Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance

Solid Snake returns, but do extra missions and other additional stuff make a better game?

After an absence of over a year, Solid Snake returns to the PlayStation 2 with the Sons of Liberty game, additional VR Missions, and other extra challenges that are sure to keep you sneaking and shooting for hours. Although the PS2 game comes some three months after the Xbox release, this version is the better of the two?mostly because of its superior controls.

Substance Abuse
There?s no denying the superb play engine that is Metal Gear. As one of the first mainstream titles to emphasize stealth over head-on conflict, MG gained notoriety for its unique gameplay engine and finely tuned enemy A.I. Solid upped the ante by taking things to the 3D world, and the PS2 sequel, Sons of Liberty, added more character abilities and techniques (plus an on-the-fly first-person view). Unfortunately, an intrusive narrative and excessive, preachy dialogue?not to mention a big-time lack of the series? trademark character, Solid Snake? hamstrung Sons. The new additions, Substance?s extra missions, are addictive, entertaining, and to the point, although they may be a bit too difficult for novice players. VR Missions provide training for every weapon and item in the game in a variety of shooting ranges, and the Snake Tales feature extra missions for Solid Snake in various areas of Big Shell and Tanker with tasks that range from taking out bosses to fighting Godzilla-sized enemy guards. For replay incentive, a host of rewards can be unlocked, including new character outfits, play modes, and advanced skill settings.

Xbox (?) PS2 (!)
Another notable Sony-exclusive extra is skateboarding. Although the ?tracks? cleverly use areas from Sons of Liberty, the unresponsive Evolution Skateboarding play engine makes this extra more frustrating than fun. The PS2 version doesn?t completely leave the Xbox in the dust; the graphics in the Sony offering aren?t as clean, and they bog down when too many special effects and too much activity fill the frame.

Enough Substance
If you couldn?t get enough of Sons of Liberty or wanted more Solid Snake, Substance is a no-brainer purchase. Konami should have released Metal Gear in this form two years ago.

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