METAL GEAR & METAL GEAR 2: Solid Snake similar games & best alternatives

METAL GEAR & METAL GEAR 2: Solid Snake

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2023

Should you play it?

The first and second title in the METAL GEAR series that established the stealth action genre, as well as the basic mechanics of the series.

What works
  • Historically important stealth gameplay
  • Engaging narrative and characters
  • Challenging and rewarding stealth mechanics
  • Nostalgic pixel art and music
  • Included manuals and screenplay add depth
Things to keep in mind
  • Clunky controls and outdated mechanics
  • Excessive backtracking and cryptic puzzles
  • Save system limited to checkpoints
  • Lack of modern quality-of-life features
  • Some frustration due to obtuse design

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty - Master Collection Version

  • METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER

  • Crysis Remastered

  • Another World – 20th Anniversary Edition

  • The spy who shot me™

  • No Sun To Worship

  • The Pony Factory

  • SCP: Fragmented Minds

  • Atomfall
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • The spy who shot me™

  • No Sun To Worship

  • The Pony Factory
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

METAL GEAR & METAL GEAR 2: Solid Snake: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Relaxation.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore levels, solve puzzles, and choose combat approaches, though progression is gated by keycards and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Dino Trauma Dino Trauma

    "Players have freedom to explore, choose stealth approaches, and solve puzzles, though some progression is gated by specific items and trial-and-error."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game requires skillful aiming, stealth, puzzle solving, and quick reactions, especially in boss fights and final levels."

    Capsule for Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency

    "Games require skillful stealth, timing, and puzzle solving; MG2 especially is recognized for its refined mechanics and challenge."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Single-player focused with no mention of multiplayer or competitive elements; players engage at their own pace."

    Capsule for Shrine Shrine

    "Single-player focused with no multiplayer or competitive elements; players progress at their own pace."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    1

    "Some players report returning to the game despite flaws, but many find it quickly boring or frustrating; habitual play is limited."

    Capsule for Ukrainian Ninja Ukrainian Ninja

    "Some players report frustration and backtracking but many persist to complete the games, especially MG2."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Remember Me Remember Me

    "Entirely single-player experiences with no cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can experiment with different stealth tactics and approaches, but within a fixed game structure and predefined levels."

    Capsule for METAL GEAR SOLID - Master Collection Version METAL GEAR SOLID - Master Collection Version

    "Players experiment with different stealth tactics and item usage, though within predefined level designs."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No social or multiplayer dominance elements; gameplay is individual and narrative-driven."

    Capsule for Destroy All Humans! Destroy All Humans!

    "No social or multiplayer dominance elements; gameplay is individual and narrative-driven."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players engage in a dystopian narrative and immersive stealth gameplay, providing distraction and immersion from real life."

    Capsule for Volume Volume

    "Players engage in immersive stealth and story experiences that provide distraction from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no obligation or external pressure to play."

    Capsule for Cold Fear™ Cold Fear™

    "Players choose to play out of interest or nostalgia; no external obligation or pressure noted."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Encourages trying different stealth tactics, combat styles, and puzzle solutions."

    Capsule for 2Dark 2Dark

    "Encourages trying different stealth approaches, item combinations, and puzzle solutions."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploring maps and discovering items and secrets is core to gameplay, though maps are limited in number."

    Capsule for He is Coming He is Coming

    "Exploration of complex maps with backtracking and discovery of hidden items is core to gameplay."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar personalization."

    Capsule for Ori and the Blind Forest Ori and the Blind Forest

    "Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Engages players in a fictional military espionage narrative with cinematic storytelling and stylized characters."

    Capsule for METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES

    "Engages players in a fictional military espionage narrative with imaginative elements and characters."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; strictly solo play."

    Capsule for Outlast 2 Outlast 2

    "No social or community features; strictly solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop stealth skills, puzzle-solving abilities, and learn game mechanics through multiple playthroughs."

    Capsule for Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit

    "Players develop stealth skills, puzzle-solving abilities, and understanding of game mechanics."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; no background or idle play."

    Capsule for The Mummy Demastered The Mummy Demastered

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; no background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social interaction or relationship-building features."

    Capsule for Unstoppable Gorg Unstoppable Gorg

    "No social interaction or relationship-building features."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Axiom Verge Axiom Verge

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players collect keys, clues, and items to unlock new areas and advance the story."

    Capsule for The Inheritance of Crimson Manor The Inheritance of Crimson Manor

    "Players collect items, keycards, and weapons to unlock new areas and advance the story."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Tense stealth gameplay with moments of suspense and challenge; not primarily relaxing or flow-inducing."

    Capsule for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell®

    "Tense stealth gameplay and cryptic puzzles create moments of frustration and challenge."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pixel art and chiptune music offer nostalgic sensory stimulation and emotional enjoyment."

    Capsule for Retro Game Crunch Retro Game Crunch

    "Chiptune music and pixel art provide nostalgic sensory enjoyment, though limited by era."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems present."

    Capsule for AMID EVIL AMID EVIL

    "No social recognition or ranking systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Strong narrative focus with mystery, character development, and plot twists."

    Capsule for Nancy Drew®: Danger on Deception Island Nancy Drew®: Danger on Deception Island

    "Strong narrative focus with plot twists, character development, and lore foundational to the series."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires tactical planning in combat, party building, and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Last Dream Last Dream

    "Requires planning, timing, and tactical thinking to avoid enemies and solve puzzles."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Tension from stealth, boss fights, and survival elements provide suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER

    "Stealth tension and suspense from enemy detection and boss fights create excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    -2

    "Some players feel the price is high for a port of an older game with grindy mechanics; value better on sale."

    Capsule for Digimon World: Next Order Digimon World: Next Order

    "Some players feel the price is high for aged games; others appreciate historical and gameplay value."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    1

    "Combat exists but is a last resort; focus is on non-lethal takedowns and stealth."

    Capsule for Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow

    "Combat exists but is limited and often discouraged; stealth and evasion are emphasized."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid detection and manage limited resources to survive and complete objectives."

    Capsule for No Sun To Worship No Sun To Worship

    "Players must avoid detection and manage limited resources to survive and progress."

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Last update: 01/06/2026