Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a game of epic proportions and although it undisputedly deserves continual praise for its achievements in both plot and new gameplay, there is sadly not enough web-space to go over the entire original game. As a matter of fact, there is no need. MGS3 is arguably one of the best games on the PS2; every magazine, internet site and critic applauded it and it sold millions of copies in all three main territories, ranking in the official games top ten.

Although with the previous 2: Sons of Liberty Substance there were a few minor additions, has truly revisited MGS3 to bring a new definition to “director’s cut” and refine the game to an even higher level of excellence. Abundant in extra features, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence is the true re-birth of what has become an incomparable series.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence consists of three discs, the first of which contains the main game. The game has now undergone some changes - major changes - that not only give it a new lease of life but almost transforms it into a new game entirely. When beginning the game you will have six, not five, difficulty settings. For those of you who thought you had mastered the game, think again; the new addition is European Extreme, a setting where it will be game over if seen by a single guard. You cannot get harder than that. Even veterans will feel as if they were new to boot camp. One of the trivial effects of this is that everyone will have to start from the beginning - old game saves from the original will not load up with the new Subsistence version.

Another addition is that you are able to experience the game with a new third-person camera to bring you closer in on the action. Not only is this a refreshing change but it is also an improvement compared to the fixed camera view that only shifted a little this way and that to give a better view of some areas and angles. With the new view you can rotate and tilt it in any direction giving you the freedom to explore and tackle missions and locations in a new sense.

Of course, to be expected is the inclusion of even more camouflage sets that you can use to disguise yourself or simply look the fool. Snake will have nine new nationality flag face paints at the beginning of the game and although they are not really vital and do not help greatly within the game, they are a good laugh to play with, just like all the others from the original such as the punisher face paint. All of the additional uniforms act in much the same way and even though you can put together some good combinations with existing sets you will not be using them over any of the more functional camouflage offerings.

Lastly but by no means least, as it is a stupendous addition, is the Demo Theatre. It gives you access to all of the cut-scenes throughout the entire game. You can relive all of your favourite scenes by simply selecting them separately or choosing to watch entire sections of the game’s plot. There are also secret scenes that have been added in to give away even more surprises not included within the original, especially the ending.

Within the Demo Theatre you will now be able to put all of the extra face paint and uniform sets to good use, as you can edit the way Snake looks in every scene you select. You can create a lot of laughs by using ridiculous face paint in a very serious scene or stupid outfits to go up against all of the bosses.

The second disc contains a lot of extra modes and features that makes this purchase very worth while. The two most important bonuses are the inclusion of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, both of which were never released in North America, though somehow managed to see Metal Gear but sadly not the sequel. The 1987 Metal Gear that was released in and Europe, followed a new operative of the secret organization FOXHOUND, known none other as Solid Snake. It involved the creation of the first Metal Gear, a weapon of mass destruction, within a rogue state called Outer Heaven. Though the simple 8-bit graphics might put you off, do not let it, as this game is incredible even if it is years old and marks a brilliant start to the series. The original Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake was only released in Japan in 1990. Although you might not believe it, as Snake has so many times in his life, he is brought out of retirement to infiltrate the heavily guarded Zanzibar Land to retrieve a kidnapped scientist. Once again, he comes up against the monstrous Metal Gear and must destroy it. Again, Metal Gear 2 is just as inspirational as the original.

Although a little out of place on this disc, there is also a Duel Mode. This allows you to re-play the major battles and every boss fight in MGS3. All the scenes from the main game are there, but they are set out differently. Because they are separate battles, you will need to attain the highest score possible within a certain time limit. Your end result will of course be affected by how quickly you complete the mission but also on what ammunition and health you have left. In some ways you could see it as training, allowing you to try over and over without having the pressure of progressing the story against you.