Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (Original Xbox) by Konami



Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (Xbox) by Konami Box Art




North Amercian Release Date: October 1, 2002.

Region(s) Released: North America, Europe

High Definition Resolutions Supported: 480p
Widescreen Supported (16:9): No
System Link Support: No

Average Overall Score:
8.27 / 10
82.7%


For those of you who have already played MGS2: Sons of Liberty for the PS2, then you?re pretty much familiar with MGS2: Substance for the XBox. For those not familiar, this is an action/stealth game which plays out over two chapters."

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Description

Metal Gear Solid® 2 Substance is the latest entry in the hit Metal Gear franchise by the world-renowned Konami Computer Entertainment Japan development team, led by Hideo Kojima. MGS2 Substance is slated to be released for the Xbox video game console from Microsoft in November 2002.

Screenshots

Sunday, June 2, 2002

User Reviews

Score: 83
Overall User Average: 8.22 / 10 (82.7%)
Gameplay User Average: 8.29 / 10
Graphics User Average: 8.35 / 10
Sound User Average: 8.33 / 10
xj74
Date reviewed: June 4, 2004.

Overall: A solid game with great gameplay mechanics and interesting story presented in a high grade cinematic fashion. The meat of the game is split into two missions, the Tanker (played as Snake) and the Plant (played as Raiden, and not nearly as cool as Snake) and you can choose to do them in either order, but the Tanker should be done first because it takes place two years prior to the Plant mission. Otherwise the story won't make as much sense. The cutscenes are top notch, in fact some of the best I've seen, but there are almost too many of them especially near the end making it feel like your watching more than playing. Overall an excellent stealth action game with a deep, engulfing story.
Gameplay: The game takes place primarily in 3rd person from various camera angles. The camera is done rather well for the most part, but it there are times when it can be a pain. The camera was done in such a way that it forces the player to be more deliberate and make you feel the part of the character. So don't look to this game for a high speed action fix, yet it isn't as slow paced as Splintercell either. The controls have a good mapping to the controller S with quick response and become second nature rather quickly. The two main missions took me about 11 hours to complete, but there also 350+ VR missions which consist of numerous scenarios to train you for the main missions. Then there are also 5 Snake tales which are shorter missions, but they don't use cutcenes to explain the story, but instead use boring screens of text.

Graphics: An eye pleasing game with superb cutscenes. The animation is excellent and with the exception of some spots the framerate is good. The tanker mission has a few spots when your outside in the rain and the game slows to a crawl, I guess they couldn't get the code optimized for the PS2 to convert right to the Xbox, but it's easy to deal with.
Sound: The voice acting is very good for most characters, but especially good for Snake. The sound effects fit in well and make it the story that much more immersive.


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

Chi Ball
Date reviewed: May 22, 2004.

Overall: This is how a game should be done. It is
certainly a classic. It is like a good book
that you can just not put down until the
end. Very intriguing and a very thought
provoking storyline
Gameplay: At first a little awkward, but once you get
the hang of it, it works very well. I very
much like the first person control
Graphics: For a port, quite impressive. It has a very
crisp appearence. But ultimately it is the
gameplay that brings you in so that the
graphics aren't as essential.
Sound: I loved the sound track. An excellent sese
of power and adventure. The subtle
environments are really good too.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

m4oH
Date reviewed: March 2, 2004.

Overall: The best game so far! I have never played such a sweet game. I don't know where to even start! I mean it's like the best game. If you like titles such as Splinter Cell( stealth) then you should like this.This is the 1st game I've ever given all 5.0 stars. This is a must-have for everyone! New VR missions!
Gameplay: BUY THIS GAME! It kicks! It has the sweetest storyline out of every game. I watched my friend play this for 13 hours straight!!Just because how sweet the story was. It has the coolest characters.
Graphics: Awesome graphics. Rain hits Snake(your character) and slides off him realisticaly. The levels look nice and the blood is pretty realistic.
Sound: Hear everything. You can shoot a fire extingueher and hear it spray all over the place. You can smoke a ciggarette to use the smoke on where to see some rays but it lowers your health.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

The Jackal
Date reviewed: January 17, 2004.

Overall: This game is awesome. It has so many little additions like coughing when you walk through flour. I thought it was a huge improvement from past metal gear games.
Gameplay: This game is great. Needs stealth but still has the shoot em up excitement to it. Easy controls and great CPU intelligence.
Graphics: Visually pretty solid. The characters still have the tradional metal gear look which im happy to see. Cinematics could be a little better though.
Sound: Sound is pretty good in this game. Sounds pretty similar to all the past metal gears for PC and playstation. So if youve played those you know what to expect.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %

Homeless_Hacker
Date reviewed: December 29, 2003.

