Best Way to Get Into MGS?

I would really like to start playing the MGS series. I played MGS4 at a friend's house and makes me want to play the PS2 games first. Yet, I am not sure how to get started. Should I just buy the MGS: The Essentials Collection or buy the games separately? Best Way to Get Into MGS?
wearing an eye patch is a good startBest Way to Get Into MGS?
[QUOTE=''HyruleanLink'']I would really like to start playing the MGS series. I played MGS4 at a friend's house and makes me want to play the PS2 games first. Yet, I am not sure how to get started. Should I just buy the MGS: The Essentials Collection or buy the games separately? [/QUOTE]as for your actual questiondo you want to pay $30 for the three gamesor buy each one individually for $30
you would probably get all 3 individually cheaper than you would the essentials collection.
[QUOTE=''BobSacamento'']wearing an eye patch is a good start



[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=''FFuematsufan'']you would probably get all 3 individually cheaper than you would the essentials collection.[/QUOTE]



:lol: I'll keep that in mind Bob.



I figured the EC would be cheaper like what you said. I guess my question is better said for content and storyline. Am getting the best of best by getting the collection set?
Even if you could potentially get them individually for less than 30, you'd still probably be better off just getting the EC. Whatever little you may save, is off set by getting new copies of each game. MGS is a ps1 game from 1998, you're taking your chances picking up a used copy of a game that old. Besides itsnot like 30 dollars is an outrageous asking price.
[QUOTE=''HyruleanLink''][QUOTE=''BobSacamento'']wearing an eye patch is a good start [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=''FFuematsufan'']you would probably get all 3 individually cheaper than you would the essentials collection.[/QUOTE] :lol: I'll keep that in mind Bob. I figured the EC would be cheaper like what you said. I guess my question is better said for content and storyline. Am getting the best of best by getting the collection set?[/QUOTE]yes you will, but if you get the essential collection i suggest you track down the bonus disc that comes with the original MGS3 subsistence since it contains the 2 original msx metal gear games that were never released in america and they are the very beginning of the story line. But its up to you if you want the entire collection, but you would probably just fine with the essential collection though.
Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I think I will just get the EC since it seems the better way. I can always track down a used copy of Subsistence and Substance from Gamestop when the time comes.
this wasnt supposed to be more than a 2 post thread lolget the essential collection - thats the point of it
Read the story of the previous games on Wikipedia, and you'll have a deeper connection with Snake, and things become more immersible.



Also, higher difficulties create a stronger sense of ''yes'' and fear.
[QUOTE=''HyruleanLink'']I would really like to start playing the MGS series. I played MGS4 at a friend's house and makes me want to play the PS2 games first. Yet, I am not sure how to get started. Should I just buy the MGS: The Essentials Collection or buy the games separately? [/QUOTE] I bought the collection, and I'm playng part 2 right now.lol
You'll need to read up on Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Twin Snakes and MGS (if you can't buy them) and then buy the packaged 3 in 1 (or is it 2 in 1? Dunno) game set. I personally have played every game and still have Metal Gear for my NES.
go on gametrailers.com and watch the whole metal gear retrospectivethen go on other sites and read thorough summaries of the games and timelines etc. etc.play through metal gear 4 last - if you have total knowledge of the series it's so incredible
Buy the Essentials and try to play the game in chronological order. I played it based on the releases, so it took me awhile to get used to the whole story line.Play like this :Snake Eater - Portable Ops - Metal Gear - Metal Gear 2 - Metal Gear Solid - Sons Of Liberty - Guns of the Patriots
[QUOTE=''boron1995'']You'll need to read up on Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Twin Snakes and MGS (if you can't buy them) and then buy the packaged 3 in 1 (or is it 2 in 1? Dunno) game set. I personally have played every game and still have Metal Gear for my NES.[/QUOTE]Actually, Twin Snakes is a remake on the Nintendo Gamecube of the first Metal Gear Solid for the Play Station. It does use the graphics and some of the elements from Metal Gear Solid 2.I've played the first Metal Gear on the Nintendo 20 years ago, and ever since have played all the main games (except for the actual Metal Gear 2), including Snakes Revenge, the one for Gameboy Color, and Acid for PSP (I have yet to play the other two, and one has been a bit difficult to find) Anyway, like other have said, playing the whole thing chronologically is the best way to go. In the end, when you beat Metal Gear Solid 4, it all comes together so nicely and so many things make sense. One of the best stories spanning over 20 years, told in video game format.
[QUOTE=''fend_oblivion'']Buy the Essentials and try to play the game in chronological order. I played it based on the releases, so it took me awhile to get used to the whole story line.Play like this :Snake Eater - Portable Ops - Metal Gear - Metal Gear 2 - Metal Gear Solid - Sons Of Liberty - Guns of the Patriots[/QUOTE]



