The PC version of MGS2 is a mess, but if you consider yourself a gamer, you must play this game.
I admit, I almost gave up on this game... even before playing it. I had a lot of problems, like the game freezing before the main menu and lots of graphical glitches, leaving the game completely unplayable. But, what can I say? I'm a Metal Gear fan, I was dying to play MGS2 again. After doing some research I was able to fix those problems.
After that, I thought: "Finally, now it's time to play MGS2!"
I was wrong. Take a look at the other MGS2 PC user reviews here on GameSpot. What's their biggest complaint about the game? The controls. Yes, the controls. They simply suck. And if you try to configure them, you'll end up with a lot of headache. I also tried using a joypad, but I couldn't make the right analog stick work. So, yeah, if you want to play this game, you'll have to get used to the original controls.
It can take a while to do so, but it is worth it.
Metal Gear Solid 2 is easily one of the best games ever.
When it was originally released, back in 2001, a lot of fans were disappointed that the hero of the first MGS, Solid Snake, wasn't the main character of MGS2. You can control him, but only in the "Tanker" chapter. For the rest of the game, you'll have to control Raiden. But this ins't a bad thing. Raiden is a good character, and it is interesting to see Snake from another character's point of view. This time you're not the Legendary Badass Hero, this time you're the Rookie. And even if Snake isn't the main character of MGS2, he is still important in the plot.
But don't worry, I won't spoil anything.
The gameplay is what you'd expect from a Metal Gear game. You can't "run and gun", you've got to hide from the enemy and make sure you don't alert them of your presence. So if, for example, you neutralize an enemy soldier, you can't just leave the body there. You have to hide it somewhere, otherwise the other soldiers will spot it and send reinforcements, which will make things more difficult for you. For your support, there's a large variety of equipment and lethal and non-lethal weapons.
As for the extras in the Substance version, there's the VR Missions and the "Snake Tales". The Snake Tales are a set of missions where you control Solid Snake. However, these missions are there as an extra only, for the players that wanted to play more as Snake. These missions have no importance in the plot.
Let's talk about the graphics now. There's not much to say, this is a 2003 port of a 2001 PS2 game, you know... But even after all these years, the game still looks good. And this is pretty impressive. Good looking scenarios, weapons, characters... You can clearly see why everyone was so hyped about this game back then, even the non-Metal Gear fans.
Another thing that aged well is the audio. The voice acting is perfect. Quinton Flynn did an amazing job as Raiden, and I don't need to talk about David Hayter, do I?
The musical score is also one of the best ones you'll ever hear on a videogame, Harry Gregson-Williams and Norihiko Hibino are masters.
So, don't let the controls or any other problem let you down.
Metal Gear Solid 2 is a game you must play.