[Metal Gear Solid] Konami remembers it used to make games

manwiththemachinegun

I am STILL finding new interactions and stuff in Metal Gear games. On my last replay of MGS4, if you escort rebel soldiers to the power station by fighting the PMCs, they'll destroy the power station themselves (which stops enemy reinforcements) and have radio chatter about it.

What are these games even?

Johnny Chopsocky

Jazz wrote: »

Two days until Master Collection Vol. 1 and, always a bit concerningly, reviews are embargoed until then. But a Reddit person claims to have snagged a PS5 copy early and gives some good details here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/17c93t0/metal_gear_solid_master_collection_impressions/?rdt=45722

Got my hands on the PS5 version of the game early and wanted to note a few things that people might have been wondering about like I was.

All of the games and most of the bonus material is on disc(on ps5 anyway) without the need to download an update. The only parts that require download are the 4 graphic novels and the Japanese language packs. Each game can also be installed individually from the disc if you only want to play one.

The versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 on here are distinct from the versions on the HD collection and Subsistence as they have new text prompts depending on your platform

-The NES games seem to be emulated very well without any noticeable input lag. Of course your own results may vary depending on your monitor and sensitivity to lag.

-All games take heavy advantage of the ps5s haptics to a surprising degree. It does very well to make the game more immersive particularly in snake eater.

-MGS 2 and 3 have significantly faster loading times on ps5 compared to original/HD while MGS1 feels slightly slower than the original. Strange.

-The master books and screenplays are incredibly comprehensive and probably one of the best bonus features on a collection I’ve ever seen. Worth the price of admission on its own imo if you are a Metal Gear fan even if you already own the ps3 legacy collection.

-MGS1 and its “Integral” version are presented as separate games.

-The soundtrack feature is disappointingly non comprehensive. Only a few tracks are available for each game. Though how randomly the songs seem to have been selected makes me think the rest may come in an update when the game actually releases.

A reply also comprehensively adds this run down of the games, options, changes, and bonus content:

Here are all the games, options, changes, bonus content etc. that are included:

Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake
- Achievements added
- Seperated from MGS3 and turned into its own launcher
- Option to move the screen from the center to left or right
- Option to choose black borders or multiple game related wallpapers
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_msx/pc/en/page14.html
- Digital game manual
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_msx/pc/en/index.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg2/pc/en/index.html
- Screenplay and Master Books
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_msx/pc/en/page13.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg2/pc/en/page15.html

Metal Gear NES/FC and Snakes Revenge
- Pause menu added that can be opened by pressing LB+RB that let`s you customize controller button assignments
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_nes/pc/en/page12.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/snakes_revenge/pc/en/page13.html
- Option to move the screen from the center to left or right
- Option to choose black borders or multiple game related wallpapers
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_nes/pc/en/page14.html
- Digital game manual
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_nes/pc/en/index.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/snakes_revenge/pc/en/index.html

Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid Integral (NTSC-J)
- Up-converted 1080p at 30fps
- Achievements added
- Japanese language pack can be downloaded and toogled on
- French, German, Italian and Spanish dubs are included in the eu version
- Added MGS1 disc swap animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdZVqW9gg0g
- Pause menu added that can be opened by pressing LB+RB that let`s you customize controller button assignments and also includes the option to virtually swap controller ports from Player 1 to Player 2 for the Psycho Mantis fight
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1/pc/en/page20.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_integral/pc/en/page21.html
- Option to create virtual save data for past titles like Azure Dreams, Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Contra Legacy of War, Silent Hill, Suikoden, Vandal Hearts etc. so that Psycho Mantis can read your "memory card" and talk about these games like he did in the original
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1/pc/en/page21.html
- Option to create additional virtual save data for past titles in Integral like Dance Dance Revolution, Gradius Gaiden, Policenauts and Snatcher
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_integral/pc/en/page22.html
- Option to move the screen from the center to left or right
- Option to choose black borders or multiple game related wallpapers
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1/pc/en/page23.html
- Digital 3D replica of the game's original retail packaging

https://twitter.com/HEITAIs/status/1705751256453755096

- Digital game manual
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1/pc/en/index.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_integral/pc/en/index.html
- Screenplay and Master Books
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1/pc/en/page22.html

