Yes I know the score it got but I say underappreciated because people say it's the worst entry in the series, when really there is no worst entry; they are all masterpieces. When the original MGS came out I was floored by the entire experience, but when the game ended I felt horrible but also up lifted by the ending (yes I saved Meryl the first time through.) The main thing was I didn't want it to end. For the longest time I wasn't sure if Kojima would make another game, I mean the part after the closing credits was open ended enough but I was still paranoid. Finally once PS2 came out the news hit, I was so excited I couldn't breathe. Well it was one of the first games I got for my new (at the time) PS2 and God was I impressed. I felt totally swept away just like the first game. I won't lie, the entire first half of the big shell scenario I was waiting to start playing as Snake. And I was as disappointed as everyone else he was only playable for the first 6th of the game, but after a while I got over it. I thought hey, it's Kojima's game he can make it how he wants and I still was totally engrossed in the story (even more so than the first entry) and I felt Raiden wasn't so bad. The main thing about Raiden is this; he (for the most part) is like you and me; thrown into an incomprehensible situation and I think the team did a damn good job at showing what a normal persons reaction would be to these events. Plus like I said before it's Kojima's game (a great one at that) and he can play things out as he sees fit; which makes Raiden's character all the more important to the Metal Gear story. Well enough about Raiden let's talk about the gameplay. In many ways this game is just as influential as it's predecessor. The introduction of the tranquilizer darts and collecting dog tags are pure genius, they give the player something else to think about and something to collect while playing the game. Just like Devil May Cry, MGS2 was basically a launch game for the PS2 and let me say that even very late PS2 titles strive to look as good as MGS2. The graphics are obviously a huge improvement over the originals and the sound is no slouch either. Once again David Hayter returns along with most of the other cast from the first game. And the score is beyond outstanding; Harry Gregson Williams outdoes himself and creates the best score the gaming world has ever seen (still hearing it gives me goosebumbs.) The camera is still an overhead view which can be problematic for some, but once you get used to it things aren't so bad. Once again the weapons are all realistic US and Soviet military weapons so seeing them in action is cool and all of the guns are well placed throughout the long story. After you get by the camera, the controls are very well placed and it will only take you a few seconds to figure everything out. As far as perfection goes MGS2 is right at the top of my list along with the other MGS, Zelda and DMC games. This one shouldn't be missed.
