All On Syphon Filter

Certainly not for average players. This is for people who skip the codec and cutscenes, otherwise your playing would be interupted by a lot which makes it harder to keep a solid performance.

So I thought. I did played a few times skipping all cutscenes and codec calls in order to get some specific items, but I really enjoy it far less than when I play for the storyline. My rankings are usually pretty average and I don't truly aim for better.

Yeah this is a challenge for the pro's that’s for sure, it’s usually hardcore gamers who have finished the game more than they can remember that go for this rank. So we’ve already seen all the cut scenes umpteen times and have no desire to see them again unless we are playing with someone who hasn’t seen the game before.

This was the game that introduced me to speed runs (the PSX version) back in ’98, when I found out you had to complete the game in less than 3 hours to get the best rank I just had to try it, no turning back since then. Even when going for a scratch perfect stat Foxhound run in less than 2 hours on MGS3, now that was bloody hard.

It must have been. Have you been able to reach the rop rank in all MGS so far?

Out of all the MGS games I have, the only one I haven't done is this game. I want to enjoy this Bigboss run like my MGS2 Bigboss run, I don't want it to feel like a chore.

MGS can certainly be played for performance but skipping the less important conversation is a must. When I do I usually skip quickly through the useless codec calls, and read the important once and listen to the voices to a very important call.

Time would not be a big concern if I were to try a Bigboss run. I've already done a few runs within pretty respectable times (when I skipped the cutscenes of course). What annoys me the most, is the thought of going at this speed without being spotted at all! I'm not that good at staying low, I'm always busted a few times for stupid reasons. Furthermore, you can only save a couple of times (once or twive maybe depending on the game). So if I get spotted, I would have to start all over from the last save which could have been done a long time ago! That's depressing...

Yeah I know that feeling, 8 saves with MGS2 made that Bigboss run very difficult. You can save up to 25 times on MGS3 and you have 5 hours to finish it (can be done in 1:30), so that game is much more player friendly to Bigboss/FoxHound runners and MGS: TTS gives you 80 saves, just like the original.

I refuse to do no-save runs because I hate wasting my time, unless I’m forced to unlock some feature like the rocket launcher in Resident Evil: CVX.

I would get crazy if I had to play a game without saving. Yet, it depends on the game: in some it's very easy to be game over, whereas other are more forgiving. I don't know about RE though.

What's the diffenrence again between the ranks Bigboss and Foxhound in MGS3? I read it somewhere a long time ago and don't remember it. Still, 25 saves allowed is a lot easier than I expected (yet I'm not ready to try it soon!)

Konami named the best rank in MGS3 FoxHound (the name of the CIA unit that you are a part of). Because the main character is given the Bigboss rank at the end of the game, so from then on the highest rank is Bigboss.

I suggest going for the second highest rank Fox, you must meet the same requirements on hard mode. The boss fights are crazy on extreme, on hard they just do more damage and you do less. I always do a Fox run before I do a Bigboss/FoxHound run for the first time, it builds up the skills needed for extreme.

Well I just recall playing Extreme in MGS2 and I never got past Vamp. I got there with too few rations, so I had no way of regaining my energy and got killed each time with two hits. I also had a hard time against the Harrier.
Anyway, I figure they are just as difficult in MGS3. Also, I heard you had a special Extreme mode in the PAL version that is even harder than "normal" extreme, is that right?

Well the fact that you got past the Harrier on extreme is remarkable, that’s what I had the most trouble with, not getting hit by all that damn gunfire while dodging 20+ missiles is quite a challenge and Vamp.... well I’m not surprised you couldn’t defeat him, I couldn’t either, until I found Takeshi’s no-save no-damage Bigboss run (wow) on the net, he used some awesome tactic where he would hang off the ledge (feet in water) and wait for Vamp to walk up to him, then jump up and start the punch kick combo on him, Vamp would turn around and try to hit him and he would just calmly stand back and dodge it then do the punch kick combo again. Once I mastered this technique Vamp was simple, Oh yeah, shoot out the lights then he can’t use that damn trapped-your-shadow-immobilisation move.


