Shaun M Jooste 
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 Review PS5
Welcome to my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 Review for PS5. Read what to expect from each game in the volume right here!
Operating System: PS5
Application Category: Game
4.8
Welcome to my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review for PS5. Konami has finally brought a fan-favourite to PlayStation, and I was really eager to try it out. Launched on 24 October 2023, it includes Metal Gear Solid 1, 2 and 3, with bonus content and a whole lot of other goodies.
My Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review for PS5 will be slightly different from my usual reviews. I usually cover story, graphics, gameplay, and audio for a game. Since this is an entire collection of Konami MGS awesomeness, I’ll cover each title separately below. I’ll also give you an idea of what it’s like to play these HD games on the latest PlayStation console.
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this product from https://www.keymailer.co. Still, this review is based on my personal experience of the game and is not impacted by the gift.
My Experience with the Metal Gear Solid Franchise
Before I begin my PS5 Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review, I want to quickly touch on my experience with the MGS franchise. My official gaming console path from the start was Atari, SNES, PS1, PS2, Xbox 360 (please forgive me), PS4, and PS5. I missed the first MGS, but played MGS2 and MGS3, albeit briefly.
Let me explain. While I liked stealth games, they weren’t my forte. I did much better in stealth with games in the Assassin’s Creed universe. I enjoyed MGS to an extent, but there were always points beyond which I couldn’t proceed and constantly failed.
Was I an MGS fan? Not as much as actual fans, no. My loyalty to Konami lies with Silent Hill. I mean, I wrote Silent Hill books between 2014 and 2022, for Pete’s sake. Unfortunately, I lost that permission with the revival of the Silent Hill series, but I’m not getting into that again. I’m just glad we got to see new updates for Silent Hill Remake 2 and Return to Silent Hill in the latest Transmission broadcast.
Luckily, I was able to convert my books to Sacred Valley, which means I can continue the Boatman Saga! I’ve just listed them as inspired by Silent Hill.
Ok, Silent Hill and Sacred Valley aside, I was still excited to try out the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 for my PS5 review. If you haven’t bought it yet, here’s what you can expect.
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection PS5 Review
Let me begin my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review with the first game in the collection. Makes sense, right? I’m not going to go into excessive details, but mainly cover what it includes and a short piece on what it was like to play.
One quick word of advice: these aren’t remakes for the PS5. The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 games are simply ported high-definition versions of the originals. So, don’t expect me to score the collection badly because of bad controls or visuals. I’m going to base it on the quality and value of all items received.
The Main Game – Metal Gear Solid
If you’re a bit nostalgic, head to the game selection section and choose the first option, which is Metal Gear Solid. You’re treated to the same videos, gameplay, and graphics as before. That means a retro espionage experience for us old-timers.
The movement through levels is basic. You can use your scope to view your surroundings, crouch and crawl, access your radio, and perform specific actions. For those who haven’t played it, the main goal is to find your objective by using stealth and not being detected. If you are, you’ll need to take out the enemies.
Your character isn’t fond of killing, so you’ll spend more time neutralising them with knockouts or darts. When things get hairy, then you may need to kill them. There are also some fun puzzles along the way, and you’ll need to crawl through some vents.
The only other thing I want to mention in this part of my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review is that the buttons are slightly reversed than what I am used to. Circle is used to select items instead of X, and X is used to cancel or exit instead of Circle. It’s not a major issue, but takes some getting used to. I didn’t encounter this in the other games in the collection, and things are as normal there.
Special Missions
As part of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection for game 1, you have three other games. These include Special Missions, VR Missions, and Integral. You can view these as DLCs with extra gameplay once you are done with the main game. It’s a nice touch adding these for the full experience. Thanks, Konami!
Master Book
Are you struggling with gameplay or want to see the MGS archives? Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 includes a Master Book to read more about the series and what newbies can expect. It’s literally a book you can page through on your PS5, which is exceptional! The illustrations are incredible, and I really loved this addition.
Screenplay Book
Do you want to read the official screenplay of the first game? Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 includes that, too! You’ll see the script on your screen, with scenes, characters, dialogue, and more. It’s fascinating to see how they turned the text into gameplay. It’s also good for screenwriters to learn how to format and write game screenplays.
Final Thoughts on Metal Gear Solid Master Collection for PS5
The first game in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 presents a truly retro experience. While it’s not remade like Silent Hill 2 will be, you can experience the original gameplay on PS5. You may struggle with some of the movements and combat, but you’ll get the hang of it eventually. I rage quit at one point, but that’s just me.
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1 Bonus Content PS5 Review
The next part of my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review covers the bonus content. This goes back even further than the first Metal Gear Solid I covered above. These are ported from the original NES/FC versions.
Arcade Games
There are two retro arcade games included: Metal Gear and Snake’s Revenge. These are the top-down shoot-and-dodge type games with screen scrolling as you move. I tried both of them, and they are fun despite their age. They’re exciting additions to try when you have some time to spare.
Video Collection
For your visual pleasure, you can also check out the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 Bonus Content video section. They contain digital graphic novels, which you can watch in video format. No gameplay is needed here, just sit back and watch while eating your pizza.
