Best order to play the MGS series?

[Gralian]

Quick question; what would you say is the best way to play the Metal Gear Solid games in chronological order? I thought it was "3 -> 1 -> 2-> 4", but i'm wondering whether to just start on 1 first instead. The reason i want to play through them in chronological order is so i can (attempt to) fully understand the story. It should also be noted the only MGS game i've actually managed to complete is the second one, and that was really some time ago, back when it was new out.

 

[Mehall]

Just play them in the order they were created.

Unless you're going to play the original Metal Gear games from NES/MSX as well, then don't worry so much about playing 3 before 1.

 

[Your once and future Fanboy]

Metal gear, metal gear 2 solid snake,mgs 1-3, portable ops, 4.

 

[OceanRunner]

The chronological order goes as follows.
Snake Eater - Potable Ops - Peace Walker - Metal Gear - Metal Gear 2:Solid Snake - MGS - Sons Of Liberty - Rising - Guns Of The Patriots
MG and MG2 are available as part of MGS3:Subsistance

 

[qazmatoz]

True chronological order would be Metal Gear Solid 3, Portable Ops, Peace Walker, Metal Gear 1, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid 1, 2 , then finally 4.

 

[Gralian]

The chronological order goes as follows.
Snake Eater - Potable Ops - Peace Walker - Metal Gear - Metal Gear 2:Solid Snake - MGS - Sons Of Liberty - Rising - Guns Of The Patriots
MG and MG2 are available as part of MGS3:Subsistance

Thank you, i didn't expect the handheld games in the list (or if they were even part of the chronology) but this is very helpful, cheers.

 

[Zanaxal]

If i could choose i would play through MGS 3 first. I think it would be easier to familiarize one self to the characters + story and i think is easier then MGS 1 and 2 for new players, due to the fact that 90's games weren't made for those of poor gaming ability. A easy thing to point out would be the infinite enemy spawners, making you actually having to run in hide or be like a sole MARINE vs a Zergling RUSH (SC 2 in 1 Day woohoo)

MGS 1 is a bit floaty/iffy on the whole story subject, wanting you to be confused about mostly everything iirc. As you are a fresh "grunt/specop" soldier in that game, so it's quite hard to fathom for the untrained in the ways of MGS I remember my first playthrough takign over 2 weeks. My pc playthrough after mgs1,2,3 1hr30mins?

MGS 2 is much like mgs 1. But well as a continuation of the story.

MGS 4? Well skip ALOT of the cutscenes, Specially whenever you see DREBIN.

 

[jeejvebe]

http://www.gametrailers.com/game/metal-gear-retrospective/6748

 

[Woodsey]

True chronological order would be Metal Gear Solid 3, Portable Ops, Peace Walker, Metal Gear 1, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid 1, 2 , then finally 4.

No wonder even Kojima doesn't know what's going on...

 

[peduncle]

having never played, i would say logically: 1,2,3,4... but i've heard that it really isn't all that logical anyway...