.co.uk Review
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In a nutshell:
The best Metal Gear game ever gets possibly the best directors
cut ever, with a three disc special edition bursting at the seams
with bonus content, including a new camera system and a
completely separate online game!
The lowdown:
Video games dont often get the special edition but
this is the most complete celebration of Metal Gear Solid 3 you
could hope for. It includes the whole of the original game, with
the all new option of an over-the-shoulder camera view, which
immediately makes the game a whole lot more fun to play. On top
of this the package also includes the two original Metal Gear
games from 1987 and 1989, which were previously only available
for the MSX computer. Theres also an expanded crossover with Ape
Escape, a new boss rush mode and a secret theatre of joke cut
scenes. Its just the thing to convert newcomers and for existing
fans this will be like all of their Christmases come early.
Most exciting moment:
The most anticipated new extra in the game is an entirely new
online game with a suite of five different game modes, as you and
up to seven pals compete in standard single and team deathmatch
games as well as more stealth based missions. The slower paced
modes work particularly well, allowing you to use all the skills
youve mastered in the single player game.
Since you ask:
Existence, the third disc in the set, contains all the games
cut scenes, plus some new ones, edited into a three and a half
hour long feature film. It was only available with pre-orders of
the game in America but comes as standard in the UK.
The bottom line:
The best version of the best Metal Gear Solid. - HARRISON DENT
Manufacturer's Description
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Designed as the ultimate Metal Gear experience for the format,
the three-disc set features an advanced version of the classic
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater; a second disc boasting a wealth
of new game modes, including a full online version of the game,
plus perfect recreations of the two MSX Metal Gear titles that
started it all; and a three-and-a-half hour movie recut from the
game's cinematics on the third disc.
The first disc of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence showcases a
massively enhanced version of Hideo Kojima's accled Snake
Eater adventure. Set in a jungle environment during the Cold War,
Snake has been sent to retrieve a defecting scientist from a
remote base. In addition to his phenomenal stealth skills, Snake
also uses a unique 'Camoue Index' to change his clothes and
add face paint to blend in with his surroundings, while his
hand-to-hand skills are enhanced via the 'CQC' Close Quarters
Combat fight techniques.
New to this version, however, is the 3D camera system that allows
players to view the action from virtually any angle a system that
Kojima Productions will also be using in the forthcoming Metal
Gear Solid 4 for PlayStation 3. The first disc also features a
'Demo Theatre', wherein players can watch specific sequences from
the game's renowned cut-scenes using a simple-to-navigate menu
system.
The second disc features a number of key modes designed to extend
the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater experience. One of the
biggest advances comes in the form of a full Online version of
the game, answering the requests of countless Metal Gear fans.
Using the PlayStation 2's Network Adaptor, the second disc allows
up to eight players to compete online for the first time ever in
a Metal Gear game.
These new online modes push Subsistence to new levels. Kojima has
devised 'Sneaking Missions', 'Capture Missions', 'Rescue
Missions', 'Death Matches' and 'Team Death Matches', which will
allow participants to battle against each other in real-time
environments. The missions are set within key locations from
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and in new areas such as Lost
Forest, Killhouse and Ghost Factory. Players choose a team to
represent Ocelot Unit, GRU or KGB, and the Online action will
offer the user many CQC (Close Quarters Combat) abilities and
weapons elements of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
The second disc also features a 'Duel Mode' which allows gamers
to play through the timeless 'Boss' fights that punctuate the
game and feature a cast of eclectic and deadly adversaries, while
Kojima shows his lighter side with a 'Secret Theatre' of spoof
scenes including the return of Raiden! Fittingly for a set that
celebrates Metal Gear Solid, Subsistence also features
pixel-perfect copies of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 the games
that started it all on the now defunct MSX format back in 1987.
The three-disc set is completed by a visual piece-de-resistance,
in the form of a full CGI Metal Gear Solid 3 movie. With a
running time of three-and-a-half hours, the movie is a reedit of
the game's cut-scenes with additional radio dialogue and gameplay
footage seamlessly added. Previously cut sequences have been
restored to the movie, allowing people to sit back and watch one
of the finest video games of all time in its entirety. And, in a
nod to the future of the series, Subsistence also features the
full trailer to Metal Gear Solid 4: s of the Patriots a taster
of Solid Snake's final mission.
- Massively enhanced version of Hideo Kojima's accled Snake Eater adventure.
- 3D camera system that allows players to view the action from virtually any angle.
- 'Demo Theatre', wherein players can watch specific sequences from the game's renowned cut-scenes.
- Full Online version of the game up to 8 players at once.
- Various online modes including: 'Sneaking Missions', 'Capture Missions', 'Rescue Missions', 'Death Matches' and 'Team Death Matches', which will allow participants to battle against each other in real-time environments.
- 'Duel Mode' which allows gamers to play through the timeless 'Boss' fights.
- 'Secret Theatre' of spoof scenes including the return of Raiden!.
- Subsistence also features pixel-perfect copies of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2.
- Full CGI Metal Gear Solid 3 movie with a running time of three-and-a-half hours.