Latest 'Metal Gear' a must-have for latest PlayStation

Solid Snake is back, and that's excellent news for action game fans.

Snake, bandanna firmly tied around his forehead, bears one of the most revered names in gaming history as the raspy-voiced hero of the "Metal Gear" series.

The latest, "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty" for PlayStation 2, is the best yet and a solid candidate for the best title of the year.

"MGS2," developed by Konami, has our hero infiltrating both a storm-tossed freighter and a factory in his hunt for the latest weapon.

It sounds like pretty standard fare, but the details programmed in by game designer Hideo Kojima and his crew are what make this game a winner.

As with previous "Metal Gear" titles, Snake usually is best served by sneaking around and avoiding his enemies, although you can get into as many firefights as you want.

The controls let you crawl on the ground or slide along walls, your back pressed to the paint. Push a shoulder button and you are peeking around corners, locating those enemies before they find you.

This time around, you also can hang from ledges and do an emergency roll to escape enemy fire.

Snake collects a huge arsenal, but his most useful weapon might be a converted pistol that fires tranquilizer darts. One dart and the target is in dreamland for the rest of the game.

Once down, Snake can drag his victim off to hide him in a locker or behind a box. He can even toss him overboard if necessary. Remember to collect your target's dog tags; they pay off later in the game.

Don't think for a minute that Snake can't trade lead with the best. However, in "MSG2" his opponents are wily and dangerous. The enemy AI (artificial intelligence) is designed to track you down relentlessly, hunting you until you either wipe out the bunch on your tail or find a good place to hide.

There's a small on-screen map of the immediate area, which lets you see enemy soldiers, along with a small green fan of light in front of each that shows what that soldier can see. If it turns yellow, they are suspicious. If it's red, prepare to duck. To add to your woes, when things turn red, the radar disappears, so you're fighting in the dark.

The boss levels also are a treat. There's a spectacular battle with a Harrier jump jet which you'll remember for a long time.

Graphics get an enthusiastic A. The treats start with the first scene, as Mr. Snake (or may I call you Solid?) sneaks around the rolling deck of a darkened freighter. The effect of falling rain and buffeting wind makes you feel like you are standing in a storm. Rain on glass is so realistic you'll be looking for the windshield-wiper switch. Tasty little details abound, weapons effects are perfect, and every explanatory cut scene is an absolute delight. This game is almost as much fun to look at as it is to play.

Sound is another A. Excellent musical selections, great weapons effects and one of the best collection of voices and acting I've experienced make the game a delight for the ear as well as the eye.

Control offers the only fly in Solid Snake's ointment, and I give it a B. Problems occur in trying to use the delicate targeting system, and with camera angles that don't always show you what you want to see. On top of that, you're stuck with the button layout Konami thinks you should have.

Despite the control problems, this game is a solid A and one of the best I've played this year. If you're old enough and love action, this is a game you have to have.