Konami Hasn't Learned A Single Thing (MGS: Master Collection Vol.1)

6 months ago (Edited)

Ah yes, the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, a critical collection of the first few Metal Gear games. To the right, the bonus content contains the complementary PSP games that came in the late 2000s. Actually no, that's not true. One of them was a PSP content, but none of them are games.

Yep, and I guess for some people, that is fine. A remastered collection of 3 different Metal Gear Solid games, including the 2 original arcade classic. Unfortunately, even with this much in the basket, it carries some stink of lazy porting, and doesn't even earn its worth at full price of an average video game. Sure, they can run at modern settings, yes, some parts of it are updated,

This isn't a review, per say, I haven't touched the collection yet. But I've heard some murmurs, and read up particular information, there are grievances to be had here. It makes sense of the timing for its release, since MGS:3 remake is coming out pretty soon. I just kind of hoped they put the effort in.

Link For Image

Here's a history lesson kids, before now where developers taught you to play in-game, disc boxes used to come with manuals. And with every MGS game, that was pretty important. The absurdist thing this bundle has done, has made them only accessible online. Not bundled with the disc even.

What also existed were different regional versions of the games. These thankfully are available with each game coming in NTSC, PAL, and JPN versions. You want that psycho-mantis scene? You can add fake save files for him to read. Ok, there's effort there, that actually does seem enticing.

Link For Image

Except for one other thing, this is a rerelease of the HD collection for the PS3, and Xbox 360. And it gets funnier, this has all the games that the other collection had, except for Peace Walker. In fact, Peace Walker was promoted to be one of the main games, but as a replacement for the original MGS. Which got swiped here, but I don't get it, what's wrong with adding Peace Walker?

I've counted Kojima making at least 4 or 5 PSP games released around MGS. Portable Ops, and both Acid games included. Why not just add the Acid games at the least, and put the other two on the 2nd volume? No, you couldn't have done that. Oh well, I guess they are abandonware now.

But of course, it gets more interesting, doesn't it? There were even leftover files for volume 2. And it gave away information of what was coming. Color me super disappointed as finding out that not only the manuals are missing in the disc, but the different region versions aren't in the Blu-Ray either.

Link For Image

If you think adding some graphic novel content from the disc is adding a lot to the collection's value, you can think again. Like, honestly, how can they even beef up the file sizes of these, ported from the PSP, How? Don't even get me started on the MSX2 games, half a gigabyte each of them.

As for the first MGS game, the only thing updated are the controller buttons showing up. But the game runs even worse than the original in terms of visuals, it's blurrier. And, they didn't bother to allow the game be running at 16:9, there are borders to compensate. Even though this emulator can. No resolution options, not even open for the 60FPS, things a bootleg emulator could do.

Link For Image

And it gets even better. KBM support is really bad. Like, Resident Evil 4 back in 2006 kind of bad. The mouse emulates the joystick analog, doesn't adjust like a normal X-Y axis movement should. There's no way to map the Keyboard buttons either. It's 2023, and Yakuza games know how to do this.

This isn't a newly done remaster, it's a port for the HD collection with MGS one swiped in instead of PW. Even the menu screen flashes bits of HD collection design, and inside files have confirmed that. Also, there's no actual 1080p render, for PC that is, both MGS2 and MGS3 runs locked at 720p.

It's starting to paint a picture, especially when you look at the fact that 2 other third party developers to help them with this. Of course, one worked on just the retro games. But what about the other? Is Rocket Studio to blame for this? Then again, that's mostly Konami's responsibility. Not some studio from SEA. Big studio couldn't spare the source code to make a game run 4K on modern consoles.

Link For Image

Am sure the Switch owners are having a blast. Then again, god forbid they try out MGS4 when that comes with vol.2. Considering just how badly it performs even on a weaker hardware in today's standards. A big shining example is an article from Eurogamer, flabbergasted it can't run even on a Steam Deck. Are you freaking joke at this point? The visuals don't even look that good.

Honestly, could have just put a 40 USD tag on it, and be done with it. Why torture us like this? It isn't enough that you've ruined the franchise after kicking the game's creator. Enough proven that the last game turned out to be the worst release in the series, and had nothing to do with Metal Gear at all.

Link For Image

It's no longer just a joke now, am realizing this is pure blasphemy. There are files even found in the vol.1 disc with traces of MGS4, MGS5, and Peace Walker. Meaning those are coming in the next volume. But if those are only it. Then a few things could happen next.

Konami could be planning for a 3 volume collection, or the PSP games become paid downloadable content, probably including the Twin Snakes remake released for the Gamecube. My money is on the 3 volume split. There's no way they're putting the rest on the other half. It's going to be twice the value at that point. They need the extra cash they can milk.

Especially considering the remake for MGS3 isn't far off from release. They have nothing extraordinary going for them. Majority of the Japanese gaming companies like Square Enix, Capcom, Sega, among others have moved to greener pastures. Not even PES is setting their earnings straight. Whatever it is, am not supporting them like this. This is why people emulate old games.