Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is the fourth entry in Konami's Metal Gear series and continues to follow the exploits of Solid Snake, a legendary mercenary who's already foiled three devious and bizarre plots involving various incarnations of Metal Gear, a bipedal, nuclear-capable robot whose existence threatens to destabilize an already jittery near-future world. In Metal Gear Solid 2, Solid Snake is working for a fringe group known as Philanthropy, an organization devoted to the destruction of Metal Gear projects around the world. Thanks to the fallout from Snake's previous mission on Shadow Moses Island, any country with a decent bankroll now has access to Metal Gear technology. To combat this problem, the Marines have developed a new Metal Gear, known as Metal Gear Ray. Snake's mission is to infiltrate a tanker headed out to sea and obtain proof of the existence of this new Metal Gear, while keeping out of sight in the process.

Things soon take a turn for the worse as a rogue group of Russian soldiers take control of the tanker and its precious cargo. And thus begins Metal Gear Solid 2's plot, which features a cast of characters, new and old, wrapped around a core that is part military techno-thriller, part comic book heroics, and in keeping with the Metal Gear Solid tone, part philosophy.

Infiltration and stealth are of key importance to a successful mission, but there are also ample opportunities to cause death and destruction. The environments in Metal Gear Solid 2 are more interactive than its predecessor, as weapon fire damages windows and knocks items across the room. More precise sharp shooting is not only possible in this sequel, but also necessary at times. Of course, well-considered strategies and careful, stealthy execution are absolutely crucial to success. ~ Jon Thompson, All Game Guide