Metal Gear Solid 2 versus Battlefield 4 Graphics - The 12 year difference

A look at the difference 12 years can make in terms of expectations of graphics and how far developers have come with what they can and can’t include within our beloved video games.

[sigfredod]

Really, a FPS compared to MGS??? lol

[Hellsvacancy]

It's comparing graphics not gameplay

I would of thought of a couple of better games though. MGS2 didn't look that pretty 12 years ago

Killzone 1 vs Killzone SF

[yellowgerbil]

what are you talking about, MGS 2 looked magnificent when it came out.

[Hellsvacancy]

Compared to the HD collection (which he's playing in the video) it didn't

[mochachino]

MGS 2 looked absolutely incredible when it came out. The rain on the coat alone was amazing.

Did you play MGS 2 several years after it came out?

MGS 2 was a huge leap in graphics. It was the welcome to the next-gen moment. Especially considering MGS1 graphics....

[MysticStrummer]

"It's comparing graphics not gameplay"

Graphics are tied to gameplay in certain ways. It's easier to make a 3rd person stealth game with little destructibility look great than to make a FPS with large destructible levels and long line of sight look great.

"MGS2 didn't look that pretty 12 years ago"

You can't be serious.

EDIT - Ah I see that you mean he's playing the HD collection version, but that just makes the comparison even more meaningless.

[ape007]

"MGS2 didn't look that pretty 12 years ago"

hahahahahah MGS 2 was mindbogglingly extraordinary when it came out

the moment when u first play that demo (that came with ZoE2) will never be forgotten

[MrCrimson]

MGS2 holds up even today man.

[Inception]

"MGS2 didn't look that pretty 12 years ago"

Lol, if you said that 12 years ago, i'm sure a lot of people will reccomend you to check your eyes to the doctor.

[Hellsvacancy]

Wow, talk about misunderstood, 12 years we didn't have HDTVs, MGS2 didn't look as good then as it does now in HD, that's what I was pointing out

[Triella]

@MysticStrummer

I could argue that it's easier to push good graphics in a FPS or any first person perspective game than it is with a third person perspective game because it doesn't require complex animations of your caracter, and there's no need to implement a manual or automated camera-control scheme.

[Bdub2000]

I remember MGS2, back when I didn't pay much attention to graphics and it was all about great game play and an original story. Miss those days a bit...

[Eamon]

Hellsvacancy, I don't think you played MGS2 when it first came out 12 years ago.

The graphics were phenomenal and miles ahead of most of its competition.

I would even say it was better than some early 360/PS3 games.

[mp1289]

even twin snakes that came out three years later looked great, it advertised mgs2 graphics. I could argue mgs2 (2001) had the best graphics ever for its time.

EDIT: nvm, i don't wanna argue anything, but i was also highly impressed by:
-Resident Evil Remake (2002)
-Gears of War (2006)
-Uncharted (2007),Crysis (2007)
-MGS4 (2008)
-Uncharted 2 (2009), Killzone 2 a few months earlier
-Battlefield 3 (2011)
-Uncharted 4??? (2014/5?)
-Lets not forget ps1 and n64 had mgs1 and goldeneye

[Deadpoolio]

It looked good back in the day....MGS 2 hasn't aged well at all, hell it doesn't even look that good in the HD collection

[grimmweisse]

I take it you are 12 years old!

[kevnb]

the hd version is just rendered at higher res, its the same beautiful game. Ill admit the ps2 resolution was pretty damn low, but it was good for the time and the hardware.

[Murad]

You must have been blind 12 years ago, and that's not being offensive, that's telling you the truth. MGS 2 and 3 were nominated for breaking the Ps2's graphical fidelity, same as GoW.

[cell989]

obviously you didnt migrated from PS1 to PS2 or you would have been floored by MGS2 graphics at the time. noob

[SilentNegotiator]

I'll take those MGS2 graphics any day. I hate those unnatural looking lens flare effects and the dirty lens effects; design for function, developers.

[Hellsvacancy]

Wow, sooo many stupid replies, it's pointless trying to explain myself

I didn't say MGS2 looked bad, I said the standard def version (from 12 years ago) does compared to the HD version that was released a while ago

I played MGS2 in my bedroom on a portable 19' standard def tv, played MGSHD Collection on my 42'hdtv

[raWfodog]

Yeah, I would have thought that MGS2 and MGS Ground Zeroes/Phantom Pain provided a far more relevant comparison.

Now I'll go read the article...

Edit: After watching I see that he was comparing the similar environments such as the interior of the ships and the underwater sequences but I still feel it was a pointless comparison.

[geddesmond]

Lol and hes also comparing graphics from 12 years ago even though he's playing the HD version of MGS2 lol. This is just a stupid thing to do.

[Walker]

MGS is FPS too, if you know what i mean !

