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Too Much "Substance"...

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: January 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I was a big fan of Metal Gear Solid 1 (for good ol' PSX) despite the preachiness and moralizing. It had a thoughtful plot, and good gameplay. Then I heard bad things about "Sons of Liberty" and better things about "Substance", so I thought I'd pick up "Substance".
Well, I've spent money more foolishly, but not to be bored right to sleep near the climax of the game. "Substance" manages to take the load-bearing pillar of game plot to bash in the other pillar of game _play_. And the result ends up being that Snake and friends seem to migrate into Silent Hill territory near the end, without giving too much away. Now, I enjoy both genres of game (adevnture/espionage and surreal spookiness), but crossing the wires shorts out enjoyment of both. At the end, I really didn't care if I beat the bad guy...because the bad guy was simply another dupe higher up on the ladder. You might think that a bad plot is only a flaw in one facet of a superb performance on other fronts. Superior voice acting, four returning voice actors at least from MGS1 with the great David Hayter taking the lead as Solid Snake, the gruff, reluctant but highly competent hero. If anyone reading this has any swing with what comes out of Konami's doors in the way of product, tell them 1) We'd really like to play the hero we're used to all through the game--Solid Snake. Leave playing the new guy with the bad haircut and girl problems for a "reward" after beating the game. and 2) Don't get so involved in trying to outclever the audience with all the convoluted plot twists and lengthy talk-talk-talk sequences. For all the highly cunning intent, it was repitious and boring. Short spaced out sequences are okay. The running gags of "Iriquois Plisken" and "'Why didn't you tell me?' 'You didn't ask.'" were great and show that the good folks working at Konami know their audience has a sense of popular culture like the writers of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and in-jokes are not wasted, but highly enjoyed.
To sum up, more Snake, a lot more playing Snake, no surrealistic flights of fantasy (unless your product is "Silent Hill Snake"). I appreciate the author has strong feelings and philosophy about what life is, and what should and should not be done with it--would that other game makers had similar ideas. But please, don't beat us over the head with the message. If you need to go on about it, there's plenty of space for a "book" in the background or extras section on the DVD--beating the game player over the head with it after they shell out out the cash for the game should be a violation of the Gevena Convention.

Blech!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: March 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I wanted to love this game...I really did. I thought it would be cool to be able to play alternate versions of missions and see old characters rendered anew, but it was just a let-down. Snake-Tales are hokey, silly, and really no fun (at least, that is how I felt). Snake-Boarding was pretty entertaining, but I will stick to Tony Hawk thanks very much.

The one Mission in Snake-Tales that is really worth playing is the one where you get reunited with Meryl. It seemed like a fun idea...until you actually got to play and had to deal with that horror of horrors: SLOWDOWN. Had the graphics been enhanced (like promised with the XBox Version, but never followed through) this would have been excusable, but this is Playstation 2 with the exact same game code no less. Also, in Snake-Tales, your trademark radar is disabled. Normally, this could be taken as a challenge, a chance to show our skills...but it simply becomes a pain, especially when you consider how really buggy the game is.

Here is what I mean: On the tanker, during a bomb disposal exercise, I quietly sneak down a staircase into the engine room. I spot a Gurlukovich soldier. Unaware of my presence, I crouch down on the stairs and go into first-person mode with my M9. I aim carefully so I can get him in the neck. I did not realize it at the time, but although I could see the laser-sight 'beam' aimed right on target, the actual 'dot' did not show up on the soldier (I guess the boringly technical way to describe what happened is that the sight 'dot' fell between two of the polygons). When I fired, not only did it not take him down, but it alerted him to my presence (even with a silencer) and then I had to deal with the attack team! After being annihilated (My USP only had 2 bullets), I tried again, this time waiting until the sight 'dot' was visible on the soldier's neck. I found that the tiniest movement of his head would cause the dot to disappear. Again, normally I would see this as a challenge of timing, but...When I am aiming directly as someone's head, usually whatever I am shooting embeds itself IN the head rather than THROUGH the head!

But, if you can get past this fundamental flaw (which only shows up in Snake-Tales) the VR Missions are what really carry the game, and you have over 300 to choose from. They are just about the only part of the game done well.

