Summary
With the increased power and memory of the PlayStation 2, Konami took the boss battles ofMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Libertyto new heights entirely. Not only were they paired up with more cinematic intros and outros, but they also offeredmore compelling and complex battles on the whole. Bomb-defusing, swordplay, blasting knives mid-flight - it all came with visual flair and a wider variety of twists and attack patterns.
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Naturally, picking out the best battles inMetal Gear Solid 2is by no means an easy feat, though each of them has notable upsides. Some, naturally, just have a lot more punch and leave a stronger lasting impression compared to others. So, the question remains: which are the greatest of the bunch, and why?
8Gurlukovich’s Soldiers
It’s a bit of a shame that Snake gets handed the weaker battles in the game, as the assault from Gurlukovich’s Soldiers feels more like a shooting gallery that shoots back. The troops will mix things up with some surprise entrances, but its narrow setting doesn’t really do it any favors.
It’s good training to get used to the first-person aiming mechanics, though one can’t help but feel like it’s a bit of padding to elongate the chapter. There are no bells or whistles to be found with this fight in particular.
7Olga Gurlukovich
Olga is a decent boss to fight. She rambles about her life story during the battle, which is uninteresting to listen to. Still, it does have more than a few interesting tidbits to keep it from being too monotonous. She’ll shine a spotlight to blind the player, obscure her position with a tarp, and can lob grenades.
Sincethe powerful Olgais often running around for cover, there are ample opportunities to shoot her with the tranquilizer gun. Its single-shot capabilities make the battle a little slower and more challenging without making it overstay its welcome. Regardless, there are better fights after this introductory duel.
6Fortune
The fight against Fortune is strange, as she cannot be killed. So, the sole goal of this encounter is to survive. She’ll fire almost randomly if Raiden is not a clear target; shooting her will simply result in the bullets or darts being deflected while she lines up an easier shot.
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It’s better than Olga’s fight because it requires constant vigilancefrom the railgunthat will batter crates and metal, not to mention detonate barrels and even cause parts of the ceiling to collapse. Limited space and a gradual loss of hiding places do make it quite tense.
5Harrier Jet
The Harrier Jet is a tough cookie of a fight, as it has various attack patterns that must be memorized.Pliskin will supply Raidenwith a Stinger, which is essential for this fight, thanks to its homing capabilities.
Compared to the Hind D in the previous game, the Harrier will frequently fly around the map, offering a chance to stock up or fire rockets to chase after it. The whizzing of incoming bombs with seconds to go until impact, combined with bullet showers and its other hit-and-run tactics, all add to the frantic nature of the fight.
4Fatman
Fatman is a big threat. Sliding around on roller skates, it’s not so much his means of an attack proving to be the biggest threat here, though his fully-automatic pistol and head-on collisions will deal a nasty blow. Instead, it’s the explosives he’ll scatter around.
The nearby shelves offer ample cover, but will be home to his bombs he’ll place hastily. Keeping the bomb detector in hand is essential, as it’s all over if the timer hits zero. That’s why it’s just that little bitmore intense than the Harrier: Fatman just refuses to give breathing space.
3Vamp
Players won’t have a lot of space to fight Vamp in. The surrounding waters will drag him under and not let go, but Vamp swims through them seamlessly. Hisfreakish powerscome to shine when he balances atop railings, tossing knives at a frozen Raiden for easy damage. Good thing they can be shot down.
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Vamp’s skittishness and flair for acrobatics make him tough to hit, and the limited space makes the encounter uncomfortably close. Conversely, there remains more than enough room to dodge attacks and reposition oneself in order to sneak in some headshots.
2Solidus Snake
The eldest of the Snake brothers,Solidus Snaketakes things a step further with the last battle. No guns, just swords. That won’t stop him from pulling off some nasty tricks, like firing projectiles and bolting frantically across the rooftop of the New York County Courthouse before dealing a hefty blow. The fiery trails he leaves behind make him even more treacherous to battle.
It should be noted that Solidus will leave his guard open to a few swings from the blade at times. However, once he sheds his armor, he’ll zip around even faster. Well-timed parries and strikes in between his combos and precise kicks will guide a patient and observant player to victory in a befittingly epic finale to the game.
1Metal Gear RAYs
A truly amazing boss battle to almost round off the game, the battle against the army of Metal Gear RAYs is the high-point ofMetal Gear Solid 2’s bosses. Depending on the difficulty, there may be only a trio for the easiest setting,with considerably more on Normal and higher. Water cannons, bullets, and heat-seeking missiles pepper the open, spacious environment on offer, which more than makes up for the lack of places to hide.
Raiden is totally exposed at all times, and there’s nary a moment to rest. The amount of action going on is never overwhelming, yet it’s more than enough to leave a lasting impression in this demanding and impactful endurance round against these mechanical powerhouses.
