Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substanceby Konami America Inc.
Platform: Xbox
ESRB Rating: Mature
ASIN: B00006F2ZQ
Check price @ amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk Review: There’s been an awful lot of confusion about just exactly what Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is. Is it a proper sequel? Is it a mission disc? Is it an Xbox exclusive? Does Snake get to go skateboarding? Well, to answer all but the last question: no. Substance is kind of similar to the VR Missions disc that was released for the original Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation; however, Substance is a stand-alone title that doesn’t require the original game to run--and indeed contains within it the original version of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
In essence, Substance is kind of like one of those special-edition, director’s cut DVDs you get for films, in that it’s the same old movie but with so much cool stuff layered on top it seems totally new. There’s also a similarly scattershot approach to the new features, but the most obviously appealing are the chance to play through both missions as Solid Snake (or a bunch of others, including Pliskin and the cyborg ninja) instead of the anemic Raiden. Then there’s a mountain of over 100 VR missions and five brand new mini-episodes for Snake to try. --David Jenkins
Customer Reviews:
SAVE YOUR MONEY, November 13, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from NEW YORK
I rented this game and it was a total disapointment--you spend most of the time listening to the characters... complain to each other about everything. For example: if you walk around a corner and theres an enemy standing gaurd, instead of ambushing them like in other games, your... character calls his conections and describes what kind of outfit the enemy is wearing,etc. Like in two minutes from now your really gonna care what color pants the guy was wearing!!It seems as if half the game is listening to pointless conversations or watching... cut scences. Needless to say I returned this game way before it was due back. Keep this "saga" on the playstations; bring on halo, timesplitters 2, and unreal championchip!
this game rocks, November 13, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer
This is my first metal gear solid game and I love it.When I first heard about the game it seemed really hard and confusing to understand the story line and gameplay. I was so happy when it came out I bought it the first day and beat it the next day it was so much fun. I would not recommend this game for young audiences because it does deal with mature themes(language, nudity, and extreme violence). I ordered all the action figures because they look so cool and the VR missions will keep you on your toes even after you beat the game. Plus you can also unlock different charecters to play in the game.
a real treat so far, November 12, 2002
Reviewer: James Hendricks Jr from Portsmouth, VA United States
I just picked up my copy today--I know it's a port from the PS2, but so far I've played through 2 1/2 hours without even knowing it. And that's a GOOD thing in my book. The VR missions in sneaking and weapons handling are very important, especially since I haven't played MSG2 before. And since I've played the Splinter Cell version, I can say that these are two different games--SC relies much more on real, practical sleath using shadows and darkness for your cover, the extra moves of Sam Fisher, etc. still there's room for both.
Do not get splinter cell much better Ive done the research, November 11, 2002
Reviewer: zacattac2 from Meqoun, WI United States
Dont get me wrong stilla great game but splinyer cell is so much better. Trust me. Im not 11 and I know this kind of stuff. I am a beta tester for xbox live. JUst trust me SC much better
MGS2: Port to xbox/Direct X issues, November 11, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Portland, Or
Although I have not completed this game I have seen enough of it to give the following perceptions:
Apparently due to porting to direct X, this game is very choppy in some sections(most notable around the water effects in the opening demo.) Disappointing, as I was hoping their development team would work some real magic and we'd see something truly astounding. (Panzer Dragoon: Orta looks to fullfill that though.)
Something to add to the debate over PS2 vs. Xbox, is that while direct X is a powerful SDK it is less flexible than that of the PS2, and if you want to see what can be done with a very talented developer and a lot of money, take a look at the new Twin Towers game for PS2. Stunning.
I personally didn't see any bump mapping(I was assured it was there), or texture improvement, but I did see smoke and camera distortion effects I don't believe were in the PS2 version(heat and distance blurring/focus.)
I've heard rumor of no Substance for America, but I can't believe that. And if it does come out Hideo always puts the most 'extras' into the later version. So I'll probably wait for that.
Must-have for Xbox only owners, PS2-also-owners, who have already beaten the game might want to rent and see if the extra content is worth it.
Metal Gear - The Remix, November 10, 2002
Reviewer: Robert Eldridge, Author from Garden City, South Carolina USA
XBOX owners, this is what you have been waiting for. MGS2 was an enjoyable game for the PS2 in the Winter of 2001 and still is. I'm not sure why it is always considered a "short" game, really it depends on how you play and what you decide to do. Let's pick this one apart:
Controls:
A few minutes acquainting yourself with the feel of the XBOX controller vs. the MGS2 controls on PS2 and you're right back in the game.
Visuals:
This is where I differ from the extremists and be honest. The game is a port, sort of an expanded "Director's Edition" of MGS2. The XBOX hardware creates the illusion that the game surpasses it's PS2 version, but it doesn't. You'll notice faster frame-rates, load times, and smoother transitions...sure, hey it's on the XBOX hardware. That's about as far as it goes, yet, that in itself is enough. If you're thinking of a "Halo" or "Dead or Alive 3" MGS2 retooling or tweaking, you're going to be disappointed.
Gameplay:
The added missions, being able to play as Snake, and different stories will keep this offering as superior to the PS2 original. It's still the same essential story, but with so much added outside of the original story, it's worth the money. There's many things you can do with "Substance," such as:
1. Play the original story
2. Register your name and play as any unlocked character and choose what you want to do in VR missions:
a) Sneak, weapons, first person, alternate missions, and many other modes.
3. Take on the 6 campaigns called Snake Tales, all involving Snake.
4. Well, I'm going to leave out all the spoilers ;-)
Sound:
Hey, this is the XBOX version! The sound whips the PS2, especially in Dolby.
I recommend this title even if you have the original. The new offers are sure to rattle your chains again. Though, while we play, we sit and wait for MGS3. "Substance" will keep the franchise and fans growing stronger.
The Real deal behind tha game, November 10, 2002
Reviewer: Mario Oliver
I went to my friends house to see what this game was all about. Well we started with such excitment but yet, I grew board of this game really fast. He ended up beating the SOL story in 2 days, and I hardly played any of it. He got board of it too, cuz he had SOL as well. Well here's the deal
Gameplay:Well the same except on the Xbox you have to hit the left anolog stick to get out of 1st person view, and that makes you not wan't to get your cover blown, and the game suffers from slowdown, which really ticked me off.
Graphics:Whoever said that this took advantage of the Xbox graphics is lyin. There nearly the same as the PS2's or a slight bit worse, but anyway, they look kinda the same. So not much canged here.
Sound:Well yea the sound is a bit better than the PS2's, and that so far is the first advantage the Xbox had over the PS2
Value:Well if you are a fan of metal gear and have every single game, like me, then you pretty much have this game. The VR and alternate missions:You can just pop in MGS VR missions and there u go; Snake tales:They were intruiging at first, but they are very dissapointing once you're done; SOL if you have SOL for the PS2, then it's pretty much the same old game, just a diffrent system, unless you wanted to play as Snake very badly, but I don't give a ...
Overall:This game is very dissapointing to me and my friend. This will not even be as nearly praised as MGS2. This is baisicly a port of MGS2. I was expecting another great port like Max Payne, but got Resident Evil's directors cut. Anyone with a PS2 and has MGS2, and thought that substance was the reason to buy an Xbox, belive me you rather wait till it comes out for the PS2, unless that'll be a letdown as well. If you have both systems with MGS2, I'd rather wait for Splinter Cell, DOA Xtreeme Volyball or Halo 2 than buy this if I were u. My friend wanted to sell it, so I got someone for him that brought it. If u have only a Xbox, then u jes might get this game.
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