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Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence ps2 Game Reviews
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
Critic Score
Metascore: 94 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.6 out of 10
based on 53 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 58 votes
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Rate this game

Metal Gear goes online for the first time in Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence! Players can battle or team up with up to 7 other friends for online dominance. Featuring different gameplay modes, new camera system, and robust online play, Subsistence is the game that gives players a brand new Metal Gear experience. Includes MGS3 Snake Eater and all new Online Modes, including Death Match, Team Death Match, Sneaking Mission, Capture Mission, and Rescue Mission. Third Person Camera system gives players more control. Bonus Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake games which have never been released before in the North America. Demo Theater, Duel Mode, and new stages for Snake vs. Monkey mini-game. [Konami]

PUBLISHER: Konami
DEVELOPER: Kojima Productions
GENRE(S): Third-Person Action
PLAYERS: 8
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2006

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
GamePro
With a new budget price and gobs of bonus content, there's absolutely no excuse for missing what is arguably the best Metal Gear ever created. [Apr 2006, p.72]
Read Full Review
100
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
The finally realized Metal Gear Online (as Kojima calls it) ranges from solid multiplayer fare to a total blast. [Apr 2006, p.76]
100
Games Radar
For $10 more (and if you can find it) the Special Edition of Subsistence includes a third disc with all of Snake Eater's cinematics re-cut and re-edited into a three-hour movie, complete with new narration. It's an extra special bonus for an already extra-amazing game.
Read Full Review
100
GameSpy
A terrific update of an already excellent game. The new camera gives the single-player a new lease on life, and the multiplayer mode and classic games are worth the relatively low ($30) price of admission for veterans of the original Snake Eater.
Read Full Review
100
1UP
Actually being able to see what's in front of you without having to stop and enter the first-person viewpoint is a godsend.
Read Full Review
100
PSM Magazine
Improving on one of the best games ever couldn't have been an easy job, but Kojima Productions was able to do it. They packed this director's cut of "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater", a thrilling and cinematic military stealth action game, so full of tweaks and extras, we wish our review scale went to 11. [Apr 2006, p.73]
100
Into Liquid Sky
This is the best offering of gameplay, extras and multiplayer that has come out in some time.
Read Full Review
100
GameShark
With all the extra features including multiplayer, new additions to the camera and the classic MGS games, Metal Gear Solid 3: Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence is a must buy for the MGS series faithful.
Read Full Review
100
GameZone
Metal Gear Solid 3 was a fantastic game as it was, but all the additions included in Subsistence just pushes it over the top. You must own this game.
Read Full Review
100
TotalPlayStation
Both online and offline are perfect, plain and simple. This is a must-have title that just oozes quality from every pore. You are cheating yourself out of one of the best experiences on the PS2 if you don't own this game.
Read Full Review
100
Next Level Gaming
Konami managed to do one hell of a job in packaging so much in to a value priced game, and they have set a new standard in re-releasing games.
Read Full Review
100
Game Over Online
Considering the product they started with was already a masterpiece, it becomes apparent that the title deserves the ultimate praise, as do those who created it.
Read Full Review
100
AceGamez
Metal Gear Online? On the PS2? Surely it's crap! I admit, I didn't think it could be pulled off very well... but I'll happily eat my words, because it's bloody brilliant.
Read Full Review
100
Game Chronicles
The new camera basically makes Snake Eater a whole new experience, and for those looking to explore Snake’s 8-bit history, you’ll lose yourself for days in the original two Metal Gear games as they make their North American debut.
Read Full Review
100
Thunderbolt
An improvement of an already sensational game. It’s got the stellar gameplay that made the previous title shine, as well as tossing in some great camera control and a few other modifications.
Read Full Review
99
PSX Extreme
Even for those who have played and beaten the original Snake Eater, there is enough completely original content in Subsistence to provide several dozen hours of offline entertainment, not to mention an online multiplayer feature with massive replay value.
Read Full Review
98
BonusStage
You absolutely, positively must buy this game if you own a PS2 – it’s that simple.
Read Full Review
98
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Subsistence's awe-inspiring single-player adventure outclasses every other stealth game in existence, including the previous MGS titles. It's the perfect blend of gripping narrative, nuanced gameplay, astonishing (nearly next-gen) graphics, and creative boss battles. [Apr. 2006, p.98]
Read Full Review
98
IGN
Subsistence goes a long way towards remedying the few problems of ["Snake Eater"] with a brand new camera system that literally rejuvenates the gameplay. The online mode adds a ton of replay value as well, and has dozens of options to keep you returning to blow away friends late into the night.
Read Full Review
97
PGNx Media
The additional extras, online play and camera angle really manage to make the game nearly flawless. Even if you’ve played the original, the changes are worth picking the game up again.
Read Full Review
97
Digital Entertainment News
This is the best version of one of the best PS2 games ever made. Sure, the online mode isn't perfect, but even so, there’s more than enough here for any Metal Gear fan to feast on.
Read Full Review
97
eToychest
If Snake Eater were likened to an exquisite pie, then Subsistence would be that pie with ice cream, a cherry, served with a bottle of fine wine.
Read Full Review
96
GameBrink
The game is a must-have even for those that have saturated themselves with Snake Eater. If you're not going to purchase the game for the new camera, then please purchase it for the inclusion of the original Metal Gears.
Read Full Review
96
My Gamer
The new camera helps the gameplay along in many ways. The new online mode adds loads of lasting value to the game, and the numerous other new features will keep any MGS fan returning for many, many hours of great gameplay. If you own a PS2, you need to own this game.
