Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7927 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2003-03-07
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: Xbox

Amazon.co.uk Review
There's been an awful lot of confusion about just exactly what Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is. Is it a proper sequel? Is it a mission disc? Is it an Xbox exclusive? Does Snake get to go skateboarding? Well, to answer all but the last question: no. Substance is kind of similar to the VR Missions disc that was released for the original Metal Gear Solid on the PSone; however, Substance is a stand-alone title that doesn't require the original game to run--and indeed contains within it the original version of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

In essence, Substance is kind of like one of those special edition, director's cut DVDs you get for films, in that it's the same old movie but with so much cool stuff layered on top it seems totally new. There's also a similarly scattershot approach to the new features, but the most obviously appealing are the chance to play through both missions as Solid Snake (or a bunch of others including Pliskin and the cyborg ninja) instead of the anaemic Raiden. Then there's a mountain of over 100 VR missions and five brand new mini-episodes for Snake to try his luck at.

Any additional extras, and the answer to whether Snake really does get to do a Tony Hawk, remain secret until the final version is complete, but it's impossible to imagine that if you're a Metal Gear fan you won't enjoy this. For Xbox owners there’s the extra kudos that your version will be out before the PS2's--and there are rumours of exclusive features that the Xbox’s hard drive alone makes possible... --David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
In Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, players can expect to find the same deep storyline found in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, plus bonus modes, hundreds of never-before-seen VR missions and all-new adventures in which players assume the role of Solid Snake.

Customer Reviews

One of the most immersive game worlds
Ok, so you've probably read loads of other reviews saying "yeah good game but nothing special." This attitude seems to focus on the visuals and constant FMV 'interruptions'.
Let's put a few things straight - the graphics are taken straight from PS2, given that and the age of the game (one of the first showcased for PS2) it is pretty damn impressive. Lip sync could be better but facial movements and expressions along with hair and clothing are a pleasure to look at.
Secondly as you progress into the game you will find the cut scenes an integral part of the story as the twisting and often surprising plot unfolds. MGS2 steers clear of the predictable storylines and character relationships that plague most games these days and concentrates on keeping the player enthralled in a bedroom sized bubble of pure gaming genius.

OK, the game lacks the gritty atmosphere and to die for realistic environments of splinter cell but you have to remember they are entirley different games and designed with different experiences in mind, they cannot really be compared because they are so different (i believe it is an injustice to both games to pit one against the other in a popularity contest) - i think the only similarity (and why people compare them) is the stealth aspect.

One of the very few gripes about the game i have is the fact that for a stealth em up - light and dark dont play a particularly big role - i found that you still get discovered even when cowering in what is seemingly a dark corner but this does add to the suspense - am i going to get caught, will they walk straight by? what should i do if i get seen? in fact what should i do if i dont?!!

Yeah i agree some of the codec messgaes are absolutely pointless and yes it did annoy me but you dont always have to answer it and you can always skip the interruptions - but that simply strips the game of all that Hideo Kojima wanted us to experience. On the other hand there are subtle messages which can be very clever hints that at the the time you dont realise or just amusing sub texts - or both.
The plot exceeds that of Hollywood and it is like watching an interactive movie, but thats the point of it.
To fully appreciate the plot and character development you have to be fairly open minded but by the end of the game my eyes were opened to a whole new way of thinking, especially the way i felt about the first installment. I think that Kojima has portrayed his story so well that the player (if they are actually interested in the story and not just there to pop necks) actually feels deep emotions similar to those that the character in the story must be feeling - such as relief, confusion a sense of betrayal or regret etc.
The whole adventure is full of secrets and hidden aspects - some have a function others are purley there for fun - to be discovered by the gamer - meaning that the 5th time you play it something might surprise you that you hadn't seen/realised before.
During the game certain characters get very philosophical and it is actually a breath of fresh air as opposed to the usual point and blitz games with cheesy and repetitive catch phrases, the plot is something you can discuss with your mates (well the ones who have cleared the game) and is something to really think about. Towards the end, Snake talks about legacies and what people want to be remembered by -

I believe this is Hideo Kojima's legacy, the man is a genius.

Roll on MGS3!!

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
This game rules! I have been waiting for this for about 4 years now, scince the original metal gear on psone came out and I was not disappointed.

The main games is split into two chapters, the tanker and the big shell plant, the latter being longer. Without spoiling the story, solid snake and otacon have now set up there own anti-metal gear organization known as philanthropy. Everyone thinks snake died after the tanker incident, but then Raiden, the main character of the plant chapter meets a guy there called pliskin, who mysteriously looks, sounds and acts iddentical to snake...

The actual gameplay isnt as good as splinter cell, but the main strong point of this game is the storyline, its fantastic, just like the first. You get to use many different guns and gadgets aswell.

There are some bad points about this game though, the graphics have ps2 written all over them, they could have, and should have been improved for xbox. Also there is some noticable slow down in places aswell. The other main complaint could be about the fact that for a lot of the game you are sitting listening and watching them talking and video clips.

The "substance" part is the 300+ VR missions and the 150+ alternative missions. Also, there are 5 new snake tales which you get to play as snake in. These should make up for his playable absense during the plant chapter.

So all in all buy MGS2: Substance becuase it is a fantastic game and certianly a worthy addition to the ever growing collection of xbox games. Buy it, and you wont be disapointed...

Amazing Game!!!!
First Thing's First this game is not as good as the original Metal Gear Solid,but it is much better than the original Metal Gear Solid 2 Because it Has LOTS of VR missions (Youll recognize them from the first game)and plenty of different characters to play as (in training) like Solid Snake in a Tux and Snake in his old MGS1 Costume also there is a chance to use a sword in the game too (very nasty). I reccomend this game to anyone who Likes Splinter cell or has played the original, By the way this game is a 15 (to anybody whoes kids have been nagging them to get this) Allthough there is a option to turn the gore off. BEST GAME IVE PLAYED.