Metal Gear Solid VR Missions (NTSC) and Metal Gear Solid Special Missions (PAL)
- Pause menu added that can be opened by pressing LB+RB that let`s you customize controller button assignments
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_vr_missions/pc/en/page13.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_special_missions/pc/en/page13.html
- Option to move the screen from the center to left or right
- Option to choose black borders or multiple game related borders
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_vr_missions/pc/en/page16.html
- Digital game manual
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_vr_missions/pc/en/index.html
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs1_special_missions/pc/en/index.html

Metal Gear Solid 2 HD Edition
- Up-converted 1080p at 60 fps
- Faster load times
- Japanese language pack can be downloaded and toogled on
- Logo in the opening is now similiar in size to how it was in the original PS2 release and not as small as it was in the HD Collection

https://twitter.com/HEITAIs/status/1704840664863944979

- In-game credits like in the opening cutscene now have the same color like in the original PS2 release and aren`t green like in the HD collection
- Pause/delay before codec calls that has been introduced in the hd collection has been fixed

https://twitter.com/HEITAIs/status/1705771322826166730

- Digital game manual
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs2/pc/en/index.html
- Screenplay and Master Books
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs2/pc/en/page27.html

Metal Gear Solid 3 HD Edition
- Up-converted 1080p at 60fps
- Faster load times
- Japanese language pack can be downloaded and toogled on
- Snake Eater song in the beginning now works as intended and isn`t out of sync like in the HD Collection
- Pause/delay for changing camouflage and opening the cure menu that have been introduced in the HD Collection have been fixed
- Digital game manual
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs3/pc/en/index.html
- Screenplay and Master Books
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mgs3/pc/en/page26.html

Digital Graphic Novels
- Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel (english dub)
- Metal Gear Solid: Bande Dessinée (japanese dub)
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Grapic Novel (english dub)
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Bande Dessinée (japanese dub)

Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
- Sound player with 20 songs
https://metalgear.konami.net/manual/mc1/mg1_nes/pc/en/page13.html

Other info:
- The Master Books are digital books that gives you more insight into the Metal Gear series. It contains full character lists and story descriptions, along with guides, ghost photos for mgs1, dog tags for mgs2 and kerotans for mgs3 etc.
- The Screenplay Books are digital books that contains all the in-game story scenes and codec conversations. It also contains some work-in-progress story elements.
- Screenplay Books offer the localised versions of the japanese only scenario books and offer thousands of pages
- The Screenplay and Master Books let you place/remove book marks
- The Screenplay and Master Books let you choose from a table of contents so you can jump to the content you want to read
- The Screenplay Books and Master Books offer a music list so you can choose which song you want to hear while you read the books
- 6 clips of historical footage were replaced with new historical footage since the companies that own these licences are gone

Okay, that seems... quite robust. Almost comprehensive, even.

Thankfully, I can pick this up at my leisure. Got too many games both current and upcoming to play. Not like I can possibly get spoiled on it.

el_vicio

So JP voice and ENG subs are finally possible?
Oh man

Jazz

The games are under separate entries on Steam with the collection sold as a bundle. Konami have saddled it with a somewhat awkward naming convention, unfortunately, as well as maintaining (mostly) their capital letter fetish...

Copied verbatim from the Steam website:

Pre-Purchase METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1
Includes 6 items: METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 BONUS CONTENT, METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 METAL GEAR & METAL GEAR 2: Solid Snake, METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 METAL GEAR SOLID, METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty, METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 METAL GEAR SOLID 3: Snake Eater, METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 Pre-Order Bonus



(Not my screenshot, but appears to be accurate)

Morninglord

I felt tenser reading all those capitals, like a very large man was yelling METAL GEAR in my ear.

