Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker exists as something of an outlier. Originally released for PSP before receiving an HD remaster, this 2010 entry is arguably just as seminal to the series’ as its more widely available titles. See, Peace Walker introduced ideas that would later become fundamental to later entries, so it’s well worth revisiting Big Boss’ portable adventure as part of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2. Here’s everything you need to know about Master Collection Vol. 2’s Peace Walker before deciding whether it belongs in your library.
Set During the Cold War
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker takes place in 1974 during a tense stretch of the Cold War. Following the events of Portable Ops and the San Hieronymo incident, Big Boss establishes the mercenary faction Militaires Sans Frontières as both a haven for ostracised soldiers and as an enterprise selling military services outside of political ideologies. Peace Walker marks an important chapter in Big Boss’s story, bridging Naked Snake’s idealism in Metal Gear Solid 3 to the hypocritical figure questing for vengeance in Metal Gear Solid V.
A Narrative and Structural Precursor to MGSV
Peace Walker is significant elsewhere as it lays much of the groundwork for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and its Ground Zeroes prelude. The creation of Mother Base, the philosophical rejection of national governments, shielding soldiers from state control, and using the Fulton Extraction System itself for recruitment were all key ideas that progressed into MGSV. Likewise, Peace Walker’s base building, resource management, and mission-based progression provide The Phantom Pain’s structural foundation, meaning it isn’t just a handheld curiosity but an essential entry for the series.
The Fulton System and Mother Base are Defining Features
Despite appearing in earlier entries, Peace Walker positions the Fulton Extraction System as a more crucial part of its progression, allowing Big Boss – operating under his preferred ‘Snake’ codename – to extract incapacitated or surrendered enemies and recruit them into Militaires Sans Frontières. Recruits can then be assigned to different roles within Mother Base, developing weapons, refining equipment, and expanding your private army with soldiers harbouring unique stats and skill abilities. Managing Mother Base moulds into a satisfying progression loop, where completing missions strengthens MSF which then gives you more personnel, tools, and options to overcome the challenges ahead.
It’s a Long Game If You Want to Do Everything
Peace Walker’s story campaign takes approximately twenty hours to complete, but if you want to witness the alternative ‘true’ ending, substantially upgrade your base and gear, and clear the optional Extra Ops missions then you’ll need to set aside thirty hours or more. For completionists – that is: S-ranking all missions and maxing Mother Base development – you’ll commit around ninety-five to one-hundred hours. Peace Walker was considered a huge undertaking back in its PSP heyday, but even by today’s standards it’s a sizeable offering.
Vol. 2 is the HD Collection Version of Peace Walker
Just like Master Collection Vol. 1, the games in Vol. 2 aren’t ground-up rebuilds but remastered ports of older versions. For Peace Walker, Vol. 2 is based on the PS3 / Xbox 360-era HD Collection remaster, which improved the PSP original’s visuals and performance, while adopting more universal dual-analog stick controls away from the Sony handheld’s idiosyncratic layout.
PS5, Series X, and PC Can Reach 4K/60fps
Compared to that 2011 HD version, Master Collection Vol. 2’s Peace Walker receives a considerable technical uplift on modern hardware, with PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC versions capable of running at up to 4K resolution at 60fps. Xbox Series S is slightly more limited, however, reaching up to 1440p at 60fps. Not as sharp as its Series X counterpart, no, but still a significant improvement over the original PSP and HD releases.
Switch and Switch 2 Have Performance Differences
As is to be expected, there are substantial differences between the two generations of Nintendo Switch hardware. The original Switch version is locked to 720p and 30fps whether played handheld or docked. The Switch 2, meanwhile, can reach 1080p and 60fps in both modes, making the modern option a considerably smoother version of a handheld-originating game.
Four Resolution Settings Answer a Major Vol. 1 Complaint
In providing four resolution settings, Master Collection Vol. 2 looks to answer a major, and still controversial, complaint surrounding the launch of Vol. 1 and its up-converted 720p resolutions. This time, side-stepping Vol. 1’s frustration, Konami is providing direct resolution control in Vol. 2 on release rather than introducing them in a post-launch update. These four settings include ‘Original’ which locks you into the HD-era’s aesthetic, an ‘Adjusted’ mode which automatically pushes your display to its hardware limit, a ‘High Resolution’ mode which sharpens pre-rendered assets, and ‘Custom’ which allows you to finetune specific settings. Each of these four modes are available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC, with Switch 1 excluded.
You Can Remap Controls
Another of Master Collection Vol. 1’s launch issues was that control setups were locked. Vol. 2, instead, provides fully custom input remapping from day one, including system-wide binds across console and PC allowing you to manually remap every individual input to your preference and setup. PC players can also use re-mappable mouse and keyboard controls too, giving you another way to play if you’re not comfortable with a controller.
High-Resolution Cutscenes Aren’t Necessarily Available at Launch
Vol. 2 Peace Walker’s cutscenes can be displayed in either their original display or high-resolution presentation through the game’s Custom settings. However, there’s an important caveat here: Konami currently says the release timing for the high-resolution cutscene display will be announced at a later date. Therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that every high-resolution cutscene will be available when the collection launches.
Online Co-Op and Competitive Multiplayer Supported
Vol. 2’s Peace Walker also retains its multiplayer modes, with online Co-Ops supporting between two and four players, whether that’s the sequential narrative levels – Main Ops – or the standalone Extra Ops side challenges. The competitive-leaning Versus Ops, however, supports six player matches, although another important caveat: online play throughout Master Collection Vol. 2 is not cross-platform, so you’ll need your friends to be on the same platform as you if you’d like to experience the game together.
Boss Fights
One thing to keep in mind while playing Peace Walker is that, unlike other games in the series, most of the bosses you’ll face are mechs and military vehicles. While that can be somewhat disappointing, the climactic battles against Peace Walker itself are memorable. And as for that final secret boss? Yeah, let’s not even go there.
Vol.1 Save Data Unlocks an In-Game Bonus
If you’ve already played through Master Collection Vol. 1 and you’ve the relevant save data then you can use that to unlock a bonus Peace Walker Gold Uniform to use in-game. The only requirement is that the save data needs to be tied to the same account and be present on the relevant system.
The Collection Includes Books and a Digital Soundtrack
Master Collection Vol. 2 comes with a couple of Peace Walker-specific extras if you’re a fan who wants to delve deeper into the original game’s story and development: the Peace Walker Screenplay Book and the Peace Walker Master Book. Vol. 2 also includes a digital soundtrack featuring music from across the collection. Since Peace Walker can be purchased individually, these items that are exclusive to the collection might convince you to buy the full package.
Release Date, Platforms, and Price
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 releases in both physical and digital editions on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Xbox Series S and PC via Steam are also available, with these versions being digital only. Pricewise, the collection retails for $49.99, and the launch date is August 27th.
