As TEKKEN 8 release date gets closer, discover Victor Chevalier, a completely new character from France joining the game’s roster.
Victor Chevalier is a living legend who founded the UN’s independent forces. Descended from a lineage of distinguished knights, with a dream to rescue those in need. He followed the footsteps of his father and enlisted in the French Navy before joining the UN following his will to save more people.
As he felt the world was being on the brink of being taken over by a corporate giant, he founded and trained the Raven Force, armed forces that have the authority to act at their own discretion to counter the corporation’s private armed forces.
Armed with an haute couture suit and the latest optical weapons, Victor takes up the mantle as leader of the UN forces, commands of his new forces and readies himself for the fight.
Watch the new trailer below:
Victor Chevalier is voiced by famous French actor Vincent Cassel. He broke out in the 1995’s Hate, before appearing in movies such as Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, Mesrine, Eastern Promises, Black Swan or It’s Only the End of the World. Cassel is a long-time TEKKEN player and the character of Victor Chevalier is the first time that he has been involved in creating the voice of a video game character.
“I’ve discovered TEKKEN in the 1990s and I’ve really started picking it up when Eddy Gordo was introduced. He was doing capoeira and back then, so did I, so I was only playing with him”, said Vincent Cassel. “What I like about Victor Chevalier is the fact that it’s a French character in such an internationally known game. In addition to that he is very sophisticated and promotes, through how he is and how he dresses, a certain idea of the French elegance. This, and the fact that I had been called to voice Victor lead me to be interested in the character.”
tinyBuild Celebrates Unhinged Roguelike Slime 3K: Rise AgainstDespot Steam Early Access Launch with its Biggest Publisher Sale to Date
Beginning 2 November, fans will enjoy record discounts on indie bestsellers
SEATTLE – 2 Nov. 2023 –Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot, the action-packed survivor-like from publisher tinyBuild and developer Konfa Games, devours the masses on Steam Early Access for PC starting today.
Set in the dystopian world from the Despot’s franchise (Despot’s Game, Despotism 3K), take on the role of a sentient slime on a path of revenge against its creator, mowing down hordes of enemies across multiple levels while creating special loadouts for each run with a deep deck-building system.
Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot – Launch Trailer
To celebrate Slime 3K’s launch, tinyBuild welcomes fans to its biggest Steam publisher sale to date: “Sale 3K: Rise Against Wallet”, a joking nod to Konfa Games’ latest title. The event, supported by Steam, kicks off today featuring more than 60 indie hits from the company’s decade-long portfolio and record discounts of up to 80% off on certain games.
The sale will include tinyBuild’s latest hits like Punch Club 2 (25% off), I Am Future (25% off), Black Skylands (35% off), and The Bookwalker (20% off), as well as time-tested bestsellers such as Graveyard Keeper and the Hello Neighbor franchise. This is a great opportunity to grab up to a dozen awesome indies for the total price of a single AAA release.
Brew magic potions and become a master alchemist in Potion Craft– 45% off at $10.99 (91% Very Positive)
Wreak havoc and conquer a crime-ridden city in Streets of Rogue– 80% off at $3.99 (96% Overwhelmingly Positive)
Command a group of cute alien creatures and solve intricate puzzles in Tinykin – 55% off at $11.19 (98% Overwhelmingly Positive)
Destroy every last spider with a huge arsenal of weapons in Kill It With Fire – 80% off at $2.99 (95% Overwhelmingly Positive)
Or, actually, BE a lightsaber-wielding spider in SpiderHeck – 55% off at $6.74 (93% Very Positive)
To stay up to date while tinyBuild gears up for a busy 2024 with the launch of much-anticipated titles like Streets of Rogue 2, Kill It With Fire 2, Critter Cove, Level Zero, Train Valley World, and a slew of unannounced projects, follow @tinyBuild on Twitter and TikTok, @tinyBuildOrange on Instagram, and join the company’s Discord.
About tinyBuild
tinyBuild started as an indie game developer and morphed into a developer-publisher you can’t miss. Our dedication to creating long-term partnerships and elevating recognizable franchises has resulted in many successful collaborations with talented developers from all over the world. The company has released dozens of games, including Hello Neighbor, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, and more. Although headquartered in the Seattle Area, USA, the company has established a strong global presence with studios across the US, Netherlands, Latvia, and throughout Eastern Europe.