Read Full Review
96
Ferrago
With, literally, entire discs full of extras, a new camera within the main game, the two original Metal Gear titles and an Online mode that finally makes full use of the PS2 broadband adapter, Subsistence is a game that should be in everyone's PS2 collection.
Read Full Review
95
Games Master UK
A superb package that manages to add to the incredible "Snake Eater" experience. [Dec 2006, p.90]
95
Deeko
Taking a game that was already well done and polishing it off further is difficult to say the least, but Subsistence does it with flying colors.
Read Full Review
95
Play Magazine
The amount of content spread across these three discs is truly staggering, and Persistence is a quick, pick-up-and-play online experience that offers tremendous variety. [Apr 2006, p.52]
95
Game Informer
I'm glad that games don't have feelings. If they did, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence would be the over-achiever that makes the games around it feel embarrassingly inadequate. [Apr 2006, p.121]
95
Worth Playing
Trying to wrap my brain around every aspect of this package has proven difficult, because each feature has such a distinct offering that it almost needs to be reviewed separately.
Read Full Review
94
Play UK
A magnificent package. [Issue 145, p.78]
93
PSM3 Magazine UK
One of the best games ever, with a swathe of excellent online options bolted on for good measure. [Sept 2006, p.56]
92
Pelit (Finland)
An excellent action adventure. The online modes are a worthwhile addition. Eight players is not much nowadays, though. [Dec 2006, p.82]
92
Gamer 2.0
Even if this is your second, third, fourth, or even your fifth time playing the game, the new camera angle adds a lot of freshness to the single player campaign. Not just that, but the online multiplayer is really amazing and it is clearly one of the best the PS2 has yet to get on the service.
Read Full Review
90
PSW Magazine UK
The multiplayer mode is almost enough for us to recommend parting with your cash a second time, but we realise that many UK gamers just aren't bothered about playing PS2 online.
Read Full Review
90
Yahoo! Games
Subsistence is easily the greatest same-gen remake ever, besting the Xbox GTA ports, "DOA Ultimate," "Ninja Gaiden Black," and even "Metal Gear 2: Substance."
Read Full Review
90
GameSpot
Metal Gear Solid 3 returns with a vengeance in this special edition, which significantly improves an already great action adventure game while adding a solid new online mode and some great extras.
Read Full Review
90
GamerFeed
One of the most entertaining value packs in videogame history.
Read Full Review
90
DarkStation
Far from just a lazy rehash, the more user-friendly camera system and online play makes the game even more enjoyable this time around.
Read Full Review
90
WHAM! Gaming
With some of the highest production values seen in any game and more extras than you can shake a silenced tranquilizer gun at (all of which are on top of an amazing and improved single player game) result in a title that is easy to recommend and enjoy.
Read Full Review
90
PALGN
An excellent compilation and current-gen send off for the MGS series.
Read Full Review
90
GamerNode
Overall this is a jam packed game that I would recommend to any PlayStation 2 owner. The retail price of only $29.99 is a complete steal. Even if you're not able to get online, the new camera angle along with the insane amount of extras is worth the price tag alone.
Read Full Review
90
EuroGamer
If you've never played MGS3 before it's a must-buy. That's what we've made our final judgement based on; while this may not be great value for someone who paid full price for the game previously, for collectors, online gaming fans or people who haven't played MGS3, this is absolutely the definitive version of one of the finest games on the PlayStation 2.
Read Full Review
90
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Subsistence is one hell of a package, encompassing Metal Gear's past, present and future. Essential for newcomers, recommended for fans. [Nov 2006, p.92]
90
VideoGamer
Buying Subsistence should be a no-brainer, even for those of you who have spent countless hours already mastering the original.
Read Full Review
89
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that, as nice as all the extras are, it’s still essentially a two-year-old game with a new camera.
Read Full Review
88
Cheat Code Central
The only reason that the overall score is lower than you might expect is because the single-player mode is just upgraded and not a completely new game.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
That’s a lot of content for less than a used copy of Snake Eater. And on one hand, it’s difficult to excuse Konami for charging even that much for what amounts to a much-needed and very welcome patch. But the additions are so well-conceived that we’re willing to let them get away with it this last time.
Read Full Review
80
Total Video Games
Subsistence brings further substance to the Metal Gear Solid 3 experience thanks to its multiplayer mode, and the MSX versions of both Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, though much of the rest of the bonus features are nothing more than icing on a very rich and more-ish cake.
Read Full Review
80
Gamestyle
As a document of the series past, present and future, it stands tall, and will prove essential for many. But for those without access to online play, especially those players unconvinced by the almost monotonous pace that the main game develops, there may be few reasons to return.
Read Full Review
79
GamingTrend
It absolutely boggles my mind that anyone could find watching a game for 10+ hours and interacting with it for less than half that a quality game.
Read Full Review
75
GameCritics
This is still a very good game, and the volumes of supplemental material have kept me form lowering the score any farther than I have, but it has too many flaws to overlook. Critical flaws that keep it from being anywhere near the perfect game that many were hoping for, and continue to expect from Kojima.
Read Full Review
70
Computer Games Magazine
With this new online mode, it's much easier to admit that you like Metal Gear Solid 3. [July 2006, p.93]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 58 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Adam W. gave it a7:
The controls are horrible. However the plot did strike a chord with me. The voice actors are also unwisely picked, not matching the characters too well. There weren't any cross hairs for aiming your guns. There's not too much replay value either except for secrets or harder difficulties. In the end it's definitely worth a rent at the very least.

