By David Craddock

Konami has officially announced that [i]Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater[/i], the latest in the long line of highly successful MGS titles, is now available in stores nationwide. Taking place several decades before the first two installments, [i]MGS 3[/i] takes place in the 1960s and Cold War, specifically.

While it will involve a weapon of mass destruction similar to the first two, survival and stealth are the focus more than ever before. Players must maintain their stamina by eating various animals found in the wilderness; some will agree with Solid Snake, and some will not, causing him to become ill.

Perhaps the most widely-advertised feature is the next camoflauge system. Using a variety of clothing and face paint, players must maintain a “camo index,” which is a percentage from 1 to 100. The higher the percentage, the better chance the player has of successfully hiding from his enemies, thus giving Snake the advantage in stealth combat.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a PlayStation 2 exclusive. It is rated “M” for Mature and will retail at $49.99.