Are there any changes from the original versions in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection?

Question

I'm wondering if there are differences between the original versions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 for PS2 and the HD Collection for the 360? What are the pros and cons?

Will the HD Collection have any new extra perks/easter eggs like the original MGS had lots of?

I already have both a 360 and a PS2, so there is no investment to be made. I have also completed both games on the PS2 before.

Answer

The only "pro" for PS2 I can think of are better analog button controls for the PS2 version (the PS2 has analog controls on all buttons except start and select and this was supported in MGS2, specifically for aiming and perhaps for something else).

Other than that, I think the HD version will be the better choice, first of all is the HD aspect, meaning upscaled graphics, but also worth mentioning that included are the later version of both games, Substance for MGS2 and Subsistence for MGS3, which included extra content and in the case of MGS3, a new camera option. Also included in the package is the PSP game which wasn't available for either platform before.

In cocnclusion, I say the HD collection all the way.

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Is there anything I can do about the poor quality of my PS2 games on a large TV?

Question

Last year when I moved from being a highschool student to a full-time web developer, I found myself with a never before seen abundance of money.

Of course the first thing I did was go out and purchase a 50" Plasma TV for my tiny room.

I also bought an XBOX 360, having before this only being able to afford a PS2.

The XBOX looks great (with a HDMI cable), but a couple of days ago I had an itch for playing through Final Fantasy X, XII and X-2. Unfortunately, the render quality on my new 50" TV doesn't look anywhere near as nice as it did on my old 65CM box TV that is now about 10 years old. I'm guessing this has something to do with stretching the game up so much.

Is there anything I can do about this aside from buying an older/smaller TV?

Answer

Have you got a component video cable (that's the official Sony variant, but many generic ones are available for cheaper) for your PS2? Most PS2s came with composite video cables (1 video and 2 audio outputs) This cable has 3 video outputs and 2 audio outputs. You can pick them up cheaply nowadays.

You can also edit the PS2's output format in its setup, which is easiest to access if you don't put a disc in the drive when you start up the PS2. You can edit the various options there to try and get a better looking picture on the TV. Most modern TVs also have options for dealing with lower resolution inputs, so you'll want to play with your TV options as well to ensure the best picture possible.

Only certain games support 480p output, which is the only HD output format that the PS2 supports.

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How can I make progress in Tartarus very early in the game?

Question

I have Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 for PS2, but I am having a lot of trouble with the game. I haven't beaten the first dungeon.

I never seem to have enough potions on me - I buy as many as I can afford, but by the last few floors, I'm all out, and my characters are all nearly out of their green bar (magic points?). So I have to leave the dungeon, and start all over again, and ultimately end up in the same situation.

Can you offer any advice? What am I doing wrong? Is there a way to leave and re-enter to resume where I left off?

Answer

Ok, the Persona 3 dungeon is not unlike a roguelike dungeon; it is entire randomized and "resets" every time you leave. However, it does have some special, "fixed" levels (and some roguelikes do things like this, e.g. ADOM). On some of these levels you will find teleporters or something along those lines. So yes, eventually you can start "farther in".

Your immediate goals should be to build up strength so you can make a push to the first such area. It is expected that you won't be able to get to it right away. So take your characters in, level, get new persona, fuse when it looks like a good idea (you might find fusing frustrating though. I would recommend looking at a guide even if you don't want to be spoiled for the rest of the game). Eventually you will climb that first hump and be able to go deeper in and get a foothold, as it were.

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Is there a way to tell if a PS2 will support YPbPr?

Question

My TV (a JVC) has component input, labeled "Y Pb Pr" on the case. I ordered a PS2, and the manual says that it supports "Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr" (but doesn't mention "Y Pb Pr").

According to a review on AMZN, these are not the same thing, and the PS2 doesn't support "Y Pb Pr". But according to other reports I've seen, even though a PS2 doesn't claim to support "Y Pb Pr", it works just fine with a component cable and a "Y Pb Pr" TV.

Are "Y Pb Pr" and "Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr" the same thing? And assuming they are not, is there any way to predict (from the model/serial number or such) whether my PS2 will work with a component cable with my TV? I'm willing to pay a few bucks for better video quality, but if I know in advance it's a lost cause, I'd rather save the bucks.

Answer

YP_BP_R and Y P_B/C_B P_R/C_R are compatible: the slashes in the latter indicates it supports both YP_BP_R and YC_BC_R, which—for most intents and purposes—are the same thing.

