Is it the gameplay? the storyline? the type of game it is? What draws me to it is that they made the game cultural, along with the philosophical significance within the game and the storyline in general.
The engrossing story line, the refined gameplay, the high level of interactivity with the environment and characters, the amazing music, the multiple messages the story holds, and of course the cardboard box.
I love good stealth games. I love good humor. Combine those two, add an awesome story and what do you get? Metal Gear fucking Solid.
it was the originality of stealth, that was the first game that had stealth being important. i was very drawn into the first game because of that and the story but every other game after that (besides possibly 3) was boring because of the whole storyline involving the Patriots.