METAL GEAR SOLID - Master Collection Version

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,862 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
METAL GEAR SOLID - Master Collection Version Game Cover
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"METAL GEAR SOLID - Master Collection Version" is a remastered collection of the original 3D stealth-action games in the METAL GEAR series. The games, including "Metal Gear," "Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake," and "Metal Gear Solid" with VR Missions, offer innovative gameplay and cinematic cutscenes that tell an intricate story of intrigue and betrayal. An exclusive digital Screenplay Book and Master Book are also included, detailing the story and characters of Metal Gear Solid and its predecessors. Regional versions of the titles are available as additional downloads.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,862 reviews
story112 positive mentions
optimization15 negative mentions
  • story342 mentions

    The story of *Metal Gear Solid* is widely praised as a groundbreaking and emotionally engaging narrative that combines complex themes, memorable characters, and cinematic storytelling. Reviewers highlight its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from dread to awe, and commend the intricate plot twists that keep players invested throughout the experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the story remains a standout feature that has aged remarkably well, solidifying its status as a classic in video game history.

    • “The story itself is just insane; there's not a single time where the game didn't make me feel some type of emotion, whether it be dread, anxiety, confusion, frustration, or awe.”
    • “The story is phenomenal and reminiscent of an epic 80s or 90s film.”
    • “The story, with its complex plot twists and deep narrative, was something never before seen in a video game.”
    • “The game constantly interrupts you with cutscenes from uninteresting characters with terrible acting and a confusing and uninteresting, generic story.”
    • “With that said, you can't ignore the fact the story doesn't seem to flow naturally and sudden character introductions consistently stifle you into further confusion rather than alleviate it.”
    • “While I still love the story, warts and all, the gameplay and level design unfortunately does not hold up.”
  • graphics195 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its 1998 origins, with many players noting a lack of enhancements in this port compared to the original PlayStation version. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm of the pixelated visuals, others criticize the absence of modern graphical options and the overall poor quality, often recommending emulation for a better experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game's storytelling and gameplay continue to resonate, overshadowing the dated graphics for many fans.

    • “For the time it released, it had the most beautiful graphics due to small developer tricks that made you think some surfaces had reflections and other things.”
    • “While these graphics aren’t much now, back in 1998 they were truly revolutionary and the voice acting still holds up very well honestly against games of today just fine.”
    • “The game takes you on an exciting journey filled with suspense and surprises, with immersive graphics and sound that fully absorb you into its world.”
    • “The graphics suck, but the framerate is fine.”
    • “The graphics are somehow even more blurry than the PS1 original, the frame rate hurts my eyes, and the controls are incredibly sluggish, to the point where the input delay often makes it difficult to pull off basic actions.”
    • “This port has absolutely no graphics options, and looks like they ran it through YouTube 144p, compressed it and then put a horrible pixel filter over it.”
  • gameplay176 mentions

    The gameplay of Metal Gear Solid is often described as a mix of innovative mechanics and dated controls, reflecting its 1998 origins. While many players appreciate its unique stealth elements and engaging boss fights, they also note the clunky mechanics and frustrating design that can detract from the experience, especially for newcomers. Despite these issues, the game's rich narrative and memorable characters continue to resonate, making it a classic worth experiencing, albeit with some patience for its gameplay quirks.

    • “The game is packed with unique and innovative mechanics that make it stand out, even decades later.”
    • “The stealth gameplay is tense and engaging, built on unique encounters, ever-increasing complexity, and effective punishment for detection.”
    • “For a game released in 1998, there were so many gameplay mechanics that were new to me and I was shocked at how well this game feels after 20+ years.”
    • “The gameplay aged quite a bit for my tastes and took a while to adjust to, but the narrative and aesthetic is still the peak of the series.”
    • “Great story and cutscenes and obviously earns its cult classic status, but this is such a clunky and terribly designed game from a gameplay point of view.”
    • “The gameplay is tight if a bit archaic.”
  • optimization47 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, audio problems, and low graphical fidelity. While some players experienced smooth gameplay and found it enjoyable, others criticized it as poorly optimized, likening it to a basic emulator rather than a well-refined port. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be fun, its optimization leaves much to be desired, especially compared to alternatives like the GOG port.

