Pros: The graphics are newer, the surprises are abundant, the gameplay is renewed.
Cons: The controls sometimes are iffy, the acting is offbeat, the story isn't quite as compelling
The bottom line: Silicon Knights makes a worthy entry to the Metal Gear Series. Newer players must not miss this game. Fans of the series- prepare to be a bit skeptical.
Solid Snake, a name clearly remembered and praised by fans of the action/stealth genre in gaming is appreciated as much as Mario is to the platforming world, as is Cloud to the RPG genre fans. Many people were awed in 1998 with the approach of a game that redefined the meaning of blockbuster hits. For that game was considered Metal Gear Solid, a game that most program designers and critics had once used as an example toward excellent game programming. The game made it such a success that it was put on the top 10 list of the most inspiring games ever created. Founded on the PSX, it skipped its entry to the N64 during the last generation console wars.
2004, Nintendo was fortunate enough to reclaim a game that had not seen a light of day on their consoles since the NES days, three consoles behind and over a decade and a half ago. But, instead of making an entirely new chapter in the Metal Gear series, Konami decided to recreate the game under the party of Silicon Knight. Their intention, to make the game actually appear as envisioned by Mr.Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid.
And so, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes was made. Every inch of every section has been re-rendered. Every cutscene restored, and every member involved with what had happened in Alaska had been remade, looking better than ever.
The new chapter in the series contains all members involved with the Metal Gear conspiracy; from Liquid Snake and Vulcan Raven, to Psycho Mantis and my favorite person Hal "Otacon" Emmerich.
With the restored graphics, Silicon Knights added newer means of play, blending all abilities found in MGS:Sons of Liberty within Twin Snakes, allowing Solid to do anything from hanging to ledges to collecting dog-tags. Possibly, they were trying to make the perfect game as a tribute to the Metal Gear Solid Fans.
Well, at least an almost perfect tribute. For, the game is a classic, but due to a few mishaps, the game is unfortunately not considered as much a masterpiece as the PSX version was. This approach just made people ponder, is it worth actually purchasing? I will say, it is mainly up to you. I cannot say yes, yet I cannot permit anyone to miss the experience. Frankly, rent first before buying.
Allow me to break through criticizing every aspect of the game.

Graphics: 4
The graphics are marvelous, the gameplay framerate runs substantially fluent. Every particle of the nuclear base looks aspiring, from the vast white fields of snow when Solid confronts FoxHound, to the factory where he meets up with Liquid Snake during the tense and thrilling final confrontation.
Albeit, the games graphics are one of the most impressive scenes that I have seen in a Gamecube title, the CGs are a different topic. The lip sync for one, is very off, as their mouths move awkwardly, not fitting with the moods expressed upon their faces. The voice acting is not as compelling as was once during the 1998 entry. And, during a few of the cutscenes there are moments of major slowdown. I know that CGs don't mean anything to most games. But for Metal Gear Solid, CGs are the most important things of this game. Thats why its Metal Gear Solid. It's kinda like how Die Hard and The Matrix are without the special effects, they would just be boring movies of incoherent talking. The CG's help tell the story, and with CGs like these, the story seems not as well conceived as once before.
Gameplay: 5
Still some of the best six hours I have ever spent playing a game. The stealth is all in tact, and at times, easier than other stealth games of these days. There is a first person perspective that makes the game even easier to the point of ruin, because all you do is point and aim. The enemies were designed to be played against during the overhead view of solid, not through the first-person perspection. So, obviously the AIs move in a set pattern, and are dumbed-down just a bit. Even with Revolver Ocelot(the hardest man in the PSX version), I found the battle to be entirely easy.
Besides collecting dogtags, Silicon Knights threw in little extras to show their appreciation toward Nintendo. Not only in some CGs are little events added (portraits behind Psycho Mantis are alive casting expressions as the people within the pictures are considered descendants to the pictures found in Harry Potter films), but easter eggs galore are found, anywhere from figurines of Yoshi placed on isolated terminal desks, to posters of Mario placed in a few lockers.
All, in all, the newer gameplay is neat and creative. But it lessens the reality of Metal Gear Solid, yet I cannot deny that it is fun and addictive.

Sound: 4
The score, orchestrated by the composer for such films as the Rock and the game Halo 2, offered his score once more to the game. The music sounds better, the events sound more intense, and the natural effects sound even more real. From the slushing of Solid Snakes feet mushing into the thick snow, to the clear sounds of his AK47 blazing, it sets the mood quite well. All in surround sound.
However, as before, the voice acting is not as good. While the voices sound great in Dolby Surround, the acting is not as well paced. Some actors sound too hesitant and rushed, while others seem uncontent. Ninja, Psycho Mantis, Otacon, and Big Boss do well. But as for Solid Snake and Meryl, well... that's another story. And what the heck happened with Mei Leng? She does not sound like as inciteful, and witty, as she charmingly once had.
Case in being, I presume that Silicon Knights was rushed with this one. However, they did a real well job, yet it failed to shadow over their previous masterpiece "Eternal Darkness" in the sound department.

Replay: 4
I would give it a five, but this is the same old game that fans have played and beaten five years ago. I could see five or tens trips through the game. But not nearly as many as the hundred times I played through the original. If you are new to the Metal Gear world, then have at it! You will probably play this game dozens of times, if not hundred.

Overall: 4
This is a great game, do not get me wrong about my review. This game makes the Playstation entry graphically look horrendous. Newer material is added to the game to warrant a great moment witnessing the game at play. And many people will probably not regret purchasing this game. I do encourage most people to buy this game. However, due to acting, and some graphical and gameplay issues, I do not find this game to be as memorable as its predecessor. Not revolutionary in anyway, but an overall great experience and a worthy installment to add to any Gamecube collection. Silicon Knights, you've done a superb job.