METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION VOL. 1 Review - A Legacy Unpolished and Underwhelmed

Diving deeper into the murky depths of METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION VOL. 1, it’s like unpacking a box of your favorite childhood toys, only to find they've seen better days. The collection, a potential treasure trove of stealth-action nostalgia, unfortunately, feels more like a missed opportunity wrapped in a cloak of minimal effort.

A Journey Through Time - But Without a Guide

Imagine revisiting the roots of stealth gaming, where Metal Gear Solid set the standard. The journey from the pixelated past of Shadow Moses to the lush jungles of Snake Eater promises a rollercoaster of espionage and action. Yet, this ride is on rails so rusty they squeak with every twist and turn. The games, monumental in their time, deserved a royal treatment, a remastering that respects both their legacy and the advancements in gaming tech since their debut​​​​.

Visuals and Gameplay - A Mixed Bag of Old-School Charm and Frustration

On the one hand, the charm of the original games is undeniable. The stealth mechanics, the cinematic storytelling, and the unforgettable characters - they're all there, preserved in amber. But the frustration comes when you realize this amber has started to crack. The visuals, particularly for the original MGS, are a harsh reminder of the limitations of past hardware, untouched and unenhanced for modern screens. The gameplay, while groundbreaking in its day, now feels clunky, especially with the collection's glaring omission of quality-of-life updates that have become standard in contemporary gaming​​.

The Porting Process - An Effort Less Than Solid

The porting process, described by some as lazy, brings to light Konami's apparent reluctance to invest in a proper remaster. The games are essentially lifted from previous collections with no significant improvements, leaving them to stand on the laurels of their past achievements. This approach might have worked if we were still in the era of the PS2 or even the PS3, but in the age of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, it’s akin to watching a VHS tape on a 4K TV - quaint, but suboptimal​​​​.

Extras - The Icing on an Underbaked Cake

The extras, while a commendable attempt to add value, feel like the icing on a cake that's not quite done. Sure, the inclusion of different regional versions and the VR Missions are nice touches, but they're overshadowed by the collection's overall lack of polish and innovation. The Master Book and Screenplay, while fascinating, can't carry the weight of the collection's shortcomings on their own​​.

Community Sentiment - A Call for Mod Support

A notable aspect of the Master Collection is the outcry for mod support, a testament to the dedication of the MGS community. When fans are calling for mods to make a game "playable," it's a clear sign that the product has failed to meet expectations. The sentiment echoes a broader disillusionment with Konami's stewardship of the Metal Gear franchise, perceived as a cash grab rather than a genuine effort to celebrate one of gaming's most beloved series​​​​.

In Conclusion - A Legacy Tarnished but Not Forgotten

In sum, METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION VOL. 1 scores a 5/10. It's a collection that coasts on the monumental legacy of its contents, without doing much to adapt or improve them for a new generation. For die-hard fans, it’s a somber trip down memory lane, marred by the realization that the series deserves better. For newcomers, it’s a window into gaming history, albeit one that might require a bit of squinting.

Konami had a chance to reforge the legacy of Metal Gear Solid, to present it anew with the respect and care it deserves. Instead, what we got was a collection that feels more like an obligation than a celebration. It's a testament to the original games' quality that they remain enjoyable, but as for the collection that houses them, it's a reminder that in the world of video game preservation and remastering, love, effort, and a bit of modern polish are non-negotiable.

We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn’t impact our review in any way.