About Konfa Games
Konfa Games is an independent studio dedicated to bringing the funniest roguelike experiences to players around the world. Despot’s Game: Dystopian ArmyBuilder comes equipped with the same dark humor and pop culture references as its predecessor and the studio’s first title, Despotism 3k.
Available Today for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4 and PC via STEAM ®
SYDNEY (Nov. 3, 2023)– SQUARE ENIX® today announced that STAR OCEAN® THE SECOND STORY R™, the 2.5D remake of the highly acclaimed second installment of the STAR OCEAN series, is available today both physically and digitally for Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5®) and PlayStation®4 (PS4®) consoles, and digitally on PC via STEAM®. STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R revitalizes the renowned 1998 RPG with a charming 2.5D aesthetic, a rearranged soundtrack, new difficulty settings, numerous quality-of-life improvements and more.
Watch the STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R launch trailer below:
“When we first announced the game, the fan response we heard from around the world was incredibly exciting,” said Kei Komaki, the game’s Producer. “Throughout the development of STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R, we often found new ways to appreciate the original game, and seeing others share that passion with us was amazing. Now that the game has launched, we are thrilled that players will be able to see our full vision – a reimagining made for fans new and old.”
Watch the STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R Composer Interview below:
In STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R, Claude, a Federation officer, is searching for a way home after being transported to an underdeveloped planet. A chance encounter with a girl named Rena draws them together into a quest to save her people, just as an ancient prophecy foretold. Players can begin the game with either Claude or Rena, with their perspectives and potential allies changing depending on their choice.
STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R features fast-paced, real-time combat, a deep skill system and Private Actions, which will allow players to grow relationships with their party members and unlock multiple different endings. STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R has Japanese and English text and voiceover language support, with voiceovers performed by members of the original cast. Subtitle support for French, Italian, German, and Spanish is available via a software update.
Developed by tri-Ace Inc. and published by Square Enix, the STAR OCEAN series is a long-running action-RPG series spanning multiple entries and commemorated its 25th anniversary in 2021. The series is known for its exciting gameplay, epic storylines, diverse cast of characters, as well as its innovative approach to action combat. In 2019, an HD remaster of the first installment in the series, STAR OCEAN First Departure R, released for the Nintendo Switch™ and PlayStation®4, delivering the classic title with updated visuals, audio, and several quality-of-life improvements to fans around the world. In 2022, STAR OCEAN THE DIVINE FORCE, the sixth main installment in the series, delivered a fresh and exciting gameplay experience. STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R, the latest release in the series, reimagines the second STAR OCEAN game with new 2.5D graphics, a rearranged soundtrack, new difficulty settings, and numerous quality-of-life improvements.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 185 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 88 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
The biggest partnership in Apex Legends history starts next week. On November 7 (PT), Post Malone squads up with Apex Legends to unleash a brand new Limited Time Mode, plus cosmetics created in partnership with the superstar musician and inspired by his love of The Games.
Check out the full trailer for the Post Malone event in Apex Legends: Ignite, which features the new “Three Strikes” mode and Post Malone cosmetics players can acquire, below:
Legends will embrace chaos in “Three Strikes,” a fast-paced mode with faster revives and invincibility when downed. Each squad can also respawn twice, complete with their loadout and gear, before facing elimination. Legends can drop hot and risk it all while completing Daily Challenges to earn Camo Credits, then visit the Reward Shop to get all-new cosmetics, Battle Pass levels and more.
The new “Iconic” Skin tier will debut with skins and bundles inspired by Post Malone, for Octane, Wraith, Horizon and Lifeline. Those who unlock 20 Event-themed stickers will receive three Legendary stickers to tat up their heals and shields.
The Apex Legends X Post Malone Event celebrates one of the biggest members of the Apex Legends community, so it’s time for Legends to squad up, grab a loadout and step into the spotlight–it’s their Time to Shine.
Apex Legends: Ignite is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via the EA App and Steam. For more news about Apex Legends, check out the game’s official X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube pages or visit www.playapex.com for the latest updates.
Super soothing simulator splash lands on Meta Quest Store with bespoke VR features, co-op multiplayer and more than 40 levels of gameplay
November 2, 2023 – It’s time to grab hold of the power washer and get cleaning – PowerWash Simulator VR is out now on Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro! FuturLab and nDreams are also delighted to today confirm that post-launch content is coming to PowerWash Simulator VR with more details to follow in the coming weeks.
