Support NeoGAF

[Lynx_7]

I think I'll be starting MGS2 in a couple hours, playing in HD on the Legacy Collection. Any tips before I get started?

-Avoid drowning
-Turn the game console off right now!

You may want to lower your expectations for MGS 2 a bit even if you had a good time with Snake Tales, at least for the first half of Big Shell. There are a lot of not-so-stellar setpieces like constantly backtracking, bomb removal galore, some boss fights that don't feel nearly as good as 1's (ugh, Fatman) and other small stuff. It's the most "flawed" game of the MGS franchise as far as gameplay design goes, which is why I don't consider it as good as 1, 3 and V even though it has by far my favorite plot of the saga.

It's still a great game though and has my favorite endgame of any Metal Gear. I really love how crazy it gets and it has my favorite depiction of the Patriots bar none.

 

[Neiteio]

-Avoid drowning
-Turn the game console off right now!

You may want to lower your expectations for MGS 2 a bit even if you had a good time with Snake Tales, at least for the first half of Big Shell. There are a lot of not-so-stellar setpieces like constantly backtracking, bomb removal galore, some boss fights that don't feel nearly as good as 1's (ugh, Fatman) and other small stuff. It's the most "flawed" game of the MGS franchise as far as gameplay design goes, which is why I don't consider it as good as 1, 3 and V even though it has by far my favorite plot of the saga.

It's still a great game though and has my favorite endgame of any Metal Gear. I really love how crazy it gets and it has my favorite depiction of the Patriots bar none.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll try to take it slow and be patient. May need to vent to you guys, though!

 

[Charlouie Jonesman]

Some of the bosses are a bit underwhelming but still fun to fight. The gameplay and setpieces itself are totally fine, I already said this in the PW thread, but imo MGS2 is pretty much the perfection of the top-down view stealth gameplay from the older games.

Really, the big problem, and I also said this in the other thread, is the gameplay/story pacing. Especially once the Big Shell episode starts, it takes a loooooooong time for the gameplay to really get going.

 

[Lynx_7]

Some of the bosses are a bit underwhelming but still fun to fight. The gameplay and setpieces itself are totally fine

I'm gonna have to disagree here. The gameplay mechanics are great and the stealth itself is fun, but the game relies too often on you doing tasks not really related to stealth at all. Search for bombs here, shoot a bunch of hidden things here to allow you to proceed, backtrack there because of this, oh now you're on a timer go disarm bombs again better hurry up, yo did you like disarming bombs 'cause this boss is all about that so have a blast, hey are you Ames, now let's go for a swimming section, what about an escort mission, now how does a sniping escort mission sound. IMO it's not as well thought out or tightly designed as 1's setpieces even if the core gameplay is stronger.

I also always considered 2 to have the weakest bosses in the series before PW and V.(some endgame bosses spoilers, but Neiteio does know the story already so I guess it's not really a spoiler to him)

Spoiler

Olga, the Ray fight and Solidus

were great and I guess that's it for me. The others ranged from ok to frustrating.

 

[R-User!]

Agreed. I keep forgetting this is a PSX game. It seriously feels laser-focused in its design, with tight 2D gameplay in an immersive 3D environment. Even its PS1 visuals have a cool comic book feel to them (i.e. the lack of "eyes" on most character models feels more like a stylized touch than a technical limitation).

The pacing (so far at least) is some of the best I've ever seen. I really wasn't expecting much going in, but this is RE4-esque pacing so far — a reliable back and forth between 1) guards on patrol in multi-tiered rooms with nooks and crannies, 2) closets and other rooms filled with treasure, 3) creative boss encounters, and 4) quirky scenarios like laser rooms, minefields and guided missiles in hallways.

All of this is punctuated by cutscenes that are surprisingly well-written and acted. Seriously, I was expecting RE1 levels of cheese, but this is perfectly fine so far. Best of all, the cutscenes and codecs don't overstay their welcome. This is world-building just as detailed as the games that follow, even though it's the first of the 3D games. I'm impressed.

You should be, cuz it's damn good.