Installation Like the PSX version of MGS Integral, MGS PC is also a 2-disc set. It was interesting to see the words "Special
Gold Release" on the MGS CDs: CD #1 includes the original MGS game, while
CD #2 includes all the Virtual Reality training missions.
Much to my surprise, I ran into problems installing MGS on my newer Pentium III 700MHz/ Voodoo5 5500/ Win98SE rig. This was no
fault of the MGS CD, as it installed and actually ran decently on my old Pentium 200MHz/ Voodoo3 2000/ Win95 OSR2 (which is below system requirements for
this game)! My problem was that when I hit the "Setup.exe" file on the CD, I would just get a dialog box with an exclamation point
in a yellow triangle and no text. If I clicked
the "OK" button in the dialog box, I'd just return to the desktop. I have never experienced this problem with
installing any other software.
My whole point of describing the above situation is to point out and hopefully encourage Microsoft to quickly
set up a dedicated MGS PC support page or forum. With all of their resources and a big-name title like this, you would
think Microsoft would have proper online support in place by the time this game was released. The
official MGS PC page is very sparse, and there is NO mention
of where to find online support. I finally solved my problem by going to the
Microsoft.public.games newsgroup where I was relieved to see that I was not the only person that experienced
the above problem. For your reference, I'm going to post the handy solution that was basically as
follows:
1. Start/Run/MSConfig; selective startup; deselect all checks; select process System.ini; apply; OK; reboot system
2. After reboot go to C: drive; Windows; show all files if needed; right-click and delete TEMP directory; re-attempt install
3. after successful install; Normal startup; double check that all checks are the same; apply; OK; reboot System; play game
(Thanks goes to Steve Walters for posting the solution.)
More Background Story
After installing the game, don't be too hasty to click past the "Konami" intro page to get to the
main menu, or you will miss the fantastic opening cinematic that introduces Solid Snake launching out of nuclear sub
in a one-man SDV (Swimmer Delivery Vehicle). After watching this, you know you're in for a treat with this game!
I also want to mention the detailed manual that comes with the game. It describes the intricacies of the game,
and even thoughtfully gives new players hints on how to play the first two levels if you are stuck. I particularly like how the manual
describes the background bios of each of the characters. It also includes a section on the venerable history of the Metal Gear
series, which can actually also be found in the CD by using the "Extra" option on the main menu.
For interest's sake to put the setting of this game in perspective, I did a bit more research for this review
and found GameSpot's "History of Metal Gear".
For you MGS trivia buffs, it explains that MGS is actually Snake's fourth "official" adventure.
MGS itself takes place in 2010, and most people know that his first two adventures (that were made for
the Japanese consoles MSX and MSX2) took place in 1995 and 1999. Most people don't know that Snake's third
adventure set in 2002 actually recently came out as a full-fledged prequel to MGS in the form of "Metal Gear: Ghost Babel" for
the Nintendo Game Boy Color.
