Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis split into two main parts. The first section of the game is called “Tanker” and has Solid Snake infiltrating a US Navy Tanker to track down a new Metal Gear. Aided by Otacon players will need to navigate the Tanker as it is taken over by a hostile force seeking to steal the new Metal Gear the Navy have been working on. This is the shorter of the game’s two main parts and also makes for an excellent tutorial on the game’s main mechanics.
In the Tanker section ofMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyplayers begin with access to a Tranquilizer Pistol, Camera, and Cigarettes. While these items are useful for navigating the Tanker and dealing with threats, Snake will need to add another item to his kit in order to deal with a certain obstacle found below decks. This guide will explain where to find the USP (Universale Selbstladepistole or “universal self-loading pistol”) and where it must be used.
Where to Find the USP
Players will need to head all the way to the ship’s Bridge before they can acquire the USP. To get there, players should head forward and hug the right-hand side from where Snake begins the game to find a door and a staircase. This staircase leads up to an area where a guard is patrolling near a door.
Neutralize the guard with the Tranquilizer Pistol orby choking them out/snapping their neckand head through the door to get inside the ship. Inside the ship, after spotting an enemy soldier via their shadow in a cutscene, players should head down and take out the guard patrolling the hallway at the bottom of this area. Head down the hallway and make it to the far left of the area to find a staircase on the far side to head upstairs.
From here, players should press up against the wall with the camera on it to slide past the camera and make it to another staircase. Up here is Deck D, where players will have to deal with an explosive trap. Go prone to crawl under the lasers and hit the guard with a tranquilizer, before heading to the left to find a staircase leading to the bridge.
After arriving at the Bridge Snake will confirm the ship’s heading and players should then head outside via the door on the left to trigger a boss fight.
This boss fight is against Olga, who will make use of a variety of environmental tricks to disrupt Snake’s aim. Change position behind cover to catch her off guard and keep hitting her with Tranquilizer shots. When she takes cover and shoots the tarpaulin loose, shoot the remaining straps to knock it loose and expose her. When she shoots the light to blind Snake, fire a shot right into the light to break it.
Once Snake has defeated Olga he will be rewarded with the USP. Players can grab ammo for it from the ship’s Bridge on their way back downstairs.
Where to Use the USP
Aside from being excellent as a lethal option for dealing with enemies, the USP also has special utility when navigating the Tanker and is necessary to complete this section of the game. After getting the USP players will need to find their way further down into the ship in and get past several more enemies. Eventually, players will find an area in the depths of the ship that is blocked off by more lasers. Otacon will explain how to disable them by shooting the control unit before noting that the Tranquilizer Pistol doesn’t hit hard enough to break the unit.
If players have acquired the USP, Otacon will state that it should be perfect for breaking the control unit. Players can then take aim and destroy the control units for each of the three laser grids here to open a path forward. Beyond this point players will have to navigate a series of tunnels patrolled by several guards, necessitating good use of the Tranquilizer Pistol and Snake’s unarmed combat skills.
After a bit of navigating Snake will have to fight his way through several armed soldiers, which is easiest to handle using the USP. With quite a few enemies to take down it’s recommended to make good use of cover and aim for the head whenever possible to eliminate them quickly. Once all of them have been dealt with Snake can head into the final section of the Tanker, triggering a cutscene involving Revolver Ocelot. Once Ocelot is done being treacherous, it’s time totrack down Metal Gear Ray and end the Tanker section.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Libertyis available for PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
