Stealth and alert levels
How patrols, distractions and the alert cycle work in the original Metal Gear Solid.
Original Metal Gear Solid campaign. Not The Twin Snakes. Konami’s Master Collection manual is used for shared mechanics; button mappings vary.
Watch before you move
In infiltration mode, guards generally follow a patrol route and react to both sight and sound. Observe a complete pass before crossing a corridor. Our suggested approach is to identify the destination and the place you will retreat to before stepping out.
Use a distraction deliberately
Snake can knock while pressed against a wall. A nearby guard may leave the patrol route to investigate the sound. Use the opening to move elsewhere; remaining beside the noise makes the distraction work against you. First-person peeking also lets you inspect the space beyond cover.
Break contact, then stay hidden
Being seen triggers alert mode. Once the enemy loses sight of Snake, a countdown leads into evasion, during which guards search for him. Wait for the search to finish before assuming normal patrols have resumed. A quiet corner is a better place to reassess than the corridor where you were first detected.
Treat a failed attempt as reconnaissance: remember which sightline or sound exposed you, then change that one part of the route.