I love the MGS on PSX, and MGS 4 on PS3. I decided to get a Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection for PS3 because I never played MGS 2, 3 and Peace Walker which I don't own both PS2, and PSP. Lets get back to review, shall we.
Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. It has 3 games available on PS3 and X360, while PSVita only has 2 games available which didn't include HD version of Peace Walker unless you can download PSP version from PSN store.
This package comes with HD overhaul, extra features from MGS 2 and MGS 3, updated controls for console version of Peace Walker, and system transferring which conteins shared save files between PS3 and PSVita or PSP.
The storyplot of MGS 2 has 2 chapters. The Tanker chapter starts after Shadow Moses incident from MGS 1. Solid Snake and Otacon are investigating the development of a new Metal Gear, while the Plant chapter starts with Raiden has a mission to rescue hostages and US President from terrorist group Dead Cell are also tries to destroy Big Shell facility.
In MGS 3, the storyplot takes place before the event of Portable Ops and Peace Walker. The CIA agent Naked Snake arrives to USSR to rescue Soviet scientist Sokolov, who secretly created the nuclear weapon called Shagohod, before Sokolov is been captured by Cobra Unit, while Snake is beaten and thrown out of the bridge by his former mentor The Boss is now working with USSR Colonel named Volgin allowing to escape with Sokolov. In the week after, Naked Snake seeking his new mission to destroy the stolen Shagohod and kill his former mentor The Boss who already betrayed Snake and the U.S.
In MGS: PW, the storyplot take place 10 years after the event of MGS 3. MSF deputy commander Kazuhira Miller asking Big Boss (A.K.A Naked Snake) to join MSF group to stop the invading armed group attacking Costa Rica. Big Boss are headed at the beach to investigating the supply base.
There are gameplay differences in each game. In MGS 2, the gameplay is similar to predecessor such as MGS 1 which your character can able to do stealth combat which you can sneak through the different room without getting caught by bad guys seeing you or camera device. You can able to hide behind the wall or any hiding objects such as cardboard box. You can perform your stealth moves by tossing the bad guys down or sneak behind and choke them to death. You can hide the dead bodies to different room without getting bad guys suspicious. MGS 2 adds the FPS aiming mode which you can able to aim and shoot the bad guys down in any directions which is lot easier than the predecessor but it's gets little harder for aiming and shooting at the bad guys, when trying to shoot them.
In MGS 3, the gameplay has similar thing as the MGS 2, but it adds some improvements like the better camera movement which you can rotate camera in any directions which is easier for gameplay environment. The stealth combat is also added which you can able to interrogating bad guys and perform slitting the throat with knife when equipping. You can able to hold lot of weapons and items which can be found on pause menu. You can sort out the weapons and items that you need to use or equip. You can collect any food types in the jungle that will increase your character's stamina. You can able to cure your health issues from pause menu.
In MGS: P.W, the gameplay is much like MGS 4. The original control schemes is plays like a PSP version, while the updated controls schemes for consoles version is handles like MGS 4 with better camera controls, character's movements and stealth combat which plays much better than the PSP version. You can able to upgrade weapons and items from the R&D menu, and you can add levels skills from Mother Base as well.
I say the gameplay is pretty well done with excellent combat, great action packed shooting and definitely boss fights are the best part of the games.
The graphics are slightly look decent on MGS 2 and 3 with HD but it need bit more better for textures and backgrounds, while P.W look much detailed with better textures, animation and design are look much improved from the PSP version.
The music and sounds has pretty kick ass music score, awesome sound effects and perfect voice acting for every characters in the game.
The special features has plenty lot more stuff to enjoy. It includes extra missions and Snake's tales in MGS 2, while MGS 3 has 2 MSX games such as Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. MGS: P.W has shared save data which you can able to transfer continuous save data between PS3 and PSP.
Advantages
Brilliant gameplay.
Decent graphics.
Fantastic Music and Sounds.
Extra features for MGS 2 and 3.
Transferring save data for MGS: P.W.
Great storyplot.
Awesome characters.
Disadvantages
Solid Snake's campaign is too short on MGS 2.
Raiden's outfit in MGS 2 doesn't look awesome as his cyborg ninja outfit in MGS 4 or MGR look way more badass than his cheesy outfit in MGS2.
The cutscenes and character's conversation in codec is little bit too long.
FPS aiming mode is little bit harder on MGS 2 and 3, compared to MGS: P.W.
Final Verdict
Is it a best collection for modern consoles or should anyone stick with original version instead, here is my bottom line.
Gameplay 9.4/10 - Excellent stealth combat and great controls schemes.
Graphics 7.6/10 - Decent graphics for MGS 2 and 3 running on HD but it looked better on MGS: P.W with better animation, textures and some details.
Music and Sounds 9.1/10 - Best music score in MGS games, great sound effects and fantastic voice acting for characters.
Special Features 9/10 - Extra mission and Snake's tales on MGS 2, 2 MSX games on MGS 3, and Save transferring on MGS: P.W.
Overall 9/10 - Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection is worth to get it. It's recommended for action game fans who don't own both PS2 and PSP. If you already have these collection on original console, then stick it to both original PS2 and PSP version. It's one of the best HD collection that defines the stealth action games genres.
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