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Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

EMAIL PRINT ps2

9.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 43 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: March 4, 2003

Summary

Solid Snake returns in Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, the expanded edition of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty with all-new game modes, hidden characters and storylines. Top-secret weapons technology is being mysteriously transported under cover of an oil tanker to an unknown destination. It's up to Snake to infiltrate the transport and keep this deadly weapon of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands! Featuers 350+ VR Missions and 150+ Alternate Missions, as well as 5 all-new "Snake Tales" side stories. [Konami]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Metal Gear Solid Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central IGN

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

Given that Snake is the ultimate videogame stud, it's great to work through some new objectives with his gritty new perspective. [Apr 2003, p.87]

GameZone

Substance is well designed, tremendous graphically and in the audio department, and a great, addictive ride.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

A huge selection of new minimissions allows for more time playing as famed series stud Solid Snake, and they further exploit "MGS2"'s strongest suit: the gameplay. [Apr 2003, p.111]

IGN

There's so much new content that working your way through all of it will easily take more time than the actual Sons of Liberty game.

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PSM Magazine

I still love this game. However, it's become more obvious that the storyline is way too clunky, confusing and - sometimes - downright silly. [Apr 2003, p.34]

Play Magazine

This version's a hair better than the Xbox one, too. [May 2003, p.60]

Absolute Playstation

I would say, if you don’t presently own MGS or MGS2, this would be a good investment.

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GMR Magazine

Nothing's more hysterical than replacing Solid Snake with an old office lady, and watching her sneak off to take care of business on Big Shell, SOCOM at the ready. [Apr 2003, p.63]

Gamestyle

Where Substance really comes alive is the various VR modes and alternative missions.

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PSX Nation

The ultimate “MGS” fan’s dream come true. And, with Solid Snake now front and center throughout the proceedings (Snake Tales anyone?), this “MGS” sequel can be enjoyed the way it was meant to: with as little Raiden as possible!

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GamePro

Although the PS2 game comes some three months after the Xbox release, this version is the better of the two—mostly because of its superior controls.

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Armchair Empire

If you totally enjoyed MGS2, this definitive version is certainly worth a look, delivering all of the extras and the original game in one package.

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Game Informer

Yes, the action is still exhilarating at times, but without Kojima's story and cinematics, I found Snake's Tales to be rather dry. [Apr 2003, p.85]

netjak

This is the BEST version of Metal Gear Solid 2 you can buy, so if you didn't play through the game yet, well, go get this one.

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GameSpy

The VR Missions alone could keep you busy for weeks. If, however, MGS2 didn't light your fire, your logs will remain unburnt by Substance.

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GameSpot

The hard-core Metal Gear Solid fan should get a kick out for the VR missions and other extras, so Substance wouldn't make a bad rental if you went into it knowing what to expect.

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Cheat Code Central

One of the best looking games on the PS2 to date.

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 43 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Kristmundur S gave it an8:
My real ranking for this game is 8.5. Anyway, this re-release of MGS2 was originally an Xbox exclusive but was later sold for PS2, Xbox and PC. This version of the includes the same main game with slight improvements and add-ons. This version has a bigger replay value than the original release. Over 300 VR training missions that help you practice the game's mechanics and stealth formula also weapons training. There are also five Snake Tales that are mini games starring Solid Snake. They are bit harder with no cutscenes or dialogue. There is also a Skateboarding Mode that resemþles Konami's Revolution Skateboarding game. There is also an interactive DVD called the Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 that is included in the PAL version which has Charcater Models, Area Models, Scetches, script, Game Plan and many more treats. This is a pretty good deal. If you've never played MGS2 settle for this version, but if you do own it but you're not an MGS buff skip it but if you are... go with it!

BigB0SS Naked Snake gave it a10:
As with Sons of Liberty, Substance is a masterpiece. These added features make MGS2 a lot better. Buy or rent this version over Sons of Liberty. Enough said.

[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
This is the best game yet.

James R. gave it a 10:
This is the BEST Metal Gear Solid game EVER!

Francisco s. gave it a 10:
This f..... game is the best of the PS2!!!!

Jim B. gave it a 10:
F....ing kickass GO BUY THIS NOW!!!!

Kevin V. gave it a 10:
This is a great game thats all Im saying.

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Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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