List of Essential and Optional MGS3 Mods / Tweaks

[Fonzie]

Updated on 1/10/2024
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Click Here for Metal Gear Solid 2 Mods / Tweaks-------------------
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Essential Mods:

1. MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com] - (Author: Lyall / Wintermance)
* (New) Now Updated to v2.3 with Support for Game Version 2.0.0
* MGSHDFix allows for a number of improvements to the game such as:
* Fix Aspect Ratio
* Change Mouse Sensitivity
* (New) Ability to Skip the Konami MGS Launcher
* Skip the Konami Intro Warning / Splash Screens
* Fix FOV when using an aspect ratio narrower than 16:9
* Run the game in Windowed or Fullscreen Borderless Mode
* Run the game as your native resolution or set a custom resolution
* Forces the framebuffer size to be the same as the custom resolution.
* (New) Adds support for Steam Deck 16:10 Aspect Ratio and Native resolution
* Increase Anisotropic Filtering (You can also do this via your GPU Control Panel)
* Fix issues related to HUD in MGS2 when you play the game above 720p resolution.
* Extends size of the texture buffers, allowing textures larger than 16MB to be loaded
* Prevents keyboard/mouse input when game window is in the background/unfocused
- Simply edit the MGSHDFix.ini file via Notepad and make any changes you like.
- MGSHDFix files must be installed inside MGS3's root directory "\Steam\steamapps\common\MGS3"

Important Note Regarding the New MGSHDFix v2.3:

- You must delete the previous version of MGSHDFix files and set your game Graphics Settings to "Original" within the Metal Gear Solid 3 Konami Launcher Menu.

2. MGS3MC Better Audio[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: KnightKiIIer)
* Fixes the low quality compressed audio by porting the sound files from the PlayStation 3 HD Collection.

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Optional Mods:

1. MGS3 - High Resolution Textures AI Upscaled[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: liqMix)
- If you plan on installing "Big Slop (4x)" YOU MUST DOWNLOAD AND USE MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com] as it adds support for large texture resolutions. The extracted size of "Big Slop (4x)" comes in at roughly 30GB worth of textures, pretty extreme but why not.

- NOTE: Install MGS3 - High Resolution Textures AI Upscaled FIRST to serve as a baseline before you install and overwrite individual hand made Texture Mods below.

Important Note Regarding the High Resolution Texture mod:

- Make sure to download and install Upscaled Textures (AI Slop Edition) - MGS3 UPDATE Temporary Patch[www.nexusmods.com] As this mod fixes some textures that aren't upscaled for 1.5.1 by the main Upscaled Textures (AI Slop Edition). Download till the author can get around to fixing it themselves, thanks to Afevis[next.nexusmods.com] for all his efforts.
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2. MGS3 - High Resolution UI Textures[drive.google.com] - (Author: mntorankusu)
3. HD Eva body[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: TieuLink)
4. Kojima Selects - HiRes Pinups[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: liqMix)
5. MGS3MC Bandanna Fix[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: GuyOnAChair)
6. Improved Soldier Eyes[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: GuyOnAChair)
7. Red Cross Restoration mod[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: Spingas)
8. Naked Snake Legacy Bandana[www.nexusmods.com] - (iroquoispliskin1972)
9. Cigar Fix[www.nexusmods.com] - (Afevis)

10. MGS3 Crouch Walk[github.com] - (Author: cipherxof)
- This mod ports Crouch Walking from the Nintendo 3DS Version of MGS3. The mod is currently in it's early stages so make sure to regularly check for updates.
- As of 15/11/23 update you no longer need to use the D-Pad to Crouch Walk and Crouch Walking is now possible simply by crouching and using the Analog stick. You can still prone by holding down the crouch button. Be sure to update your mod by overwriting the old files.

11. Solid Snake's Punch Kick Combo[www.nexusmods.com] - (Author: PliskinHunter)
- NOTE: (Snake's Punch Kick Combo) is not Compatible with (MGS3 Crouch
Walk) so only pick one of these mods.

12. Keep Aiming[www.nexusmods.com]- (Author: zenf)
- This mod prevents Snake from lowering his gun after shooting, meaning it will always be ready unless you manually cancel it (L3).
Thanks to Kyo Tanaka for letting me know about this mod.
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Mods no longer necessary as they have been fixed with Patch v1.5.1/2.0.0:

* Green face HD[www.nexusmods.com]
* HD Infinity face[www.nexusmods.com]
* Ending HD Face[www.nexusmods.com]
* HD Damage face[www.nexusmods.com]
* MGS3MC Splitter Face Paint Fix[www.nexusmods.com]
* Better Quality MGS3 Ocelot Face texture[drive.google.com]
* Ocelot PS2 Face Fix[www.nexusmods.com]

Thanks to Afevis for letting me know.
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Afevis Mod Packs:

* Afevis has created a collection of several preconfigured mod packs which automatically configure all your game files/folders as needed for the mods to work with a single click if you rather have a all in one solution with out installing mods individually which you can download here Afevis's MGS3 Mod Pack[next.nexusmods.com].