Overall: As a big fan of the metal gear series, there is no doubt in my mind that i would have to say that substance is an exciting game. While I have allready played the original sons of liberty for the ps2, substance for the box, is a more, how should i put this..."interesting" game all-in-all. So while still including the entire sons of liberty, adding all of the extra features was a nice touch that every game developer should keep in mind.
Gameplay: With its brillient story that keeps you guessing through-out the entire time dragging you along for a dramatic epic experience that no game before it has ever been able to accomplish so well, Metal gear solid 2: substance is a materpiece in the lines of story telling but could use only the slightest amounts of help with its camera views. For instance it is overwhelming, sometimes, when trying to play a title that has a..."not so good" camera viewing set only showing, you (snake and/or raiden) but rarly ever showing whats in front, or behind. This may not be making a lot of sence, but im trying. But remember this was only a small problem ariseing only in sertain areas in the game, so do not let what i have told you, just about the camera, discourage you in purchasing this game, because it is well worth the price of addmission. so with all annoyences aside, the game, in a whole is a wonderfull epic of tight controls and Maneuverability in finding the quietist way possible to eliminate your highly inteligent(great AI...obviously) enemys.
Graphics: Even with Konami not taking the full advantage in the xbox's power, much like others out there, the graphics are good but short from stunning. Unfortinatly it seems, to me, that the graphics are identical to those on the ps2 version, but then again, keep in mind that for the ps2, sons of liberty had some of the best graphics available for the playstation out of the games available at the time. But the closer you pay-attention to the box's version you can notably see, rather fine lighting enhancments, so i guess Konami did use, atleast a little bit, of the xbox's graphical power, but i do still hold the opinion in my mind that they could have done a better job at it.
Sound: The sound in some ways sounded great and at the same time, not so great. Because once you are entrigued in the twisted story of MGS2, you will soon come to think to yourself that the guns dont sound as if they were real. But unfortinatly the only thing you can do about that is sit and ponder, because the delightness of other quality sounds such as environmental effects, easily covered up for that small, but noticable flaw with the exeption of the "weak-sounding" explosions.
Suggestions: I think in many ways that you (konami) didnt take the advantage that you were presented with because you anticipated the release of MGS2 for the box so you only made slight differences through out the title. So in taking note of these... "thought to be"... facts, i would suggest trying taking just a little more time in polishing up this allready great game.


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %

OUTHOUSE
Date reviewed: December 22, 2003.

Overall: I think the games graphics are excellent. The storyline is just "over the top" enough to make it seem like it almost has "BOND LIKE" villians.
Gameplay: This game is set up well. Wish you could move while in first-person view though. I just got finished beating splintercell so it takes some getting used to as far as controls.
Graphics: I enjoy the colors. The cut scenes play out like a hollywood movie. I would say this game is well worth the purchase. It takes some used to with the camera angles
Sound: Sound is excellent.I cant really comment to much because I dont have surround sound. The Conversations between snake and otacon are hilarious.
Suggestions: Reissue Metal Gear Solid 1 for the X-Box with other features...Where is Metal Gear Solid 3?


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %

DocHoliday78
Date reviewed: December 9, 2003.

Overall: The sequel to one of the greatest games of all time, carries alot of hype wth it. Once again you play as snake but now there is a new character thrown into the mix. I wont ruin any secrets but this new guy is fun to use.
Gameplay: Classic Solid Snake gameplay. If your a vetran then the controlls will come into play perfectly and you wont have any gripes. For all the new fans starting this one up i suggest you play the vr missions. There are over 150 vr missions all based on there main theme. My favorites are the weapon vr's. This adds a ton of replay sice you can also unlock new characters to use in the vr's.
Graphics: This is a straight ps2 port. The framerate is a little iffy in the begging movie sequence but from there on every thing is fine. Of course they could have been a lot of changes for the better but you cant have everything i guess.
Sound: Fantastic sound. The music and conversation is outsatnding. Snake will make you laugh out loud a few times from his sarcastiv remarks.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %

xbox genius
Date reviewed: November 9, 2003.

Overall: funny story, but good old ps2 port. its fun, but dont match up to my expectations. you sneak aruond with a radar, i dont like that, plus the camera is fixed!! i hate this the most. although you got lots and lots of items and guns in your inventory. cinematics are really long, but they are rewarding, some of them are good like when ocelot steals ray, and when vamp kills the soldiers.

Lots of VR missions, i mean lots, and there are unlockables like infinite ammo bandana, and more, there is Snake Tales now. graphics arent too good, but the facial expressions are excellent
Gameplay: you have goals to complete so you sneak around to get those things done, on the way you get to hide in boxes and use knocking on walls to distract people(not included in splinter cell) you can lie against the floor to move, and collect doggy tags. Lots of VR missions and other extra missions included
Graphics: bad graphics, rain looks cool, reflections off the mirrors and on the grounds are WELL done. facial features on people are really good too, especially when they show there expressions, body movements are more life like.
Sound: hmm i didnt pay much attention to it, but you cant hear the footsteps as well as in splinter cell, you can hear so-so gun shooting, and the voicing is very good
Suggestions: why not include snake skateboarding in xbox version?!!?


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

Spidy
Date reviewed: November 4, 2003.

Overall: After all is done id say this game will be a game that Metal Gear solid lovers and non Metal Gear solid lovers will enjoy Thur time
Gameplay: If you liked the ps2 version of Metal Gear solid 2:Sons of liberty then you?ll really love this one it contains the same great unchanged version of sons of liberty and if your tired of only snake in the tanker and Raiden in the plant then why don?t you play the 300+ vr missions were you can also unlock even more great characters like ninja Raiden ,tux Snake and more oh and how about playing 5 additional Snake Tales mission, sadly in stead of getting a cool movie sequence after each level you have to read what went on and what?s going to happen next.
Graphics: If you like good graphics then this is your game it has the same great sons of liberty graphics and its even cell shaded in some areas sad thing is that in some parts of the game theres Framation which is disappointing be cause the xbox is supposed to support the most moving polygons per second also the graphics did not get any better with it being on the box
Sound: Great sounds, lovely music who can ask for any thing more? Every one can that?s why they threw in the Dolby surround sound
Suggestions: Put a rush on Metal Gear Solid 3


Overall: 50 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 80 %

RyoTheWanderer
Date reviewed: November 3, 2003.

