Metal Gear Solid (The Essential Collection Edition) (Sony PlayStation 2, 2008)

--------First, a few specs about the games:--------------

-MGS1 is the PS1 version on PS1 discs, meaning you'll need a PS1 memory card, which is fine (PS1 memory cards are easy to track down and inexpensive to boot). It also doesn't come with the games original CD case in any fashion, meaning you can't get the game character Meryl's codec frequency by legitimate means (it's 140.15; it's a fourth wall puzzle, calling on the player to look at the back of what was the game case at the time to obtain the info).

-The versions of MGS2+3 are their extended versions (Substance and Subsistence respectively). In MGS2, there's a huge offering of bonus mini-missions and skateboarding. In MGS3, the original versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are included (not to be confused with the "Solid" games), as well as a new camera option for the main game (and probably other bonuses I've neglected to research and mention).

-----------------Now, the review--------------------

I bought this product primarily because I don't have a PS3; if I did, I would buy MGS1 on the PS Network and the newer Metal Gear HD Collection to sate my Metal Gear yearnings. The 360 version of the HD collection is supposed to be nice, but lacking the pressure sensitive buttons of PS2 + 3 makes for one of the few times when I have a strong preference for the Playstation experience. Also, I really, really wanted MGS1.

That being said, the title(s) being reviewed are quite exceptional. Be aware that the gameplay hasn't aged as gracefully as one might have hoped for any of the games (particularly MGS1), though they're by no means unplayable. Despite that, you'll find yourself plenty invested in the scenarios the game sets up, even in the face of the more convoluted offerings.

If you're interested in the games that gave life to modern stealth mechanics in games, this collection is for you. If you're looking for a cool story, you'll finds more hits than misses here (at least with 1 + 3), but know that there's times when it's going to grate on you (especially 2 - not to say it doesn't have it moments). On that note, you should know there's a fair amount of story throughout the games, more than some people are comfortable with. Cutscenes can go on for a good amount of time (I haven't replayed it in it's entirety, but I remember 2 being the worst offender of these games). Story can and does get in the way in these games, but it works if you're into that sort of thing (I am, in this case).

All in all, I strongly recommend this collection for classic game nostalgia, for seeing a series that defined a genre, and for getting (better) acquainted with a game sure to be in the collective gaming consciousness for many, many years. Despite their (now apparent) flaws, the games are all classics for sure. And at the current going rate (15-20 US$ when I bought it from ebay), you can't go wrong.

***If you're looking for a classic stealth-action game but don't feel interested in this one, series like Thief, Deus Ex (to an extent), and Splinter Cell would be worth a gander.

Since its inception, the Metal Gear franchise has been one of the most successful game series on any console receiving worldwide recognition and praise. The franchise that pioneered the stealth action genre is back with Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection includes three classic Metal Gear games:
Metal Gear Solid

Lightly armed and facing an army of foes, Snake must avoid firefights in order to survive.
If Snake is discovered, he can utilize advanced weaponry, ranging from silenced pistols to ground-to-air missiles.
Enemies react to sight and sound.
State-of-the-art graphics: Textures, transparencies, models and explosions.
Suspenseful, gripping story with multiple endings for a truly cinematic experience.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
350+ VR missions and 150+ alternative missions.
Play through 5 "Snake Tales" levels involving Solid Snake.
Skateboarding mode lets you explore the Big Shell as Raiden or Snake.
Utilize stealth and infiltration methods, such as diving somersaults, hanging from ledges and using disguises.
Fully interactive environments- bullets pierce steam pipes, smoke reveals laser beams and wet shoes leave footprints.
Powerful musical score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, Armageddon, The Rock)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Relive history as the cold war and geo-political landscape change.
Outsmart enemies with camouflage, close-quarters combat, stalking, interrogating, climbing, hunting and treating injuries.
Pit yourself against an environment where traps catch enemies and prey, threats lurk in the shadows, and noise alert predators.
Epic musical score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, Armageddon, The Rock) and immersive Dolby Prologic II surround sound.

I purchased this collection for my friend who is new to the Metal Gear series. His first game of the series was Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PS3 and he had expressed interest in playing the older games but did not know where to find them. This collection conveniently packages the first three games of the series together when one would otherwise have to scour the internet and game stores for each individual title (which are becoming increasingly rare). My only gripe about this collection is that it does not include the bonus materials that were released with certain special editions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 (Substance and Subsistence). I figured that if they were re-releasing the titles, the least thing that Konami could do would be to release the best of the best! Nonetheless, these games are classic predecessors to this generation of games, essential for those who are new to the series.

I'll keep this review short and sweet.

This collection is awesome. I bought it after playing MGS4, wanting to go back and reconnect with the game series I have been playing for over 10 years.

Playing through the games, even though I have played through them a number of times, they feel new and fresh. Like any great movie, the games get better as you play all of them, then go back and play them all again - you absorb the story much more. And what a story MGS has! While in most video games, cut scenes are boring and most often get skipped, the Metal Gear Solid games have amazing cut scenes that carry the story as a film would - you actually get excited to watch them.

The only thing that may be a problem for people is that the original Metal Gear Solid is on a Playstation format disc, while MGS2 and MGS3 are PS2 formats. Luckily, I am able to play MGS on my PS3.

All in all, this collection is extremely worth it to anyone who is either a collector or just wants o play through the games again.

The essentials collection brings together the first three Metal Gear Solid games together in one special pack. The first Metal Gear, which is still in its PSOne format rather than an updated PS2 version, is as fun to play now as it was when it first came out. (Note: You need a PSOne memory card to save your game data, it won't store on a PS2 memory card).
Metal Gear Solid Subsistence (aka Sons of Liberty) is a great game and the first MGS game for the PS2. It introduces the gamer to the world behind the games (including in some respect to the original Metal Gear games).
Metal Gear Solid Subsistence (aka Snake eater) follows Big Boss and reveals the origins of the Metal Gears and the saga they play a part in.
All in all this is a great collection for gamers who don't already have the three games, but if you already have two of them it'd be easier and likely cheaper to buy the third one by itself.