Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 Review
Konami brings back the espionage action series to modern platforms with Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, my full review.
The legendary Solid Snake and company have made their return with Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. When the collection was first announced I was excited, it was a chance have some of my favourite games of all-time on modern consoles. Vol. 1 is a tribute to the legendary franchise created by Hideo Kojima, who revolutionized the genre of stealth action with innovative and cinematic storytelling.
"Vol. 1 is a tribute to the legendary franchise created by Hideo Kojima, who revolutionized the genre of stealth action with innovative and cinematic storytelling."
The collection includes 5 games: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The collection also features a plethora of bonus content and extras, such as art galleries, documentaries, and VR missions. The games are challenging, rewarding, and immersive. Let’s dive in for a closer look at what the Master Collection Vol.1 has to offer.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 Details
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
Reviewed On: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X
Developer(s): Konami
Publisher(s): Konami
Genre: Action, Stealth
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M for Mature (18+)
Metal Gear Solid: A Stealth-Action Legacy
I have been a fan of the Metal Gear Solid series since I joined Snake on his espionage adventures on the PlayStation in 1998. It amazed me with its cinematic style, immersive gameplay, and memorable characters. For the uninitiated the games follow various special agents, such as Solid Snake and Big Boss, who are tasked with infiltrating enemy bases, uncovering conspiracies, and stopping the threat of nuclear war.
Along the way, you’ll encounter memorable characters, such as Otacon, Meryl and Ocelot, as well as formidable foes, such as Liquid Snake, Revolver Ocelot, and more. The games also feature the iconic Metal Gears, giant mechs that can launch nuclear missiles and pose a global danger. With each entry in the series, the Metal Gear franchise continued to evolve and impress me with its sequels and prequels. What’s great about this collection is that you get to see this evolution take place with each game included, it's like a stealth game time capsule.
"What’s great about this collection is that you get to see this evolution take place with each game included, it's like a stealth game time capsule."
Along the way, Konami added new features, environments, and story twists. The Metal Gear Solid series is a gaming masterpiece that deserves to be enjoyed by a new generation and veterans alike.
A Rich and Diverse Collection
The Master Collection includes five games and a lot of bonus content. However, it is not very well organized. Each game installs separately on all platforms, which breaks the continuity of the collection. The menus for each base game are nice and have a lot of extras, but they don’t make up for the lack of cohesion. The games themselves are still great, but they could have been improved more for modern platforms.
"The games themselves are still great, but they could have been improved more for modern platforms."
The graphics, sound, and controls are quite like recent releases, but they are still timeless. The collection could have done more to enhance the experience for both old and new fans.
Classic Stealth-Action Gameplay
The collection offers a rich and diverse gameplay experience, with each game having its own unique mechanics and features. You can use stealth, combat, gadgets, and dialogue to complete your missions, and your choices will have an impact on the story. You can also explore the different settings and environments, from the jungles of South America to the urban landscapes of New York.
Overall, the gameplay in the Master Collection is faithful to the original series, with exciting combat, complex stealth mechanics, and (of course) the series’ signature long cutscenes.
"Overall, the gameplay in the Master Collection is faithful to the original series, with exciting combat, complex stealth mechanics, and (of course) the series’ signature long cutscenes."
The controls can be a bit stiff at times, but the gameplay is still fun and engaging. I quickly got used to the MGS style, which has a unique charm and holds up well against modern action games. The collection is nostalgic, but also captivating, with its well-designed and timeless mechanics.
MGS: Master Collection Graphics and Performance
The graphics and performance of the Master Collection vary depending on the game and platform. The older games have been upgraded to HD resolution, but they still look dated with low-quality textures and models. The collection preserves the original art style, but it could have done more to improve the graphics for modern platforms. For example, MGS 2 and 3 are limited to 30 FPS, which is disappointing. I was hoping for a smoother 60 FPS experience.
Platform Comparison: PS5 Shines
Out of all the versions I played, the collection looked the best on PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, both versions still had some blurry textures, which I expected to be better on next-gen hardware. On the Switch, the collection is portable, which is a plus. The downside is that the games have more jagged edges and rough textures. The collection does a decent job of maintaining the visual quality of the original games, but it doesn’t do much to enhance it.
Final Thoughts: A Solid Choice for Stealth Action
Despite some technical and presentation issues, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is a worthwhile journey for any Metal Gear Solid fan. Even if you are new to the series, I recommend this collection to experience it from the start. It’s a chance to revisit the thrilling world of Solid Snake, with all its thrills and quirks. While it may not be the perfect remaster I wanted, it offers a lot of nostalgia and gameplay that kept me hooked and I’ll be returning in the future. If you’re a fan of the franchise or if you want to experience a piece of gaming history, this collection is a solid choice.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 PROS
+Includes five classic games that offer dozens of hours of play.
+Lots of bonus content, such as art galleries, VR missions, books, and scripts.
+The classic MGS saga is back on modern consoles and PC.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 CONS
-No unified UI: each game installs separately, breaking the continuity of the collection.
-Few graphical upgrades and improvements, leaving more to be desired.
-Some technical and organizational issues.
Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 6.5/10
Sound: 7.5/10
Replayability: 9/10
Overall Rating: 30/40 (75%)
A copy of the game on the PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch was provided by Konami for the purpose of this review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. Along with being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via "X", Instagram, Threads, TikTok and join in on the fun!
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