Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

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Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

Game general and emulation properties:
CERO rating: C
ESRB rating: M (Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence)
PEGI rating: 16+ (Violence)
OFLC rating: MA (Medium level Animated violence)
GRB rating: 18
Widescreen patch available
GPU intensive game
CPU intensive game
Languages supported:
English: SLES-82009 & SLPM-67002 & SLPM-67008 & SLUS-20554
Japanese: SLPM-67002 & SLPM-67008 & VW117-J1 & SLPM-74901 & VW117-J2 & VW117-J4
German: SLES-82009
French: SLES-82009
Spanish: SLES-82009
Italian: SLES-82009
Korean: SLKA-35001
Region NTSC-U:
Serial numbers: SLUS-20554
Release date: March 3, 2003
CRCs: C539049D
Windows Status: Playable
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?
Region PAL:
Serial numbers: SLES-82009
Release date: March 28, 2003
August 2009 (Reissue)
November 7, 2011 (Australia)
CRCs: 093E7D52
Windows Status: Playable
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?
Region NTSC-J/C/K:
Serial numbers: SLPM-67002
VW117-J1
SLPM-74901 (PlayStation2 the Best)
VW117-J2 (PlayStation2 the Best)
SLPM-67008 (Konami Dendou Collection)
VW117-J4 (Konami Dendou Collection)
SLKA-35001
Release date: December 19, 2002
June 19, 2003 (Korea)
November 6, 2003 (PlayStation2 the Best)
October 21, 2004 (Konami Dendou Collection)
Windows Status: ?
Linux Status: ?
Mac Status: ?

Developer(s): KCEJ
Publisher(s): Konami
Genre: Action, Adventure
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: Metacritic87/100
Game description: Solid Snake returns in Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, the expanded edition of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, with all-new game modes, hidden characters, and storylines. Top-secret weapons technology is being mysteriously transported under cover of an oil tanker to an unknown destination. It's up to Snake to infiltrate the transport and keep this deadly weapon of mass destruction from falling into the wrong hands. You'll have plenty of ways to practice, as the game offers more than 350 virtual reality missions in addition to more than 15 alternate missions.
A multi-platform updated version of the original MGS2 first released for the Xbox, the game contains the main Sons of Liberty game with some subtle alterations and additional content, such as more then 300 new virtual reality training missions and 200 "Alternative Missions" set in areas taken from the main game.


Test configurations on Windows:


Environment Configurations Comments Tester
Region OS CPU/GPU Revision Graphics Sound/Pad
NTSC-U ?
  • Intel Core i7-920 @ 3.40 GHz
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285
0.9.8 RC (r4563) GSdx (r4459)
  • SPU2-X 1.4.0
  • LilyPad 0.10.0
BIOS: USA v2.00, Running near full speed. Requires a powerful PC. Machina
PAL Windows
  • Intel Core i5-3470 @ 3.20 GHz
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
1.1.0 (r5618)

<spoiler show="Settings" hide="Hide">

  • VUs:
    • VU0: microVU
    • VU1: microVU
  • Speedhacks:
    • INTC Spin Detection: Enabled
    • Wait Loop Detection: Enabled
    • MTVU: Enabled

</spoiler>

GSdx
  • SPU2-X
  • LilyPad 0.11.0
Europe v02.00(14/06/2004), The only way to boot is to make an iso and load it using the internal PCSX plugin under CDVD => ISO. Game is playable in hardware mode with very small graphical glitches (background in codec is broken on both HW and SW mode). Thermal googles are broken on HW mode, showing a green picture, works in SW mode. Fps are almost constant at 50, just dropping down to 35-40 in very crowded area.
PAL Windows
  • Intel Core i7 @ 3.40 GHz
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 @ 768 MB
1.1.0 (r5754) GSdx SSE4 (r5752)
  • SPU2-X 2.0.0 (r5733)
  • LilyPad 0.11.0 (r5403)
Runs at full speed.
NTSC-U Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (SP1)
  • Intel Core i5-4670K @ 3.40 GHz
  • AMD Radeon R9 280 @ 3 GB
1.5.0 (dev-1988 gcf131b5)