[ThePope]

Cool comparison

[Gazondaily]

Up next; Vib Ribbon vs Killzone: Shadowfall.

[Lord_Sloth]

You sir have made me laugh. Thank you, I needed it.

[GentlemenRUs]

That game needs to be remade and put as a PSN title! I could get back into that game again!

[jackanderson1985]

why not compare it to battlefield 1942 that's 12 years old

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

Because that would make sense.

We can't be having no sense round' deese parts.

[MysticStrummer]

Harumph!

[guitarded77]

My initial thought... right after thinking that this is the dumbest comparison ever.

[Murad]

I was thinking the same, or even games like IDK, GoW? I mean, MGS 2 did reach a new graphical fidelity within gaming, but so did games like Persona 3, and many others.

[tigertron]

Wouldn't it have been better to have compared MGS2 to MGSV?

[RaidensRising]

It's not a bad comparison if you actually watch the video and get over the fact they are different genres.

[ziggurcat]

... and different POVs...

it's a lousy comparison.

[Kiddcarter]

exactly what ziggurcat said POV is very important when you compare graphics, so just because both games have water and corridors in them doesn't make this a good comparison. whats next crash bandicoot vs next gen nba 2k, just because they both have jumping in them?

[MysticStrummer]

It's a meaningless comparison.

[curtis92]

MGS 2 has aged well for 12 years. That game blew me away when I first saw it. Everyone has their one big moment of wow from graphics, MGS 2 was mine.

[pacosanchez88]

ya im surprised how good it looks even today. i realize its the HD collection but it was very well designed.

on a side note, lens flares in battlefield are so obnoxious. uhhg.

[e-p-ayeaH]

That scene with solid snake jumping with stealth camo was the start of PS2 era for me.

[Murad]

If you think that looks good, play the final mission within MGS and Peace Walker, and you'll be stupefied by how amazing it looks on a 40 inch hdtv.

[DVAcme]

Um, wouldn't it make more sense to compare Battlefield 4 to Battlefield 1942, which came out at almost the same time as MGS2 and is, you know, IN THE SAME SERIES?

And the graphical impact that MGS2 made back when it came out is LEAPS AND BOUNDS over the one Battlefield 4 is making today. Battlefield 4 is just a prettier extension over the previous game. MGS2 was a "holy crap!" moment in both graphical quality and its ability to tell a story. Hell, every MGS game has been a major graphical leap from game to game compared to Battlefield. There is a significant jump in quality from MGS1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5.

[ape007]

" And the graphical impact that MGS2 made back when it came out is LEAPS AND BOUNDS over the one Battlefield 4 is making today. Battlefield 4 is just a prettier extension over the previous game. MGS2 was a "holy crap!" moment in both graphical quality and its ability to tell a story. Hell, every MGS game has been a major graphical leap from game to game compared to Battlefield. There is a significant jump in quality from MGS1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5"

100% agree

[Good-Smurf]

Yep BF4 in many areas gives you too much Dejavu.
MGS2 was like one of the first game to really pushed PS2 hardware and it looked fucking amazing.

[e-p-ayeaH]

it still does :D

[ape007]

Dat MGS 2 Nostalgia

[HmongAmerican]

Wow, turn out the water in MGS2 is looking better then BF4.

[CrossingEden]

Wow I hope you're being sarcastic, there's lying to yourself, and then there's just straight up delusional logic.

[Geobros]

MGS 2 was a great game!!!

[MasterCornholio]

With roller skating obese mad bombers to boot and naked Raiden.

Errrr let's forget about naked Raiden for a minute......

[BlackTar187]

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR SAVE FILE TURN OFF THE SYSTEM AND RESTART.

SNAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE E EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[whybag]

For a minute or forever?

[Soldierone]

In terms of being a video game, MGS2 is still miles better than BF4. Case and point of graphics not meaning everything.

[Inception]

Agreed. When looking at BF4 i just only think about 'cool graphics'. But when looking at MGS2, my brains only tell me one thing 'what a legendary game!'.

[ZodTheRipper]

I hope we reach a point this gen where graphics reach a "good enough" point so that developers worry more about gameplay and story again.

[kingduqc]

I would rather play bf4 then mgs, case in point people have different taste and I don't think you get the point of this video: comparing how did video game evolved on how they look.

I still don't get why bf4 look so ugly, is it console gameplay or?

[Soldierone]

I get the point, but my point is they focus on visuals and that doesn't mean everything. I rather play a game with a story and have fun than have a photo realistic game that I get bored with every 5 minutes. (not saying BF4 is that game, its just an example)

[Donnywho]

I?

[Agent_hitman]

Compare Angry birds to Crysis 3 lolz

[FlyingFoxy]

MGS 2 was the first MGS game i ever played, ironically on Xbox.. But i found it a great game and much more enjoyable than Halo.

