It is hard to believe that there are people out there who may not have experienced the seminal titles included in this Metal Gear collection. It feels as if it has been created with the intention of giving long-term fans a peek behind the curtain and access to extra content that may have been locked to specific regions or not available at all. Either way, after a healthy amount of time with Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, all interested parties should be satisfied with what is on offer here.
The first port of call for most players will most likely be one that needs no introduction: the original PlayStation entry, Metal Gear Solid. At the time of release, it was applauded for its approach to gameplay and focus on storytelling over some of the other offerings on the console. The years have been kind and it still remains a classic. For anybody living under a rock, the tale begins simply enough, with super spy Solid Snake sent on a routine mission that leads into an epic tale of cloning, helicopters and giant robots. A wealth of unique and innovative ideas are crammed in, with many still impressing to this day.
The gem, however, is the inclusion of its additional content: a wealth of VR missions that were originally a separate standalone release. Much like speed-running the first level of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, beginning any of the vast number of tests here can lead to a lot of endless nights chasing that high score. Some missions are also brilliantly inventive, with solving locked room mysteries being a highlight. Metal Gear Solid is a great introduction to the series for newcomers and a heavy dose of nostalgia for the rest.
Any gamer has seminal moments that define their memories and experiences for years to come, boring others with tales that mean the world to them and nothing to anyone else. Settle in. When VHS was still holding onto the monopoly of viewing entertainment, magazines (like the internet but physical) would often come bundled with a free videocassette containing upcoming trailers and potential classics in the making. The magazine in question was a worthless item in comparison to the freebie, as snuggled away in the middle was a two-minute trailer for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Snake on a rain-soaked ship, not only fighting the elements, but anyone else that stood in his way.
On a personal level, the bait-and-switch in Metal Gear Solid 2 was so great that it could be hailed as an instant classic regardless. Initial principles were built upon and improved, introducing a first-person mode, guard interrogation and some brilliant boss battles that really sweetened the pie. Game director Hideo Kojima had really found his stride by this point and delivered the same deeply confusing storyline with a fantastic experience, warping what it was to be a video game on many an occasion. People will always argue that the last of the big titles in this collection is the top of the jungle tree, but it is Metal Gear Solid 2. Pure perfection.
This isn’t to say that Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater isn’t brilliant. It is perfect Bond pastiche, with more gameplay features added and new opportunities for stealth and experimentation. Building on a strong foundation and due for a remake in August under the moniker of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, again, this is another great opportunity to dive back in and wrestle some local wildlife and romance a double/triple agent or two.
The question is: if you already own these games, why splash the cash and pick up Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1? To begin with, both NES Metal Gear entries are included. A curiosity for sure, but a difficult experience in both cases. Worth a look, but only if everything else has been clocked. The digital novels are one of the highlights, providing reading around the base Metal Gear Solid lore and, as previously mentioned, giving access to content that may not have been readily available. It is here that the crux of the decision will be made.
If wanting to play any of these titles for the first time, this should be an immediate purchase. For veterans, the price point may be a potential sticking point, but it is worth mentioning that these can also be purchased separately. The superior versions of Metal Gear Solid are here but no real enhancements have been made. With this in mind, if the additional content isn’t of massive interest and having access to the first chapter of Metal Gear Solid history in one place doesn’t thrill either, this can be avoided.