<spoiler show="Settings" hide="Hide">

  • Speedhacks:
    • EE Cyclerate: -1
    • VU Cycle Stealing: 0
    • mVU Flag Hack: Enabled
    • MTVU: Enabled

</spoiler>

GSdx 1.1.0 AVX2

<spoiler show="Settings" hide="Hide">

  • Renderer: Direct3D11 (Hardware)
  • Internal Resolution: 3x Native
  • Texture Filtering: Bilinear (PS2)
  • Anisotropic Filtering: 16x
  • Mipmapping: Basic
  • CRC Hack Level: Full
  • Shader Configuration:
    • FXAA: Enabled
    • Shadeboost: Enabled

</spoiler>

  • SPU2-X 2.0.0
  • LilyPad 0.12.1
BIOS: USA 2.30, Decided to replay this game. A few things worth noting, a microVU0 warning will pop up every now and then, but it does not seem to affect the gameplay. One gripe I do have with the game is that when you have Stealth equipped, it causes a massive slowdown in the frame rates. I can easily lose well over 10~15 FPS when Stealth is equipped on Snake/Raiden. It's really annoying playing the game with just 40 FPS, especially on the higher difficulties like Extreme. Been trying to fiddle with the GSdx options to see if something can make it run smoother, but haven't had any success yet. Ryudo
NTSC-U Windows 8.1
  • Intel Core i7-4700HQ
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M
v1.5.0 (dev-2043-g5b4c948) GSdx 0.1.16 AVX2 (r5875) SPU2-X 2.0.0 (r5830) The main game - i.e. the story mode and the extra missions - runs fine. I get decent speeds on both hardware and software mode. The Skateboarding mini-game, which is accessible from the main menu, crashes PCSX2 at the loading screen. It gives the error
   ..\..\FiFo.cpp(48) : assertion failed:
   Function:  ReadFIFO_VIF1
   Thread:    EE Core
   Condition: vif1Regs.stat.FQC != 0
   Message:   FQC = 0 on VIF FIFO READ!

At this junction, I fear it may be a problem with my ISO. I may redump my disc and try again.

Retroaesthetics


Trivia

  • Original names: メタルギアソリッド2 サブスタンス (SLPM-67002) & (SLPM-74901) & (SLPM-67008), 메탈 기어 솔리드 2 서브스텐스 (SLKA-35001)


Known Issues

Pressure Sensitivity Long-Term Issue(PCSX2)

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Serious
  • Description: PCSX2's plugin-to-core merge on 1.7 development builds uses LilyPad for handling gamepad inputs. The problem with this is that the version of LilyPad used doesn't contain pressure sensitivity for anything other than L2 and R2 if you're not using a DualShock 3 controller.

This is a problem because you can't even rebind the left or right trigger to the square button to access pressure-sensitivity functionalities like lowering your weapon, and may become a BIG problem in the future. I would overall suggest to the devs to fix it sooner rather than later so that this feature isn't outright *lost to time* whenever DualShock 3's become difficult to find.

For reference, analog input on L2 and R2 do work on PCSX2, but ONLY on those two buttons.

1/17/2022 Edit: Also, whoever wrote down that "workaround" last night clearly hasn't tested the fact that I tried the whole "rebind square to R2" trick on 1.7 builds. It works on RPCS3, but not here.

Left Side Pixel Artifacts

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: Alongside the left side of the screen, there are artifacting pixels that are 1 pixel wide. Easiest to see at native resolution. Happens across pretty much the entire game.
  • Workaround: No known solution.

Vamp Stop VFX Bug

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: [Minor spoilers]

During the Vamp boss fight, Vamp throws traps to stop you from moving. If the center of the trap is located inside one of the railings at the edge of the map, the effect doesn't render at all

Eavesdrop Cutscene Olga Movement Error

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Serious
  • Description: In the cutscene where Raiden uses the directional mic to eavesdrop on Ocelot and Olga, she pulls her gun out on him and then walks away. Olga is supposed to walk through the right side door. Instead, she infinitely walks to the left, and you're forced to press X to skip the later part of the cutscene.

