With the release of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection on the horizon, Konami has today unveiled details regarding content that will be included in the bundle.
Not only will the package include HD remastered versions of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, it will also include conversions of the original MSX Metal Gear titles and the VR Missions that were released alongside the Substance edition of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
As if the reworked HD visuals weren’t enough, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will also feature improved sound, along with trophy and achievement support. The bundle will be released on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The former version will come on one blu-ray disc, whereas the latter will have the content split across two DVDs.
Now, just in case you’ve been living under a gaming rock over the last few years, Konami has been kind enough to give you a brief overview of the games included in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.
Chronologically, METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER is the first title, with series hero Snake sneaking through a Soviet jungle where intelligence reports a vital scientist is being held captive. Set in the 60s of the Cold War, SNAKE EATER sees Snake using his stealth abilities in a whole new locale – under the cover of the jungle foliage where various camo fatigues can be used for additional cover and to hide from the patrolling guards. As the mission to recover the scientist unfolds, faces from Snake’s past make welcome and unwelcome returns.
The next in the series’ timeline is METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER, which takes place a decade after the events of SNAKE EATER and details the operations of Big Boss in Costa Rica. Set in 1974, Costa Rica has been overrun by a band of highly-trained mercenaries. Working with a squad of neutral troops, Snake discovers a CIA plot, and becomes embroiled in a mission to thwart a nuclear threat. The HD version of PEACE WALKER also includes totally renovated graphics, with every font, gauge and icon resized and enhanced to make use of the larger play screen, while a six-player multi-player mode has also been implemented.
The series then moves on to METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY – first released in Europe on PlayStation 2 in 2002 – which also marks Raiden’s first appearance in the series.
Solid Snake and Otacon receive intel that a new kind of METAL GEAR vehicle is being transported across the Hudson River. Snake infiltrates the tanker, which is seized by a group of Russian mercenaries lead by long-term adversary, Revolver Ocelot. Two years pass, and a new terrorist faction calling themselves The Sons of Liberty have taken over the Big Shell base and newly-trained Fox Hound operative, Raiden, is sent to investigate.
The METAL GEAR SOLID HD Collection represents a stunning overview of one of the most iconic game series in history, and showcases the sheer talent of its legendary creator. It will allow many PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 users to experience these ground-breaking titles for the first time, but with the new visual and aural improvements modern gamers expect.
Will you be picking up the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection? Are you excited about getting your hands on these classic again? Be sure to let us know via the comments section below.
The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will released on Blu-Ray disc for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on the 23rd November in Japan. European dates are TBC, but are expected to follow shortly.
