METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.2 Review Summary

MGS4 finally hits PC with excellent controls and options, yet broken keyboard and mouse input, a needless launcher, and display and performance limits hold it back.

High praise for games: Reviewers describe the games as gems, masterpieces, and among Kojima's greatest works, with Peace Walker highlighted as one of the best in the series. The collection is seen as a must-have for fans.

MGS4 finally on PC: Players are thrilled that Metal Gear Solid 4 is now available on PC after being locked to PS3 for 18 years, eliminating the need for emulators. This is a major milestone for the franchise.

Great controls and options: Key bindings are well-implemented, and players appreciate not needing to plug in controllers. The inclusion of Japanese and English language options and extensive bonus content adds value.

Excellent performance and visuals: The games run beautifully at 60 FPS with stunning visuals, and performance is solid on both PC and Steam Deck. This enhances the overall experience significantly.

Broken keyboard and mouse input: Multiple clusters report that Peace Walker and the collection treat mouse as an analog stick, causing random drift and unresponsive keyboard inputs. This makes the game unplayable with keyboard and mouse.

Display and performance limitations: The games are not widescreen compatible, have annoying black bars, and are locked to 60fps max. These technical limitations frustrate players expecting modern display options.

Peace Walker poorly ported: Peace Walker is described as a mess and not even tested, with broken input and missing language options. This indicates a lack of quality assurance for this title.

Graphics and settings lacking: Graphics are described as basically the same and kinda crappy in some aspects, with barely any adjustable settings in game. This suggests a lack of visual polish and customization options.

T-pose bug in bike chase: A terrible T-pose bug occurs during the GOP bike chase in the tunnel segment, breaking immersion. This is a specific visual glitch that affects gameplay experience.

Long cutscenes limit gameplay: Players report that the game is heavily weighted toward lengthy cutscenes, leaving little room for interactive gameplay. This imbalance reduces engagement and makes the experience feel more like watching a movie than playing a game.

Performance praised on various hardware: Multiple reviewers report smooth 60 FPS performance on PC, Steam Deck, and mini PCs, with no performance issues noted. This indicates the game is well-optimized across different systems.

HDD compatibility issue: The game does not run on HDDs, which is a significant limitation for players using older storage technology. This could be a barrier for some users.

Steam Deck crash reported: One reviewer experienced a crash on the Steam Deck, which is a specific issue that may affect a subset of players. This contrasts with other reports of good performance on the Deck.

Kojima's masterpiece praised: Players appreciate the game as one of Kojima's greatest works, highlighting its narrative and design excellence. This positive sentiment is significant for fans of the creator.

Both games recommended: A reviewer recommends both games in the collection, indicating overall satisfaction with the package. This positive feedback supports the value of the collection.

MGS4 standalone purchase advised: A player notes that buying the collection solely for MGS4 is unnecessary, as purchasing MGS4 alone is sufficient. This suggests the collection may not offer enough value for MGS4 fans.

Ultrawide compatibility issue: A player warns that the game is not compatible with 32:9 aspect ratio, advising others to skip until a fix is provided. This is a specific technical issue affecting a niche audience.

General recommendation given: A simple recommendation is provided, indicating a positive overall experience. This is a common but vague endorsement.

Linux and Proton: The games themselves are well-compatible with Linux/Proton, running smoothly on PC and Steam Deck. However, the bundled launcher is a source of friction, causing crashes on Steam Deck and being deemed unnecessary by users. The recommended workaround is to bypass the launcher and launch the games directly, which resolves the issue.

Unnecessary launcher for games: Multiple reviews criticize the inclusion of a launcher for the games in Vol.2, noting that Vol.1 did not have one and that the launcher provides no extra functionality. The games are also provided as separate titles, making the launcher redundant.

Game freed from PS3: A review notes that the game is now available on PC, freeing it from the PS3 platform. This accessibility improvement is seen as a positive aspect.

Peace Walker praised among series: One review highlights Peace Walker as one of the best Metal Gear titles, ranking it highly after the first and fifth games. This positive comparison suggests the game's quality is well-regarded.

Missing Japanese interface and voice: A review points out that the store page indicated Japanese interface and voice, but the game does not actually include them. This discrepancy may disappoint players expecting those options.

Comparison to Kojima's works: One review compares the game to Kojima's other works, indicating that it fits within his creative style. This comparison may help set expectations for players familiar with his other titles.