Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 Might Be This Year’s Best Remaster, According to Critics

Next week will witness the release of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2—a new set of remastered classic games in the franchise. And judging by the initial reviews from the gaming press, Konami has managed to create a very high-quality port, as the game’s ratings reflect an extremely warm reception.

Gaming journalists shared their thoughts on Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, primarily praising Konami for the opportunity to play Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots again, as the game had long been a PlayStation 3 exclusive. They specifically noted the optimization and improved technical aspects (graphics, textures, shadows, and lighting), as well as the redesigned and more convenient controls and the preservation of the original’s spirit. Among the drawbacks, they pointed out the inability to skip cutscenes in MGS4 and the decision to remove multiplayer from the game. Nevertheless, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is called a must-buy for all fans of the franchise. The game’s Metacritic score currently stands at 85 (based on 26 critic reviews), and on OpenCritic, it’s 83 (87% of critics recommend). Some more detailed reviews of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 you can check out below:

VGC – 100/100:

It's hard to think of a better collection of games than those on Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2. Even if Metal Gear Solid 4 wasn't such a prize for players who haven't been able to revisit it for so long, the game, divorced of that context, is still excellent. While they're less headline grabbing, Peace Walker and Ghost Babel both sit alongside the very best of the franchise. An unmissable collection for Metal Gear fans.

PlayStation Universe – 95/100:

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Volume 2 continues the high quality established by the first collection in the series, though slightly slimmer in the content it offers. That being said, you’ll be more than treated with a fantastic new version of Metal Gear Solid 4, and the handheld frays of the series to make for a whole tapestry that everyone can now enjoy, alongside the first volume.

CGMagazine – 90/100:

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 brings with it two fantastic games, including one of PlayStation 3's best exclusives brought back to life like a shot of nanomachine suppressors to the leg.

Gamereactor UK – 80/100:

MGS 4 is the star and makes the collection worth buying, but the absence of Metal Gear Online, the recycled Peace Walker HD Edition, and relatively thin extras stop Vol. 2 from feeling like a truly comprehensive collection.

Push Square – 80/100:

After nearly twenty years chained to the proverbial radiator that is the PlayStation 3, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots finally arrives on PS5. The nanomachines, the fashion model robot monsters, the flamenco dance battle, the fried eggs, the cigarette smoking underpants monkey, and that ridiculous final boss, all running at 60 frames-per-second and looking better than ever. This is good, isn't it?

• DayOne – 9/10
• Noisy Pixel – 9/10
• DualShockers – 9/10
• TechRadar – 9/10
• Pizza Fria – 8.5/10
• COGconnected – 8.5/10
• GamerBraves – 8/10
• PlayStation LifeStyle – 8/10
• Hardcore Gamer – 8/10

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 was announced this February during PlayStation’s State of Play presentation. The collection includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, as well as Metal Gear Solid Babel and the Digital Soundtrack as bonus content. The game will be released on 27 August for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch, and Switch 2. It has also been revealed that a film based on the franchise is in development, with Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Final Destination Bloodlines) set to direct.