Overall: absolutly great, love the concept, sneaking around, or u could take the enemy to the cleaners with a machine gun if u wish. eaither way, this game is full of plot twists and great action. lots of stealth manouvers and a huge arsenal of wepons. VR missions are repetitive and gay, and i havent taked time to do all the snakes quests. and i didnt find that skate-boarding thing i heard about.
Gameplay: smooth, you can run around, theres diving, hanging, climbing, sneaking, peeking. and I love it. this game is easy to pick up and play.
Graphics: smooth, the visual textures are great, suits are done well. even little cameras are done well, and theres gore GA-LORE!
Sound: fine, its ok, its...mediocre, not great, not bad, well, the SFX are great, but the audio music is ...alright.
Suggestions: wheres the skate-boarding i was promised?


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 70 %

Lord Vivic
Date reviewed: October 14, 2003.

Overall: A great game I have beaten and played this game over and over again.Sure it gets boring after a while but give it a week and it is like you just got it
Gameplay: AWSOME.I love the storyline.The controls are simple to learn.This is probably the best action game I have ever played.
Graphics: The graphics are excelent for this game.the detail they put into the uniforms and the Metal gears are outstanding.
Sound: The sounds are something to go crazy over.Every time I played the game I heard sounds that I didn't even remember hearing before.
Suggestions: You all did a great job.Mabe you could make a Metal Gear Solid 3,unless it comprimises with the feel of the game.and to the maker(I like your little adins in the game)


Overall: 50 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

halo_legend11
Date reviewed: October 13, 2003.

Overall: Since I never played the original version on the PS2,I was intriged by this game and it was worth the buy. The story is deep and gets more intresting as you play. Plus theres all the extra gameplay that the substance version has to keep u busy.
Gameplay: Great gameplay, but has they old one thumb style that u have to get used too. Also you can zoom in first person mode shoot but cant walk around with it.
Graphics: Prety nice graphics since its a PS2 port, but dosen't take the xbox to they extreme. Plus the water could be beter.
Sound: Nice, good and clear voices from the caracters. Simple gun shot sunds along with the explosions. The details on every enemy are also remarkebale
Suggestions: more Snake missions


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

dave729
Date reviewed: May 4, 2003.

Overall: This is a great game. It suffers from slowdown in the Tanker Chapter. You will probably be watching this game more than playing this game, because their are a lot of cutscenes. This would be a problem if the cutscenes sucked but that is not the case here my friends. If you like stealth games then stop reading my review and go to your nearest store and pick up a copy of this game. The faster you go to the store, the faster you will be holding up some suckas and stealing their dog tags. Also their is no mulitplayer which kind of stinks. This game takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. If you want bang for your buck then this is the game to get. It will take you forever to see everything this game has to offer!
Gameplay: What could be better than stealthly going around and snapping necks? Nothing is the answer. The gamplay is great the stealth aspect is really big in this game.
Graphics: What can a guy say? This game looks great. Some of the character models are great. Olga looked so good that I went up to the screen to kiss her but just got a static shock from my t.v.(This happened a few times). They could of beefed up the graphics a little but its still great the way it is.
Sound: The sound is so great in this game that it makes me want to go to the store and pick up the best surround sound for xbox that they have just for this game. The sound in this game is like dope to your ears
Suggestions: NEVER EVER EVER KILL OFF SNAKE! YOU TRICKY DEVELOPERS MADE ME BELIEVE THAT SNAKE WAS DEAD LIKE 5 TIMES!


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %

MixMasta
Date reviewed: April 6, 2003.

Overall: I thought this game was supposed to be great. I even picked it over Splinter Cell for my stealth game at the moment, but I was sorely mistaken. This game is an above average game, but there are many things that contribute to its downfall. Luckily, this game is next to impossible to ever finish with its millions of unlockables, which is a nice addition to wasting 50 bucks on a not so super game.
Gameplay: This is what really ticks me off. The game's controls are just wack. Why couldn't they have made them similar to other Xbox games. At least the right trigger could have been for shooting. This game flip flops the whole controller. Other than that, the game plays very smoothly, the story is rather nice, and the stealth aspects are just short of Splinter Cell. This game, however, adds a little more action in the mix. There are tons of VR missions and Sub Scenarios to unlock, and this game is the king of extra content! But another vice is the cut scenes. This game has a million cut scenes, and they are way to long. The last cut scene is like 40 minutes long. I bought a game, not a movie. You actually spend more time watching cut scenes than playing the actual game.
Graphics: This graphics are top notch for the PS2, but not for the Xbox. If your looking for great graphics, go play Splinter Cell. These graphics are nice, but not fantastic.
Sound: I really liked the score of this game, and like other stealth games, the sound effects are part of playing the game. So, it is not unlikely that there are lots of good sound effects in the game since their part of how you beat the game.
Suggestions: I really think you go all out with the cut scenes, but not everyone likes cut scenes. Don't over do it next time, and please, make the controls easier to use.


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %

Arlovegas
Date reviewed: March 13, 2003.

