Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 Review
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 brings together another set of iconic entries from the legendary stealth-action franchise. This volume includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, previously exclusive to the PlayStation 3; Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, originally released on the PSP; and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, which debuted on the Game Boy Color.
For many fans, these titles have remained out of reach due to hardware limitations. With this collection, Konami is making them accessible on modern platforms, offering players the chance to revisit or experience for the first time some of the most memorable chapters in the series. Whether you missed them the first time around or simply want to relive their impact, Master Collection Vol. 2 provides the definitive way to enjoy these classics.
A Final Outing For Solid Snake
The centerpiece of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is undoubtedly Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Long locked to the PlayStation 3, this release finally makes the game accessible to a wider audience, and the remastered version holds up remarkably well against its 2008 debut.
Visually, the game remains smooth and stable, with upscaling that brings it in line with modern PS5 fidelity. While some aspects may appear dated, there are no distracting artifacts such as stray pixels or clipping, ensuring the experience feels as polished as ever.
Controls have been adapted to modern conventions, allowing players to aim and shoot with ease while retaining the classic Metal Gear Solid mechanics of weapon selection, gadget use, and mission-based objectives. The gameplay loop remains familiar: stealthily moving from point A to point B, avoiding detection, and regaining cover when spotted. Snake’s arsenal is extensive, ranging from pistols and assault rifles to RPGs, complemented by close-quarters combat and interrogation mechanics that add tactical depth.
Narratively, MGS4 is as dense and cinematic as fans remember. Expect lengthy cutscenes, Codec conversations, and a story steeped in lore. The game preserves all of its original content, complete with a content warning for sensitive players.
The plot follows an aging Solid Snake, whose accelerated decline leaves him with only a year to live, as he pursues Liquid Ocelot across war-torn regions of the Middle East. Over its 20-hour campaign, players encounter familiar allies and adversaries while experiencing the dramatic conclusion to Snake’s saga and an ambitious tour de force from Hideo Kojima.
Supporting systems enrich the gameplay. Otacon provides Snake with the Metal Gear Mk. II and the Solid Eye gadget, offering a HUD, night vision, and tactical advantages. Drebin’s shop, introduced early in Act 1, allows players to unlock weapon IDs, trade gear for Drebin Points, and purchase upgrades. Customization options, from suppressors to scopes, ensure weapons can be tailored to suit different combat scenarios.
Apart from the game itself, the collection includes extras such as a digital soundtrack, master book, database, and even the full screenplay, which are perfect for fans eager to explore the creative process behind Kojima’s vision. For newcomers, these additions also serve as a valuable resource to contextualize the series’ complex timeline without requiring playthroughs of earlier entries.
Ultimately, Metal Gear Solid 4 in Master Collection Vol. 2 preserves the weight and spectacle of Snake’s final mission while modernizing its presentation for today’s hardware. It’s both a faithful preservation and a long-awaited opportunity for fans who missed out the first time.
The Lost Chapters
The second major highlight of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, originally released on the PSP and later ported to PS3 and Xbox 360. While it was more accessible than MGS4, its availability has still been limited until now. This collection finally makes the game widely playable again, preserving its place in Big Boss’ timeline.
Remastered for modern platforms, Peace Walker looks sharper than its handheld origins, though its visuals inevitably show their age. Controls are serviceable, especially when set to the “Shooter” configuration, but occasional input lag makes it less fluid than MGS4. Despite these quirks, the collection ensures players can experience the game in its entirety.
The 20-hour campaign fills in crucial narrative gaps between Metal Gear Solid 3 and Big Boss’ eventual insurrection in the original Metal Gear. Told through stylized comic book panels, the story cleverly sidesteps the PSP’s limitations while delivering a compelling plot.
After breaking away from the U.S. military, Big Boss reluctantly accepts a mission from the Professor and Paz, uncovering a nuclear stockpile in Costa Rica that sets the stage for his next chapter.
Gameplay mirrors MGS3, relying on camouflage, radar, and stealth progression. Players can capture enemy soldiers using the Fulton recovery system, sending them back to Mother Base to join their ranks. This mechanic ties into one of Peace Walker’s standout features: base management. By assigning recruits to R&D, combat, or support divisions, players can expand their operations and develop new weapons.
Co-op play adds another layer, allowing players to team up online with their MSF soldiers to tackle missions together. While experiences vary depending on partners, it’s a welcome addition that enhances replayability. The collection also includes extras such as the Master Book, screenplay, and soundtrack, offering fans deeper insight into the game’s development and lore.
Rounding out the package is Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, a lesser-known gem originally released on the Game Boy Color in 2000. This 2D adventure channels the spirit of the NES-era Metal Gear, tasking Solid Snake with infiltrating Fortress Galaude to dismantle a stolen Metal Gear prototype.
Gameplay is classic stealth, requiring players to move screen by screen, avoiding or neutralizing guards. While not as robust as its 3D counterparts, its inclusion is a nostalgic bonus that enriches the collection.
Verdict: 8/10 Buy It!
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 may not feel as expansive as the first volume, but it delivers something invaluable: access to some of the series’ hardest-to-find titles, most notably Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. For many fans, simply having a fully playable version of MGS4 outside of the PS3 is worth the price of admission, and the remastering work ensures it holds up well on modern hardware.
With the addition of Peace Walker, Ghost Babel, and a suite of extras, including soundtracks, databases, and screenplays, this collection earns its place in any fan’s library. It’s a thoughtful preservation of key chapters in the saga, and while not as robust as the first set, it remains an essential addition for anyone building a comprehensive Metal Gear collection.
*Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.
