Software:Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection

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Short description: Metal Gear video game compilation
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection logo.svg
Logo of the collections
Developer(s)Konami[lower-alpha 1]
Rocket Studio[lower-alpha 2]
M2[lower-alpha 3]
Publisher(s)Konami
SeriesMetal Gear
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleaseVol. 1
October 24, 2023
Genre(s)Stealth

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection is a series of video game compilations published by Konami. These compilations feature remastered ports of titles in the Metal Gear franchise of stealth games, released in commemoration of the series' 35th anniversary.

Split across volumes, Vol. 1 was announced in May 2023. It comprises the first five main entries in the franchise: Metal Gear (1987), Metal Gear 2 (1990), Metal Gear Solid (1998), Metal Gear Solid 2 (2001), Metal Gear Solid 3 (2004), as well as the VR Missions for Metal Gear Solid, the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Metal Gear and its standalone sequel Snake's Revenge (1990), games guides, a sound selection of music from the series, and the motion comics Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel and Metal Gear Solid 2: Bande Dessinée as bonuses. The Master Collection series marks the first release of Metal Gear Solid on Xbox, the original version of the game and Sons of Liberty on a Nintendo system, as well as Snake Eater on PC.

Vol. 1 was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on October 24, 2023. More volumes will be announced and detailed in the future.

Games

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 presents five individual applications, each comprising one or two games and additional versions as well as its additional content. Metal Gear Solid and its two sequels each have their own application, while the MSX versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are contained in one application. The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) games Metal Gear (1987) and Snake's Revenge (1990) have their own application, labeled as "Bonus Content", including extra content such as the music player and graphic novels. The additional content for each game consists of digital copies of the respective games' boxes and instruction manuals, associated Master Book dossiers that divulge details on characters, narrative, and their place in Metal Gear's in-universe canon, as well as the corresponding screenplays for each game. Metal Gear Solid and its sequels can be purchased individually, with Metal Gear Solid bundling Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

Metal Gear Solid (1998) in the Master Collection is primarily based on the game's original PlayStation version, while the standalone Metal Gear Solid VR Missions and Special Missions regional releases are accessible from its hub on the game selection screen, as well as the original Japanese release of Metal Gear Solid: Integral, which has been made available for the first time to North American players through its inclusion on the compilation. Due to the original Metal Gear Solid being presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio, an assortment of wallpapers can be selected both from the main menu and during gameplay, as well as adjustments to the game's display position, and the ability to virtually create save data from other Konami titles and virtually swap controller ports from Player 1 to Player 2, which is later utilized as the gimmick of the boss fight against Psycho Mantis. A digital replica of the game's original retail packaging is included to aid players in obtaining Meryl Silverburgh's Codec frequency number to contact her later in the game, as alluded to in the game itself.

Metal Gear Solid 2 (2001) and Metal Gear Solid 3 (2004) are both direct conversions of their HD Edition remasters previously developed by Bluepoint Games and distributed as part of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (2011) compilation for PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and Xbox 360.[1] Before release Konami announced that on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S, all featured games are presented at a resolution of 1080p at a maximum performance of 60 frames-per-second (FPS). The Nintendo Switch version of the collection similarly retains a native 1080p resolution in TV Mode, but has a lower output of 720p in Handheld Mode, while both configurations run at 30 FPS.[2] However, after release it was found that the games were actually locked to 720p on all platforms. The Switch version's 30 FPS cap was noted as "bizarre" since the Shield version, which the Switch version is derived from, manages to run at 60 FPS using the same Tegra X1 chip.[3] The PC version lacks any graphics or audio options.[4][5]

Each game in the collection supports Trophies and Achievements on all platforms excluding Switch, as well as language options. The vibration feedback from the DualShock and DualShock 2 controllers for certain in-game effects such as weapon fire and taking damage in action sequences, has been reimplemented for supported gamepads across each console platform and PC.[6][7][8][9]