To Sum Up: SLOW and BUGGY? Not the two words you want to hear when discussing Metal Gear Solid 2, are they? Well, if anything, it is worth a rental, but ownership should be reserved for the hardcore fans only.

Can the MGS series get any better....yes it can!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

For any MGS fan, Substance is the way to go. With so many different things to do in the game, it can be very addicting. This new version of Sons of Liberty is amazing, but not as amazing as MGS1. With new priorities like VR (Virtual Reality) Missions (like 1999's MGS:VR Missions), Snake Tales, Alternative Missions that include Bomb disposal, and elimination mode, skateboarding, and many more. The add on to #2 also includes a Boss Survival mode, and a Casting Theatre once you complete the Sons of Liberty game in Substance. Let me go over the "Little Games" included:

1. VR Missions
VR Missions are different kinds of missions with a virtual scenery of the missions, that include Sneaking, Weapon, First Person View, and Variety. Playable characters include Raiden and Snake, Cyborg Ninja (Raiden w/ a sword), Pliskin (Snake in plant chapter), Raiden X (powerful version of Raiden), Snake 1998 (Snake as himself in MGS1), and Tuxedo Snake (you can guess what that is).

2. Snake Tales

Snake Tales are 5 new missions including Solid Snake. Otacon aka Hal Emmerich, gives you this "tale", and you have to do what the objective says.

3. Alternative
Inside the VR missions section of the game, Alternative missions are side missions that include bomb disposal, and elimination mode. Bomb disposal is when you are given an amount of time and you have to disarm a number of bombs. Elimination is where you are given a time limit to kill everybody in the area that you are in.

4. Skateboarding
This is just a small version of KONAMI's Evolution Skateboarding that includes both Snake and Raiden. You are skateboarding on the Big Shell and have to do objectives. This doesn't count as part of the 100% completion, but it's fun.

5. Boss Survival
This mode is where either Snake or Raiden fight the different bosses in the game in a time limit. Must complete the game to unlock.

6. Casting Theatre
This mode is where you pick a number of cut scenes from the game (8 to be exact) and you change the cast. Ex. The cut scene where you first see Fortune, the people in the scene are Raiden, Vamp, Fortune, and Seal Team 10. You can change the cast like switching Raiden with Snake and Fortune with Ocelot, and watch the scene. (Note: these can be very funny at times)

7. The whole rest
The whole rest of Substance is the whole Sons of Liberty game as you would see it in Sons of Liberty.

8. Unlocked parts (once you beat the game once)
a. Casting Theatre
b. Boss Survival
c. European Extreme mode (very, very, hard)

BUY SUBSTANCE

The best PS2 game up to date

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Since my purchase of a PS2 console a year before, I had played (and not necessarily completed, coz I couldnt beat some of the last bosses and I gave up) many action RPG games like, BioHazard Code V, Devil May Cry, Silent Hill 2, GT3, Onimusa 2, Grand Theft Auto, Hitman 2, Splinter Cell, Enter the Matrix blah blah blah. However, MGS2 is by far the best and the most unforgettable.

On top of its unique and non repetitive gameplay, comprehensive weapon and background design, excellent graphics+CG , the original score and music composed by the writer of the theme of "Enemy of the State" and "The Rock" plays an extremely important role in drawing me into the game that makes me feel that I really have the kind of burden loaded on Solid Snake, the main actor of the game, to accomplish something beyond the comprehension but for the benefit of the mass public. Sounds silly? Had you ever been so drawn into a movie by the perfect combination of the view and the music? If yes, you know what I mean. Playing MSG2 is just like being the main actor of an exciting movie, an invaluable experience to be found in games.

Nevertheless, rent one and try it. You will have the same feeling as I do and understand that a really good game, like a good movie, does always linger in your mind long after you have finished it.

