Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection (Vol. 1 - Autumn 2023)

[Julius]

Deserved a bit more attention than it got in the Showcase, but alas, another MGS Collection is on its way, starting with Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater as part of Volume 1, releasing in Autumn 2023. 

No word on Volume 2 or what will come with it, but it sounds like it's very much in the works to release during the series' 35th anniversary celebrations:

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We will deliver the METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION series, the most complete compilation that celebrates the 35th anniversary of the series. The METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION allows fans to play the games as they were, as first released on the latest platforms.

Well, MGS lives and breathes, and OG Snake Eater isn't getting buried below the remake either. Wonder how Kojima is going to be treated in the credits for this collection? 

Edited May 25 by Julius

[Dcubed]

Why do I get the feeling that these versions will be based on the vanilla releases and not the upgraded Integral/Substance/Subsistence versions?

Really hoping I’m wrong here… These games really need a good re-release.

Edited May 25 by Dcubed

[Jimbob]

Hoping they've done something more than a simple re-release with graphics as are, but a framerate/HD boost.

[Julius]

4 hours ago, Dcubed said:

Why do I get the feeling that these versions will be based on the vanilla releases and not the upgraded Integral/Substance/Subsistence versions?

Really hoping I’m wrong here… These games really need a good re-release.

I mean, based on the wording on the official site, that's what I feel like they might be hinting at. Both MGS2 and MGS3 talk about Substance and Subsistence being later releases...

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[MGS2 description]

This game depicts two different events: Solid Snake investigating a new kind of Metal Gear as part of the Tanker Incident, as well as FOXHOUND's newest member, Raiden, taking on a group of terrorists who have captured an off-shore facility in the Big Shell Incident. This game, released on the PlayStation 2, introduced players to the character of Raiden, who inherited many techniques and ideas from Solid Snake. In addition to a first-person aiming feature, players also had access to a variety of new actions, such as holding up enemies and also disposing of their bodies. It was labeled "the best gameplay system of the 21st century." An ultimate edition of the game called "Substance" was released later. This title was the fourth game released in the official history of the Metal Gear franchise.

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[MGS3 description]

The story that tells the beginning of the epic saga. It covers the events of both Virtuous Mission and Operation Snake Eater, detailing how the man code-named Naked Snake earned the title of Big Boss. While previous games in the Metal Gear series took place in more urban settings and involved infiltrating buildings, this game is set in an unforgiving jungle. In addition to hiding in the shadows, players can use uniforms and face paint as camouflage to blend in with their surroundings. This gameplay system was expanded upon in Metal Gear Solid 4. An edition boasting the ultimate survival experience called "Subsistence" was released later. This title was the fifth game released in the official history of the Metal Gear franchise.

Weird way to phrase things on a page about a collection of remasters that show no gameplay screenshots, that's for sure. 

MGS makes no mention of Integral or Twin Snakes, though I guess that's not too surprising, seeing as this isn't a Twin Snakes remaster and Integral is the version of the game synonymous with the name over here in the west (and I had no idea it existed before now) where I feel the series had a wider reaching impact. 

There's no way they're stupid enough to have these be the original unaltered versions...right?

Then again, this is Konami...

2 hours ago, Jimbob said:

Hoping they've done something more than a simple re-release with graphics as are, but a framerate/HD boost.

Yeah, considering that Bluepoint's HD Collection originally released on PS3/Xbox 360 brought things up to 720p/60fps, I'm going to be shocked and very disappointed if these aren't 1080p/60fps versions of the games.

We definitely shouldn't be downgrading back to the original versions of the games over a decade from that collection's release, so there's no way they're stupid enough to have these be the original unaltered versions...right?

Then again, this is Konami...

[Jimbob]

Just had a thought.  They'll have to re-work the Psycho Mantis battle in MGS1 into something different.  Realistically, as it stands it would be difficult as controllers are now wireless and memory is built in.

[Glen-i]

1 hour ago, Jimbob said:

Just had a thought.  They'll have to re-work the Psycho Mantis battle in MGS1 into something different.  Realistically, as it stands it would be difficult as controllers are now wireless and memory is built in.

Well, plenty of games today recognise save data from other games, so that wouldn't be hard.

The second controller trick, though? Yeah, that won't work.

[Happenstance]

They already dealt with it in the PS3 release. Apparently you paused the game and pressed R3 to switch controller ports.

[Glen-i]

15 minutes ago, Happenstance said:

They already dealt with it in the PS3 release. Apparently you paused the game and pressed R3 to switch controller ports.

Oh right, bit lame, but I guess it works, it'll be neat if they do it a different way for this collection.

[Julius]

25 minutes ago, Happenstance said:

They already dealt with it in the PS3 release. Apparently you paused the game and pressed R3 to switch controller ports.

Played it a few years ago on my PS3 and I think it was pause the game, press the PS button to bring up the XMB, then switching to the second controller? Unless that would be a shortcut to do that? 

Not sure, and I do think it falls short of the desired effect, but then again, my first time going through some classics on the PS3, nothing was smooth sailing. Like having to create a virtual memory card  

13 minutes ago, Glen-i said:

Oh right, bit lame, but I guess it works, it'll be neat if they do it a different way for this collection.

Honestly wouldn't surprise me if it was an in-game option through the pause menu seeing as, system-wide, I think getting a standalone Player 2 on modern consoles is a bit of a hassle (if you can do it at all, that is, because I have no idea when it comes to the PS5, and the idea in my head seems like it wouldn't work because of how other sign-in home menus work). 

I'm curious to see if they do have Mantis reading your "memory card" this time, too, considering that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and (hopefully) Suikoden will both be out on modern consoles by then, but given this is Konami, I could see them giving it a complete pass. I think I remember reading something about the PC version skipping that dialogue? 

[S.C.G]

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes on the Nintendo GameCube still has the best dialogue for the Psycho Mantis fight...

I doubt this will be topped, as it's an example of a remake made at the right time, likely never to be repeated.

For many, this was the first version of MGS that they would have played, and completed.

And while it's good to see the series getting remastered or re-released, I'm grateful for The Twin Snakes.

I'm guessing that because it's in two volumes, the first would be MGS, 2, & 3... while the second will likely be MGS 4, 5 and possibly the inbetween games/oddities or maybe not.

Definitely the fourth game though, as I don't seem to recall that ever getting re-released on anything other than the PS3.

[Julius]

This deal is getting better all the time! 

The game's page is now up on the PlayStation Store, and with it come some more details: including confirmation about the versions of the games included, as well as the news that Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are also packed in! 

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The origin of stealth action returns. METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. unifies the beginning of the METAL GEAR gameplay experience in one single package. Infiltrate enemy fortresses all over the globe, complete your missions with stealth and experience the thrilling cinematic story of the METAL GEAR series.

Volume 1 line-up features the original titles and beginning of the METAL GEAR series:

Metal Gear

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Metal Gear Solid (Including VR Missions/Special Missions)

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD Collection version)

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD Collection version)

This collection includes the classic versions of the games, complete with minimal edits to copyrighted contents.

Regional versions of the titles are available as additional downloads.

An awesome update, and there we have it: the complete and definitive HD Collection versions of the games (so, Subsistence and Substance confirmed)  I'm guessing since it's how it worked in MGS3 HD that Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are going to be included from that menu and not separate installs? 

Think I'm going to need to get a shift on and play through Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes and V before this collection drops and then revisit it all from the beginning  never did get around to Metal Gear or Metal Gear 2! 

Edited May 25 by Julius

[Dcubed]

Wow! Looks like Konami might actually have not screwed it up! Amazing!