Games included in Vol. 1[10]
Title Original platform Release year
Metal Gear[lower-alpha 4] MSX2 1987
Metal Gear (NES version) NES 1987
Snake's Revenge NES 1990
Metal Gear 2[lower-alpha 4] MSX2 1990
Metal Gear Solid PlayStation 1998
Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions PlayStation 1999
Metal Gear Solid 2 PlayStation 2 2001
Metal Gear Solid 3 PlayStation 2 2004

Extras

Vol. 1 includes the motion comics Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel (originally released in 2006 for the PlayStation Portable) and Metal Gear Solid 2: Bande Dessinée (originally released exclusively in Japanese on DVD in 2008), which were previously included as extras with full English voice acting in the Metal Gear Solid Legacy Collection, released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3. Other extras include strategy guides, screenplay books, and an in-game sound selection of twenty tracks curated from each game in the collection.[11] Remixes of the vocal tracks "The Best is Yet to Come" from Metal Gear Solid, "Can't Say Goodbye To Yesterday" from Sons of Liberty and the titular "Snake Eater" from Metal Gear Solid 3, was made available as pre-order bonuses.[citation needed]

Development

In November 2021, the digital downloads for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater as well as the original Metal Gear Solid HD Collection were removed from digital storefronts, with Konami citing the reason as expired licenses. In July 2022, Konami announced their intentions to reinstate the games for the series' 35th anniversary.[12] During the development of Metal Gear Solid Delta, Konami began the creation of the Master Collection series to "the most complete collection that celebrates the 35th anniversary of the series, allowing fans to play the games as they were, as first released on the latest platforms."[13][10] Minimal changes to copyright had to be made during the porting process[citation needed] Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 would use their versions from the HD Collection.[14] Close to the launch, M2, known for developing other video game compilations from Konami, confirmed that it worked in the compilation by providing emulation of the NES titles, Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions, including their regional variants.[15][16]

Marketing and release

After the reveal of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater during a PlayStation Showcase in May 2023, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 was announced for the PlayStation 5.[17] It was originally revealed to contain the first three Metal Gear Solid games. The games listing on the PlayStation Store later that day confirmed that the collection would also contain content from the Integral version of Metal Gear Solid, alongside the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake from the MSX.[18] In June 2023, a Nintendo Direct revealed that the compilation was releasing for Nintendo Switch, the inclusion of Nintendo Entertainment System version of Metal Gear and its standalone sequel Snake's Revenge, and the Digital Graphic Novels for Solid and Solid 2. Releases for the Xbox Series X/S and Windows via Steam were confirmed later that day.[19][11] Vol. 1 released on October 24, 2023 alongside standalone versions of the three Metal Gear Solid games for $19.99 each.[11] Buying the standalone version of Metal Gear Solid grants access to Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. However, the NES version of Metal Gear, as well as Snake's Revenge, are exclusive to those who purchase the entire Collection. In August 2023, a digital release for PlayStation 4 was confirmed to be in development, and was later announced as releasing day and date with other platforms, with PS4 players entitled to a free PS5 upgrade.[20][21] Additional volumes have been teased and may be announced in the future.[13][22]

Reception

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for the PS5 version, while the Xbox Series X version received "mixed or average" reviews*, according to the review aggregator website Metacritic.[23]

Notes

  1. Original games developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (KCEJ) and Kojima Productions
  2. Porting of MGS2 and MGS3 'HD Edition' conversions originally developed by Bluepoint Games
  3. Emulation of Metal Gear (NES), Snake's Revenge, Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions only
  4. 4.0 4.1 Directly ported from Metal Gear Solid HD Collection as opposed to actual MSX2 emulation.