Overall: I don't really understand some of the low ratings this game has gotten. It's not without it's frustrations, but it's a perfect cap to a wonderful franchise and Xbox owners are lucky to get this one. Really a great choice to port over, I'm not sure much of the capability of the Xbox it uses, but it looks and plays like a champ. Not as groundbreaking as Splinter Cell, but not the same game. More an arcade/movie stealth game, there is an excellent attention to detail in this game that makes it stand in a class of it's own.
Gameplay: Most everyone knows the goals and story of this series, this version simply revolutionizes the interface and adds a graphical and gameplay bonanza. That said, it's a very story orientated game and the cut-scenes seem to bother a lot of people. I think it's a nice break in the stressful action scenes, and adds to just a ton of things to see and mess with in the gameplay levels. This game is almost like a minituare portrait, and paying attention to the massive amount of minute detail will pay dividends of wonder. Also, controls are great, I love the feel of this game. The VR missions are a plus, but no great big deal.
Graphics: Nothing new from the PS2 really, but it seems to run better. The payoff is in the intricate details, from small little puddles, photos, etc. A small mystery wonderland with great enemies, etc. I love the graphic format and don't see the major camera problems others have talked about. All in all, very finely done.
Sound: Nothing too stunning here. Everything is rendered fine, with alright voice acting. Not the game's strongest point, but done with care like the whole package.
Suggestions: I hope the series continues to grow and expand, such great game attention never grows stale. The AI isn't as smart as the new standard Splinter Cell, but it's a different game and I hope it keeps going it's own road. Love it!


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %

trav777sk8
Date reviewed: March 5, 2003.

Overall: THIS GAME IS COOL I MEEN IT IS REALLY JUST LIKE THE SOL FOR PS2 BUT IT HAS A LOT MORE VRs WHICH IS COOL CAUSE IT JUST MAKES THE GAME LAST A LOT LONGER.
Gameplay: I LIKE THE GAME I THINK THAT IT IS COOL PRETTY MUCH JUST LIKE SOL BUT THEY CHANGED UP THE CONTROLS BIG TIME.I MEEN I KNOW THEY HAVE TO A LITTLE GOING FROM PS2 TO XBOX BUT THEY CHANGED EVERYTHING. AND THAT IS REALLY MY ONLY COMPLAINT AND PLUS YOU CAN JUST GO TO CONFIGURATION AND FIX IT.
Graphics: GRAPHICS LOOK JUST LIKE SOL WHICH I THINK THEY ARE GREAT.THEY DID DO A FEW THINGS TO MAKE IT MORE REALISTIC.LIKE ON SUBSTANCE WHEN YOU ARE OUT IN THE RAIN AND WIND YOU CAN NOT RUN AS FAST AND HE PULLS HIS GUN OUT SLOWER.ON SONS OF LIBERTY YOU JUST RUN THE SAME SPEED.
Sound: SOUND IS ALWAYS GOOD I CANT REALLY SAY TO MUCH BAD ABOUT IT OTHER THAN I HAVE ALWAYS HATED WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING AS RAIDEN I HATE HIS STUPID FUCKING GIRLFRIEND BECAUSE LIKE EVERY 2 SECONDS SHE GETS ON WHEN YOU ARE GETTING SHOT AT AND SHE STARTS TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH SHE LOVES HIM AND I JUST WANT HER TO DIE
Suggestions: I LOVE YOUR GAMES AND I THINK IM SPEAKING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN I SAY KEEP MAKING MORE.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

X-Killer
Date reviewed: February 8, 2003.

Overall: Metal Gear Solid 2 is a pretty good game. It has a few problems, like the insane amount of movies, and a confusing storyline, but the gameplay that it has is good. The game has solid elements and the VR Missions that came with this version are great.
Gameplay: Gameplay is great in this game. However, there's too little of it. Watching the movies and all, I took almost 11 hours. When I skipped them, my time was reduced to 6 hours. Figure it out: only 6 hours of gameplay. Six hours of superb gameplay I might add. Some times you might feel the guards are a little stupid, but at some point they're fun to deal with.

Then, you can find the VR Missions. I guarantee these will last a long time. However, at times they may feel a little too simple.
Graphics: The game looks good. I'm surprised by the amount of slowdown MGS2 has in the tanker area, and some parts of the plant. However, the game manages to run smoothly when you're out of these problems. It doesn't look bad for a year-old game.
Sound: The music is said to be composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, the guy behind Armageddon. The music, in my opinion, is nothing special really. It's not terrible. However, at times it fits with the environment of the story. However, I didn't like it personally.
Suggestions: The game was poorly ported from the PS2. You should polish it for the Xbox. Good luck with MGS3.


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 70 %

vitalidex
Date reviewed: January 2, 2003.

Overall: It sounds like it would be awesome to play the PS2's best selling game on the XBox. It's got new VR missions and playable characters (which you can only play as in the VR missions).
Gameplay: I suppose either because it's a port from the PS2 or because the gameplay is just so darn fun, the gameplay is un-changed from it's PS2 counter-part. It's simple gameplay. Sneak around, don't get caught, kill some people. The only thing I don't like is the shooting. There's really no auto-aim in MGS2: Substance so most of the time you're forced to use a first-person view mode to shoot people up. I have no problem with first-person views it's just that in MGS2:S you can't move while in first person view. The black & white buttons on the controller are un-used too, which once you play it seems that the inventory screens could benefit freom their use. Other than those few, minor problems with the gameplay, MGS2:S till keeps great, fun gameplay.
Graphics: I'm a little dis-appointed in the visuals department. The graphics are direct ports from the PS2 played at a higher resolution. I feel that Konami could have improved the visuals a lot but they chose not to do so. Even though, I feel, the visuals could have been a lot better on XBox, the higher resolution does add a new crispness from the original MGS2 and the original graphics were looking great. Graphics are mediocre when compared to what they could be on XBox but they're still good.
Sound: The sound is a different version of the same thing from the visual. The sound is just sound unless you have a Dolby compatible surround system. The sound that your character hears is directionally transmitted to your speakers to give the feeling you're Snake or Raiden. I really enjoy the sound. If you've ever played a game with surround sound, then you know what I'm talking about. If you don't have surround sound, however, the sound gets old and you'll probably mute your TV and play some music on your stereo or something like that. The surround sound is great. I don't understand why more game don't use surround sound. I'm glad this one did.
Suggestions: Could've improved the graphics higher than MGS2:SOL. Now what do we XBox fan-boys have to brag about with out MGS2? VR missions. Well, that is pretty good, too.


Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 100 %

imanym
Date reviewed: January 2, 2003.

Overall: I was pretty much drawn in from the hype from all of the PS2 owners. After actually sinking my hands into the game and realizing its limited view (no up or down or 360 camera control what so ever), I found it difficult to be the character.
Gameplay: The problem with the game play with this title has to be the limited aspect of the camera. It seems a large amount of Japanese 3D 3rd person action titles do not let you look up and down or 360 degerees around your character(dead to rights, Genma Onimusha, Metal gear Solid, Resident evil, After Dark). With games like Max Payne, Splinter Cell and Hitman2 I have no patience for the limited sight problem.
Graphics: The graphics are top notch. The resolution seems a bit low at time because the game actually controls the camera. But if graphics is what you are looking for then this is the game to get. However, there are better in the XBOX library.
Sound: The sound is pretty good. I have a home theater system and I really have not found too many faults in sound in any game I have played yet.
Suggestions: The game has potential but with the limited camera control in comparison to its peers is unacceptable. To all Japanese game makers. If you are making a 3rd person action shooter you must make the camera 360 and up and down. If not this only makes sight of your own limitation in developing a game. Follow the views of Max Payne, Splinter Cell, Buffy, Hitman 2. (Up and down and all around.


Overall: 20 %
Gameplay: 20 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

Megaherz *RAGE*
Date reviewed: December 31, 2002.

Overall: After more than fifty reviews, I finally decided to re-examine the structure of my criticisms.
So now i will start every review with a brief sumarize of the story and i will finish the overal
appeal with a short comment about the game. Metal Gear Solid 2 : Substance is divided in two section,
the first one is Tanker and the other one is Plant Chapter. In Tanker, you are following the incident
on Shadow Moses Island, Metal Gear's top-secret technology was leaked into the black market through the
machination of Revolver Ocelot. As a result, countless variation of Metal Gear have sprung up in every
corner of the globe, making the weapon an increasingly common sight in the armed forces of nuclear powers.
Then Solid Snake has learned that a new prototype has been developed by the U.S marines and is being
transported in secret to an unknow destination. However, just as Snake is about to begin his mission,
the tanker is seized by a mysterious armed russian group. In plant chapter, you are in Big Shell which is a huge
offshore cleanup facility constructed off New York's coast that serves as a symbol of environmental preservation
and he is now occupied by a terrorist group calling themself the Son Of Liberty. The president, who was on a tour
to inspect the facility at time, has been taken hostage, and SoL have demanded a large sum of money from the government
in return for his release. If demand is not met, they have threatened to detonate a series of bomb placed around the big shell,
releasing huge amounts of chemical toxin into the sea and unleashing a massive environmental disaster. That where you must join
the party, but remember that terrorist has always biggest plan than gain money ! Finally, in my mind Metal Gear Solid was supposed
to be a legend but it was no where close, in fact i give him the award of the most boring game of the Christmas Rush.

Gameplay: In Metal Gear Solid 2, you must X to use your weapon or throw choke, A to crawl, Y is the action button and B is to fight.
The right trigger does the same thing as the left one, i mean that with it you can select and equip your weapon.
Also the thumbstick have been programmed to move your character or to switch into a first person mod. Finally with
the back button, you can use the codec to talk with every squad member. Control are also different when you are playing in
first person mod. In example, the left thumbstick is used to look around. We all know that the last two month was the best moment
to buy a stealth game because three of them was been release in the same period but how does Metal Gear Solid look different from the other who
are Splinter Cell and Hitman 2 ? There is nothing really spectacular in Metal Gear Solid because it seem that it's just a pale copy of other gameplay.
I know that Hitman and Splinter Cell are younger than the father's of stealth but i mean that both game have something
more enjoyable than him. As example, in Hitman you are travelling to exotic place and in Splinter Cell you must hide into the dark to success.
In Metal Gear Solid, the only thing who look like that i am playing a stealth game is that i can hide bodies every where and the possibility of not being seen by anyone.
What i really dislike in Metal Gear Solid is that if i am not in there cone vision they cannot see me. Sometimes i was just a little bit far on the opposite
side and i was able to take all my time to have a headshot or they were spotting me and the only idea i get to survive is to enter in a nearby room to hide into a closet
and they were entering the room and leaving soon because everything was looking perfect. Come on if i am entering a room and that everybody saw me, why does the hell they leave ?
An another bad idea is the respawning of terrorist, i mean that if you kill everyone in a room and that 1 hour later they
are back, i didn't have the feeling that it's real. I suggest to you that you put like fifty terrorist who are hard to
kill, because they have a great artificial intelligence, on the Big Shell and after they were been killed, there is no much people or respawning. Also i hate when people are
lying to me and it's what you are doing because you say that Metal Gear Solid contain 350 + vr. One character contain like 50 challenge and that all, if you are taking the vr of other character which
are all the same to me, i must call this as false publicity or as a good way to make more money. Finally Snake's tales was a great idea because you can see
what Snake was doing when you were with Raiden.
Graphics: I will begin this part of my review with this sentence : graphic was a shame for all x-box owner. I always wanted video when i was with my old Nintendo 64, but
in Metal Gear Solid, there were not what i was waiting for. The type you have created is just too dark and it's cannot be compared with what Ubisoft have done.
Also, people who create this game save a lot of money by using the same texture again and again and also that they put some flashy orange everywhere on the second chapter.
I know that recycle is pretty good for the environment but not on video game. Also the graphic of the Vr are the worst i ever seen, there is no color, no texture, in fact there is nothing.
Finally the box and the cd art were a another example of how much your game is shame for us.