I just got the EC on Monday finding the last copy at Gamestop.:D



I started to skim on Wikipedia about the correct timeline for the series. I would like to play the series based on timeline not just release date. I realized that once I started to research the series. I could play all the games except Portable Ops because I don't have a PSP. If I remember correctly, doesn't Substance or Subsistence have Metal Gear 1 and 2 on the game disc?
[QUOTE=''HyruleanLink''][QUOTE=''fend_oblivion'']Buy the Essentials and try to play the game in chronological order. I played it based on the releases, so it took me awhile to get used to the whole story line.Play like this :Snake Eater - Portable Ops - Metal Gear - Metal Gear 2 - Metal Gear Solid - Sons Of Liberty - Guns of the Patriots[/QUOTE] I just got the EC on Monday finding the last copy at Gamestop.:D I started to skim on Wikipedia about the correct timeline for the series. I would like to play the series based on timeline not just release date. I realized that once I started to research the series. I could play all the games except Portable Ops because I don't have a PSP. If I remember correctly, doesn't Substance or Subsistence have Metal Gear 1 and 2 on the game disc?[/QUOTE]Yes as i said before the bonus disc that comes with the original MGS3 Subsistence has metal gear 1 and 2 on it, but the version that comes in the Essential collection doesn't have that bonus disc, so your gonna have to track it down some other way.
[QUOTE=''Gohansephiroth''][QUOTE=''HyruleanLink''][QUOTE=''fend_oblivion'']

Buy the Essentials and try to play the game in chronological order. I played it based on the releases, so it took me awhile to get used to the whole story line.

Play like this :

Snake Eater - Portable Ops - Metal Gear - Metal Gear 2 - Metal Gear Solid - Sons Of Liberty - Guns of the Patriots

[/QUOTE] I just got the EC on Monday finding the last copy at Gamestop.:D I started to skim on Wikipedia about the correct timeline for the series. I would like to play the series based on timeline not just release date. I realized that once I started to research the series. I could play all the games except Portable Ops because I don't have a PSP. If I remember correctly, doesn't Substance or Subsistence have Metal Gear 1 and 2 on the game disc?[/QUOTE]

Yes as i said before the bonus disc that comes with the original MGS3 Subsistence has metal gear 1 and 2 on it, but the version that comes in the Essential collection doesn't have that bonus disc, so your gonna have to track it down some other way.[/QUOTE]



Good to hear. I see Substance and Subsistence in my area quite often actually so I don't hink those will be hard to find.
I'm not sure how hardcore into the series you are planning on getting, but I don't reccomend playing them in chronological order. I believe that although a cool thing to do for hardcore fans of the series such as myself, it wouldn't be very beneficial to someone playing through for their first time.

First off, you are only required to play the Metal Gear Solid series to understand #4, 'Guns of the Patriots.' Metal Gear Solid (the first one) does a fine job of wrapping up the plot of the 'Metal Gear' series in a nice little bow and ribbon. It was the Solid series that really got this universe rolling.The only games that are essential to play in order to greatly enjoy Metal Gear Solid 4 are 'Metal Gear Solid', and 'Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty'. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was very fun, and provided great backstory, but it's plot is the least essential to appreciating Guns of the Patriots. It's entire plot is quite literally summed up in a 10 minute video during Chapter 3 of 'Guns of the Patriots'.Again, I must re-iterate that Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are great to play for hardcore fans of the series, which you are not. You may (and I hope you do) become one, but right now it wouldn't be as rewarding for you as opposed to you played them later.None of the portable games are related in any major way to the main series, they are mostly side-stories that are 100% skippable. Don't get me wrong, most of them are fantastic games that I highly reccomend you play, but they are not in any way neccesary to greatly enjoy 1, 2, 3, or 4.
i recommend you get a plot synopsis (which is included in the gametrailers.com metal gear retrospective) for Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2
If you are able to follow the plot in this game, they are hugely critical
You won't know anything about zanzibar, outer heaven, big boss, how snake started, or Frank Jaeger
and thats just all i can remember
watch and read summaries multiple times before starting lol just to make sure it's seared into your head
then play them IN ORDERan experience like no other

1,2,3,4