References

  1. Croft, Liam (2023-06-21). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Is Out for PS5 on 24th October" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/06/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-is-out-for-ps5-on-24th-october. 
  2. Scullion, Chris (2023-08-22). "Konami confirms Metal Gear Solid Master Collection resolution on each system" (in en-GB). https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/konami-confirms-metal-gear-solid-master-collection-resolution-on-each-system/. 
  3. Morgan, Thomas (3 November 2023). "Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is anything but masterful". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2023-the-mgs-master-collection-is-anything-but-masterful. 
  4. Wolens, Joshua (24 October 2023). "Players blast Metal Gear Solid Master Collection for missing options, vanished Steam pages, and muddy textures: 'absolutely poor and not worth its asking price'". Future plc. https://www.pcgamer.com/players-blast-metal-gear-solid-master-collection-for-missing-options-vanished-steam-pages-and-muddy-textures-absolutely-poor-and-not-worth-its-asking-price/. 
  5. Yin-Poole, Wesley (24 October 2023). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 Is Packed With Problems on PC". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1-is-packed-with-problems-on-pc. 
  6. McAllister, Gillen (2023-08-21). "Hands-on report: Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1, Super Crazy Rhythm Castle, and more" (in en-US). https://blog.playstation.com/2023/08/21/hands-on-report-metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1super-crazy-rhythm-castle-and-more/. 
  7. Legarie, Destin (2023-08-21). "Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 Preview – First Impressions" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1-preview-first-impressions. 
  8. Olney, Alex (2023-08-21). "Hands On: Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 Could Be So Much More, But Isn't" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/features/hands-on-metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1-could-be-so-much-more-but-isnt. 
  9. Fenlon, Wes (2023-08-21). "The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection is packed with bonuses, but the barebones ports offer little that PC emulators don't already do better" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-metal-gear-solid-master-collection-is-packed-with-bonuses-but-the-barebones-ports-offer-little-that-pc-emulators-dont-already-do-better/. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Metal Gear Solid Master Collection" (in en). https://www.konami.com/mg/mc/. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Yin-Poole, Wesley (2023-06-21). "Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol. 1 Confirmed for Nintendo Switch" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-collection-vol-1-confirmed-for-nintendo-switch. 
  12. Dinsdale, Ryan (2022-07-13). "Konami Reinstating Delisted Metal Gear Games For Series' 35th Anniversary" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/konami-delisted-metal-gear-games-35th-anniversary. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 Bailey, Kat (2023-05-24). "Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Announced Alongside Collection Featuring First Three Games" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-3-remake-announced-playstation-showcase. 
  14. Nightingale, Ed (2023-05-26). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 also includes Metal Gear 1 and 2" (in en-gb). Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/konami-website-teases-mystery-addition-to-metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1. 
  15. 有限会社エムツー/M2 Ltd. [@M2_game] (October 23, 2023). "コナミ様より発売『METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1』に収録の 『METAL GEAR SOLID(MASTER COLLECTION版)』および『ボーナスコンテンツ』に、エムツーが開発協力しております🙏". https://twitter.com/M2_game/status/1716596636930216282. 
  16. 有限会社エムツー/M2 Ltd. [@M2_game] (October 23, 2023). "『METAL GEAR SOLID(MASTER COLLECTION版)』は、オリジナルPS版をできる限り再現することにこだわりました。 また、METAL GEAR SOLID 初代シリーズ各言語版すべてを収録!お楽しみください🐍". https://twitter.com/M2_game/status/1716597460989341969. 
  17. Fanelli, Jason; Bonthuys, Darryn (2023-05-25). "Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Remake, Metal Gear Solid Collection Revealed" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metal-gear-solid-snake-eater-remake-metal-gear-solid-collection-revealed/1100-6514455/. 
  18. "METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1". https://store.playstation.com/en-ca/concept/10007607. 
  19. Smith, Ed (2023-06-21). "The classic Metal Gear Solid games are finally coming to Steam" (in en-US). https://www.pcgamesn.com/metal-gear-solid/steam. 
  20. Barker, Sammy (2023-08-21). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 Also Sneaking to PS4" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1-also-sneaking-to-ps4. 
  21. Khan, Zarmena (2023-09-21). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 PS4 Release Date and Pre-Orders Announced" (in en-US). https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2023/09/21/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1-ps4-release-date/. 
  22. Ivan, Tom (2023-06-23). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2's games have reportedly leaked" (in en-GB). https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-2s-games-have-reportedly-leaked/. 
  23. "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/metal-gear-solid-master-collection-vol-1/. 

External links