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A bit of an enigma...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: October 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I mean, it is a game, but at the same time it is not...
Well, anyway, Document is basically an interactive DVD presented in two (almost three) parts.
The first is the game-like part. We are presented with five VR training levels that will be featured in Substance. They are pretty fun and challenging, but on the whole pretty disposable.
The second part actually has two smaller parts. The first is an in-depth look at the actual game content itself. You are allowed to examine the character, vehicle, and background models with almost unlimited camera control. You even get to 'play dolls' with some of you favorite characters; changing hair-colors, adding sunglasses, and the like.... You also get the average, run-of-the-mill Background Music Test.
The coolest feature in the content section is easily the Polygon Demo section, in which you are not only able to view the in-game cut-away scenes in their entireity, but you also have the option to, at any point in the scene, pause the action and move the camera around literally anywhere in the entire scene. This makes for a pretty good resource for directors (film and otherwise) who are interested in blocking actors. The only drawback (four stars) is the fact that these scenes are presented without sound (except for the Dual Shock vibration cues). I guess it was either an issue of space on the disk or an issue of using either the Japanese or English voiceovers. Anyway, the absence of sound is the ONLY disappointing feature to the disk.
The second section of the Making-of has to do with development of the game, from the original proposal draft (presented only in its original Japanese---perfect if you are interested in translation), to the team's research trip to New York, to the lectures on soldier movement, and finally to the celebration video of the final check approval from SCEI. It really gives you an appreciation for what went into the long development cycle of the game.
So, on the whole, this pretty much is a For-Fans-Only deal. But if you have ever been curious about what goes into a game (it is much more meticulous than most any movie you are ever going to see), the price could not be more perfect.

Documentation of one of the best games in history

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 06, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 isn't quite a DVD and its not quite a Video Game. It's being referred to as an interactive DVD. Document has 5 VR (virtual reality) missions, that are a preview to MGS2: Substance. These are pretty easy, but the one with the Sniper Rifle is kind of difficult. It also has a ton of things documenting the production of the game. Including 3D Models, Story Boards, footage of Hideo Kojima (Director, Producer, writer, franchise creator) and his team doing research in New York, the entire script, polygon demos that allow you to pause and rotate around every movie sequence, programming techniques. And my personal favorite; every single trailer from the early test trailers to Tokyo Game Show 2001. I rate this item a four because non of the polygon demo movie sequences have sound, The TGS 2001 trailer is in Japanese, even though it was the first trailer to have english dialogue, and most of the features are still-photos or reading, which is kind of dull. But, if your a fan of MGS then it is definetly worth the twenty dollars.

It's worth it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: October 08, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This is a very good item if you want to get in depth info on how they made Metal Gear Solid 2 and what they used in the game. Its also cool because you get 5 VR missions that are quite long. It will hopefully keep you busy till Substance comes out

The "Must Have" for MGS Fans

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: July 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Only for Fans. The entire "Making of..." in this disc, with all the production notes, photos, Polygon Demos... and more. This isn't really a game; as its name says, is the Document of Metal Gear Solid 2. A disc for fans and for people that like to know all abot the development of this game. A good reason to spend hours of your life chekin' all the stuff that this disc got to offer. Ah... almost forgot, also has some VR Missions. If you want more "action", get MGS Substance. ;). Ejoy it.

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