Sound: The sound was just on the dead line ! I didn't remember a lot about it and when nothing stay on my head it's because it was not so amazing.

Suggestions: No more Metal Gear Solid, more Splinter Cell !


Overall: 60 %
Gameplay: 60 %
Graphics: 50 %
Sound: 60 %

Forever's Night
Date reviewed: December 30, 2002.

Overall: Metal Gear Solid revolutionized gaming when it was released for PSX. An avid hater of ps2, i refused to buy mgs2: sons of liberty, so when i heard about substance on xbox, i got really happy. i have played both versions, and the xbox version is easily better. the controls hold better and the graphics are better. this game has got a great story, better graphics, and a very movielike feel, making cinemas very enjoyable.
Gameplay: MGS2: Substance hosts a great story which unfolds more and more around every corner you turn (LITERALLY!). Because of this, you don't spend endless hours wandering around with no goal to keep you pushing. Also, the controls hold really well, especially with xbox's good controller, compared to sony's bad one.
Graphics: The graphics definately aren't Splinter Cell or Resident Evil (Gamecube), but it IS a ps2 port, so it has to have some slack (since ps2 isn't near as powerful as gc or xb). For a port from ps2 though, the game did really well i think. All of the main characters have good detail to them and are unique and original (snake, raiden, vamp, fortune, etc). Overall, the game has good graphics and is shot from a good camera angle. The first person mode is also really neat in that it solves many of the shooting problems from mgs 1 on psx.
Sound: The reason I gave sound a 3.5 is because I'm comparing it with mgs 1's soundtrack, which was absolutely amazing. I think personally that reusing the sounds from mgs keep an original feel that mgs fans appreciate, and that it's a good idea. I think they should have used the same base for the song when you get caught rather than the techno thing, but whatever floats their boat i suppose.
Suggestions: Keep the music more like that of Metal Gear Solid. Other than that, the game is pretty much perfect.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 70 %

xboxwizard
Date reviewed: December 28, 2002.

Overall: I really enjoyed the game. especially all the twists towards the ends and the game.... take out the gameplay, and its a movie. Literally!
Gameplay: the gameplay was fun. i enjoyed the VR's alot. but it really doesn't have 500+ missions. it has so many cuz you unlock characters. the game was a bit challenging but good.
Graphics: great graphics here. made snake a man and raiden.... a boy.... still, good graphics on the game and cutscenes.
Sound: the sounds of the guns and walking and doors, sound alot like the first ones. the alert exclamation? "BRING!"
Suggestions: X-box live with deathmatch and stuff. more gameplay and less LESS cutscenes. make snakes part longer.


Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 70 %

DaGameBoy
Date reviewed: December 17, 2002.

Overall: First off, I must agree alot with Dr_J and his brief review. I was SORELY disappointed with this game. I had read alot of the reviews and was kinda hyped about this game. Now I had played Metal Gear way back in a day on the NES and it was AWESOME! (for that day and age), so I was expecting some more great stuff. Unfortunately, I was let down. The only saving grace for me not feeling totally ripped, was that it was a free rental :) Read on for more of why I rated this way.....
Gameplay: Gameplay was not TOO aweful, but the biggest hangup was not being able to adjust the camera angle at all. That just plain killed the game for me, especially since I just finished beating Splinter Cell (which, btw, is a GREAT game :))
So you can look in 1st person view, but you can't move? What's up with that? Please don't tell me that all those Japanese programmers can't walk and look around at the same time.... :/
Having to rely on the map to know what is just on my left, but out of screen view is stupid to say that least. I can to go 1st person and look at it, but I can't move, so I must switch between 1st person to look and 3rd to move. Very, very dumb. If I could look at move at the same time, like Splinter Cell, I would have prob purchased this game.
True cutscenes were long, but hey, you pay some big $$$ for a game, I like it to last a while. So no complaints there.
3rd person camera control woulda made this one a real winner :(
Graphics: Graphics were ok, but like I've said before, what can you expect from a port? Seen better and with the advent of Splinter Cell anybody that gives this game a 5 in graphics after Splinter Cell must have their head examined.
True, the polygons look nice, but nowhere near what the ol' X can do.
Like I said, if you give graphics a 5 on this, then you need to give graphics on Splinter Cell a 12. Nuff' said.
Sound: Sound was good and clear. Background music was not overbearing like some games. At least they got this portion of the game right.
Suggestions: Take a hint from, what will prob be this years "Game Of The Year", Splinter Cell. Can you say "CAMERA CONTROL"? If you can't do something as simple as that, then just don't do it at all :/


Overall: 20 %
Gameplay: 60 %
Graphics: 60 %
Sound: 80 %

LapisLazuli
Date reviewed: December 16, 2002.