The eagerly anticipated VR version of the super soothing simulator brings the quaint, yet grimy, town of Muckingham to life in true 360-degree immersion and delivers full 1:1 motion control of the power washer, encouraging players to wash their way with precise and expressive control.
PowerWash Simulator VR brings all of the good clean fun and base game content – more than 40 levels in total – from the PC and console versions, including the ability to PowerWash and chill in co-op multiplayer – the perfect way to wash those worries away at the end of a long day.
New features exclusive to the VR version dial up the immersion even further. Players can pick out the perfect outfit and the right equipment from the back of the iconic PowerWash van and change nozzles on the fly with the all-new tool belt.
FuturLab, developers of PowerWash Simulator VR, have teamed up with VR veterans nDreams – creators of Synapse and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – to bring PowerWash Simulator VR to market.
“The good, clean fun of PowerWash Simulator has arrived in VR and we can’t wait for players to get their hands on it!” says Chris Mehers, COO of FuturLab. “Our team has put so much passion into bringing you all the satisfaction of the base game, along with added features to really bring to life the tactility of PowerWash Simulator VR. We hope you enjoy!”
“We’re incredibly excited to be launching PowerWash Simulator VR,” said David Corless, VP of Publishing at nDreams. “This is a game that lends itself so naturally to VR and is a pure joy to play; whether you’re a VR veteran or putting a headset on for the first time, PowerWash Simulator VR will leave you grinning from ear to ear.”
FuturLab® is an award-winning game studio based in Brighton, UK. FuturLab® has developed and published remarkable games on PC and console since 2003. The game studio is best known for Velocity 2X, Tiny Trax, Mini-Mech Mayhem and Peaky Blinders: Mastermind and most recently, the highly acclaimed PowerWash Simulator. Follow FuturLab on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
About nDreams
nDreams is a world-leading VR game developer and publisher headquartered in Farnborough, UK. They are the team behind hit titles Phantom: Covert Ops, Far Cry: Dive Into Insanity and Fracked, as well as publishing innovative VR games developed by the brightest indie talents including the cosy smash hit, Little Cities. Fully dedicated to VR games since 2013, no publisher has greater virtual reality experience and specialism. With the recent acquisition of Near Light, nDreams is now comprised of five internal development teams, across four studios: the original nDreams Studio, nDreams Studio Elevation, nDreams Studio Orbital and now Near Light. With a $35 million investment from the Aonic Group in March 2022 and several exciting projects in development across our teams – including Synapse and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – nDreams has cemented its place at the forefront of VR gaming.
LOS ANGELES, CA – November 2, 2023 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, has launched a new update for Seven Knights Idle Adventure. Players can obtain a new Legendary hero, Accessory system and in-game events.
The new Legendary hero Lu Bu is one of the Four Lords alongside heroes Rin, Sun Wukong, and Ace. He is known in the Seven Knights universe as the Invincible, a fitting name given his status as a Defensive hero. Lu Bu is designed to be a defensive hero that can enhance the overall offensive capabilities of his allies by debuffing his foes, causing them to take more damage. When he uses his abilities, he unleashes a wide ranged attack – this will increase the enemy’s damage due to their debuffs for a period of time. When he lands a critical hit, HP is restored and final DEF stat is increased.
A new Accessory system is now available to increase specific stats for each hero. Each hero can power up four accessories, with each one powering up a specific stat. Players can obtain Rainbow Ore through the Boss Rush mode to power up their new accessories and further customize their team to take on the higher levels. Additionally, the Infinite Tower has increased to 500 floors in this update
The following events are now available through November 15:
Rate Up Summon Event: Receive a higher chance to summon Lu Bu, Jave, and Meg during this event.
Assembly of Knights Carnival Event: Collect Medal of Honors to exchange for the Legendary hero Misha, Unique Hero Hellenia, Aragon, and Chancellor.
Based on their flagship franchise and the successor to the original Seven Knights game, Seven Knights: Idle Adventure has been reimagined as an idle RPG. Developed with low capacity and low specification devices in mind with a guiding principle of easy playability, players will experience an expanded storyline with previously untold episodes of the original Seven Knights heroes. Collect and nurture returning fan-favorites who have been reborn as cute SD characters. Featuring fans’s favorite Seven Knights heroes with various pets and hero costumes, players can look forward to a variety of features and modes.