SNAKE'S THE BEST

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is unbelieveable.This has got to be the greatest game on the PS2. The gun fights are great and the hand-to-hand combat is pretty good, but the best thing, of course, is the stealth. You can stand against the wall and look around corners to view the surrounding areas. You can hang on ledges to avoid enemy sight. You can sneak behind someone and stick them up. You can hide enemies in lockers to after you kill them. Also, you can hide in lockers too. Sometimes when you hide in lockers, you can see a stripper poster. Whoa! The enemies AI is great too. A cool thing is that now, there are 5 extra missions called Snake Tales. You can skateboard also. If I were you, I would get this game.

VR missions are great

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I gave it 4 not 5 because single player gets boring after 4 months because it's linear. The VR missions are alot more fun(in my opinion)but I think they should of releast them before playing the proper game but it would off taken adges to wait for the single player game anyway. Buy this if you want a decent action game(I was hooked for 4 months)and if you haven't, play MGS 1 first because it's so much better with the story line.

A very Welcomed addition to my PS2 Arsenal

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is one of the coolest games I've EVER played. Of course, I was sceptical for the first 5 minutes of play, but once you learn the controls, you'll be gaming for ages. It's just got a great mixture of Fear and ambition when you're playing the game. There is nothing like standing in a locker and having 6 enemy soldiers run by, It really gets your heart pumping, even after 3 months of play!

I have to be hnest, I really didnt think I'd like MSG series, in fact, about a month ago was the first time I had ever heard about it. And I can tell you, What a world of fun I have been missing. Really I played Substance to fimiliarize me with the controls and kind of get a loose idea of the stuff that will be in MGS3:Snake Eater. My main reason for trying out this game was the much awaited Snake Eater. (By the way, there is no question I will buy that)

First of all, Hideo Kojima is a GENIUS, this guy is a master at making games, and any game he makes, I'm pretty much going to buy from now on. His storylines are great, the action's good and he knows what gamers want to do in a game.

Alright this game has AMAZING graphics, and everyhing looks so real. Like being shot at, you hear the bullets go wirring past your head and hit pipes, that in turn vent out steam, it's just amazing. You can tell Kojima doesn't mind going that extra step to please you.

Here's a Break down:

Graphics- 15/10 top notch, very real and reactive invironment.

Gameplay- 10/10 the controls are very naturaland once you learn them you're set for life.

Difficulty-9/10 not the hardest, but at times, it's a headscratcher.

Fun- 15/10 A lot of fun to just go on a rampage with a USP M9 and shoot up the Russians.

Overall- 49/40 This game is worth every penny.

This is a really awesome game, that no one should miss out on,an instant favorite and welcomed addition to any PS2 game library. By far one of the best games ever.

I recommend playing it and getting a feel for it before you rush out to buy Snake Eater, besides, it's fun and worth the money.

The sequel to the original rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

INTRO: With the mass popularity of the original game, it was a no-brainer that there would be a sequel. A little bit after Sons of Liberty was released, a version called Substance was released with more extras.

GAMEPLAY: (Like my Dark Cloud 2 review, the gameplay will be divided into sections.)

THE MAIN GAME: Just like the original, you have to be stealthy and sneaky. This time, there is more ways to be that way. Like hiding in lockers, setting off fire extinguishers, hanging, or disguising yourself.

There is more enemy activity, too. If they see you, they have to use their walkie-talkie to alert people. So, if you defeat the soldier before he calls them, you are OK, but they will conduct a search if you interrupt the call.

You can also hold up a soldier. Sneak behind them, pull out your gun, and Snake/Raiden should say, "Freeze!" and you can collect the soldier's dog tag this way.

The weapons are more advanced. Now you can shoot your gun in first person and you even have a tranquilizer.

You play as two characters throughout the game. Snake, who you play as briefly, and then Raiden (pronounced RIE-din) who I think is pretty underrated.

VR MISSIONS: You can practice your skills with a bunch (and I mean a BUNCH!) of VR missions with many different characters. One of my favorites is Variety mode, where one of the levels involves sneaking past Godzilla-sized enemies!

SNAKE TAILS: Play through 5 different missions involving Snake. Has nothing to do with the main plot.

SKATEBOARDING: A fun little skateboarding game.

SPECIAL: Everything else. Some of the stuff in Special you unlock. Like Boss Survival, which has you battling all the bosses!

GRAPHICS: The graphics look great. All the characters are very smooth and detailed.

