpr.com.
About METAL GEAR®
The Metal Gear® franchise is over 16 years old with the first Metal Gear® release debuting in Japan in 1987. The series centered on the adventures of secret agent Solid Snake and was consistently recognized for its new and original game design combined with a story full of plot twists and intricate human drama. In 1998, Konami introduced Metal Gear Solid® for the Sony PlayStation® game console, which was instantly noted for its stunning graphics, original narrative style and superlative gameplay. Metal Gear Solid® earned widespread critical acclaim and defined a benchmark of quality in the action genre. Building on the precedent set by the top-selling original title, Metal Gear Solid®2: Sons of LibertyTM was released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation®2 with overwhelming praise from gamers and industry pundits worldwide, selling over 2 million units in the U.S. and over 5 million units worldwide. In 2002, Konami released, Metal Gear Solid®2: SubstanceTM, the expanded edition of Metal Gear Solid®2: Sons of LibertyTM, for the Xbox®, PlayStation®2 and PC DVD-ROM with much fan fare. In 2003, the amazing storyline and world of Metal Gear Solid® combined with the graphics and gameplay of Metal Gear Solid®2 to create Metal Gear Solid® The Twin SnakesTM for Nintendo GameCubeTM. In 2004, Hideo Kojima takes the tactical espionage action genre that the Metal Gear® series defined to a completely new direction in Metal Gear Solid®3: Snake EaterTM for the Sony PlayStation®2.