Return to sneaking: A review on Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

Yesterday, I picked up the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection for Playstation 3. As the name suggests, it's a compilation of classic Metal Gear Solid titles, specifically Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the then Playstation Portable exclusive MGS title, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Being an avid follower of the series, I wasn't really happy at first with the notion that I had to repurchase these games, considering that I already have these title, the former two bundled with the Metal Gear Solid Essential Collection and the aforementioned PSP release of Peace Walker, but Konami and Hideo Kojima knew how to speak to the fan in me, by giving a lot of incentives why a diehard MGS fan should pick up this re-release. Besides, any excuse to play Snake again is a good reason to play through these titles again. Hit the jump for the review!



Game: Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection (compilation of MGS2, MGS 3, and MGS: Peace Walker)
System: Playstation 3 and Xbox 360
Release: November 8, 2011

Not only do these titles tout new High-Definition specs and resolution, but the games are flooded with PS3 Trophy support, a feat that even its successor, 2008's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, has yet to achieve. In fact, Peace Walker benefits more from this transition than its older brothers, since the controls become more fluid using a Dual Shock 3 controller layout as opposed to the PSP's single analog nub and one set of trigger buttons. Yep, there's a lot going out there for the MGS: HD Collection, and while it came out at the same time as the much hyped and talked about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I didn't hesitate one bit and went for the old school. Besides, stealth and tactical espionage action go a long way for me, and this one is solely for my own personal collection.





Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Trailer
Going back to features, those who've played MGS3 and MGS2 will notice a stark difference in terms of visual presentation. Thanks to the HD upgrade and the wonders of technology, you will see a spike in terms of how the real-time cinematics run, which are faster, crisp, and clearer than before. What suffers, however, is the lip-syncing and the way the actions are times during a cutscene. That's a somewhat bad pill to swallow, but the HD visual output more than makes up for those little distractions.  As I mentioned, trophies do give more than enough reason for the average MGS player to play these games again, and who knows how to rack up all of 'em if you're the type who wants to have one go at it? In fact, the new "Transfarring" feature for MGS Peace Walker allows players who've accumulated a lot in their PSP run to transfer their stuff into their PS3 playthrough. This however comes with a hitch, as Trophies will not be unlocked unless you play from the start again. Again, a rerelease can only offer so much rewards; You'll just have to reexperience everything in order to unlock those extra goodies.

Despite being an upgrade of an old product, the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection more than makes up for the money spent to repurchase iconic masterpieces of video game history. Even if you have to bear through somewhat convoluted storytelling once more, the gameplay and experience of these games is all that counts. Reliving those moments, from Big Boss' origins to Ocelot screwing around and messing with Solid Snake and Raiden, is the stuff classics are made of. What's more, MGS 2 and MGS 3 are actually their Substance and Subsistence releases, meaning you get the extras and mini games bundled with those "director's cuts", which include Snake Tales and the original MSX releases of Metal Gear 1 and 2! Truly, this is a love letter package from Konami and mastermind Hideo Kojima, so if you're a Solid Snake or Big Boss fan, don't hesitate and be part of this Outer Heaven collection.

Rating - 5/5