The Metal Gear Solid games that were released on the PlayStation 2 have been receiving a lot of ports onto various current generation of consoles. Following the successful release of the HD Collection, where Snake Eater, Sons of Liberty and Peace Walker were all packed into one single disc, Konami is giving PS Vita owners a chance to play it on the go with the portable release of the game. Preserving the same HD quality, is the PS Vita version worth purchasing? Is there any incentives with it since it’s the same game after all?
Let’s take a look on what’s HOT and what’s NOT in our review of the PS Vita version of Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection.
HOT
Same Quality & Experience
Compared to the console version of the HD collection to the portable one, I see no difference between the two. Despite the smaller resolution on the PS Vita, the quality of the cutscenes and the presentation of the game is preserved – thus you will be getting a somewhat HD version right on the handheld device equipped with all of the voice overs and lengthy cutscenes. Frame rates aren’t as good as the ones on the console but looking at the perspective of a handheld game, the team behind this version did a good job as it will be hard to see any differences between the console and portable version.
Check out our full review of the console version of Metal Gear HD Collection.
Transfarring
The Transfarring save system that Konami has been showing off for quite some time will finally be put implemented with the HD Collection on the Vita. For gamers who own the console version of the HD Collection and you’re thinking of getting it again on the PS Vita, one of the neat features it has is that you can play the game on the PlayStation 3, save it, and play it on the go on the PlayStation Vita, or vice versa. This feature will benefit those gamers who want to have their save file available for use on both platforms.
Also using transfarring, you will be pleased to know that whatever trophies you get on the PlayStation Vita will be unlocked on the PS3 version of the game as well. While it may sound that both versions are only using one set of trophies, you’re wrong. The PS Vita and PS3 version will not be counted as one – what you get or unlock on the PS Vita version will be solely on that one and vice versa.
Using the Touch Screen
Downsizing such a big game with a few missing controls can be quite hard as developers will somehow think to integrate the missing controls into something where features like on the PS Vita will be used. Since the handheld doesn’t have access to the R2 and L2 button where you can have Snake change into different weapons, players will now have to use the touch screen and slide it through to your collection. As for the rear touch pad, don’t worry about it as you will not be using it.
Jason R.
June 17, 2012 at 12:11 AM“onto various current generation of consoles.”
I’m sorry, but really?