AbstractSolid Snake comes to Xbox in METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SUBSTANCE, the expanded edition of METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY with all-new game modes, hidden characters and storylines. Top-secret weapons technology is being mysteriously transported under cover of an oil tanker to an unknown destination. It's up to Snake to infiltrate the transport and keep this deadly weapon of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands!
ESRB rating
 |
Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence |
Full descriptionThe PC port of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is an enhanced version of the PlayStation 2's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. In addition to advancing through the entire storyline found in 2001's blockbuster game, players are able to take Solid Snake through five completely new scenarios in a standalone mode called Snake Tales.
Other additions include over 200 VR (virtual reality) missions structured in a similar manner to 1999's Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions, and over 100 stages of alternative missions in which players elude guards and perform other covert tasks as quickly as possible. Playable characters now include Solid Snake, Raiden, Pliskin, and Grey Fox.
In the new title, players can expect to find the same deep storyline found in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, plus bonus modes, hundreds of never-before-seen VR missions and all-new adventures in which players assume the role of Solid Snake.
The follow-up to 1998's critically acclaimed bestseller of the same name, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty took action gaming to an unprecedented level of interactive entertainment. In a deep plot of espionage and intrigue, gamers use an arsenal of high tech weapons, gadgets and supplies to stealthily maneuver through the game. On a mission to defeat an army of terrorists bent on capturing a high-tech weapon of massive destructive power, Metal Gear Ray, the game combines unique gameplay with a stylish cinematic presentation.
Editorial review
Source:
AmazonMetal Gear Solid 2: Substance is the PS2 espionage action game
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty with new playable characters, new VR missions, and a few twists. There are over 350 new and moderately interesting VR missions that sort of fill in the gaps in the original game's story. There are also five separate "Snake Stories" that act as new missions. These take place apart from the main story, making them feel less like an expansion to the sprawling events in
Sons of Liberty and more like an unconnected romp designed to pad the original game. Unfortunately, the "Snake Stories" lack the thrill, tension, and exposition that made
Sons of Liberty so special.
The "substance" is nothing more or less than a collection of disconnected additions to the core game Sons of Liberty, which remains unchanged from its original release: you play as Solid Snake in stealthy espionage/assault missions, infiltrating the lairs of bad guys to take down nuclear-powered bipedal creations called Metal Gears. Snake has all kinds of tricks up his sleeves: high tech weapons, the ability to sneak around undetected--he can even flip over the side of a railing to hide (a "Grip Meter" counts down, increasing the tension and making you pray the enemy walks away). Both a boon and a detriment to the game is its reliance on cinematic scenes to further the convoluted plot. They're well-rendered and professionally done, but you'll seemingly find yourself spending more time watching the game than playing it.
Substance is worthwhile for anyone who doesn't already own Sons of Liberty. That goes double for Xbox and Windows gamers, because the game looks much better on those platforms than it did on PS2. For those who've already played the original, this reissue just doesn't add enough, pardon me, substance, to merit purchasing it again. --Bob Andrews
Pros:
- New modes and missions
- Graphics improvements on Xbox and Windows
Cons: - New content too sparse for players who already have the original game.
Play as both Solid Snake and Raiden in a cinematic, stealth-oriented adventure
Advance through more than 350 virtual reality missions to hone your skills
Perform diving somersaults, use disguises, and hang from ledges to elude guards
Revisit the game's epic boss fights with the Boss Survival mode
- Portions of content provided by Rovi Data Solutions, Inc. and IGN Entertainment, Inc.