The Document of MGS2 Impressions

**bahn** · 09 Oct 2002, 12:00 AM

For those of you who are curious about the "Document of MGS2". The disc is essentially for Metal Gear diehard types only. It's a combination of a fan disc, and virtual documentary meshed into one package.

There's a stylish intro to kick things off, composed of FMV sequences, character models and various storyboard/conceptual text from MGS2. There's a bevy of options which the user can look through - character 3D models, storyboards and cut scenes for the first segment on the Tanker (w/o sound unfortunately), staff listings and their respective positions in relation to the game, a sound test mode (composed of 4 settings ranging from "infiltration" to "discovered", artwork, 3D character models (complete with options to alter the bg, lighting and color...a debug mode in a sense). The disc also features the entire collection of all the MGS2 trailers featured throughout the various trade shows in North America, Europe and Japan...including a few never-before-seen preliminary trailers leading up to the historic trailer at E3 2000!

Here's a breakdown of each "mode" in the Making (of Metal Gear Solid 2)...

1. Characters - Browse through still images and 3D models from Solid Snake, Olga, the Ninja, and even Solidus Snake (optional gear accessible in same style as featured MGS/MGS2 as if selecting weapons or items. Heh, cool). 3D models can be viewed at any angle. (There's also a unused characters table which contains a psuedo cel-shaded Mei Ling who was used for a experimental animation project which apparently never saw the light of day in the game, or something).

2. Mechanics - Browse through still images of the mechas featured in the game. Now you can look at Metal Gear Ray in all its glory, and then some. Can be viewed at any angle.

3. Background - Browse through still images and 3D modes of the game enviroments. Want to see the Big Shell, study the width of the Tanker? Now you can, and yes - these too can be examined at any angle to your hearts content.

4. Polygon Demos - Replay all of the sequences. Pause, slo-mo and camera movement options avaialable. As mentioned earlier, no sound is present.

5. Program - Outlines the programming techniques in a "easy-to-undestand" format to understand and appreciate the fundaments and underlying structure.

6. Sound - As expressed earlier, this basically is like a BGM sound test mode. (Note: Not every piece of music is here in case you're thinking you've got the entire score here. Settle down for a sec, it's not. I was really looking forward to at least hearing Metal Gear Solid 2 score, and the tanker intro sequence. I am sick of relying on the MP3s so it looks like I'll have to invest in the official soundtrack after all for the rest.)

7. Game Plan - Read through a draft of MGS2 proposal in the works.

8. Script - The official script word-for-word. Contains some hidden intentions/stage direction that would not normally be picked up while playing. Good, solid reading material.

9. Staff - Check out the entire Metal Gear development team...the staff list, and profiles of some of its members.

10. Chronicle - contains a time line detailing the long, hard road leading to the develoment of Metal Gear Solid 2.

11. Special Footage - As outlined above, features video segments ranging from trade show trailers to behind-the-scenes footage recorded during the game's development.

12. Items - CHeck out some of the cool items and products based upon the MGS2 franchise - heh, lots of Raiden
stuff here.

Well, all of that would be pretty ho-hum, and certainly not worth the investment unless again - you can't get enough of the game *cough* Zidane *cough* ...the disc also includes a 5-level VR demo training session based on the VR Training levels which will be included in Metal Gear Solid: Substance:. (The last level left me playing for hours...good stuff, Substance is definitely going to be the game to get). It's unfortunate that all of these elements couldn't have been featured in the original MGS2 edition (or even Substance for that matter...though it's hardly something to consider will hamper your gaming budget.

Those with moderate intrigue and interest owe it to themselves to pick this up - if you're truly that much of a fanatic. Sadly, there doesnt' seem to be any hidden purpose after completing the VR missions (like the way DOA3's OXBM demo disc worked for the original game). Nevertheless, it's a relatively solid resource, the VR teaser is a nice little bonus which I enjoyed immensely. I'll be keeping my CODEC open once my local retailer gets Substance in stock...

Semper fi.

**Jimmy Carter** · 09 Oct 2002, 12:01 AM

Gracias mi amigo! Apparently that means something in Spanish, what it is, I fail to guess, but I sure as heck mean it!

(yes, I know what it means)

Thanks!

**Freeter** · 09 Oct 2002, 12:04 AM

*waits for Zidane/Otakon/Kojima's bitch to hijack thread with MGS propoganda*

**bahn** · 09 Oct 2002, 12:37 AM

**Josh** · 09 Oct 2002, 12:47 AM

I bought it. I have no complaints... and I still can't beat the sniper level.

Reading the script is pretty cool, as well as the "making of" movies.

**bahn** · 09 Oct 2002, 01:07 AM

Ya man...that sniper level is fookin hard!!! I will admit, it took me like literally 95 continues

You have to be such a sharp-shooter. I figured out an easier way, but man...do you have to work your ass off. Makes me really eager to see how challenging the VR missions will be in Substance!

I love the script too.

**Josh** · 09 Oct 2002, 01:12 AM

I plan on having my ass handed to me constantly in Substance's VR training.

I can't wait!

Did you watch the motion capture interviews? It was wild to see how seriously the actors took it...

**Chojin** · 09 Oct 2002, 01:18 AM

My friend picked this up and I got to check it out a couple days ago. It was neat to mess with the cinemas and pause it during mid combat and flying around the level. I think it was cool that they have storyboards for every scene(Olga gets shot in the eye and not the head in the sb's) and seeing all the models any which way was cool. The earlier version of Raiden looked rather lame. Seeing the Naomi model was cool even though it looked like a PSx character model cel-shaded.

The VR missions were cool but the only one worth playing more than once was the sniper mission. It seemed hard at first but after like 5 tries you'll have it down.Like was said, these 5 VR missions really make you feel good about the ones coming in substance. Too bad beating all the VR missions didn't unlock any other features.

If your a MGS2 fan, you should buy this, no question. If your like me and dun really care, just find someone that has it and go to their house.