Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

 PC
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. IGN
    89
    This is definitely a console style game with the fixed camera and funky controls, but it certainly packs a punch. The gameplay is still superb, although outmatched by "Splinter Cell" in some cases.
  2. GameZone
    85
    Were it not for the rocky translation and major bugs, I would’ve rated MGS: Substance a whole point higher. Unfortunately, these problems couldn’t be overlooked and cost the game some footing.
  3. GameSpy
    84
    For console owners, it's simply not worth the bucks to upgrade your PC to play this game -- Enjoy it on your console. On the other hand, if you've got the hardware for it (including a gamepad) and don't own a console, I'd recommend getting your hands on this game in an instant.
  5. PC Gamer
    80
    The true Achilles heel of Substance is hardware support. [July 2003, p.92]
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  6. Game Chronicles
    79
    A great "console" game, but I'm not convinced the PC is the proper system to be playing it on.
  7. GameSpot
    78
    Could have been ported over a lot more gracefully. Yet this is such an unusual, intriguing, and shocking game that despite the rough translation, it still makes for a one-of-a-kind experience on the PC.
  8. ActionTrip
    77
    Technically, this porting job sucks, and it's the biggest problem I've had with this game, but that would hardly stop me from buying it anyway.
  9. Computer Games Magazine
    60
    The main game is still a victim of its own atrocious pacing and doesn't hold up well alongside offerings like "Splinter Cell" and "No One Lives Forever 2." [July 2003, p.72]
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  10. Computer Gaming World
    50
    The problem here isn't so much with the game's content, which remains as ambitious and poignant as ever, but rather with Konami's sloppy porting efforts to the PC. [Aug 2003, p.78]
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Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best PC Game of 2003
28
#28 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 145 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 145
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 145
  3. Negative: 25 out of 145
  1. StefanP.
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    I just finished it 10 minutes ago . And I'm still shaked by the experience ! Extremely deep and strong story . And it leaves you with I just finished it 10 minutes ago . And I'm still shaked by the experience ! Extremely deep and strong story . And it leaves you with something to think of . Greate existential ideas to put in a new modern way of thinking. The story is close to Deus Ex . The controls however were a little bit tricky but once you rearrange them to your taste everything is OK !… Full Review »
  2. leSange
    Jan 8, 2023
    10
    Found how to run MGS2 with 3rd person shoulder camera at 8k resolution with SMAA in 2 clicks

    1. install GOG version 2. install fix    Found how to run MGS2 with 3rd person shoulder camera at 8k resolution with SMAA in 2 clicks

    1. install GOG version
    2. install fix https://github.com/VFansss/mgs2-v-s-fix/wiki
    3. install 3rd person camera https://github.com/oct0xor/mgs2sos

    P.S. I suggest you to use 1st person camera on triggers    … Full Review »
  3. Solder
    May 21, 2021
    10
    This was the game back in the days that introduced me to the stealth genre, and i loved it alot! With kojimas style of movie making, i was soThis was the game back in the days that introduced me to the stealth genre, and i loved it alot! With kojimas style of movie making, i was so in the story that i never left it like 30 years later! i loved this so much.

    You play mostly as Raiden and not Snake in this game, but the gameplay is just super, and i loved it.

    10/10 and i would recommend this game to anyone who loved the stealth/action style of play    … Full Review »
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