Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Metal Gear: 20th Anniversary delivers a sweeping look at the evolution of stealth-action gameplay, bringing together eight distinct experiences from the series’ two-decade history. Beginning with the MSX-based Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake ports, players feel the rudimentary but satisfying tension of sneaking past guards, managing limited resources, and solving environmental puzzles. The core stealth mechanics laid down in those originals still resonate today, offering a fascinating contrast to later installments.

Transitioning from MSX ports to the PlayStation era, Metal Gear Solid introduces cinematic boss battles, layered audio cues, and more dynamic enemy AI. The inclusion of Portable Ops on PSP further expands mission structures, letting you recruit enemy soldiers and customize your squad—features that hint at later tactical entries. Each title retains its unique control scheme and pacing, but the collection’s unified menu makes switching between classics and modern entries nearly seamless.

Beyond the mainline titles, The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 adds a quasi-interactive tutorial and lore compendium, helping newcomers appreciate the complex systems underpinning Sons of Liberty. From instructive cutscenes to the strategic use of codec calls, the Document enriches your understanding of how stealth action evolved under Hideo Kojima’s direction. Overall, the gameplay selection highlights both the series’ mechanical consistency and ambitious experimentation.

Graphics

The visual journey in Metal Gear: 20th Anniversary spans from pixel-art simplicity to fully realized 3D environments. The MSX classics retain their low-resolution palettes, evoking the early ’80s home computer era. While appearances may feel dated, pixel-perfect emulation keeps animations crisp and faithful, preserving artifacts like flickering shadows and grid-based movement that defined early stealth design.

Metal Gear Solid and its sequels shine on the PS2 hardware with enhanced textures, character models, and more elaborate lighting. Although not remastered to modern HD standards, the PlayStation releases look remarkably solid on contemporary displays when run through upscaling. Scenes like the tanker infiltration, the Big Shell facility, and the jungle of Snake Eater pop with detail and atmosphere, reminding viewers why Kojima’s flair for set-pieces became legendary.

Portable Ops and The Document of MGS2 offer slightly scaled-down visuals to fit PSP and DVD formats, respectively. Despite this, they maintain key aesthetic qualities—character portraits, codec screens, and VHS-style interludes are reproduced faithfully. Additionally, the Metal Gear Saga DVD compiles iconic cutscenes and interviews with Hideo Kojima, bringing together a narrative retrospective that’s as informative as it is visually engaging.

Story

At its heart, Metal Gear is about clandestine operations and the moral ambiguities of warfare. The 20th Anniversary collection threads a narrative line from Naked Snake’s Cold War exploits in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater to Solid Snake’s confrontations with rogue AIs in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Each entry builds on themes of loyalty, genetic destiny, and the human cost of nuclear deterrence, creating an overarching epic spanning continents and decades.

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake deepens the lore introduced in the original, layering political intrigue with personal vendettas. By the time you reach Portable Ops, you’re witnessing the genesis of FOXHOUND and the chilling genesis of characters who will dominate later plots. The inclusion of The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 acts as a narrative primer, unpacking complex twists and terminologies that might otherwise overwhelm new players.

The Metal Gear Saga DVD binds these stories together with interviews, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and curated cutscenes that contextualize Kojima’s creative process. Hearing the creator discuss his inspirations—from philosophy to film—sheds light on how character motivations and plot devices emerged. This documentary component elevates the collection from a simple game anthology to a comprehensive study of interactive storytelling.

Overall Experience

Metal Gear: 20th Anniversary stands as an exceptional value for both series veterans and newcomers. The sheer quantity of content—six playable titles, one documentary primer, and an extensive narrative DVD—means hours upon hours of stealth action, tense storytelling, and memorable set-pieces. The collection’s unified interface simplifies access, letting you jump from one era to another without fumbling through different consoles or disc-swapping.

Performance is generally rock-solid, with accurate emulation preserving game speed and controls. Occasional load times when launching between titles are the only minor inconvenience, but they’re a small trade-off for the convenience of having the entire series in one package. The care taken to maintain original audio, subtitles, and codec effects underscores the commitment to authenticity.

Ultimately, Metal Gear: 20th Anniversary isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a curated celebration of one of gaming’s most influential franchises. Whether you’re studying design evolution, immersing yourself in international conspiracies, or simply seeking some of the most innovative stealth gameplay ever crafted, this collection is a definitive addition to any enthusiast’s library.

Retro Replay Score

5.6/10