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Fix for Crash On Startup:

To run the game through the computer's dedicated GPU instead of being forced to use its CPU's integrated graphics, DXVK can be used to fix this issue.

1. If using MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com], go to MGS3 Root Directory at "\Steam\steamapps\common\MGS3" Or you can right click on Metal Gear Solid 3 on Steam > Manage > Browse Local Files which should open the root directory and rename d3d11.dll to wininet.dll.

2. Download dxvk MGS3[drive.google.com] and extract its contents to MGS3 Root Folder as mentioned in Step 1.

3. Press ⊞ Win+R and run dxdiag.

4. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool window, click the Display tab and take note of the dedicated GPU name in the Device box.
Open dxvk.conf in Windows notepad or Notepad++[notepad-plus-plus.org] and type the dedicated GPU's name in-between the quotes, exactly as it reads in the previous step. Save and close the file and run the game.

* Full credit to PCGamingWIKI[www.pcgamingwiki.com] for this guide.

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How to Skip the Konami Launcher On Windows:

With the release of MGSHDFix v2.2[github.com] you are able to skip the Konami Launcher and set your Controller Type, Language, and Region Settings in the "MGSHDFix.ini" file as predefined settings.

1. Download and extract the MGSHDFix v2.3 [github.com] files inside your MGS3's root directory "\Steam\steamapps\common\MGS3". Or you can right click on Metal Gear Solid 3 on Steam > Manage > Browse Local Files which should open the root directory and simply copy the "MGSHDFix" files inside the MGS3 root folder.

2. Simply Open "MGSHDFix.ini" file via Windows Notepad or Notepad++[notepad-plus-plus.org] and edit the following settings to your liking in order to skip the Konami Launcher with your predefined settings.

[Launcher Config]
; If enabled will skip the launcher app and run the game directly
; (options like game language & button style will need to be configured below)
SkipLauncher = true

; CtrlType: PS5, PS4, XBOX, NX, STMD, KBD
CtrlType = PS5
; Language (may depend on Region setting): EN, JP, FR, GR, IT, PR, SP, DU, RU
Language = EN
; Region (MGS3 only): US, JP, EU
Region = US

- NOTE: By default [MGSHDFix v2.2] will skip the Konami Logo and Splash screen during MGS3's loading screen for a seamless transition into the main menu

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Steam Deck Support:

Support for Steam Deck was added in MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com].
Steam Deck users can also enjoy a native 800p (16:10) experience by installing this mod.

1. Switch your Steam Deck to Desktop Mode, download and extract the MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com] files to your MGS3's root directory.

- NOTE: To access the root directory of MGS3 on Steam Deck switch to Desktop mode and right click on Metal Gear Solid 3 on Steam > Manage > Browse Local Files which should open the root folder. Simply copy the MGSHDFix v2.2 files inside the MGS3 folder.

2. Add the Steam Launch Commands to the game by right clicking Metal Gear Solid 3 on your Steam Library > Properties > and copy the following line inside the Launch Options after you installed MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com]

WINEDLLOVERRIDES="wininet,winhttp=n,b" %command%

- Note: As of patch 1.4.1 Steam Deck support is officially added and [xaudio2_9.dll] is included with the game and no longer needs to be manually installed.
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How to Skip the Konami Launcher on Steam Deck:

With the release of MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com] you can Skip the Konami Launcher and set your Controller Type, Language, and Region Settings in the "MGSHDFix.ini".

* After having downloaded and extracted the MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com] files inside your MGS3's root directory simply open MGSHDFix.ini file via a Text Editor in Desktop Mode and edit the following settings to your liking in order to skip the Konami Launcher with your predefined settings.

* To access the root directory of MGS3 on Steam Deck switch to Desktop Mode and right click on Metal Gear Solid 3 on Steam > Manage > Browse Local Files which should open the root folder.

[Launcher Config]
; If enabled will skip the launcher app and run the game directly
; (options like game language & button style will need to be configured below)
SkipLauncher = true

; CtrlType: PS5, PS4, XBOX, NX, STMD, KBD
CtrlType = STMD
; Language (may depend on Region setting): EN, JP, FR, GR, IT, PR, SP, DU, RU
Language = EN
; Region (MGS3 only): US, JP, EU
Region = US

- NOTE: By default [MGSHDFix v2.3] will skip the Konami Logo and Splash screen during MGS3's loading screen for a seamless transition into the main menu

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Save Game Data Location:

* Windows:

"\Steam\steamapps\common\MGS3\mgs3_savedata_win"

* Linux:

"Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2131650/pfx"

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How to fix the issue with Black Bars on side of your screen:

If you have Black Bars on sides of your screen that is because you have a odd resolution added by your TV / Monitor above your native display resolution and the game automatically uses the highest resolution on the list for your display.

