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Konami’s Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 delivers a jam-packed and pristine release of a storied franchise. Players who have wanted to dive into Hideo Kojima’s beloved stealth action series have had a tough time doing so. Copyright issues took MGS2 and MGS3 off of digital stores, and the last time the games were sold physically was on Gen 3 systems in 2011. However, MGS:MCV1 provides nearly everything a player needs to get into the series.
In a time of innovative 3D platformers like Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot, Metal Gear Solid changed the industry when it was initially released on the PS1 in 1998. Snake’s missions were filled with plot twists, fascinating characters, creative bosses, and incredibly tight 3D gameplay packed with secrets. There is now no better way to enjoy the first five games of Hideo Kojima’s beloved series than the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1.
The Best Way To Start MGS
MGS: MCV1 could have been just a direct port of the MGS PS1 classic and the story mode campaigns from its two PS2 sequels from Konami to make a quick buck. While the games don’t seem to have been altered too much from their previous releases in the MGS: HD Collection in 2011, it still feels packed with everything new players need to enjoy the series on modern hardware. Everything included in this first MGS: Master Collection easily provides hundreds of hours’ worth of beloved content that looks and plays better than ever.
Everything the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 includes:
- Metal Gear, MSX and NES versions (1987)
- Snake’s Revenge: Metal Gear 2 NES version (1990)
- Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake MSX2 version (1990)
- Metal Gear Solid PS1 (1998)
- Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions PS1 (1999)
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance PS2 (2001)
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater PS2 (2004)
- Masterbook Compendium/Guides For Each MGS Title
- Motion Comic Graphic Novels Adaptations of MGS & MGS2
- Digital Screenplays Of Each Metal Gear Solid Game
None of the games included in MGS: MCV1 play at 4K. Still, each of the titles included in the collection on the PlayStation 5 looked crisper with a higher 1080P resolution. The first MGS game is locked in at a constant 30 FPS, while MGS2 and MGS3 run steadily at 60 FPS (except on Nintendo Switch). The slight visual upgrade helps make the game’s moments of intense action easier to look at, especially MGS3‘s fluid CQC takedowns that feel even more satisfying to pull off.
Metal Gear Solid is a series known for its long cut scenes and sometimes confusing plot. MGS: MCV1 includes Masterbooks that are informative and well-organized summaries of the franchises’ intricate narrative and iconic characters. Each compendium provides crucial plot points, character profiles, and many secrets for each MGS game that even veteran players might not have picked up on. Players can also enjoy the screenplays of each title, digital comics, and each game in different languages. While the most recent MGS release is a good collection of previously released content, it is missing a few additions and cut content that could have made MGS: MCV1 a step above the series’ previous releases.
Incredible For Newcomers, But Not Much New For MGS Vets
Notably missing from MGS: MCV1 is the GameCube remake, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes. The Nintendo exclusive updated the PS1 classic by completely redoing the graphics, adding over-the-top action into cutscenes, and MGS2‘s feature of being able to shoot and aim in first person. Also missing is much of MGS3: Subsistence‘s additional content. The series’ first online multiplayer mode, Metal Gear Online, and the Ape Escape crossover minigame, Snake Vs. Monkey, would have also been great additions for players to revisit. Missing content is disappointing, but MGS: MCV1 missed a bigger opportunity to update the MGS games in the collection with content that players never saw release.
Hideo Kojima’s legacy has been maintained, but the most recent MGS releases feel like a missed opportunity to add the cut content that hasn’t been shown before. Hardware limitations were a notorious roadblock for Kojima and his team throughout the development of his games. MGS2 had several moments from his debut trailer removed from the game because of the PS2’s technical limitations, and MGS almost had rat companions who’d help players. More than twenty years later, it would have been interesting to see what Kojima Productions always wanted to do but could not.
Final Thoughts & Review Score
For players who have never experienced the Metal Gear Solid series, Volume 1 of the Master Collection is an excellent package. However, it offers very little for series fans who already have access to the 2011 MGS: HD Collection, MGS1, and its VR Missions. However, MGS: MCV1 does include the best versions of the games released so far and is a great way to prepare for the inevitable second volume.
Konami has created an excellent way for new players to get introduced to the Metal Gear Solid series, which includes a lot of extra content and three popular installments. MGS: MCV1 is now the best way to play what some consider some of the best action games ever made. The treasure trove of knowledge and content included in the collection is sure to interest fans of the franchise who want the games on newer hardware. However, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will likely help new generations get introduced to Solid Snake and Hideo Kojima’s wildly entertaining action epic.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 releases October 24, 2023 for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided with a PS5 code for the purpose of this review.
