This page needs images of controls for the Windows from the controller buttons category to make learning the controls easier. If a set of controller button images is available, please add them. If a set of controller images isn't available, it might need to be brought up on the forums.
Metal Gear Solid 2's controls may not seem entirely logical at first, especially not to those who are new to the series. With time, though, the controls will get easier. It just takes practice.
| PlayStation 2 | Xbox | Description |
|---|---|---|
| | | Moves your character around. The further you move the stick, the faster you move. Try not to run on noisy surfaces (like metal grating) - walking slowly will prevent your footsteps from making noise and alerting nearby guards. While crouched, this causes you to crawl. |
| | | While against a wall, this will pan the camera around. |
| | | Crouches/stands up. |
| | | Executes a punch combo attack. |
| | | Fires your current weapon, throws grenades/empty clips, places C4/dirty magazines. See Weapons for more details. |
| | | Your all-purpose Action button. Climbs ladders, jumps up small ledges (when next to them), and opens lockers and some doors. |
| | | Enters First-Person View. During cinemas, this zooms the camera in. |
| | | Hold to open the Weapon Menu. Press to equip/unequip the last weapon you had out. |
| | With your weapon raised, hold this button to lock on to the nearest enemy. Handy for alert situations, but otherwise it's easier to manually aim. | |
| | | Hold to open the Item Menu. Press to equip/unequip the last item you had out. |
You can do quite a lot of damage without weapons. You can choke enemies to knock them out, snap their necks, or just beat them up if you need to make a quick getaway.