You can fix this issue either by using MGSHDFix v2.3[github.com], (simply download it and drop the files into the root directory of your game) or alternatively you can use THIS guide to delete those odd resolutions added by your TV/Monitor by using a small utility called Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) [custom-resolution-utility.en.lo4d.com] which might potentially resolve the same issue in other games also.

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How to fix the issue with the game running too fast:

- Use your Graphics Driver Control Panel to cap the frame rate to 60 FPS
* NVIDIA Control Panel - Screenshot[i.imgur.com]
* Radeon Additional Settings - Screenshot[i.imgur.com]

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Disclaimer:

I did not make any of these mods I'm simply linking them for convenience, All credit goes to the mod authors. Please consider supporting them on their Nexus Page[www.nexusmods.com]

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I've also created a Steam Guide version of this thread:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3082558235

[Dan]

Does this make the game on par with the emulated version now?

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by Vyadhis:

Does this make the game on par with the emulated version now?

Yes more or less, in some ways it’s even better.

[Kaiman]

I would like these texture and UI mods for MGS2 as well

[neon.wir]

Originally posted by Fonzie:

MGSHDFix v7 has added the ability to change mouse sensitivity and skip Konami Intro Logos.

Oh sweet lord, thank you.

[Dugs]

Everything works here except the mouse sensitivity options in the resolution fix, tried everything, and it makes 0 difference in the game, while other options are clearly working, intro skip, 1440p, etc.

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by Dugs:

Everything works here except the mouse sensitivity options in the resolution fix, tried everything, and it makes 0 difference in the game, while other options are clearly working, intro skip, 1440p, etc.

Did you first set the flag from “false” to “true’

[Dugs]

Originally posted by Fonzie:

Originally posted by Dugs:

Everything works here except the mouse sensitivity options in the resolution fix, tried everything, and it makes 0 difference in the game, while other options are clearly working, intro skip, 1440p, etc.

Did you first set the flag from “false” to “true’

Yeah.
I've noticed it works if I also have the DS4 on. But without having a controller plugged in... I get 0 effects from changing the sensitivity value.

[Riverspoke]

Thank you very much :)

[Fonzie]

MGSHDFix has been updated to v8

Changes:

* MGS 2 | MGS 3: Added in HUD/Movie fix for non 16:9 resolutions. Note that this is still currently considered experimental and therefore is disabled by default in the ini.
* MGS 2 | MGS 3: Added experimental anisotropic filtering option to increase texture detail at oblique angles. Please report any issues you find with this. (#31)
* MGS 2 | MGS 3: Intro skip is now enabled by default. (#23)
* MGS 3: Adjusted mouse sensitivity hook to fix crashing and added independent X and Y sensitivity control. (#24)
* All: Added framebuffer fix toggle. You can disable this fix to add pillarboxing/letterboxing if required. (#19)
* All: Added toggle to disable background input when using windowed/borderless. No more phantom inputs when you alt tab. (#27) (#32)
* MG1/MG2: Added HUD fix that is forced on at non-16:9 resolutions so the game always displays in the correct aspect ratio.

[Fonzie]

I added three new optional mods to the list above:

* HD Damage face [www.nexusmods.com]
* HD Eva body [www.nexusmods.com]
* Better Quality MGS3 Ocelot Face texture[www.nexusmods.com]

[XspartanTT]

Modding this game is incredibly easy, and the results are Amazing!

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by XspartanTT:

Modding this game is incredibly easy, and the results are Amazing!

Yeah that's one good thing about this PC version, mods are just drag and drop to the root directory for the most part.

[ivanproff]

Originally posted by Fonzie:

Fixes the low quality compressed audio by porting the sound files directly from the PlayStation 2 Version of the game

That's not true, author said that "it's 90% PS3 and 10% Switch mix"

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by ivanproff:

Originally posted by Fonzie:

Fixes the low quality compressed audio by porting the sound files directly from the PlayStation 2 Version of the game

That's not true, author said that "it's 90% PS3 and 10% Switch mix"

Oh Ok I will fix that thanks for the heads up, sorry I thought it was the PS2 files

[Fonzie]

Originally posted by Dugs:

Originally posted by Fonzie:

Did you first set the flag from “false” to “true’

Yeah.
I've noticed it works if I also have the DS4 on. But without having a controller plugged in... I get 0 effects from changing the sensitivity value.

You should try and see if MGSHDFix v8 [github.com] fixes that for you.