I got stuck at the end (i'm guessing) on MGS 2, i forgot most of what happened but there were drone things you had to shoot out of the sky with a sniper rifle while somebody was escaping and for some reason i tried multiple times and never finished it.. always at a certain point too.

[DoctorJones]

I had MGS 2 when it first came out and didn't complete it, I just got fed up with it for whatever reason.

But I've recently gone through it on the MGS collection and really enjoyed it this time, that section you are talking about wasn't too hard really.

I recommend playing through it again if you can, it's well worth doing so. Great game.

[Dazel]

MGS2,still one of my favourite games of all time.

[MasterCornholio]

What a stupid comparison. I don't want to be a part of this.

-gets in cardboard box and sneaks away-

[ShockUltraslash]

The upgrade in graphics from MGS2 to BF4 is equal to the degrade in gameplay and content from BF4 to MGS2.

[CapsLocke]

I never played MGS, but this game despite it age look pretty challenging compared to BF4.

[Cernunnos]

It is an absoloute masterpiece with incredible depth. Every time I play it I uncover a little more between the lines.

[specialguest]

Sigh... I had many chances to play it, and I know it's a good game, but I haven't played it either. It was released during my "party" era. A gap in my video gaming history.

[DCfan]

MGS2 is still a better game.

[quaneylfc]

you should have compared it to ryse, bf4 is bot the best example to have. killzone would have been good if it wasn't an fps

[jmtstan]

why not comparing MGS2 & MGS5, instead of BF4.... if you wanna compare BF4 compare it with BF1 or BF2

[Murad]

Cuz MGS 5 would blow over most if not all the current games that are coming out. I mean did you look at it? The rain and everything look realistic and that was during real time, think about how good the cinematic will be.

[Mister_Dawg]

Who came up with the idea for this dump article?

[Onenyte]

Wtf, this proves nothing.

Dont Click plllleeeeeeease dont click

[RVanner_]

I still think the underwater in MGS2 is pretty good! And I remember thinking so 12 years ago as well.

Replayed the game a while back in the HD collection, still awesome

[kB0]

I don't understand the comparison...it would make more sense to compare games (even graphically) to a game in it's genre and cinematic styles....maybe Uncharted 1/2/3 would be a better option...I mean they both are targeting a very movie like approach to story.

I honestly would have prefered MGS4 vs MGS2 or 3...I mean we see no graphical evolution here, we merely see that new engines of course evolve...

I mean even now we could compare engines in current gen and see one being much prettier than the other... so yeah.

I have to agree that this site was looking for hits.

This type of article writing is what hits the people...I mean at this rate you could say...Doom 1 vs BF4 20 years, first person shooters evolution/graphics.

Except that^ would make much more sense.

To also jot in myself, MGS 2 looked amazing for it's time. It blew my mind, much like Shenmue 1 blue my mind when I played it in 1999.

[e-p-ayeaH]

Shenmue still looks pretty damm amazing the character models and the detailed world around it is trully impressive.

[PS3and4_HAS_GAMES]

Damn watching that brought back some good memories from when I first played this on ps2. I remember not being in to the series and my friend gave me this ge and told me im going to love it and he was so right. Instant classic

[Meltic]

Still MGS2 great graphic for being 12 y old.

[BG11579]

Hell, Metalgear 2 was ahead of its time.

[DCfan]

In almost everything. From gameplay to story to the quirks and weird stuff.

[dillhole]

Wait....is that the PS3 or 360 version of BF4? Or just lots of video compression?

[Bloodshedder]

Kojima ripped off battlefield 4!

[Ps4Console]

MGS always looks good end of .

[shauzy]

they look pretty much the same

[thejigisup]

Hahaha raiden almost drowning because the clunky controls. That probably killed me a few times. I gotta play those mg games again

[HavokPants]

And wii u has to do with this how?
Yeah exactly don't spam a page that has nothing to do with it just because you want people to see it

[floetry101]

Love this kind of comparison. Gaming visuals nowadays don't really have the same kind of generational impact that they did back in the mid-90s or early millennium. Two of the games that absolutely shattered my mind were MGS2 and Final Fantasy VII before it. The opening cutscene of FFVII, seeing it for the first time, would have to be my most unforgettable gaming moment. Of course, seeing the E3 trailer for MGS2 is definitely up there as well. It's a feeling of "I can't believe what I'm seeing right now".

[PS4isKing_82]

I need scissors!! 61!!!

[mastershredder]

Facepalm. Let me compare my hamster to an alligator.

[TomahawkX]

The E3 trailer of MGS2 still gives me chills.

The leap from PS1 to PS2 was huge, way more dramatic than PS3/Xbox360 to PS4/XboxOne.

[DanielForth]

dumb comparison

[Azzanation]

Shenmue was more of a graphic showcase then MGS2, it offered a lot back when the Dreamcast came out and I say Shenmue looks better then MGS2. They should have compared that instead.

[Tornadobounce]

Freeze!