    • “Performance was good and the controls were easy to grasp.”
    • “I had zero issues regarding performance.”
    • “Good port to the PC, no real performance issues.”
    • “Bosses are extremely unfair and not optimized.”
    • “This is unfinished and poorly optimized.”
    • “Runs poorly; it's just an ISO on an emulator that is poorly optimized.”
  • music42 mentions

    The music in Metal Gear Solid is widely praised for its cinematic quality, enhancing the game's tense atmosphere and emotional depth. Composed initially by Tappy and later expanded by Harry Gregson-Williams, the soundtrack features a range of themes from intense action to haunting melodies, making it iconic and memorable. While some users noted minor audio issues in the recent port, the overall consensus is that the music remains a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's storytelling and immersive experience.

    • “Nothing else captures the same spy thriller vibes, tense and atmospheric music, intricate but not outright esoteric story, and solid voice acting.”
    • “The music, composed by Tappy and later expanded by Harry Gregson-Williams in sequels, enhances the mood perfectly, with themes that range from intense action beats to hauntingly beautiful melodies.”
    • “The story, voice acting, characters, and soundtrack remain second to none almost 25 years later.”
    • “Overall it plays well, but for me the sound/music/voices etc. are cutting off, either it's staticky sound or cuts in and out, but this is for the first game.”
    • “The port is meh, some of the audio, especially the music, is a little wonky especially during cutscenes and FMVs.”
    • “Reverb effects and music playback are subtly off from what the game sounded like on a real PlayStation or more accurate emulators like Mednafen & Duckstation.”
  • stability32 mentions

    The stability of this game port has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting game-breaking freezes, particularly during cutscenes after boss fights, making it unplayable for many. While some players experienced fewer issues, the overall consensus highlights significant bugs and glitches that detract from the gaming experience, leading to recommendations against purchasing this port.

    • “It runs great on my laptop when I struggle to run most modern games.”
    • “Excellent modern controller support (with in-game icons!), no glitches whatsoever, Psycho Mantis scene is fully working and mechanically accounted for, excellent bonus features; at $20 this seems to me like an easy buy.”
    • “The game runs great if you have an Xbox controller and I have had no issues, which feels exactly the same as when I played on my PS2 back in the simple days of gaming in the glorious early 00s.”
    • “The reason I cannot recommend this port is due to it having game-breaking freezes that happen to me every time I beat Rex.”
    • “Now - game crashes or freezes within 30 minutes of playtime.”
    • “This is an unacceptably buggy port of a 20+ year old game, but I guess I shouldn't have expected anything better from Konami.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dry wit, clever fourth-wall breaks, and absurd situations, such as hiding in boxes and amusing character interactions. Players appreciate the comedic dialogue, particularly between Solid Snake and his team, which balances serious themes with lighthearted moments. While some technical issues detract from the experience, the overall comedic tone remains a highlight for many reviewers.

    • “Solid Snake, voiced by David Hayter, is a complex protagonist, embodying a mix of toughness, vulnerability, and dry humor.”
    • “The fourth-wall breaking is not too in-your-face about it and it is tastefully placed in a way that it's really hilarious.”
    • “The humorous tone of the game grabbed me very early on; the dialogue between Snake and his team, deadly serious one moment before becoming silly in the next, made me laugh loud and often; Snake's interactions with Otacon straight killed me sometimes.”
  • monetization15 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers expressing disappointment over the lack of effort in improving the experience and the high price point. Players feel that the release prioritizes profit over quality, with numerous references to the game being a poorly executed port that relies on microtransactions and minimal enhancements. Overall, the sentiment is that the monetization strategy undermines the legacy of the franchise, leaving fans frustrated and disillusioned.

