Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (360, PS3) Review

Posted by Trace Aber on 12.14.2011

Three classic games in one package? Sign me up!


Game: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
Genre: Action/Adventure
Players: 1
Developer: Kojima Productions/Blueprint Games
Publisher: Konami
Rated M for Mature

The Metal Gear Solid series of games have been some of the most unique, engaging, and quirky video games ever produced. In a time where the story of a video game was a mere afterthought, the Metal Gear Solid games paid extreme attention to details and attempted to create an in-depth, if not convoluted, storyline. Despite some people complaining about the frequency and length of some of the cut scenes, you’ll be hard pressed to find a person who hasn’t enjoyed their time spent with the franchise.

Following the trend of many popular franchises from the previous console generations, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection allows fans to relive their favorite moments and for newcomers to discover them for the first time. While it doesn’t include the original classic due to legal issues, it does feature Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snaked Eater, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, originally a PSP exclusive. And seeing as how MGS 2 and 3 are actually the upgraded Substance and Subsistence releases, you actually get five games if you include the original two Metal Gear NES games…which you totally should.



The compilation features a handy timeline for those trying to wrap their head around the game’s universe. You can play the games by their original release date or choose to play the games in the story’s chronological order, though you may be confused by the differences in technological advances in doing this. No matter what order you play the games in, however, you’ll want to use that timeline to help you understand what’s going on anyways. If you haven’t touched this series be prepared to do a little research if you want to know what’s going on since the original MGS isn’t included.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is perhaps the most controversial title in the selection, mainly for the introduction of Raiden. I’ll admit I was against him at first as well, but overtime grew to at the very least tolerate him. You’ll be taking on a terrorist group known as the Sons of Liberty, who are holding the President of the United States hostage. As Snake you’ll sneak your way into the offshore clean-up facility Big Shell, while Raiden…well, he does whatever the hell it is Raiden does. This may be the most unique game in the collection, if only for the crazy boss battles and it’s contrast with the game’s overall serious tone.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has a vastly different setting than SoL, taking place into a U.S.S.R. jungle. Taking place during the Cold War, the game sees Naked Snake using nature as his cover. Outside of the first Metal Gear Solid, which will always hold a place in my heart, this might be my favorite of the series if just for the unique setting. It’s not as simple as hiding in a locker now – you have to wear the appropriate camouflage in each setting, and moreso than ever you truly feel like you’re trying to survive. As you might expect from the title, food isn’t exactly plentiful, and thus Naked Snake must rely on animals and reptiles for food. It’s a completely unique experience not just in the world of Meal Gear Solid, but in the world of video games period.



Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker takes place in 1970’s Costa Rica during Snake took a break from government work. Of course, he winds up in the middle of a conflict between the CIA and the KGB. Peace Walker stands out from the other titles due to its gameplay structure – you’re given a list of missions to choose from and once you complete them you have to take care of your personal base, assigning different workers to tasks such as item research and weapon design. Upon completion of a mission you’ll get a rating of your job, as well as unlockables based on your skill. Despite these radical changes, the most noticeable change comes from the way the story itself is told. Instead of high-tech CGI, Peace Walker goes with the animated comic book style, creating a completely different experience than the previous two titles. You can even team up with a friend or play online multiplayer, which why kind of weird given the universe, is still pretty fun.

Not much has been changed or added to any of the three games in this collection, though the HD work should be commended. The three games look better than they ever have, with perhaps Peace Walker being the most notable. They won’t stand up well against today’s AAA juggernauts, but they aren’t terribly out of place either.

The audio, which has always been key in the series, is as pristine and top-tier as ever. The writing, despite its complexities, is tight and the voice acting is pretty damn good, especially considering the time frame we’re talking about when these games were released. Finally, the music itself sounds better than ever, always creating the perfect mood for any given situation.



One thing that players might notice, however, are the controls. They at times can feel extremely dated, but that’s because they are. It’s not as bad as trying to go back and play the original Metal Gear Solid (trust me – it can be a chore at first), but at times they simply feel clunky. As you play through the games, however, you not only become more familiar with the mechanics, but also begin to appreciate some of the smaller evolutions that have taken place over the course of this generation.

Pros
-Three great games for one price
-Each game looks better than ever with the HD remake
-Allows old fan to relive their favorite moments and new fans to find them for the first time

Cons
-Control issues are still there
-Gameplay may feel dated at times
-Very little else added in way of extras

The 411
Pretty much any flaw you’ll find with this collection is simply a statement on the era of gaming for which these games took place. The collection promises little else than updated graphics, and in that sense they knocked it out of the park. All three games look absolutely beautiful, and if you regardless of your Metal Gear Solid knowledge, this is one collection that is worth picking up. It might just be the best deal of 2011.

Graphics	8.0	While it won't stand up well against AAA titles, each game looks great on its own given the source material
Gameplay	8.5	Losing points only for dated controls, the gameplay in each game is otherwise top notch
Sound	9.0	The voice acting is very fitting for each character and the music does a great job of setting the atmosphere
Lasting Appeal	9.0	You're getting three great games, two of them classics, in one deal. Throw in VR missions and the original Metal Gear games and you should have plenty to do
Fun Factor	9.5	If you've grown tired of shooting everything that moves, perhaps taking the role of Snake is just what you need!
Overall	9.0   [  Amazing ]