Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was first released in 2001.
Konami launched the PlayStation 2 game in Japan on November 29, 2001, followed by North American and European releases in 2001. It was the direct sequel to the 1998 PlayStation game Metal Gear Solid.
The game begins with Solid Snake investigating a tanker, but most of its story follows Raiden at the Big Shell facility. This structure often leads people to remember its release as a later PlayStation 2 title, although it arrived relatively early in that console's life.
The expanded Substance edition followed in 2002, adding extra missions and modes. Substance is an enhanced version, not the year in which Sons of Liberty originally debuted.