So I got a hold of this game and I have previously played Guns of the Patriots and the Metal Gear Solid for the Playstation. The problem is I only played the early part of Snake Eater. So my question is how vital is Snake Eater in playing this game story-wise?

Well, 4 explains a shit tonne from both 2 and 3, so you should probably just buy the HD pack and play them both.

Not all that vital, honestly. You could understand MGS4 perfectly fine without ever playing Snake Eater.

@RedCream: You should just play Snake Eater anyway, it's an awesome game.

Of course not, but of course it is.

You only need 1 and 2 for 4. But play 3 anyways, I'll stand by saying that it's the best game in the series. Yes, I prefer it over 4.

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

Not all that vital, honestly. You could understand MGS4 perfectly fine without ever playing Snake Eater.

Well said.

@RedCream: They talk about it on this weeks bombcast. The story from the game is really well done and it does give you some insight to how Big Boss made the decisions he did. Just the in game systems for eating and injuries can get really monotonousness.

I think you should play 3 before 4. A lot of the talk about Big Boss, Zero, Big Mama, etc, will be lost on you if you don't play Snake Eater before Guns.

Yes, if only because MGS3 is the best game in the series.

Yes, play it before 4. It's just as important to the overall story of the Metal Gear franchise as MGS1 and MGS2.

MGS3 is probably the best in the series and I'd argue that MGS4 is the least stand alone. Instead of being a sequel to just 2, it is a sequel to 1, 2 and 3, There are many things In 3 it tries to wrap up along with plot threads from 1 and 2. It's kind of its greatest strength and biggest weakness.

Without watching 3 the ending 4 makes less sense. That is to say less than zero. Which is what it is returning to. Not one.

Well if your like me your not going to remember all that crazy story anyway but you should play it cause it's a good game. Also i heard that HD version is pretty sweet.

Snake Eater is like, the '' origin '' of the story. That's where everything basically begun. You should definitely play it, but the controls are fucking terrible and archaic. Control-wise, the 3ds version is the best one, if you don't mind jittery framerate.

Probably. I played MGS 4 first, and had no idea what was going on. I've just beat MGS 2 and have started 3 also... and honestly, I still have no idea what is going on. But it's looks cool and the games are fun.

Okay duders thanks for the response! Guess I'll just save up for the HD Collection.

Yeah I'm gonna go grab that HD Collection as well. MGS3 was fucking awesome! Its still probably my favourite of the series.

I don't know how anyone can say playing MGS3 isn't important in order to understand 4. It's pretty much essential.

The entire MGS series should be played in the order of release because each game builds on the plot and themes established in the previous one.

Yes, because it's the only game i like in the series. So if a guy who's not a fan loved it, imagine how you would feel.

I would play through all of them to get maximum enjoyment out of it. I love every game in the MGS series and it's probably my favorite game series ever.

Make sure you play the Subsistence version of Snake Eater (the one found in the HD collection) because it replaces the fixed camera with a controllable 3rd person camera, which makes the game way better.

Do it. It's a good game, plus the story is good and if you're into Metal Gear you should check it out.

Required.... vital? Maybe not.... Maybe. But Snake Eater is the best MGS game (in my opinion), and it will definitely give you a better grasp of what is going on as well as a greater appreciation of the backstory. So with that said, yes, it is vital you play it, because it is a great game with a great story and great characters.

Yeah, you definitely should. You won't grasp the importance of most of the characters' actions without experiencing the full breadth of 3's story.

I would play MGS3 just because it's a great game. I highly recommend the HD Collection if possible, otherwise look for MGS3: Subsistence. The camera options in that version are better.

@AlexW00d said:

Well, 4 explains a shit tonne from both 2 and 3, so you should probably just buy the HD pack and play them both.

This.

I'd say that it isn't necessary, but it will fill in a lot of stuff that you wouldn't know otherwise.

Or you could just read this, in the order posted. That will fill you in on EVERYTHING up to this point.

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Virtuous_Mission

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Operation_Snake_Eater

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/San_Hieronymo_Takeover

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Peace_Walker_Incident

(Space saved for Ground Zeroes)

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Outer_Heaven_Uprising

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Zanzibar_Land_Disturbance

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Shadow_Moses_Incident

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Big_Shell_Incident

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

Not all that vital, honestly. You could understand MGS4 perfectly fine without ever playing Snake Eater.

This.

@AlexW00d said:

Well, 4 explains a shit tonne from both 2 and 3, so you should probably just buy the HD pack and play them both.

and this.

In all honesty, both answers are valid. You don't HAVE to play 3 before playing 4 but it will give you a broader understanding of the plot points. From what I remember MGS 4 references MGS 3 quite a lot not to mention that there is a major character in both games.