As an official continuation of Seven Knights, a game enjoyed by 60 million players globally, Seven Knights Idle Adventure will be an exciting addition for fans looking to learn more and interact with their favorite heroes with a low time investment.
For more information on Seven Knights Idle Adventure, please be sure to stay tuned to the officialbrand website for future updates. The game will introduce many more heroes and modes in the coming months.
About Netmarble Corporation
Established in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading developer and publisher of top-grossing mobile games worldwide. Through powerful franchises and collaborations with acclaimed IP holders, Netmarble strives to elevate the gaming experience and entertain audiences globally. As a parent company of Kabam and SpinX Games, and a major shareholder of Jam City and HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment), Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, The King of Fighters ALLSTAR, The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross, and forthcoming PC games like Paragon: The Overprime. More information can be found athttp://company.netmarble.com.
Get to know some of Moominvalley’s charming residents in the new character reveal trailer!
STOCKHOLM – Nov. 2, 2023 – Norwegian studio Hyper Games and Swedish publisher Raw Fury are thrilled to announce that Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is coming to Nintendo Switch, Android and iOS! Previously announced for PC, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a musical adventure set in the enchanted world of Moomin, created by renowned Finnish author Tove Jansson.
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a story-rich musical adventure game about Snufkin restoring the valley and helping the quirky and memorable characters and critters who call it home. A series of hideous parks have cropped up in Moominvalley, disrupting the landscape and its harmonious nature. As Snufkin, you will distract police officers, pull out signs, and knock over misplaced statues as you vigorously try to restore nature and the inhabitants’ home while putting an end to the industrious Park Keeper’s plans.
Experience a beautifully crafted and quintessentially Nordic game, brought to life with stories, emotions, and a melancholic atmosphere set in Tove Jansson’s vivid and beloved world of Moomin. You are invited to a wholesome experience for every age that combines open-world mechanics with puzzles, stealth, and melodic elements!
Key Features
Set out on a cozy, story-rich adventure game with a gorgeous storybook art style
Get the strict Park Keeper and his horrible parks out of Moominvalley with the help of your trusty harmonica, a bit of stealth, and the friends you’ll meet along the way
Meet over 50 charming characters and creatures calling Moominvalley their home
Experience narrative gameplay and a myriad of charming stories and quests involving the beloved characters inspired by Tove Jansson’s work
Explore Moominvalley’s open world and solve musical and environmental puzzles along the way to uncover the happenings in the valley
Immerse yourself in the beautiful soundscape of music and melodies composed in collaboration with Sigur Rós
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley will launch for PC and Nintendo Switch in Q1 2024. The game is available to wishlist now on Steam. The Android and iOS launch is planned for a later date. For more information, visit the official website and join the community on Discord.
About Hyper Games
Hyper Games is an award-winning, independent video game studio based in Oslo, Norway. They make unique and interesting games with high-quality gameplay and distinctive art styles. To date they are known for the games Mørkredd and Eggggg, and are currently working on Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley.
About Moomin Characters
Moomin Characters Oy Ltd is the official copyright holder of all the Moomin characters. All characters from Moominvalley are trademark registered worldwide. The Moomins are central characters in a series of books and comic strips written by Finnish-Swedish writer and artist Tove Jansson between 1945 and 1980. They are one of Finland’s biggest exports and have a global fan base.
The company was founded in the 1950s by Tove Jansson (1914-2001) and her brother Lars Jansson to manage the Moomin copyright and is still run by family members. Rights and Brands is the worldwide licensing agent of the company.
Raw Fury is a boutique indie (un)publisher founded in 2015 by Jonas Antonsson, Gordon Van Dyke, and David Martinez. We do not care about genres or mechanics. We care about experiences and emotions. We want to help developers make magic.
Iron Oak Games Highly Anticipated Sequel Delivers More Strategy and Tabletop Adventures
London, November 2, 2023 – Curve Games and IronOak Games are excited to announce the worldwide launch of their highly anticipated sequel to the successful multi-million selling franchise, For the King II on Steam.
Inspired by tabletop adventures, For The King II builds on the hugely popular blend of strategy, turn-based combat and roguelite replayability, all of the core elements that made the original game such a fan favorite. In For The King II, these elements combine to create an epic new experience that includes the most requested fan feature by far: four player co-op.
