Does the Mk22 break Metal Gear?

[substantial_snake]

Opinions?

I recently started playing the PS1 version of MGS1 again and now am sorely missing the Tranquilizer gun (however ridiculous it may be from a real world gun standpoint) from the modern incarnations of the series. This made me wonder weather the gun doesn't completely break every game in the series post MGS1. Ever since its introduction I have almost never used anything else outside of vehicle based specific boss fights where I had to use something else to accomplish the mission. I don't even really feel the need to be stealthy since one shot to the head is all it takes to quickly and silently take down an enemy. I remember the degrading silencer made this a bit more difficult in Peace Walker.. until you upgraded the silencer to increasingly take more shots until it was a non-issue. All the other firearms in MGS have seemed completely useless in comparison to the Mk22 unless you had some overwhelming desire to kill everyone around you, anyone else feel this way?

[Graham Mitchell]

Yeah, I kind of feel this way too. I mean, the game is still fun with the mk22, and using it still has that added dimension where you have to hide the bodies (when you kill them, they just disappear). So, in a way, using the mk22 actually makes things a bit more challenging.

What really breaks the game is the radar, especially when it shows the enemies' cones of vision. Snake eater is the toughest game in the series because it doesn't have that kind of radar.

However, have you tried playing mgs2 WITHOUT the radar? It's bloody impossible.

[Edmond Dantes]

Yes and no. While the Mk22 does make legitimate stealth not necessary, there are still times where its hard to get a shot in without another guard coming to check things out. On top of that, if you're going for a high end-of-game ranking, taking the time to line up every shot to the head is gonna work against you.

IIRC you don't even get the Mk22 on the higher difficulties.