Jazz

It's unnerving, isn't it?

cloudeagle

The Verge spells out what we're in for. Yes, these are very much enhanced ports with minor changes. For instance, the button prompts for your system are accurate and blend in well, but because there's no new voice acting, you'll frequently hear them tell you to use buttons that you don't have. And all the quirks/easter eggs in Metal Gear Solid 1 are accessible through some workarounds.

There's loads of supplemental material that do a great job of pretending Kojima doesn't exist.

Jazz

It still rankles with me that Vol. 1 last-gen is available for PS4 but not Xbox One. I can't think of any other title that's not actually a PlayStation console exclusive that does that. There's definitely an argument that the existence of HD Collection for Xbox 360 in backwards compatibility means there's a certain level of redundancy, but that is no longer available to buy (except for used physical copies) and won't be again, doesn't have the same amount of supplemental material, and doesn't include MGS1.

Jazz

Looks like I may have had the embargo date wrong, reviews are up now. Generally positive from what I've seen so far. Slightly annoyed that pausing cutscenes is apparently only possible in MGS1, per the Gamespot review.

Haven't been able to find out if MGS: Integral is fully translated yet though (iirc it had the English VO and maybe even subs, but item descriptions etc were Japanese).

Dirty

Sounds like the cutscene pausing in MGS1 is just pausing the emulator.

Jazz

More than likely. Still a nice QoL feature, as seen by its appearance in MGS4. MGS2 in particular, but also 3, really, really could use that.

Dirty

Does going home pause the cutscene? Could be a decent workaround.

Jazz

No idea for this version, but it didn't in HD Collection on either 360 or Xbone - actually now I think about it, I think I only tried it in HDC by opening the Xbox guide which forces a pause in easily 90% of offline single-player games. Might have to try fully going to home screen on that.

I'm thinking of getting Master Collection on PC for a few reasons, so won't have a home button to lean on there.

Edit: GMG & Fanatical have it for 22% off, so trigger pulled on PC version.

Dirty

If I get it at all, it's gonna be the PS5 version, though it is a hard sell considering how it's not really much of an upgrade over the PS3 version (which is still hooked up in my basement). Might need to wait for a price drop or something.

AbsoluteZero

I wish Twin Snakes wasn't trapped on GameCube.

manwiththemachinegun

If there's the possibly that MGS4 will make an escape, I'd never say never.

el_vicio

AbsoluteZero wrote: »

I wish Twin Snakes wasn't trapped on GameCube.

Trapped
or safely locked away for the protection of society

klemming

Jonny's butt in MGS1 isn't pixelated, he's just wearing underwear.
0/10 Preorder cancelled.

el_vicio

klemming wrote: »

Jonny's butt in MGS1 isn't pixelated, he's just wearing underwear.
0/10 Preorder cancelled.

Wtf 8[
that's dumb
(that they did that, not that you're disappointed)

klemming

I assume it's based on the Japanese version, which I think always had that? Or maybe one of the rereleases like Integral.

el_vicio

klemming wrote: »

I assume it's based on the Japanese version, which I think always had that? Or maybe one of the rereleases like Integral.

Huh, really. I would have thought that if there is any version that does the mosaic, it'd be the Japanese one

klemming

Maybe not Japan. I know it was needed in some region, so if they're going for a one for everywhere approach I guess that'd be their only option.

Dirty

manwiththemachinegun wrote: »

If there's the possibly that MGS4 will make an escape, I'd never say never.

Twin Snakes is kind of complicated as it was a joint venture by 3 different companies, one of which isn't around anymore. Or is it just the matter of Konami not thinking it's worth their time to remove all the Nintendo references from the game?