MUSIC: A very powerful music score.

SOUND/VOICES: The sound is great, so are the voices.

STORY: A fine, yet somewhat confusing story, packed with plot twists.

OVERALL: One great game to add to your collection. Can't wait for MGS4!

Classic MGS

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: January 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I think the best way to approach a massively hyped up game like MGS2, is to ignore the hype. I know people who bought this game and were really dissapointed, basically because they had been lead to believe it was going to be the best thing ever. I however was completely amazed by this game, it was a big surprise and it is definetely one of my favourite games of all time.

I owned MGS1 for the PS1, and to be honest thought it was a little over-rated, it was a great game, but people claiming it to be the best game ever, made me anticipate too much from it. I went into MGS2 not expecting too much, but I was completely blown away by the game. Great additions were the aiming in first person, which meant much greater accuracy when shooting, and generally the gameplay is superb. Collecting the Dog Tags was also a great addition, and adds longevity to the game (I have completed it about 10 times), the boss battles are also amazing, though there are fewer than the other games in the series. In particular the battles with the harrier, Vamp and the final bosses are great. So far so good, in fact there is very little wrong with the game, I only have two minor problems. Firstly you don't get to play as Snake enough, only a slight problem but Raiden is a bit of an (...), and most people agree Snake should have been the main playable character. The biggest problem though is the plot.

Up until about an hour from the end of the game the plot maves along nicely, with a couple of nice twists along the way, then it all goes to pieces. There is a ridiculously long cut scene (about an hour), near the end where you lose all idea of what is going on. I wont explain it here, mainly because I cant, I have completed the game loads of times and still can barely comprehend it now. The good thing is, when you have completed the game once you can skip the cut scenes, and you will want to at the end. While I did eventually grasp the plot at the end, it was just stupid, and were I reviewing this game out of 10, it would only get 9, just because of the plot.

Luckily for Hideo Kojima, the daft plot doesn't ruin this as a gaming experience, it is a fantastic game and highly recommended to any gaming fan. This review is not of the Substance version, but for some reason I can't find the original PS2 version on Amazon anywhere.

One of the GREATEST games of our time!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: August 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Right! The title is true! It's even better than MGS3! The game really great and I thank Konami and Hideo Kojima for all the hard work and time they dedicated to create this wonderful game.
You play as Solid Snake(who I really love playing as) and Raiden(someone I don't think anyone would like at all). Each of them are similar and different in every way. Now, let's go to the review:

Story: 5/5
The story of the game is easy to understand. It has a very good plot and it has some movie elements crammed in the game.

Gameplay: 5/5
A very fun game. Once an enemy spots you, your radar becomes jammed and an alert screen will replace the radar, and you run as fast as you can and look for a crate, wall, or fence to hide behind. You wait till they've given up searching for you, but if you are spotted again while in EVASION or CAUTION mode, you will return to ALERT mode. Once they've given up, you equip your SOCOM or M9 and tranquillize or kill patrolling guards. Once they're all dead, you go on and continue on your path. That's just a bit of all the fun in the game.

Graphics: 5/5
The best graphics that you'll ever see in a video game yet. blood and waterdrops are very realistic and when you see gunshots shooting out of the gun it looks like it shoots out in the real way.

Sound: 4.5/5
Hearing was never like this in a video game. You could really hear what the characters are hearing when you go into FPV and intrusion mode. Plus, with the directional mic item accquired in the game you will hear realistic sounds.

Replay: 5/5
This game is long including VR missions and Snake Tales. If you're an expert at stealth-action games you'll be able to finish the game in a week. But if you're new to these games you might be finishing this in a month I think.

Overall: 6/5
This game you should buy NOW!!! Once you've read my review, you'd be going crazy and if you're a kid, I think you would be forced to whine and panic around just to get this game, so come on. Get you carkeys, turn on the car, and drive to the nearest game shop and look for the game. If you can't find it anywhere, well, you're just too slow and REALLY unlucky, so come on and get this game, NOW!!!

Well, that's it, that's my review. Now I know you're feeling crazy inside, so just calm down and drive relaxingly to the game store. THE END

METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SUBSTANCE

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