Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

"Snake is back!With upgrades!"

If anyone remembers the Metal Gear hype from last year,you have probably played MGS2 at least once.This port is fresh from Konami,with a ton of new add ons and touch ups,it plays like the original,and is as interesting as ever.If you're a Metal Gear vet like me though,youve probably played the heck out of the first one.But if you haven't,be prepared for one amazing game...

Story 10/10:In my opinion the best aspect or this game besides the gameplay.This story begins 5 years after the events on Shadow Moses island in Metal Gear Solid.The legendary Solid Snake is infiltrating an Oil Tanker to recover evidence to bring the Metal Gear project to the public.From there the plot twists and turns,at times leaving you speechless or even breathless with characters and events that you will remember and love (or hate) for a long time to come.A truly monumental story worthy of a great Novel.

Graphics10/10:The graphics are once again masterfully done,and with the Xbox port are upgraded slightly from the PS2 version.Serene scenery at every angle,from the docks of the tanker to the depths of...the place that I cant tell you about,the game is dazzling in the graphics department in so many ways.You will feel as though you are Solid Snake infiltrating the enemy installation.My only gripe about the graphics is the small amount of slowdown that can occasionally creep up,but other than that,it's perfect.

Sound/Music 10/10:One of the best soundtracks I've heard in videogame comes to life with dolby digital 5.1 support from the Xbox,and even sounds better if youre playing it on the same T.V as you played the PS2 version.The all star cast of Davd Hayter and Cam Clarke all the rest stil sound as great as ever,with those classic lines that are now forever etched into your brain(''Why cant I die!!!!'',I love it!)and the you can't go wrong with the renditions of the metal gear theme and such.A beautiful orchestra awaits you with the sound an music in this game.

Gameplay 10/10:The gameplay is the classic stealth that we all know and love.The basics once again are shooting,sneaking,and hiding to avoid enemy guards in the vicinity.The absolute love I have for the gameplay here I just cannot express.All from picking off guards from a distance,coming from behind and snapping a guards neck,holding up a guard for his loot,it's all here and it's awesome.The V.R. missions will replace sleeping in your schedule simply for the staggering number of missions and the time it takes to master them.You will want to get 100% and getting that extra 1% will reel you in lik so much bait.It will hook you in making you play it over and over,and just won't let go.

Funfactor/Replay 10/10:If you thought the replay value was through the roof in MGS2:Sons of Liberty,then you are going to go nuts at all of the extras that this game has to offer.100's of VR missions and alternate story missions await you.A great story and so,so many alternate missions make this a must have if you haven't played it on the PS2.

Control 8/10:The control is modified from the original,with a few sifferent schemes,but not really to worry they all play fine,exept to the people who were in love with the PS2 controller.

Extras to Xbox version:150 alternate missions,300 V.R. missions,5 ''snake tales''and all of the extra items from the PS2 version.(Can anyone tell me why we were promised skateboarding and it not showing up?)Photo galleries to unlock and a cutscene casting doohickey make the game insanely replayable.

Overall 10/10:This game is all of the suberb gameplay,story,and quality that yo could come texpect from Hideo Kojima and his magical band of videogame miracleworkers.If you are an Xbox owner that hasn't played this game yet,please at least give it a rent,you will not be dissapointed.Have fun!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/30/02, Updated 02/06/03