MGS4 is less messy. Though there is still the matter of Otacon saying "PlayStation 3" and Snake using what's clearly a Dual Shock controller for the little robot. But overall, it's more worthwhile for Konami to put in the work to remove that stuff if they need to, since MGS4 would be the main selling point of Master Collection Vol. 2.

The Wolfman

So I just sort of assumed Konami would predictably half ass the presentation of this collection. And in a lot of ways they have, with the multiple launchers bit. But I just found out what they did for MGS1 and I am shockingly impressed at the effort they put in.

The entire gag of Psycho Mantis reading your memory card, and if he finds preprogrammed Konami games, he'll call them out. There's really no way to do this anymore, so I assumed they'd just shrug the entire thing off. Except... there's a whole options menu in the game that lets you create and "load" a virtual memory card, and pick from a list of all the games that he's programmed to find. They also created an option so you can properly change to the second controller port to maintain that aspect of the fight. You never "needed" to do that, there were other ways to get around it, but it's nice they preserved that part as well.

Now I'm kind of curious what, if anything, they might have done to preserve the CD case bit. Or if they simply assume any reasonable person in this day and age will just google the dang answer.

Like I said, I just assumed these would be fully cromulant ports of classic games with a half assed cover presentation over them. But it looks like somebody on the development team might have been using their full ass here...

Dirty

I watched a little video on YouTube, and I think as a collection of stuff, it's not bad at all. I'm just perplexed by the technical side of it.

Prohass

From what I can tell this basically barely does enough overall to call itself a simple collection. Which fair enough that’s disappointing but fine if that’s their goal. However the price is my sticking point, I’ll pick it up when it’s half what they’re asking

Jazz

The Wolfman wrote: »

So I just sort of assumed Konami would predictably half ass the presentation of this collection. And in a lot of ways they have, with the multiple launchers bit. But I just found out what they did for MGS1 and I am shockingly impressed at the effort they put in.

The entire gag of Psycho Mantis reading your memory card, and if he finds preprogrammed Konami games, he'll call them out. There's really no way to do this anymore, so I assumed they'd just shrug the entire thing off. Except... there's a whole options menu in the game that lets you create and "load" a virtual memory card, and pick from a list of all the games that he's programmed to find. They also created an option so you can properly change to the second controller port to maintain that aspect of the fight. You never "needed" to do that, there were other ways to get around it, but it's nice they preserved that part as well.

Now I'm kind of curious what, if anything, they might have done to preserve the CD case bit. Or if they simply assume any reasonable person in this day and age will just google the dang answer.

Like I said, I just assumed these would be fully cromulant ports of classic games with a half assed cover presentation over them. But it looks like somebody on the development team might have been using their full ass here...

Regarding Mantis:

International Superstar Soccer was sadly missing from the game list, I remember him being all like "I see you like football!" or something with that one the first time around. But there's a damn good selection of games to pick virtual saves from, and that really is a highlight of this version.

Regarding the CD case:

In the in-game menu (L1+R1 or LB+RB), if you go to the Online Manual, the first thing you get is a 3D render of the case - minus PlayStation branding, at least on my Steam version. You can flip this over and zoom in on the back cover.

Having tried the European/UK version first because that's what it defaulted to here in the UK, and then switched to the North American version (for proper 60Hz/30fps speed/smoothness the way it should be) once I solved the DLC conundrum on Steam, I can also say that the different box art front and rear is shown, region appropriate. Both obviously include the relevant info.

There are definitely issues with this release and at least all three MGS games, and I've gone into a lot including PC-specific stuff in the Steam thread (see here and here). There are things that need fixing, there are things I'd like to see improved, and there are even a few things that Eurogamer posted that Konami have said will be upcoming fixes (that list is not yet extensive enough, of course).

But fun is being had.

klemming

Pretty much all of the MG games make heavy references or design notes to the console/medium they're made for. That's part of their whole thing, and always been a complication when they've been ported to other platforms.
It sounds like they've covered for those as best they can (things like changing the virtual controller port you're using, or giving you a picture of 'the back of the CD case'), but they're all stopgap measures. Actually fixing that kind of thing would be a rebuild that'd take it into the territory of a proper remake.