Abraham A. gave it a9:
With the 3D camera, this game is almost perfect.

Jesus C. gave it a6:
I couldn't stand the setting, the characters, the FPS lag, or the storyline--which didn't have quite the flair of MGS2. It's better off as a rent. You'll beat it once and never go back again (I didn't).

Jackson gave it a9:
I gave this one a nine because this is by far the best metal gear game ever. i even played portable ops and that is a game that requires alot of getting used to and when i say a lot i mean a lot. but anyways back to mgs3subsistence; yes you must get the hang of playing with the new camera angle in subsistance but it is well worth it. This is the first game in along time to make me stay up all night playing till the sun came up; the last game was grand theft auto sanandreas. i would have given this game a full ten but i feel the makers of this game could have went a step furether to make this the best game of all time by adding a multiplayer offline option. when we first got the news of mgs3 going offline i started to hear alot off talk like "i'm gonna get my money back for this game". i wounder if kojima lost some money by taking this great game offline.

Paul J. gave it a10:
Together with Snake Eater the best game ever created for the sixth generation consoles.

Mithyus gave it a10:
It boils down to the fact that MGS3 is like nothing else in gaming world, mixing great gameplay, graphic and sound elements to a majestic way of storytelling. Absolutely, ultimately brilliant.

Robin S. gave it a10:
Truly the best Metal Gear... a bit hard without the radar but who cares if you got an overwhelming story that explains most of the gaps of the 1st and 2nd game.

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