MGS1 Remake

[A.G.]

Been hearing rumors about another MGS1 remake in the works. Personally, I don’t want one. The only plus would be a possible re-release of the original game on PS5.

I did come across this video which does a great job of comparing MGS1 with Twin Snakes.

[murrdogg93]

I would much rather have the MSX games get remade instead. To have that cinematic story telling with voice acting to help paint the picture.

I can still play MGS 1 any time, as it holds up very well for me.

[A.G.]

I’m a bit of a purist on that end. The MSX games are the originals and I would not want to see a 3D version of them. Each game has its charm being representative of the technological era it was made in. That’s the beauty of the series, it showcases the evolution of gaming tech. Voice acting and cutscenes are great and all, but it’s not all there is to this series. But that could just be a generational difference between us.

[fgdj2000]

Feb 23, 2021 1:19:07 GMT -5 A.G. said:

I’m a bit of a purist on that end. The MSX games are the originals and I would not want to see a 3D version of them. Each game has its charm being representative of the technological era it was made in. That’s the beauty of the series, it showcases the evolution of gaming tech. Voice acting and cutscenes are great and all, but it’s not all there is to this series. But that could just be a generational difference between us.

This is exactly how I feel. I don’t mind remakes as an alternate version tbh, but Metal Gear in particular has the technical evolution going for it. Each game is very different, yet they all feel like a natural evolution and very Metal Gear to me.
I‘m also a fan of the Yakuza series, and the first two games of that series had remakes that are pretty great, but sadly are now the only version available on current hardware. preserve the original version! Besides, most video game sequels are kind of remakes anyway, since they always make essentially the same game but with better technology, better software etc.

[A.G.]

I’m wrapping up my MGS1 February and decided to go into Twin Snakes for a bit. It’s just jarring! The atmosphere the original created with the more primitive graphics far surpasses Twin Snakes. Even the echo in the voice acting adds that special feel to it.

[fgdj2000]

Feb 24, 2021 21:32:44 GMT -5 A.G. said:

I’m wrapping up my MGS1 February and decided to go into Twin Snakes for a bit. It’s just jarring! The atmosphere the original created with the more primitive graphics far surpasses Twin Snakes. Even the echo in the voice acting adds that special feel to it.

Well, I wouldn't diminish it too much, but I remember that it felt very sterile and lacked the grittiness and dirtiness of the PS1 original, which can be it's own kind of unnerving, although I don't think that was what they were going for. While the cutscenes are entertaining, they clearly belong in an DMC-like action game (a take on MGS1 also has its appeal to me), but not into the grounded scenario MGS1 presents. I don't think it's a bad game, but I'd give it a B-, while MGS1 is an A+. There are a few things I actually like about it more than the original MGS1, such as Rob Paulson as Gray Fox, some of the Boss Themes (especially Cyborg Ninja's one) and certain conveniences, like the stairs in REX' hanger and the pipes that were added there, severely cutting down on the backtracking. I think even the PSG-1T was added in at an earlier section, not all the way back in the basement of the tank hanger. 
That's what a good remake does: improve some things, while being faithful in spirit more than actual gameplay. And we did get some great remakes over the years that don't replace the original (as I said, this should always be preserved), but still serve as good alternative versions both for newcomers and veterans: Resident Evil remake, Resident Evil 2 remake, Tomb Raider Anniversary, Final Fantasy VII remake (although that one is a whole different beast altogether), Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, to name a few. 

I think the main issue of MGS TTS is, as many have pointed out, that it was too afraid to change the level design to accommodate the new play features. That keeps it from being a good or great remake. However, in my mind that also doesn't make it a bad remake, just a mediocre or decent one.

[A.G.]

Twin Snakes was positioned as being the best of MGS1 and MGS2. But it was neither. The story was presented better in MGS1 and the graphics/details were better in MGS2.

[fgdj2000]

Feb 25, 2021 23:50:35 GMT -5 A.G. said:

Twin Snakes was positioned as being the best of MGS1 and MGS2. But it was neither. The story was presented better in MGS1 and the graphics/details were better in MGS2.

Overblown marketing. Still doesn't make it bad imo. Just, decent.

[mgsolid]

Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes are perfect examples of how to create remakes of classic MGS1 games for this new generation of consoles. If MGS1 remake goes that route, it could work. If it goes the Twin Snakes route, then no.

[fgdj2000]

May 25, 2021 19:49:34 GMT -5 mgsolid said:

Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes are perfect examples of how to create remakes of classic MGS1 games for this new generation of consoles. If MGS1 remake goes that route, it could work. If it goes the Twin Snakes route, then no.

As the guy in the video says (finally managed to watch it), if you do a remake, it would be useful to commit to one of two approaches: either make it just the original game with no real gameplay changes and better graphics (Crash N-Sane Trilogy, Spyro Trilogy, Shadow of the Colossus 2018, Final Fantasy III and IV on Nintendo DS and Smartphones) or a complete reminagining that keeps the story, setting, iconic set-pieces and "feel" intact, but other than that is a completely new game with new or entirely reimagined gameplay, expanded sections, additions to the story and new characters (Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Tomb Raider: Anniversary). Anything in-between works rarely well and waters down the experience. (Although NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139... was a notable exception).