    • “Until they fix the port or redo it so it will fully function without having to make our own mods or bug fixes to do their job for them, I can't recommend this pile of cash grab garbage.”
    • “An unabashed desire for monetization tarnishes the essence of the franchise, leaving fans yearning for the days when innovation and storytelling were paramount.”
    • “This release was very obviously a quick cash grab.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players highlighting its beautiful storytelling, rich character development, and deeply engaging narrative that evokes strong feelings. Many reviewers express a profound connection to the game's themes and characters, likening its impact to that of iconic films and literature. While some players may not have felt a personal emotional connection, they still appreciate the game's craftsmanship and creativity, recognizing its significance in the realm of interactive storytelling.

    • “I played this game before the Steam release and must say, this is straight up one of the most beautiful, emotional games I have played in my life.”
    • “Each character is richly developed, contributing to a narrative that’s as emotionally engaging as it is intellectually stimulating.”
    • “The cerebral and emotional story, the endearing characters, the god-tier music, the awesome Yoji Shinkawa character/mechanical designs and depth of meaning are some of the best in any form of storytelling to me.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mix of trial and error, with boss fights becoming tedious once the strategies are known. While some users report minimal frustration, others highlight the exhausting backtracking and cumbersome controls as detracting from the overall experience, leading to a sense of tedium that overshadows the game's original passion.

    • “There's a lot of trial and error, and bosses can be very difficult until you know what to do; then they become easy but tedious.”
    • “Backtracking is tedious and exhausting.”
    • “Overall, I can't recommend this at all. The passion Kojima put into this many years ago seems to have been sucked out, creating a tedious experience, and I feel he would be ashamed of what has become of this.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive spy thriller vibes, enhanced by tense music and intricate storytelling. Meticulously designed environments, from icy exteriors to industrial interiors, contribute significantly to the game's dark and engaging atmosphere, while the PSX graphics and thoughtful details further enrich the experience. Overall, the combination of solid voice acting, political intrigue, and atmospheric elements creates a captivating and cohesive world.

    • “Nothing else captures the same spy thriller vibes, tense and atmospheric music, intricate but not outright esoteric story, and solid voice acting.”
    • “The environments, from the icy exteriors of Shadow Moses to its industrial interiors, are meticulously designed and contribute to the game’s tense atmosphere.”
    • “The storytelling and political intrigue, the music and small audio touches, the set design, and atmosphere.”
    • “The PSX graphics, perhaps over-indulged in, contribute negatively to the dark atmosphere of the game despite Yoji Shinkawa's designs.”
    • “The small things also add up: the addition of achievements and plug-and-play controller support that show the buttons as PS5/Xbox, which gets used in-game, wallpaper borders to fill out the 4:3 format (which detracts from the atmosphere if you pick the game you're currently playing), tons of art bonus material, all the VR missions, nice UI to manage it all, and customizable virtual saves that feel underutilized in-game.”
    • “The storytelling and political intrigue, while interesting, are overshadowed by the lack of a cohesive atmosphere, with the music and small audio touches failing to enhance the set design.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Users note that the game has some fun replay value, but its rough visuals detract from the experience. While mods can enhance the graphics, some players prefer the original PC port for a more enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “With some fun replay value to it.”
    • “I'm gonna go fire up my copy of the original PC port, which is infinitely more playable than this.”
    • “It looks rough as hell; it has some sort of upscale filter that looks awful. Though I was able to improve the visuals and make it more playable with the aforementioned mod and reshade that is available on Nexus that adds scan lines.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in Metal Gear Solid is intricately woven into the game's plot and dialogue, elevating it beyond standard video game storytelling and contributing to its reputation as a significant cinematic work of the late 20th century.

    • “The themes are interwoven throughout the game’s plot, character development, and dialogue, making Metal Gear Solid a thought-provoking experience that goes beyond typical video game storytelling, often leading to it being considered one of the great cinematic pieces of media of the late 20th century.”
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Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy METAL GEAR SOLID - Master Collection Version

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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