Metal Gear Solid board game commits a cardinal sin, gets away with it

The absolute worst you can do when creating a tabletop game that is based on an existing video game is porting it directly to the board. The resulting analog adaptations that I’ve played over the years have all been invariably tedious and dull. If I wanted a direct dose of the source material, I’d rather just turn on my PC or game console and plop down on the couch. With great fear, I decided to try out the demo for Metal Gear Solid Board Game at this year’s Gen Con. Turns out my long-held opinion on video game adaptations doesn’t apply here. CMON’s latest effort is both very close to the original and extremely well done.

You can also find out more about the following: Metal Gear Solid Board Game From one to four people can play the 14 mission narrative campaign. Solid Snake is one of the playable characters. Other options include Meryl, Gray Fox and Otacon. It is a game that has been designed to be exciting and fast-paced. Specter Ops Emerson Matsuuchi’s action mirrors that of the popular third-person game. As you sneak into secret military bases, knocking out guards as they stand in your way is the goal.

Photo: Charlie Hall/Polygon

It is this original that has inspired the combat. Metal Gear Solid. Move quickly and you will create noise. This noise can reveal your location. Used to your advantage, it’s a great way to set an ambush. But get sloppy and you’ll have a pile of enemies to deal with and more streaming at you as you move along.

The action then moves into a boss-battle against Revolver ocelot, Sniper wolf, Psycho Mantis and other classic baddies. The game becomes more difficult when you add more players. It gives you more choices for fulfilling your missions, and it makes the game more challenging. There’s a delightful curve to its complexity that I think fans of the source material are really going to enjoy.

Grid View

Of course, it’s the minis that are so appealing. The single piece, hard plastic figures — including the towering Metal Gear itself, available as a pre-order bonus only — are superb. Best of all there’s no crowdfunding campaign to contend with, no laundry list of extra add-on modules to tempt you, and no box bloat to fill your tiny apartment with things you don’t need.

It’s just a long wait. The $110 game won’t be available at retail until May 2024.