Overall: First off let me say that I really like the first MGS. I liked it so much that I imported the soundtrack. It was a great game with a gripping story. MGS2:S, in comparison was total garbage, and not worth playing ever again.
Gameplay: Gameplay is pretty much the same as the first MGS with the exception of the 1st person view... which is (sadly) a really dumb idea. You cant move around while in first person mode, just point your gun at stuff. Really lame. Other than that the game is mildy difficult, and I wont lie, I did have alot of fun PLAYING the game, but the painfully long cutscenes, and codec conversations really hurt. The script was so bad I actually beat the latter half of the game without watching any of the cutscenes or codec stuff and I refused to watch the ending. Something told me that it would make me kill my xbox...
Graphics: Wow. Some very good graphics, but not at all what I expected. According to an old Official Xbox Mag, this game was to feature 480p resolution AND bumpmapping... What we got instead was 480p resoulution and enough slowdown to make you want to vomit.... I mean c'mon... its the friggin XBOX!
Sound: The sounds in this game a amazing, and so is the music. If the game excels in any one place, its probably the sound. Everything is crystal clear, and bext of all, its in english :)
Suggestions: Dont EVER EVER EVER Let anyone with an IQ less than that of a styrofoam cup re-write an amazing story! MGS was brilliant and had brilliant memorable characters..... this one had a fat guy on roller blades.... And the story jumped around so much and made so little sense to the original story. In short, you !&%$@#* ed up BIG time!


Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %

gamers wetbar
Date reviewed: December 12, 2002.

Overall: Awsome game! I mean really the graphix are great the sneeking mode is almost like the first one on the ps 1. Great variety of vr missions, like the one where u are buck naked and you are trying to get passed the these elit guards thats jest FUNNY! but their might be more better games i dont know really cause i'm jest borrowing the X-Box but from what i see it has great varity and graphix plus they got a bit of comidy on the game that spices the game play up hehehe. PEACe OUT!
Gameplay: Very similer controls to the PS1 game, its kinda easy to get used to if u never have played on the X-Box at all but u can get the hang of it in about oh lets say hour or two, again thats if u never played the X-Box before.
Graphics: For a newcomer to the X-Box the graphix are WHUPPY ASS! i mean God Dang they are almost like poping out at u when u are playing on a big screen tv lol. Again from my point of veiw (i WAS a gamecube addict but then i played the X-Box and basicly threw away the gamecube)the graphix are tight. an all out 5 from me!
Sound: Sound was ok. sence i dont usally listen to sound i cant say that it was good sound. well that might be because i play it with no volume heh heh heh(Dont want to wake up my dad) so i cant say that it was good or bad jest average.
Suggestions: Add more Jokes and wierd bosses. also shave the armpits off the russain womens armpits hehe she would be hot if it wernt for those gerbils under her pits LOL! PEACE OUT!


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 70 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 60 %

CAB23
Date reviewed: December 11, 2002.

Overall: I was a big fan of the Metal Gear Solid game on PS1 so I also enjoyed MGS2. The depth of the game was great as were the graphics. Controls were decent and its pretty fun. The game, however, has way too many cut scenes.
Gameplay: The controls were similar to the PS1 MGS, so I found them very easy to learn. Plus, I especially liked how the game was more realistic. Having the capability to hide bodies in lockers was a nice touch. Aiming your gun was easy, unlike some games where the crosshairs move around too fast - the aiming was nice because it enables you to kill enemies usually with just one shot. My only complaint is that the game didn't allow customized controls. I hated clicking the left joystick to get into 1st person view - it's too easy to go into the wrong view on accident. But one thing is for sure: TOO MANY CUT SCENES!!!!
Graphics: The graphics were very nice. The lighting and shadows added a cool dimension to the game. Shooting enemies in the head was realistic. Blood would stain a wall 10 feet behind the guy. Snake's !&%$@#* is too fat though. A guy who is trying to prevent nuclear war by killing bad guys shouldn't have a fat ass!
Sound: When I fired my gun, I heard a gunshot. When I used some C4, I heard explosions. When I ran in the rain, the water splashed. The sound seemed fine to me.
Suggestions: Simple: less cut scenes, more gameplay!


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %

joe sides
Date reviewed: December 11, 2002.

Overall: The appeal of the game with all the extra stuff is why I bought the game. People have been complaining about the camera not being movable and all this other stuff, People need to research the game before they buy it so that they know what their getting themselves into. One hint, use the Internet!
Gameplay: I liked the ablility to be able to change your controller configuration and I also like that the game time matches what time of day it is in realtime.
Graphics: the graphics have been updated for the xbox and they are sweet! you can see a ripple when you walk on a wet floor. the detail of rain splashing down on your character is top notch.
Sound: the love the ability to distract your enemies with noise. I have to try this game out with headphones and see how it appeals to me.
Suggestions: I was prepared for not having a movable camera but I would still like one in the next metal gear game. I think that turned alot of people off not being able to have a movable camera. Make all the extra playable characters available from the beginning instead of having to complete a certain level to get that character.


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %

Dr_J
Date reviewed: December 10, 2002.