The difference, if you're interested (from Wikipedia):

YP_BP_R is the analog version of the YC_BC_R color space; the two are numerically equivalent, but YP_BP_R is designed for use in analog systems whereas YC_BC_R is intended for digital video.

From the Wikipedia entry on YC_BC_R:

YC_BC_R is sometimes abbreviated to YCC. Y′C_BC_R is often called YP_BP_R when used for analog component video, although the term Y′C_BC_R is commonly used for both systems, with or without the prime.

Amazon is sometimes a wretched hive of scum and villainy: more often than not, reviews claim a problem is caused by a product when in fact it's caused by something unrelated but unbeknownst to the reviewer. Having had a PS2 hooked up to an analog and a digital TV over the lifespan of the PS2, I can confirm it supports both just fine.

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Searching for a PS2 game set in the early 2000s

Question

I'm looking for a Playstation 2 game released in the early 2000s. I remember a guy with yellow spiky hair, and a woman jumping off a skyscraper and loosening her clothes (this graphic returned in the game as a transformation ability).

It was a 3d world, and the setting was America in the early 1900s (don't pin me on this, American history isn't my subject). After you exited the screen, you would get to a world map where you could select where to go.

As for the battle system, there would be a big coin like thing where a radius would run around, you had to hit square in the highlighted area to commence the attack. With this you could either attack 4 times or not at all, in a turn.

Some areas I remember the name of were Alcatraz prison and a university. I don't remember anything else.

Answer

Shadow Hearts seems to fit your description. PS2 RPG, released in 2001, World War 1 alternative history setting, a ring used in battle and minigames to gauge success.

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Searching for a PS2 game set in the early 1900s

Question

I'm looking for a Playstation 2 game released in the early 2000s. I remember a guy with yellow spiky hair, and a woman jumping off a skyscraper and loosening her clothes (this graphic returned in the game as a transformation ability).

It was a 3d world, and the setting was America in the early 1900s (don't pin me on this, American history isn't my subject). After you exited the screen, you would get to a world map where you could select where to go.

As for the battle system, there would be a big coin like thing where a radius would run around, you had to hit square in the highlighted area to commence the attack. With this you could either attack 4 times or not at all, in a turn.

Some areas I remember the name of were Alcatraz prison and a university. I don't remember anything else.

Answer

Shadow Hearts seems to fit your description. PS2 RPG, released in 2001, World War 1 alternative history setting, a ring used in battle and minigames to gauge success.

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Where is the best place to farm experience in Final Fantasy XII?

Question

I have just finished the Pharos tower at Ridorana where you must fight Gabranth, Famfrit and Dr. Cid. My Party is currently at an average level of 48. I am trying to figure out where would be the best place to start farming experience.

I have thought of chaining Helvinik in the Necrohol of Nabudis, but when I went to the necrohol, I mostly got between 1k - 1,2k experience per kill.

Surely there must be some faster way or some better place to farm experience. If anyone can point the location out to me, I would gladly appreciate it. Even if it means I must push out tremendous damage to survive (I have the zodiac spear), it would be no problem.

The reason why I ask this question is that , so far, every youtube video I have seen had their characters far beyond level 60. Well, most of them...

Answer

The best place to grind for experience is at Pithead Junction C in the Henne Mines. Use the switch and kill the Abysteels. Flip the switch and kill more Abysteels. Repeat as needed.

You can also chain the Dead Bones (found in Nabreus Deadlands / Overlooking Eternity) for a pretty good amount of experience.

Equipping your characters with Embroidered Tippets will ensure that you make the most use of the experience.

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How do you get "Slashing Sword "Farewell"" in Valkyrie Profile 2?

Question

Yes, Another game I'm busy with. I have recently read of a light warrior sword called "Slashing Sword "Farewell"", and I am aware that other weapons like these are obtained when certain characters leave your party at certain levels in certain chapters.

The question is, this is one of the swords that I have had a lot of difficulty with to get. Anyone know how I can obtain "Slashing Sword "Farewell""? I couldn't find a decent walk-through to help me on this one.

Answer

The Valkyria Profile Wiki on Wikia states that the sword is obtained at the end of Chapter 3 when Leone leaves the party. Leones page (under bonus items) states that she must be between level 35-40+ for the sword to appear, while the page for the sword simply states level 40+.

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