E3: Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions impressions

[05.16.99] » Expansion disc to ship alone with a reduced price point.

   Konami was showing video of Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions at their E3 booth. The missions are divided by category; some are weapons-based missions, some sneaking-based missions, while some are just-for-fun. One of the most unique missions involved shooting a guard, who then fell down and run into two guards, who then fell down and hit two more, in a dual "domino-style" cascade of pain. It's clear the level designers had a lot of fun creating the more than 300 VR missions. A photo-shoot mode with Mei Ling and Naomi Hunter lets would-be cameramen test their skills, while a previously undisclosed "murder mystery" mode should be entertaining. (Snake comes across a dead body and must locate and pinpoint the killer). And you can play many of the VR missions as Ninja. Word.

   Most exciting of all, however, is the nature of the U.S. release. Rather than release Metal Gear Solid: Integral, Konami is bringing over only the VR Missions extra disc. This is actually less of a loss than it may seem, as many of Integral's "improvements" (English voice acting/subtitles, selectable difficulty levels, new costumes) were already present in the U.S. version of Metal Gear Solid. Konami will sell the disc as a stand-alone title (the full Metal Gear Solid is not required to play) and at a reduced price point (perhaps about $30?). The combination of fun extras and reduced expense turns this game from a curiosity into a title no MGS fan will want to miss. MGS: VR Missions is due for a fourth quarter 99 release.