I'm not sure how they're dealing with the way that MGS2 and 3 used the pressure-sensitive buttons for things like aiming without firing and peeking out of lockers, but they have to have done something.

Prohass

klemming wrote: »

Pretty much all of the MG games make heavy references or design notes to the console/medium they're made for. That's part of their whole thing, and always been a complication when they've been ported to other platforms.
It sounds like they've covered for those as best they can (things like changing the virtual controller port you're using, or giving you a picture of 'the back of the CD case'), but they're all stopgap measures. Actually fixing that kind of thing would be a rebuild that'd take it into the territory of a proper remake.

I'm not sure how they're dealing with the way that MGS2 and 3 used the pressure-sensitive buttons for things like aiming without firing and peeking out of lockers, but they have to have done something.

I assume theyre using the 360 release method of throwing out that entirely and just using modern controls? could be wrong tho

Dirty

I'm cool with the "stopgap measures" as they just preserve the original games, warts and all. Kinda like how some of my fellow nerds consider bad translations and nonsensical puzzle elements to be part of the charm of the NES era, and would consider it blasphemy to fix all of Castlevania 2's bullshit.

When I say that it's at least a decent collection of stuff, I do think that there are a lot of positives that people wanna gloss over because fuck Konami. I think it's neat that they gave MG1&2 their own launchers instead of having to launch MGS3 then choosing them from a menu. I didn't expect them to include all of the MGS1 releases, or the graphic novel stuff, or the awful NES games. And overall, the presentation is pretty good.

Honestly, if they didn't fuck up on the performance side of things, I'd call this a good, but perhaps overpriced collection.

Jazz

klemming wrote: »

Pretty much all of the MG games make heavy references or design notes to the console/medium they're made for. That's part of their whole thing, and always been a complication when they've been ported to other platforms.
It sounds like they've covered for those as best they can (things like changing the virtual controller port you're using, or giving you a picture of 'the back of the CD case'), but they're all stopgap measures. Actually fixing that kind of thing would be a rebuild that'd take it into the territory of a proper remake.

I'm not sure how they're dealing with the way that MGS2 and 3 used the pressure-sensitive buttons for things like aiming without firing and peeking out of lockers, but they have to have done something.

The Xbox 360 didn't have pressure-sensitive buttons so those controls were slightly reworked for the 360 version of HD Collection.

manwiththemachinegun

It seems like it's way more than just the bare minimum, which is appreciated none the less.

Jazz

I've tried the resolution mod for MGS3, seems to work a treat. My display is 2560x1440 so I set it to that and it seems fine with a quick look at Rassvet. It's obviously not a night & day difference given the HD Collection UI assets and textures, but it's definitely sharpened it all up a bit.

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_3:_Snake_Eater_-_Master_Collection_Version#Change_resolution

Jazz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUOsNavOluw

manwiththemachinegun

I know I know, Konami.... And YET.

Jazz

I think Snake in that footage looks a bit like a young, Patriot Games-era Sean Bean (with a beard). And I think it's a good look for him.

manwiththemachinegun

If MGS1 got a true remaster l, can think of worse things.

Prohass

My concern is that some developers thus far have had a pretty tough time getting unreal 5 engine games working on console without image quality being frankly horrendous and resolution sometimes dipping into like sub 500p territory, and so I’m concerned how this studio will manage the console versions

Jazz

Got MGS3 working on my Steam Deck. Ah, this is the stuff. It's a great fit on there and runs perfectly (so far!).

Edit: MGS2 as well.

el_vicio

Aw boo, Japanese voice apparently only works with Japanese subs, no language mixing allowed.
Eh.
I'll get the collection when modders change that, or it's dirt cheap. What a bummer.