Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Three-Disc Se...

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Three-Disc Set Coming To Europe

It's already been out in the US since March, and it's still going to take another few months before Konami finally brings the Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence set over to Europe, in October 2006. But once they do, it will be a great opportunity for fans of the series to not only embark on Snake's last outing on the PlayStation 2 - Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (enhanced with a new 3D camera system and online play, among others), but also travel back in time and play the "pixel-perfect" recreations of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 - the games that started it all on the now defunct MSX format back in 1987. And then some!

Subsistence is a three-disc set designed as the ultimate Metal Gear experience for the PlayStation 2, and is structured as follows:

- The first disc of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence showcases a massively enhanced version of Hideo Kojima's acclaimed Snake Eater adventure. New to this version, however, is the 3D camera system that allows players to view the action from virtually any angle - a system that Kojima Productions will also be using in the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid 4 for PlayStation 3. The first disc also features a 'Demo Theatre', wherein players can watch specific sequences from the game's renowned cut-scenes using a simple-to-navigate menu system.

- The second disc features a number of key modes designed to extend the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater experience. One of the biggest advances comes in the form of a full Online version of the game, answering the requests of countless Metal Gear fans. Using the PlayStation 2's Network Adaptor, the second disc allows up to eight players to compete online for the first time ever in a Metal Gear game.

The second disc also features a 'Duel Mode' which allows gamers to play through the timeless 'Boss' fights that punctuate the game and feature a cast of eclectic and deadly adversaries, while Kojima shows his lighter side with a 'Secret Theatre' of spoof scenes – including the return of Raiden! Fittingly for a set that celebrates Metal Gear Solid, Subsistence also features pixel-perfect copies of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 – the games that started it all on the now defunct MSX format back in 1987.

- The third disc completes the set by a visual piece-de-resistance, in the form of a full CGI Metal Gear Solid 3 movie. With a running time of three-and-a-half hours, the movie is a reedit of the game's cut-scenes with additional radio dialogue and gameplay footage seamlessly added. Previously cut sequences have been restored to the movie, allowing people to sit back and watch one of the finest video games of all time in its entirety. And, in a nod to the future of the series, Subsistence also features the full trailer to Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – a taster of Solid Snake's final mission...

Assuming that the European MGS 3: Subsistence set will be priced similarly to the US version ($29.99 - full details here), this should be great value for anyone looking to catch up on Kojima's saga before Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out on the PlayStation 3, supposedly during 2007.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)