Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty is responsible for selling a lot of PlayStation 2s. It was the first game on that console to demonstrate truly impressive next-gen visuals, and as a sequel to a much-loved predecessor it was inevitable that people would hype it up, big time. And so it proved - when it was released towards the beginning of 2002, cartload upon cartload of copies were sold.

So, around a year later, Xbox owners get a souped-up version of the game in the shape of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance. As well as the original Sons Of Liberty, there's a load of extra material here for Snake fans to foam over. VR missions - much like those in the add-on disc for the PS one original - make an appearance, and there are five sizeable new missions for Snake to pitter-patter his silent but deadly thang through. Not to mention more options for the main game itself.

But there's one thing for our mulleted hero to consider these days: Xbox is more dangerous territory for Snake than PS2 was. Over here there's a certain super-stealthy and equally gruff Sam Fisher of Splinter Cell fame to think about. And know what? Sam can grow a better beard than Snake. So in this exalted company, exactly what is Substance made of? One of the first things that hits you about the game - and stays with you throughout your time with it - is that there are so many things to admire. If God is in the detail, then Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is like the Holy Grail with the Lord's Prayer inscribed around its outer rim. And brim full of blessed wine.

There are just so many little touches to enjoy. The first to grab our attention was the poster of an attractive, scantily clad young lady on the inside of a locker door. No surprise there, then. And what's more, you can get in and hide in these lockers. Just make sure you duck when a guard passes by in case he peers through the grill. Place a call back to HQ on your radio (or Codec, as the game calls it) while you're hidden and they'll even strike up an amusing conversation about the last time Snake was caught hiding in a locker!

Yes, you'll find everything is consistent within Snake's world, and this is pretty much the best thing about the whole game. Find a large cardboard box and you can hide in it while guards walk past - still an impressive routine, even after all these years. Puncture a fire extinguisher and the resultant mist will reveal any infrared security grids in the vicinity. Attention to detail - you've got to love it. Especially when it means running through bird crap too fast makes you slip and fall into it.

You only see this kind of thing in games that are labours of love. And it extends everywhere. The visuals aren't as technically impressive on Xbox as they were on the PS2, but it's difficult to care really - the whole thing still looks damn fine. It has a very distinct, comic book style that's all its own. Sure, everything is a bit brown and green, but it's still cool.

And to add to this classy presentation are the music and sound effects. The music, by a seasoned Hollywood score writer, is as stirring and atmospheric as you could hope for. And sound effects are well used, especially the nerve-shredding shriek that rings out every time you're detected by a guard.

But for all the incredibly high production values, MGS2 just ain't all that. Imagine this scene, if you will: you're going to a party that everyone has been talking about for ages. Chances are, you're really looking forward to going to it. Think of the possibilities, of what might happen... you might

bump into a long lost friend, meet the love of your life, or just have a generally great time dancing about like a prat and laughing at rude ice sculptures. You may even choose to hang about in the kitchen, adopting a "cooler than you" pose for a while.

But imagine you're at that party, ready to have the time of your life, only you've got your mobile phone with you. And then your mother calls you up every thirty seconds or so, interrupting nearly everything you try and do, everyone you try and talk to - basically making it completely impossible to enjoy yourself.

Well, that's a lot like the feeling you'll get from MGS2. The game's obsession with cutscenes is well documented, but even if you've heard that a million times you'll still be amazed at just how intrusive they are. And most of them aren't even proper cutscenes, either - you just see the heads of two characters talking to each other over the Codec, while you read the reams and reams of utter drivel they spout so endlessly.

You might hear from some that the game is a masterpiece, a clever blurring of interactivity and film that pushes the boundaries of gaming in compelling and exciting directions. Not from us, though. To us, a game is something you play with, have fun with. That's not what you get with this. All the shots you see over these pages make it look really good, that's true. But the reality's not so great. The Codec scenes just go on, and on, and on. Then, when you finally get control and think you're going to do something cool, you walk five yards and the bloody thing starts up again. The game has completely disappeared up its digital arse, forcing the player - reader, more like - to wade through conversation after tedious conversation.

This is all the more frustrating because the actual game is rather good - when you're allowed to play it. Although we have to say that after Splinter Cell, it can be frustrating to have such a restricted view of the action. Whereas in Fisher's game you could manipulate the camera with the right stick, here you must put your back against a wall to force the camera into giving you a glimpse of what lies ahead. Very much like the first MGS, then - fun, very polished, but you never quite feel you're allowed to enjoy it as much as you want to.

Thankfully, though, there's more to it than this. If you are a big fan of all things Solid Snake then there's absolutely loads for you here. The five new Snake Tales provide some satisfying mini adventures for our slightly camp hero to expertly stealth through, and the VR missions test each and every aspect of the player's skills until honed to perfection. They're also free of constant interference from the Codec - although in the absence of that loathsome device, there's a pause between failing the objective and being able to have another go that can become irritating.

All in all, then, assessing the worth of Substance to you, the reader, is a little tricky. There are two groups of you - those who've already played the main game on PS2, and those who haven't. So, group A, listen up: if you've already played MGS2 on PlayStation 2, you'll most likely already know if you want more. If you loved it and the cutscenes didn't grate, then the extras here will offer you hours of additional entertainment. But if you couldn't see what all the fuss is about, then don't bother.

Group B - you're a bit trickier. There are loads of things to admire here as, after all, it's the most complete MGS experience ever burned onto disc. But you should be warned it can be frustratingly difficult to sit down and enjoy without having reams of cheesy, convoluted chatting rammed in your face. In many ways it's a lot easier to admire MGS2 than it is to enjoy it. But, ultimately, if you just want to enjoy a stealthy insertion or two, we reckon you're better off with Splinter Cell.

1. Great looks
2. Amazing attention to detail
3. High production values
4. Loads of new content

1. Cutscenes spoil the fun, big time

Power
Basically a PS2 port, so it doesn't stretch the Xbox - but even so there's some slight slowdown.

Style
Superlatively stylish, with brilliant animation and a unique feel. High quality stuff.

Immersion
You really want to get into the game, but the endless cutscenes make that frustratingly difficult.

Lifespan
In addition to the main game, there are loads of extras to try, including VR and bonus levels.

Summary
There are tons of things to admire, but the constant interruptions really, really grate and very nearly spoil the fun.