Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is the expanded version of the 2001 classic Sons of Liberty . It is often described by critics as a "one-of-a-kind" and "groundbreaking" cinematic action game that has aged remarkably well, particularly due to its prophetic themes regarding the digital age .
: Includes over 500 missions . These range from standard stealth and weapon practice to creative scenarios, like using a ninja sword in pitch-black areas. Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance
: A quirky inclusion where characters pull tricks on the Big Shell. While fun, reviewers note it is mechanically shallow compared to games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater . Core Gameplay & Visuals Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is the expanded
The base game remains a masterpiece of the stealth genre, though its "clunky" and "cumbersome" controls can be a hurdle for modern players. Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance review | Eurogamer.net These range from standard stealth and weapon practice
: Five short, non-canonical missions that let you play as Solid Snake in areas usually reserved for Raiden. However, these are often criticized for lacking voice acting and cutscenes, relying instead on "walls of text" for plot.