AppleQueso wrote:
I'd still not recommended playing them in chronological order. It actually makes LESS sense that way.
ah fair enough. The only one I've spent major time with is the GBC release. But I do plan to tackle the PS1/PS2 releases at some point -- including the MSX2 ports.
You might be able to get away with skipping them for now, but you can play MGS1 without it.
Actually it might be really nifty to play the MSX ports and then jump into the "Solid" series if you're playing them for the first time. MGS1 makes a lot of references to the MSX ports.
Ziggy587 wrote:So that disc IS in fact MGS2 Substance? Weird that it doesn't say "Substance" any where on the disc.
Like I said, the box set thing. It's weird I know. It contains only the first disc of MGS3 subsistence too, the logic being that the second disc contained mainly an online game that has sense had its servers shut down. The first disc still says "Disc 1" on the title screen though
Lol.
So the "extras" in Substance and Subsistence... are they in-game extras or just bonus shit? I have both versions of both games, so I'm not wondering which I should pick up. I'm just wondering if the actual main game of each varies at all.
Ziggy587 wrote:So that disc IS in fact MGS2 Substance? Weird that it doesn't say "Substance" any where on the disc.
Like I said, the box set thing. It's weird I know. It contains only the first disc of MGS3 subsistence too, the logic being that the second disc contained mainly an online game that has sense had its servers shut down. The first disc still says "Disc 1" on the title screen though
Lol.
So the "extras" in Substance and Subsistence... are they in-game extras or just bonus shit? I have both versions of both games, so I'm not wondering which I should pick up. I'm just wondering if the actual main game of each varies at all.
Mostly bonus shit, the only exception being that MGS3 Subsistence has a new (and much better) camera.
If you have to decide between the original MGS and Twin Snakes, I really would try and let yourself get used to the psx graphics. Twin Snakes is cool and all, but the balance is a little wacked, as regular enemies are much smarter than the original, but bosses are way easier. Plus the Kitamura-isms in the cutscenes get a bit ridiculous.
I don't know what it is about Twin Snakes, but it just doesn't feel right. I think I'm just massively biased to the perfection of the original, and Twin Snakes just doesn't live up to that. It's a shame, because I really want to like it.
MGS2 Substance isn't really necessary. It's a nice curiosity to have for collectors (like me) but it's not necessary. MGS3 Subsistance definitely is though. The new camera massively changes the game for the better. The old camera system works fine when you're in mostly square environments and corridors. When you're placed into a jungle, you don't want to be constantly having to switch to first person view or back up against a tree to see where you're going. It's a nightmare compared to the free camera that Subsistance has.
I don't know if it's the same in your country but our Subsistance was 3 discs with one disc having both Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 from the MSX/MSX2. So I'd look for that one if you're wanting to get Metal Gear Solid 3.
I actually already own both versions of both games. My NTSC-U Subsistence is 2-disc but it includes the MSX games as well, it says so on the back cover.
I was actually playing my PS1 MGS last night. I bought this game brand new and only played it briefly years ago. I haven't touched it in years. That's why I pissed that there's a huge scratch on disc 1. When I was playing it, it would stutter during cut scenes. Then when I was in the vents (right in the beginning of the game) I guess it was gonna load a cut scene but never did. Shame. I've already downloaded disc 1, my PS1 is chipped but my PS2 isn't (yet). I grabbed Twin Snakes as well, so I'm gonna check that out for a few minutes to compare. But I think I'm gonna make an attempt at the PS1 version.
I never got the Twin Snakes hate, and haven't seen a clear argument for why it's better that isn't based on either fanboyism or nostalgia. (This doesn't mean a clear argument in favor of the PS1 game can't exist, but I just haven't seen one.)
Twin Snakes drops accents for the voice acting and adds some ridiculously over-the-top moments in cut scenes. Given how all other aspects of the presentation outside of cheesy voice acting is improved, and how numerous odd and extreme moments exist in this series anyway, neither issues damages the experience.
Changing the gameplay for Twin Snakes to include improvements from later games can matter. Snake is more mobile and has learned some new tricks to stay out of trouble. It can make some parts of the game much easier, especially the ability to jump into first-person mode for combat. Of course that's assuming you actively choose to make the game easier by using those extra gameplay features... if you choose not to use first-person mode then you are (mostly) left with a game that looks and plays better with significantly affecting the difficulty.
Frankly, I wouldn't recommend the original version to anyone starting out with the series now unless they are a known retro fan. For a PS1 game it's ambitious and well-crafted, but there is nothing that the PS1 release does better than Twin Snakes (in my opinion) other than simply being "the original".
The Twin Snakes was my first MGS game and I have to say it impressed me a lot and thought it was a great introduction to the series for me. A friend and I played a good chunk of the PS1 version as well and while we agreed that first person mode can make the game easier we liked the extra control of Snake in The Twin Snakes. With the extra control it feels like Snake is more like the super soldier the game claims him to be. On my second play through of Twin Snakes I did find myself not using first person mode as much because it did add some more challenge, which is something I'd recommend if you're worried about it being too easy.
"There are two ways to get enough. One way is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less." G.K. Chesterton
For better graphics and keeping the charm of the original PSX version, Dreamcast Bleem it, or get the PC version which also has first person control and keeps the voice accents
I hate when shit like that happens.
