If you haven't gotten a chance to play Metal Gear Solid 2 yet, why not buy this version?
Gameplay, 8. The gameplay is virtually the same as it was in the last game. You run around completing it is whatever you have to do while avoid getting caught by the enemy. If you get caught that means you'll probably have to fight your way out of the conflict. In Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty the enemies are a lot smarter. If they hear something they'll investigate. Just because they don't find you in one spot that you were making noise in, doesn't mean they won't search anywhere else. Normallly when you think of Metal Gear Solid you think of Solid Snake, well you actually play as him only in the beginning of the game. The majority of the game you will actually be playing as Raiden. This will obiviously piss any Metal Gear Solid fan off. Although there is another mode exclusive to Substance where you can play as Solid Snake, but the story in this mode is almost nonexistent. There's no voice acting or cutscenes or anything like in the main game. There is also a skateboarding mode which is based on some other game made by Hideo Kojima. There is also a training mode to practice your stealth skills.
The game play is pretty good overall. Even though you're not playing as Snake, if still feels as though you are. The A.I. is very smart.
There are some disapointments with this game. First off, you're not playing as Solid Snake most of the game. Seriously, who gives a damn about Raiden more than they do Solid Snake? Sure you can play as him in another mode is you like, but there is almost no story compared to the main game. The bosses aren't as cool as in the last game. The skateboarding mode is lame too.
Graphics, 10. The graphics for this time are perfect, just perfect. There is so much detail as to how the world is designed here. The characters look very real for this time in the Playstation 2's lifetime. Graphics didn't get much better than this back then.
Sound, 9. The voice acting is very real sounding. The music is very good as well. The sound effects are decent too. All in all the sound is very good for this game.
Value, 8. The main game should last you about 20 hours depending on the difficulty. I wouldn't recommend any of the extra modes except for maybe the training mode.
Difficulty, Just Right. The difficulty is really up to you so I can't really say much about the game's difficulty.
Tilt, 7. This isn't my favorite Metal Gear Solid game out there. Primarily because you're not playing as Solid Snake and all the extra modes aren't really worht playing. But if you haven't experienced Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty yet and don't have the original version, then I'd recommend this game. However, if you already have the original version, then stick with it.