“We are so excited to launch For The King II and couldn’t have done it without the support of our passionate community. FTK II is three times as large as For The King when it released out of Early Access on Steam 5 years ago, and we are already working on new content to release after launch”, said Colby Young, Founder and Lead Designer at IronOak Games
Approachable and exciting for new players, For The King II delivers a continuation of the narrative arc for fans of the original. The game offers brand-new combat mechanics and features, a host of new biomes to explore, a beautifully updated art style, new weapons and enemies to conquer, and much, much more.
From the vast number of character and item combinations to the procedurally generated maps, quests, loot, and events – the world of Fahrul is ever-changing and will constantly keep players on their toes!
For The King II launches today on Steam at $24.99/£19.99/€24.99.
To learn more about the game, visit the official Steam product page here and follow us on Twitter, Reddit and Discord.
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About Curve Games
Curve Games is an award-winning independent label working with developers worldwide to deliver the best in interactive entertainment. With a uniquely diverse games catalogue that includes renowned indie hits such as For the King, Bomber Crew, The Ascent, and Lawn Mowing Simulator, and the multi-million selling smash hit Human Fall Flat, Curve Games has taken its place as one of the leading games publishers worldwide.
About IronOak Games
Founded in 2015 by industry veterans with a passion for board games and roleplaying games, IronOak Games is now part of the Curve Family of studios. For The King, the debut title from the studio, released in 2018 to critical acclaim and has sold over 3 million units. More information on IronOak Games can be found at https://ironoakgames.com/
My Time at Sandrock v1.0 Officially Releases Today, Featuring Cooperative Multiplayer on PC & More!
PARIS – Nov. 2, 2023 – Focus Entertainment and Pathea Games are thrilled to launch the full 1.0 release on PC and consoles of My Time at Sandrock, the sequel to the award-winning sandbox simulation RPG My Time at Portia. After a successful early access period on Steam and the Epic Games Store, Sandrock is now officially available featuring engaging quests, exhilarating adventure, a vibrant cast of characters, and the exciting addition of cooperative multiplayer gameplay on PC*.
Welcome to Your New Home!
My Time at Sandrock takes players to the arid landscape of Sandrock, where they’ll become a crucial part of the community, aiming to revive the town and overcome the challenges of a resource-scarce desert. In this captivating open-world adventure, players can explore, customize their character, upgrade their workshop, and build strong relationships with the charming residents of Sandrock.
Engaging Quests & Colorful Characters
Embark on an exciting adventure with hundreds of engaging quests and interact with over 40 charismatic and colorful characters, each with their own fascinating stories to share.
Build, Craft & Customize
Gather resources to create and expand your plot of land, create machines, grow crops, raise animals, and sell your goods to the highest bidder. Customize your character and workshop to reflect your unique style and preferences.
Forge Meaningful Relationships
Spend time getting to know Sandrock’s residents, uncovering their stories, engaging in challenging mini-games, offering gifts, and building strong relationships that shape the narrative of your adventure. Friendships may even blossom into something more…
A New Step for the Beloved Franchise
My Time at Sandrock, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed My Time at Portia, takes the gaming experience to new heights. With a notably more extensive and profound narrative, it builds upon the success of its predecessor while introducing the thrilling addition of cooperative multiplayer gameplay.
Exciting Multiplayer Gameplay on PC
Join forces with up to three friends in online multiplayer mode, available now on PC, collaborating to unleash your creativity, fight monsters, or simply enjoy the game together. The cooperative experience enhances the joy of every little moment in the game. Multiplayer is optimized for a seamless and spoiler-free experience, setting aside the main storyline and NPC side quests, concentrating exclusively on the core sandbox gameplay.
My Time at Sandrock is now available in its 1.0 version on Steam with a special limited-time launch discount, the Epic Games Store, Bilibili, WeGame, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Discover the Deluxe Edition, which includes cosmetics for your character, an adorable pet, three furniture packs and the game’s OST. Or get your hands on the Collector’s Edition and its exclusive content to fully enhance your experience in Sandrock.
Stay tuned to My Time at Sandrock’s social media channels for news about the game’s upcoming PlayStation 4 release.
*Multiplayer is currently in development for consoles and expected to debut in summer 2024.
