Gaming Target - Xbox: Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

Written by Ryan Smotherman on August 05, 2002

First Impressions: One slap to Sony's face coming right up!

Unlike Squaresoft and their ever so popular RPG series we refer to as Final Fantasy, Konami has made a bold move and has decided that the Playstation 2 should not be the sole owner of one of the most popular series in gaming today, Metal Gear Solid. Even before the release of the Xbox we knew a Metal Gear Solid title was a coming. Konami announced it, but they decided to leave us arguing and complaining to whether or not a Metal Gear Solid was in fact going to hit the Xbox. Well, at this past year's E3, well over a year after MGSX was announced, they debuted an updated version of Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, that is to hit the Xbox first in November, and then the PS2 and PC early next year. Then again, ?updated? might be too loose a term, as the game will offer so much more than it's original counterpart that it can almost be considered a totally new game. Read on for the latest.

So, what should we expect out of Metal Gear's first multi-platform release? This might sound clich?, but put simply, a lot of substance. First off, we will have the entire Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty game, complete with all that stealth based gameplay we all know and love, the super confusing plot we all know and uhh? tolerate, and the overall epic feel that keeps fans coming back for more. Yes, this is basically all that the PS2 owners were freaking out over last year when the game released. Now, let's discuss extras, shall we?

The extras in Substance come in a huge variety. First, there are alternate missions that let you actually use Raiden during Snake's usual missions, and vice versa. So, in essence, you can actually use any character in any missions through out the game. The second big addition is something called Snake Tales. Here you'll actually be able to take Snake through a series of brand spanking new side missions (can you give me a hell yeah?!), sure to be one of the more entertaining aspects of the game (although, no details have yet to be revealed on the basis of the new ?tales?). Then we have probably the most time occupying addition of them all ? VR Missions, approximately 300 VR Missions to be precise. Everything from missions involving Solid Snake and huge Gozilla-esque soldiers, to missions where you take on the role of Grey Fox, the cyborg ninja for all you Metal Gear newbs out there. Additionally, Konami has a huge array of other surprises for fans strewn throughout the game. Like cameos from antagonist of the series, such as Meryl, new weapons for you to try out, new outfits for Snake (i.e.- Navy Seals and tuxedo get ups), and even an in-depth Xtrreme skateboarding mode starting Snake himself. All these new additions should equal one incredible game, and it's sure to give something the original was really lacking ? replay value, and lots of it.

From screens that have been released so far, visually it's looking like Substance won't be too much more than a straight port of the original, barring a few subtle enhancements. Not a bad thing considered that the original is renowned for featuring some of the best graphics to ever grace the PS2. However, I'm sure Hideo Kojima and company is adding some Xbox only goodies into the mix. I'm sure we'll see some cleaner texture work, and who knows, if we're lucky they might even go wild with some bump mapping. What's there is good though ? highly detailed characters, engrossing environments, and some awesome visual effects.