I’m no hero… Never was.
It feels relevant writing this review in the current timeline. As we prepare for Kojima finally making a spiritual successor to the timeless Metal Gear series, one of his most popular and polarizing games is finally playable on a console that is not a PlayStation 3. The first Metal Gear Solid Master Collection had a rough start technically, but having all those games in one place was awesome. Konami has really had an about face this generation, reviving a lot of its treasured franchises. So, when the second Master Collection was rumored, everyone wanted to know, was it finally time? Would Metal Gear Solid 4 finally be released from PS3 prison, the answer is yes, and it is surprisingly well done.
While the first collection contained a total of five games (two of which were the classic 8-bit games) it seems paltry that the second one only has two mainline and one classic. The elephant in the room though is MGS4, but we will get to that. In addition to that it also has Peace Walker and Ghost Babel, which is in a separate app that also contains some other bonus stuff. Each game has its own executable, much like the original collection.
MSRP: $49.99
Platforms: XBOX (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99
In addition to the games, each one also contains a glorified manual for each game. Metal Gear Solid 4 also contains the entire screenplay as well as an app that showcases the entire timeline and breaks down events, characters, and lore throughout the entire series. It is a very cool addition that lets players go through the entire history of the series.
Let’s talk about the games themselves. Peace Walker is here, and it is still packed with mini-missions that worked well seeing as it was originally a portable game. This is not the first time we have seen a port, in fact Xbox owners have been able to play it via backwards compatibility for the past two generations. This version retains all the different modes including online, which is great. Peace Walker was such a unique entry in the series, I am glad to see it included here. I am baffled as to why the upgrade visuals are turned off by default, when I first booted it up I didn’t see much difference from the backward compatible version.
Ghost Babel is here, and that is a neat addition. For those that don’t know, this game is an alternate timeline that takes place after Metal Gear 2. It has different characters and feels more akin to the MSX and NES versions of the games. It was originally a Gameboy title, so the graphics are retro, but I had a lot of fun revisiting this obscure and excellent title.
Finally, let’s talk about the biggest reason to pick this up, Metal Gear Solid 4. This game has spent almost two decades with only one version available. Kojima designed this game entirely around the PS3 itself, which meant it had to really be rebuilt from the ground up. Konami went the extra mile with this, bringing in Virtuous to aid in development, it feels like they touched every aspect of the game. For starters, the game now runs at a rock solid 60fps most of the time and the upgrade to 4K is incredible. This is the best the game has ever looked, and it really shows the excellent art direction of the original.
This game also had a ton of fourth wall breaking references to the PS3, which have been carefully cleaned up, including new dialogue for those moments that referenced the console. The team has done an amazing job at bringing this game to multiple platforms. The Switch 2 version even looks and runs beautifully, it is quite the feat.
Playing through this game again was a treat. Kojima really did a great job at closing Solid Snake’s story here, tying up loose ends, and there are moments that still resonate with me. Returning to Shadow Moses, the final boss fight, and so much more. Sure, the game is very cut-scene heavy, but I was engaged with all of it. I am glad a whole new generation is able to experience this masterpiece.
Konami has been on a roll lately, and this collection is something I have waited almost 20 years for. Revisiting MGS4 has been incredible, and I am glad it is finally available to more people and out of PS3 prison. The addition of Peace Walker and Ghost Babel are great, and the encyclopedia rounds out the package. I know what I want for Volume 3 but cannot fathom getting the rights to Twin Snakes would be easy. I am guessing we see something like MGSV and Rising with perhaps bonus titles including the Ac!d series. For now Metal Gear fans are eating good, and I am here for it.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.