Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection

"A Definite Ten"

"A Definite Ten"

Metal Gear Solid. Spanning over a decade, the series has revolutionized the way that games are played. It wouldn't be a stretch to consider the series the first stealth game, and it is almost certainly one of the best. So I was overjoyed to find a collection of all the Playstation and Playstation 2 games in the series, released under the name Metal Gear Solid: The Essentials Collection. As such, I was eager to get back into the game. But now, I will review each game separately, as they should be. My final score, however, is not an average of the scores, but an overall score to be taken in consideration seperately.

To Start: Metal Gear Solid, the game that started it all.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics of Metal Gear Solid were some of the best of it's time. Featuring some of the most detailed bodies and faces during gameplay (And not in CG cutscenes) that I'd seen. The only problem I faced with the games graphics was the bad habit of static objects to occasionally “jump” in place, and moving. But, it's so minor, it barely deserves mention. Still, it's what causes graphics to receive a nine.

Sound: 10/10

Music in MGS was brilliant. No matter what I was doing, from fighting off waves of foes to sneaking through a ventilation shaft, the music of the game always matched the mood of the scene. What's more, it enhanced and helped make the game flow. Thus music receiving a ten.

Story: 10/10

Honestly, this is the essential part of MGS that made the game what it is today. Pitting Snake against a potential Nuclear Winter, you struggle through a bog of mystery and betrayal. With it's emotional cutscenes and heartfelt characters, MGS's story is one of the best I've seen.

Replay Value: 10/10

Another essential part of MGS is the replay bonuses. Featuring multiple endings, replaying is a must to see what could have happened. Also, replaying gives you the ability to use bonus items unlocked at the game's end.

Controls: 9/10

Another important part of a game is it's controls. While a bad control scheme can ruin a game, in the case of Metal Gear Solid it made the experience oh so much better. The button layout seems natural and thought out, and lets you use your deadly skills extremely easily. The only fault with the controls is the lack of a proper first person view to aim from.

Overall: 10/10

By combining the best graphics, audio, and story of it's time, MGS easily earns a 10/10 from me.

Section 2: Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, follow up to the critically acclaimed hit.

Metal Gear Solid Two: Substance, the special edition of MGS2 and one of the most plot rich of the games. I won't spoil it too much, but I may reveal something minor. So readers beware.

Graphics: 10/10

Once more, MGS delivers some of the best graphics of the game's time. Sure, compared to today's standard, they're lacking, but for it's release, it was very detailed. Which is why it deserves a ten.

Sound: 10/10

Possibly one of the best soundtracks to ever be featured in a game, MGS2's theme is filled with emotion, as are all it's other songs. From beginning to end, you will feel as if the game was made for the music, and that, to me, is a very good thing.

Story: 10/10

This is not a story for the weak minded. Filled with dramatic plot twists and surprises, it'll keep you on your toes from start to finish, complete with freaks of nature, and, of course, ninjas. Lots and lots of ninjas.

Replay Value: 10/10

Metal Gear Solid Two has perfect replay value. Featuring a challenging, fun, bonus item system, MGS2 will keep you playing for days and days.

Controls: 8/10

Sadly, controls in Metal Gear Solid 2 are a big problem. The only one, but a big one none the less. While your average functions, such as moving, aiming, and shooting, are fine, it's the camera controls that really bother me. It remains the same as MGS1's camera, with the cinematic top down view. It DID, however, give us a full functioning fist person view.

Overall: 9/10

Metal Gear Solid Two managed to wrap everything good up about one and improve it all tenfold. Unfortunately, the controls, being the most important part of the game, were not upgraded at all. This lowered Metal Gear Solid Two's overall score.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Naked Snake's legacy.

Ah, Subsistence. The most recent console version of MGS, It lives up to the others completely, perhaps even more. By some, it is considered to be the best of all the games so far.

Graphics: 11/10

Just joking, but they are extremely well done. Zooming in as close as you can shows minuscule detail that you couldn't even imagine. Glowing mushrooms and lights add to the environment. And, best of all, faces and hands that have separately moving fingers and eyes that are “set” in the head, not textured on.

Sound: 9/10

While the music in MGS3 is some of the best, I find the lyrical pieces to be superficial and aren't as fitting as in past titles. But don't let this discourage you from listening to the pieces. They may not fit in well, but they ARE well composed and made.

Story: 7/10

Here I take my real issues. While at first it seems to be a very good, MGS2-par story, later it takes it's fall. The entire game is filled with predictable turns, and barely ever surprised me. Most startling is the almost complete lack of noticeable character development. Sure, it was there, but it was subtle to the point of being negligible.

Replay Value: 10/10

For once, three actually stands up to two and one on something. Featuring some of the best bonuses I've seen in the series, all it takes is a replay. Replays are essentially.....well, essential.

Controls: 10/10

The BEST part of the game. The control system, as far as the camera, has been COMPLETELY revamped. Allowing full 3D camera controls and the ability to switch to the old camera, this is a huge advance. This, along with the same classic, comfortable, game controls, makes them all the better.

Overall: 9/10

While Metal Gear Solid Three: Subsistence managed to combine most of what makes a perfect game, it fell short in the all important aspects of story and music, bringing it down to nine.
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Final Review:

So, this is the end of the review. While Metal Gear has continued to preform well in almost every category, it still has it's flaws. But, these flaws are what make the game fun and different. Thus, I conclude my review by rewarding the Metal Gear Solid: Essentials Collection with a perfect ten, for bringing one of the best game series out there into one cheap, and stylish box.

So, as to whether you should rent or buy: Definitely buy it. It may not be available for long, and it's the last chance to get the entire series in one set before the fourth arrives. Now get it before it's too late!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/10/08

Game Release: Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection (US, 03/18/08)