It’s not so often that I review one, two…..five games at the same time! Technically, they’re all part of the same collection but what we’re looking at here is a span of more than three decades of gaming wrapped into one. Up until now, all of these games were either on defunct systems or console exclusives with Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2 being on GOG for a short while before getting removed. But for the first time ever we have a pack of 5 games being served in one convenient package for the first time on Steam.
There’s Metal Gear, followed by Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, then Metal Gear Solid, followed by Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. We also get some bonus content in the form of two regional versions of Metal Gear, the original version of Snake’s Revenge, the first and second Digital Graphic Novels in video form, and a digital soundtrack. We have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s dig in.
Story
In the first game, we have our first run-in with Gray Fox, Big Boss and we get to explore most of Outer Heaven and of course, take down Metal Gear. The sequel takes place four years later and takes Snake to Zanzibar land to rescue the kidnapped Czechoslovak biologist Dr. Kio Marv. Next, we have our first journey to 3D with Metal Gear Solid. New game mechanics were added, new ways of sneaking, our arsenal has been expanded and we have a deadlier Metal Gear that goes by the name Metal Gear Rex.
The next entry is probably one of my favorites – Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. This time, we get to see (and fight) the secret antagonist from the previous game, we have a new playable character (much hated at the time of release) and new game mechanics such as swimming, taking down cameras, hanging over the rails to hide, etc. Lastly in this collection, we have Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and it is a prequel that takes us to the era of the Cold War and we actually get to play as the Big Boss – you know, before he became the villain and all that. In this game, the soliton radar is removed and replaced by a motion detector and a sonar system, with emphasis on the player’s camouflage in the game environment.
Gameplay
As expected, all games have an emphasis on sneaking and avoiding enemies (minus the mandatory boss fights) and as we move forward with each release, new game mechanics are introduced that often turn the whole game upside down. Like, it’s hard to go back to the previous game once you get used to destroying surveillance cameras and improved camera.
Strangely enough, when it comes to the camera, I find the one in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty to be the best. Even though this collection is supposed to be a complete release of all the games up until Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, I do notice some things missing, notably that Ape Escape minigame from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and the skateboarding game from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. And even though we’re talking about the games older than a decade, some of them still hold up well. For Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the gameplay is the core experience and quite often the visuals take a step back due to the engaging nature of the series.
Visuals
However, taking steps back is good, especially in this case. Why? Well, all the games in the collection are……playable. And that’s all I can say about them. Did you want to play MGS games that were previously only available on PS2? Well, this is exactly what you’ll get and nothing more. This is especially glaring in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Still on the original resolution, with broken v-sync, and nothing was upscaled or put in higher res, not even cutscenes.
We’re talking about the bare minimum when it comes to these releases. Playing Metal Gear Solid today in 240p is borderline masochistic but I suppose that’s what KONAMI thought it’s good enough for us. Here’s to hoping some community mods can save us because these are just simple PS1 games finally being ported to PC. Nothing more.
Audio
If you’re anything close to a genuine fan of this series, then names such as Harry Gregson-Williams, Rika Muranaka, and Norihiko Hibino will definitely ring a bell. From Metal Gear Solid and onwards, the soundtracks were a quality staple of the series. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was famous for even getting the acclaimed cinema composer Harry Gregson-Williams, whose work you might have heard in the Shrek franchise, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Man on Fire, to name a few. And Rika Muranaka might be the sole reason why you should never skip ending credits, or else you might miss a wonderful rendition of “Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by Carla White.
Things get even more interesting in boss fights of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, considering how experimental certain tunes can get and delving deep into electronica and drum and bass – thinking about the “Yell Dead Cell” track specifically during the Fatman boss fight.
Overall
Well, it hasn’t been a while since the release of the game (or a collection, in this case) left me so disappointed. At the end of it, these are just the simplest PC releases from the PS2 era and older. We get some goodies in the form of an interactive screenplay, and the ability to select a specific version of the game and that’s pretty much it. Only get this if you’re a serious MGS fan. Other than that, consider waiting for some official patches or community fixes – whatever comes first.
The only thing that’s saving these games (especially from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and onward) is incredible replay value and quirky unlockables in the form of stealth camo, infinite ammo, and a plethora of collectibles – especially in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Over there, you have to earn your right to stealth camo by shooting a bunch of hidden frogs throughout the game, and aside from that, this MGS prequel is basically an animal-hunting game once you forget about the plot.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