Yeah mate, European Extreme. We got that in MGS2 as well and it’s much more difficult than extreme in that game (they made it real crazy, too crazy). MGS3’s EE mode however is almost the same as extreme, the only difference is the game is over if you get caught.

I see. I think it's a good way to increase the difficulty (I'm talking about MGS3) in an new way that's different from just increasing damage you get.
About MGS2, I can't imagine how EE is... how can you be more vulnerable than in regular extreme? What, you get killed just if an enemy looks at you? thinks about you?


Yeah, it took me a while (and I mean A WHILE!) too with the Harrier. I also made a few mistakes that caused me to have only one ration when walking into Vamp. I also was stupid enough to save just right in front of the door that leads to his chamber, preventing me from changing anything to my situation... Anyway, I nearly defeated him once, but I got screwed when he becomes crazy at the end and jumps everywhere while throwing bunches of knives. Well, I've given up playing too long ago to have to courage to try again. I would have to beat the game a couple times in order to get my agility back.

I can say with honesty. I beated both MGS2 and MGS3 on Extreme.

Actaully its Fortune I had the most trouble with, my reflexs are very slow. The Harrier isn't hard, you can sneak three hits at as soon as the fight begins. You can avoid the machine gun shots and missiles, by flipping over a railing the exact time the harrier attacks. Don't worry you eventually get the right timing eventually. Vamp is hard, took me hours. But not that hard, just use C4s to get him when he is on low health and is hopping around the place like mad.

Metal Gear Ray and Solidus I explain to you make it to that point.

European Extreme, I don't think any human has beaten it on that mode for MGS2. Did it on MGS3.

Note for non PAL people, European Extreme is available in Substance and Subsistence.

Is it really worth it to buy Substante or Subistence if you already own SOL and MGS3?

Damn right it is, 500+ VR missions on MGS2: Substance (plus heaps of other stuff) warrants the purchase in my opinion and MGS3: Subsistence is awesome, Duel mode for NTSC gamers (PAL already had it), the original MG and MG2 slightly revised, some cut scenes have been fixed up and few other things I can’t remember right now.


Well the only thing I know for sure is the Solidus choke hold at the end of the game is too hard for 90% of gamers, now I’m a veteran button masher from way back (got a 7.42 second 100 meter sprint in International Track & Field on the PSX) but I still haven’t built up the guts needed to attempt a EE run on MGS2, let alone try to get the Bigboss rank which I hear a couple of Japanese gamers have done.

Just do that trick with the spoon or the pen for Solidus.

Or buy a turbo-controller, if you don't own a pen or spoon.

I own Substance and Subsistence and I can say......

Substance is not really worth it, because its very expensive even used, and the extra content is a bit underrated.

Subsistence is essential for any MGS fan, because you get the first two Metal Gears and as well as the 3D camera, which makes story mode worth playing again.

Just do that trick with the spoon or the pen for Solidus.

Or buy a turbo-controller, if you don't own a pen or spoon.

I own Substance and Subsistence and I can say......

Substance is not really worth it, because its very expensive even used, and the extra content is a bit underrated.

Subsistence is essential for any MGS fan, because you get the first two Metal Gears and as well as the 3D camera, which makes story mode worth playing again.

That's just it mate, I don't need to, I'm a lot faster using my controlled-muscle-spasm technique (as my crazy 100 meter time suggests), the problem is; it’s very taxing on the arm. When I did my Bigboss run I almost died of pain because it’s 30 seconds of non-stop button mashing.


Yes, that’s reminds me, I own a macro pad (input commands, then press one button to repeat the command, e.g. a fireball in Street Fighter). My brother gave it to me for my birthday years ago and I’ve only used it for auto-levelling in RPG’s. I can use that because if you enter one command it repeats it at the speed of light!

I’m now getting the MGS itch... big time...

Ah crap, my savefile got erased by my AR Max, so I’m going to have to do everything again on MGS2... those VR missions can get real repetitive and I’ve yet to play SF: Dark Mirror... hmm... I might just run through on Hard quickly to unlock EE and see if I still want to do an EE run.


In my opinion, that’s one of the reasons it’s worth it. It’s rare.

Yes collecting Metal Gear is fun.

P.S. My memory card with EVERYTHING died last week. So your not alone.