Digital Soundtracks
For your hearing pleasure, there’s a soundtrack from the games to enjoy. Maybe you want to read a book or tend to your bonsai trees or build a puzzle. As a massive MGS fan, this soundtrack will keep you company during your pastime.
Final Thoughts on Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1 Bonus Content for PS5
I really appreciate this part of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 set. It shows that Konami really made an effort to give a complete MGS experience for fans and newbies. It’s a wonderful touch that any gamer would enjoy.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Master Collection PS5 Review
Next up in my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review is Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. With a higher definition than the original, you’ll probably enjoy playing this one more than the first. It’s a separate download you’ll receive when you buy the entire pack.
The Main Game – Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
There’s only one game to select this time, but you can do so in different languages. You start with the famous ship introduction mission, which is where you’ll learn the basic moves and functions available. You’ll have an easier time looking around, that’s for sure, and combat is easier.
The map has an upgrade, too. The second game is much more advanced, and you’ll have more videos than ever before. I love the voice acting more in this game. Actions are easy to deal out, but you should still try to remain as hidden as possible. This is a stealth game, after all.
What I love about the entire Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 is how the save features are handled. For the first game, it mentions saving to blocks like the PS1 did. However, you aren’t limited to space as back then. You can save as many times as you like.
For MGS2, same story. You save using the radio as before, and you can have as many slots as you like. Just remember to use this feature so you don’t have to start over.
Special Missions
This time, the special missions are in the main game itself and not an additional title in the main menu. There’s a Special Missions tab, as well as Snake Tales. These are valuable additions to Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 for when you complete the main game.
Master Book
If you didn’t play the first game in Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1, you can still see the same Master Book as before. It contains the same information with archived details and tips. I’m glad they readded it so you don’t miss it if you went straight to MGS2.
Screenplay Book
As before, Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 offers you the screenplay of MGS2. You can read at your own leisure on the television or even compare the first game script. Being a screenwriter for movies and games, I really enjoyed seeing how they laid out the plot compared to my scripts.
Final Thoughts on Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Master Collection for PS5
MGS2 of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 adds even more value to the collection. You don’t even need to play the first game to enjoy the second, but I’m sure you’ll want to anyway. With much easier controls and gameplay, MGS2 may be your first choice.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Master Collection PS5 Review
Welcome to the final part of my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review, covering MGS3. As expected, the visuals, sound, and gameplay are further enhanced and may be the best title of the entire volume.
The Main Game – Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The story of MGS3 is much longer than the first two. What’s more, the visuals and features are way more advanced. Besides changing your appearance, you will now see a camouflage indicator. It tells you how well you are hidden from the enemy’s view, allowing for more tactical attacks.
Moving around is also easier, and you can interact with objects like trees. You need to collect special items for your missions, but the enemies are sometimes well-hidden too. Saving is once again done via the radio, but you’ll have to be more careful with your quests. The enemies are more violent this time out. However, you have a special attack combo that knocks them off their feet in no time.
If you’re stuck, the Game Selection part of the main menu has an Online Manual. You can just skip to the part you need help with.
Special Missions
So, MGS3 of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 doesn’t contain any special missions. When in the game itself, there are Briefing Files for each mission and a Special section. For the latter, you’ll see basic actions for each difficulty, and a photo album stored on your PS5.
Master Book
The Master Book of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 returns with MGS3. I don’t mind this at all. As mentioned before, it’s helpful for if you want to go straight to MGS and miss the other games in the series. Remember, MGS3 is a separate download you’ll receive as part of the package.
Screenplay Book
MGS3 also has a screenplay book. As before, you can scroll through the pages on your PlayStation, zoom in, and read each line when you want to chill. It’s interesting to read the story outside the scope of the game.
Final Thoughts on Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Master Collection for PS5
MGS3 of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 might not have as many features as the others, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable. With how long the game is and all the fun you’ll have, you’ll quickly forgive any additional items. I enjoyed playing MGS3 the most of the entire collection on my PS5.
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 Review PS5: Final Verdict
Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 provides a wealth of gaming and value. It doesn’t matter if the visuals and combat features are outdated. There are so many things to see and do, it’s well worth your time and have the library on your PlayStation. I honestly hope they do the same for Silent Hill, with SH 1, 2, 3, 4, and Origins in Volume 1, and Homecoming, Downpour, and Book of Memories in Volume 2. Maybe the P.T. Demo can be included in Volume 2 just for fun.
Is Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 worth buying?
Yes, 100% worth it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played all these games back then or never touched them. It’s more about the value you receive with the games, videos, screenplays, master book, and more. Konami really went out of their way to compile these in neat menus for us.
What I liked and didn’t like about Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1
Before I end my Metal Gear Solid Master Collection: Volume 1 review, here’s what I loved and didn’t like about the collection.
Pros:
- Plenty of content
- Love the videos, screenplays, and extra content
- Retro gaming at its best
- Original visuals and gameplay
- Lots of stealth action
- Hopes for a Silent Hill collection
Cons:
- MGS1 button configuration different to the rest
- Not fond of the crouch-into-crawl motion
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