Video Game Review: Magazine

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection:

The biggest name in tactical espionage action gets an HD makeover

Three titles from the genre defining game series get a loving face lift in this collection of classics.

From offering innovative, improvisational game play, providing players with multiple ways to deal with enemy encounters, to having one of the most brilliant, and insane storylines. Metal Gear Solid has always been a fantastic example of a game series with the cinematic traits of both a Hollywood blockbuster and an art-house movie rolled into one.

The immersive environments, ranging from the confined corridors of a military tanker, to the vast wilderness of the Russian jungle, combined with explosive action and against-the-odds boss battles ensures the games feel like a big budget production. Even the musical score is provided by legendary composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, Cowboys and aliens).

But once you look past the glossy exterior you uncover the real genius (and madness) that makes a true Metal Gear game lies in the story telling. The series boasts one of the most impossibly convoluted storyline ever conceived. Spanning five decades and a host of characters held together by a global conspiracy. Even the most out of place individuals, such an overweight, rollerblading mad bomber can be a key component in understanding the plot.

This is especially noticeable in Sons Of Liberty, the earliest game in the box, but the last when placed in chronological order. The opening act alone reveals that our antagonist is in fact our heroes (now dead) clone brother, who lives on through an arm surgically attached to one of his former comrades.

Snake Eater tones down the madness a little, with a much more manageable storyline. That isn’t to say everything makes sense, in fact, this time round our villain has the inexplicable power to control a massive electrical current coursing through his body.

This game acts as the perfect hop on point for new fans, being in fact the first in the series time-line. This title takes place during the cold and pays loving tribute to many films of the era, from James Bond to Doctor Strangelove. The games change from narrow urban environments to a vast fictional patch of Russian Jungle provides a welcome change of pace. Despite being an integral part of the series overall continuity, Snake Eater is the most self contained instalment, and possibly the series highlight.

Many people looking at picking up a copy of this wonderful collection of games have probably already played both Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater, so the real gem, and probably one of the biggest selling points is the inclusion of what is infact the most recent game in the franchise, Peace Walker. Until now only available on the PSP, many hardcore fans may have been deprived due its exclusive nature. Unlike its handheld predecessor, the spin off Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Peace walker is in fact canon to the series and a direct sequel to Snake Eater.

The game itself translates surprisingly well to the bigger screen, with environments to rival those of snake eater and a simple, but effective control system. The game plays out in bite sized missions, while in-between you get to complete side quests and manage your own base.

The game is also the first in the series to offer co-operative multiplayer to help you complete the main campaign. This helps add a new level of depth to the already brilliant tactical espionage action the series is most famous for.

This set of three classic titles is not only sure to be a hit with Metal Gear veterans who will relish the chance to play through their favourite titles, picking up all the newly added trophies and achievements along the way. But it also provides the perfect starting point for anyone new to the series.

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