Alright, Metal Gear fans, gather 'round. I've got some news about the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, and it's a bit of a mixed bag. It seems that the collection won't be including the original version of Metal Gear Online that came with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Yeah, I know, that sucks.

For those who might not remember or weren't around back then, Metal Gear Online (MGO) was a pretty big deal. It was a dedicated online multiplayer experience built into MGS4. Think tactical espionage action with your buddies (or total strangers) trying to outwit each other. It had its own maps, modes, and progression system. It was a unique experience that some players remember fondly.

So, why isn't it included? Well, there hasn't been an official explanation, but I can speculate. Back in the day, MGO relied on servers and infrastructure that are, well, gone now. Rebuilding that whole system, rebalancing the gameplay, and ensuring it works seamlessly with the collection might have been a herculean effort. It's possible Konami felt it wasn't worth the time or resources. It's a real loss, since it's a part of the MGS4 experience, but, for what I see, the game servers and the whole architecture is outdated, and this adds complexity to the product development.

While this news might sting, it's not all doom and gloom. Let's not forget about the rest of the collection. We are still getting a chance to replay some classic Metal Gear titles. Hopefully, the improvements and enhancements they're making to the single-player experiences will make up for the absence of MGO. I'm gonna keep an open mind and try to focus on the positives here! Despite the absence of MGO, the Master Collection Vol. 2 will surely be a great product.