Overall: Terrible game.
Out-of-date graphics.
Aweful story-line.
There's more cut-scenes then there is gameplay. I would give this game a '0' if it was possible, but XBA is forcing me to give it a 1.5. Why can't I give this poor excuse for a game a 1 that it deserves???
Gameplay: Controls were aweful. Were's the camera control? This was a major letdown from the previous MG. Don't waste your time on MGS3 unless you completely revamp EVERYTHING!
Graphics: Out-of-date graphics. Take a look at the competition to see how's it's done right. Splinter Cell comes to mind.
Sound: The music in the game is decent, but the souns themselves are terrible. How can your R&D dept. listen to that crap and say, "This is good?"
Suggestions: Look at the competition and you will see you are out of your league. Get your head out of your butt and redo MGS3 from scratch.


Overall: 30 %
Gameplay: 20 %
Graphics: 20 %
Sound: 20 %

Pr0j3ct]:[k1LLa
Date reviewed: December 10, 2002.

Overall: This game is the best game ever. Its incredible detail, story and development work is amazing. Many people are complaining about the cut-scenes and story, however the story is fantastic and cut-scenes are very cool! They are filled with action packed sequences with amazing detail and you can zoom in and out in real time. The story is driven by so much plot. The character designs are well done. This game is far better and longer than Splinter Cell. Splinter Cell has copied nearly everything from this game. Hideo Kojima has put so much work into this game and has done an extremely good job. There are so many memorable moments to be had. It is one of these games that really boost your imaganation and make you think.
Gameplay: Gameplay is for most parts fantastic. However it is unique and may take a while to get used to. It is japenesy like Resident Evil games with the camera in one location not in freeform. But it adds a sense of beauty. Americans like action and blood and gore with no stroy but this game focus's on beauty and everything is well balanced to fit to the game perfectly.
Graphics: When this was released on PS2 for the first time it was incredible. However the xbox suppresors further than the PS2 and the graphics do not look to good. But it makes up for it with its detail and interactivity. Such as looking into the rain and seeing splashs on the camera while the rain patterns move. Seagulls poo on you and you can slip in there mess. Water detail is the best i have ever seen. Everything has been carefully crafted. Hideo used sensors on Japans Special Ops forces to get perfect animation on soldiers.
Sound: Sound is great. Gun sounds, dialogue, voices, machines and miscallanious things sounds fantastic. Raiden and Snakes voices are so much better than that idiot who does the voice from Splinter Cells. Snake and Raiden sound like real hero's not phonies. Gun noises are a real highlight.
Suggestions: Please bring out MGS3. Hideo has said that MGS2 is the last in the Metal Gear titles but i pray he will change his mind. Please bring out Zone of Enders 2 for Xbox.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

XBOX Rulez All
Date reviewed: November 28, 2002.

Overall: I LOVE THIS GAME! IT IS THE ONE I RECCOMEND FOR EVERYONE! THIS GAME IS THE BEST GAME OUT FOR ACTION/STRATEGY! METAL GEAR SOLID 2 SUBSTANCE IS AN AWESOME GAME WITH HIGH QUALITY. ALTHOUGH IT HAD ONE ERROR WITH THE SLOWING DOWN OF THE RAIN IN THE TANK CHAPTER, THE GAMEPLAY COMES BACK IN AWESOME DETAIL. IT IS THE GAME "tom clancy's splinter cell" RIPPED OFF OF! HIDEO KOJIMA IS A GOD AT MAKING VIDEO GAMES, AND I HOPE HE CONTINUES THIS SERIES WITH METAL GEAR SOLID 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


METAL GEAR SOLID 4 EVER!!!!!!!!!!!


THE GAME OF THE YEAR, WHAT MORE CAN I SAY!!!!!!F YOU DONT BUY IT, YOU DONT KNOW WHAT A VIDEO GAME IS!!!!!!!;splinter cell" SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gameplay: I LOVE THE GAMEPLAY. SNAKE AND RAIDEN ARE THE BEST. I MEAN WHO ELSE COULD COME UP WITH CHARACTERS THIS GOOD! YOU CAN SHOOT PEOPLE IN THE BALLZ FOR GOD SAKES! MGS2 SUBSTANCE IS THE BEST GAME EVER! IT WAS THE GAME OF THE YEAR, WHAT MORE CAN I SAY!
Graphics: NICE LIGHTING. AWESOME EVERYTHING. THE BEST GAME OUT! TELL ME IF THE STUPID CRAPPY "splinter cell" CAN EVEN TRY TO MATCH THIS GAME!
Sound: THE BEST SOUND THAT HAS EVER TOUCHED MY EARS! METAL GEAR SOLID 2 SUBSTANCE IS THE BEST GAME FOR SOUND AND DETAIL! I RECCOMEND BUYING IT!!!!!!!!
SUBSTANCE FOREVER!!!!!!!!!
Suggestions: I LOVE THIS GAME SO MUCH!! PLEASE MAKE ANOTHER METAL GEAR SOLID GAME!
SNAKE AND RAIDEN ARE THE BEST CHARACTERS SO FAR IN GAME HISTORY!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE CONTINUE THIS SERIES! METAL GEAR IS THE BEST GAME EVER! HIDEO, YOU KICK ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance News

Metal Gear On The Xbox 360?
After stirring up a bit of controversy expressing his doubts about the PS3, Hideo Kojima is now open to the idea of Metal Gear also appearing on other platforms. Good news for you Raiden fans.

Metal Gear Solid 2 Up For Review
Metal Gear Solid Coming To Xbox
Metal Gear Solid X A Reality?

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