Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

"A view from a person who is new to the MGS series"

Introduction

I would like to start this review off by saying I am completely new to the Metal Gear Solid series. I admit I have rented the original Metal Gear Solid for Playstation once, but by the time i got this game, I really didn't remember a thing. With that said, I would like to point out that this is a STEALTH ACTION GAME NOT A GAME WHERE YOU ARE A GUY WHO WALKS IN AND BLOWS EVERYTHING INTO OBLIVION Which means that for the most part, you will be sneaking around and avoiding the enemy's sight. This could be a great or disappointing experience depending on what type of gamer you are. So let's get on with this review.

Graphics- 10/10

- pixel shading was added
- a slight slowdown outside the tanker level in the rain
- graphics are about the same as those on PS2

OK basically I've summed it up in those 3 lines. Pixel shading was added but did not make a big difference. There is a slowdown but its a minor flaw and really isn't anything to get frustrated over. The graphics haven't changed much and that being said, I really don't think that there is anything wrong with that. Just because it resembles its PS2 counterpart doesn't mean that it's bad. The graphics were excellent, the environments were done well, the characters look good (with some exceptions),nothing to complain about in this area.

Controls- 10/10

First off I am playing this game on the ORIGINAL XBOX CONTROLLER, not controller S, and the controls are done well. It does take time to get used to but just like any game for xbox, after you get used to the controls, the game is a breeze. Once again, nothing to complain about.

Game play- 9/10

- You play this game as Raiden and Snake, unfortunately more Raiden then snake
- no skate boarding
- Number of different moves and actions
- one word: STEALTH

This is ONE of the TWO areas where this game really shines. The number of moves and actions is phenominal. You really get the feel of a stealth game. It's true that the stealth concept is better in Splinter Cell because it is more realistic, but nevertheless, this is excellent. The only complaint I have is the incompetent AI. The AI in this game is pretty bad. They seem to be more like robots then actual people but nevertheless, it really doesn't hinder the overall gaming experience enough to really bring this game down. The other thing is that the gameplay is a bit unrealistic. This is mostly due to the story, but it seems more fantasy than realistic. Don't let my comments about the game play get to you though, despite the minor flaws, this game play IS FUN AND ADDICTIVE.

Story- 1/10

- Constantly refers to events taking place in MGS1
- Too many twists in the plot
- Too much confusion
- Too many love scenes
- More fantasy then reality
- Some of the main bad guys are so ridiculous that you get the feeling that they were put in the story for humorous reasons....(vamp, Fatman, Fortune...etc...)

I don't know where to start on how bad they did this. Well first off lets start with cinematics. This game is like a movie, which i thought was pretty cool, you watch as much as you play. I thought that this was great up until the last few cinematics which were incredibly LONG, BORING, AND GENERALLY SAD. One of the biggest flaws Konami made was the fact that the game was made for those who have already played through MGS1. This game constantly refers to the Shadow Moses Incident which had to do with the events taking place in MGS1. The story was fine at first but it started to get confusing at the end. They do have an actual text manual with in the game talking about the Shadow Moses Incident but its over 130 *short* pages and most people don't feel like waiting there time reading it. Basically the game was fine up until the end portion where the long cut scenes, confusing plot, and fantasy-based storyline took over. Another thing, is the love scenes, I think these were added purposely so that you won't want to save. Every time you go to save your game, your character Raiden ends up having a conversation about love with his girlfriend Rose which can sometimes last up to 15 minutes. They really were better off leaving Rose out of this game.
The main enemies were another thing.....A mad bomber named Fatman, who shaved his head bald, drinks, and runs around on foller blades yelling ''Drink and grow fat'', A vampire from Romania who has a memory problem and forgets that everytime he fights you, he ends up with a bullet in his head, yet he continues to come back, and finally a girl who can dodge bullets or something, it's really very humorous. Anyway this was the only real bad part of the game.

Sound- 10/10

- Good Job on the voices
- Music is fine
- gunfire and explosions sound great

........nuff said

EXTRAS- 10/10 (replay value)

WOAH, OVER 350 VR MISSIONS, 150 ALTERNATIVE MISSIONS, 5 SNAKE TALES, multiple characters.....OHH MY....but on a serious note this is the second spot where the game shines, The extras really add to the Replay value of this game.
Not only is it fun but the 350 VR missions can be used as a form of training to beef up your MGS skills until you're good enough to beat the game in european extreme diffulculty.

Overall Experience (CONCLUSION)- 8/10

- The game is kinda short
- GREAT gameplay
- GREAT extras
- Same graphics as those on PS2
- Good controls
- Good sound
- TERRIBLE Job with the story (unless you have played through MGS1)
- The cinematics can sometimes be too long
- You don't get to play as Snake as much as you would have hoped
- Way to many love scenes especially during codec

RENT OR BUY

BUY ONLY IF OU ARE A METAL GEAR SOLID FAN, if you are a stealth action game fan then you might be better off getting Splinter Cell or both. In my opinion you could spend 10 bucks, rent this game twice, the first time you rent it, beat the game, and the second time you can enjoy the extras. I think 2 weeks is enuff unless you really want to take your time and enjoy every single aspect of this game. Personally I don't think its a waste to buy because it is a fun game with good replay value so it will keep you entertained for some time.

Well this concludes my review, thanks alot for reading.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/01/02, Updated 12/01/02