[reason for "Serious" below contains minor spoilers]

Pretty big deal because it skips the part that explains how Revolver Ocelot has both of his arms for this point in the game. This isn't your average cutscene glitch.

  • Workaround: No known solution.

Big Shell Map ID Text Error

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: When paused and looking at the Big Shell map, later sections of the title do not display unless it's the frame after you hit START to unpause. Does not happen with every title like "Shell 1 Core" but most of them do have this issue.
  • Workaround: No known solution.

Fortune First Cutscene Flickering

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: During the first cutscene involving Fortune, there is a close-up where Vamp says "Queen." while next to her. This shot has full-screen 60Hz flickering.
  • Workaround: No known solution.

Was tested with both OpenGL and DX11 Software modes. DX11 performed noticeably better but still bottlenecked a GTX 1660 Super paired with a Ryzen 7 3700X.

Weapon Laser Issue

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: Weapon lasers appear significantly darker than on original hardware in the tanker.
  • Workaround: Use dev build 1.7.2234 instead of the stable release.

Infrared Sensors Issue

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: In the tanker, the infrared sensors are visible without the need to shoot a fire extinguisher. Appears as black lines that turn red while the extinguisher is active.
  • Workaround: Use dev build 1.7.2234.

left side is blurred during cutscenes.

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: Some cutscenes are rendered at 10fps with motion blur to give a dramatic slow-motion effect but the effect is only shown on a small portion at the left side of the screen. A great place for testing this is Solidus Snake's introduction, right before the Harrier fight.
  • Workaround: Use Software mode.

color issue

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: Some skin textures are darker than normal.
  • Workaround: Go to Config > Video (GS) > Plugin Settings, set Renderer to "OpenGL (Hardware) and Blending Unit Accuracy to "Full". Or switch to Software mode by setting Renderer to any of the "(Software)" options.

Workaround 2: Use dev build 1.7.2234.

The skateboard mini-game isn't working.

  • Type: Note (not an issue)
  • Description: when opening the skateboard mini-game, PCSX2 will show an error message.
  • Workaround: Don't use widescreen hack.

Serious slowdown during The skateboard mini-game

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Serious
  • Description: This mini-game is really performance heavy
  • Workaround: Use software mode.

Workaround 2: Use dev build 1.7.2234.

Broken texture in The skateboard mini-game

  • Status: Active
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: After falling once from the skateboard the texture of the new skateboard will become broken
  • Workaround: Use software mode before starting the mini-game.

Workaround 2: Use dev build 1.7.2234.

Fixed Issues

Transparency issue

  • Status: Fixed
  • Type: Minor
  • Description: The water surface in the swim areas and Otacon's glasses are completely reflective.

Taking pictures fails

  • Status: Fixed
  • Type: Serious
  • Description: During missions that require taking pictures, taking the (usually right) pictures fails.
  • Workaround: Has been resolved since PCSX2 stable build v1.0.0(fixed in dev build r4657). For older versions go to Config > Emulation Settings > VUs tab, and set VU0 to "superVU Recompiler [legacy]".

Dragging bodies fall

  • Status: Fixed
  • Type: Serious
  • Description: The enemy bodies sometimes fall before you release them while dragging.
  • Workaround: Has been resolved since PCSX2 stable build v1.0.0(fixed in dev build r4657). For older versions go to Config > Emulation Settings > VUs tab, and set VU0 to "superVU Recompiler [legacy]".

Twitching on gun aiming

  • Status: Fixed
  • Type: Serious
  • Description: Sometimes aiming a gun just makes the arm twitch.
  • Workaround: Has been resolved since PCSX2 stable build v1.0.0(fixed in dev build r4657). For older versions go to Config > Emulation Settings > VUs tab, and set VU0 to "superVU Recompiler [legacy]".

Translucent characters

  • Type: Note (not an issue)
  • Description: Glitched textures can cause a character to become translucent in certain rooms.
  • Workaround: Go to Config > Emulation Settings > VUs tab, and set VU0 and VU1 to "micro VU Recompiler"(this is the default option).

Gameplay Screenshots

<spoiler show="Show images" hide="Hide images">

</spoiler>


Public compatibility forum links