Metal Gear Solid 4 Previews, Metal Gear Online and Bundles+Editions.

[Croyles]

Here is a damn great and long preview for those who have not read it.

Images: IGN: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Screenshots, Wallpapers and Pics (http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/714/714044/imgs_1.html)

Metal Gear Solid 4 Hands-on
I'm the first American in the world to have beaten MGS4, which is freaking awesome.
by Jeff Haynes


April 2, 2008 - Three weeks ago, Konami extended a once in a lifetime invitation to a handful of journalists. Fourteen people from around the world gathered together at the Konami Super Campus in Nasu to experience one of the most anticipated titles in recent history, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in a specialized boot camp for the game. We weren't simply shown snippets of levels or gameplay demos; instead, we were sequestered for three days at their facility for two specific tasks. The first task was that we were to play through the entire title from start to finish with the Konami team gathering our stats and play information as we progressed.

The second task was much more important, because at the end of every gameplay session, we were asked to provide detailed feedback, which would be given to the development team to make adjustments to the final build of the title. We weren't alone in experiencing the game in this way; Kojima himself was replaying the title at the same time we were, going through the same gameplay sections and feedback tasks as we were. In effect, we became part of the design team. As I stated earlier, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, especially for any Metal Gear Solid fan. Not only were we getting a chance to complete the game before anyone else, but we were making an impact on the overall game that will launch worldwide on June 12th.


The final chapter in the 20-year franchise that constantly redefined the stealth action genre, Metal Gear Solid 4 brings Solid Snake back out of the shadows for one final mission to eliminate his nemesis, Liquid Ocelot. But, like every other Metal Gear Solid game, there's much more going on than a simple assassination. I certainly won't spoil the plot points or the story here; there is only so much that I'm allowed to talk about, after all. Instead, I will go into more detail on a section we've previously covered: the Middle East area that Snake has infiltrated in released trailers or demos.

But let me first preface that statement with one new piece of info that we hadn't previously known. Whereas previous Metal Gear Solid games have been relatively linear in their approach, MGS4 is much more of an open-world affair. While there are still specific locations that Snake will need to get to (which will constantly be indicated on Snake's mini-map), the environments that he finds himself in will provide multiple paths to get him to his eventual destination. This provides much more flexibility in how you fight your way through the battlefields that engulf MGS4.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/1.jpg
Snake will come across the horrors of war.

As we were told in last year's E3 trailer, war has completely changed the world. No longer is it a breakdown of diplomacy between countries – conflict has become a financial factor by itself, supporting the global economy by virtue of the PMCs that are continually moving into areas of the world and engaging in battle. In fact, battles aren't about countries any more – they're more about factions engaging other factions. Even civilians aren't safe in this new world order, as most people are simply born to fight and die, mostly without a cause or a reason to go to war. Cities are constantly shelled, buildings are blown up and every street is a battlefield. This constant conflict between nanomachine-enhanced soldiers is a significant factor within the game, and plays a huge role within your exploration of the ruined landscape of the Middle East.

It's into this kind of regionalized turmoil that Snake is initially deployed. The first time you see the legendary soldier, he's clad in the garb of a local militia man, which he uses to infiltrates a village during an attack. Even though his clothing looks like that of the locals, he hasn't fully earned the trust of the militia. This provides a different spin on the standard "lone wolf" insertion that Snake has performed in his previous games. By choosing to fight alongside the militia, you can slowly build confidence with the warriors. This can be advantageous to you, because if you convince them of your intentions, the resistance soldiers will provide covering fire, hand you ammunition and even provide health items that you can use to restore your flagging energy. However, this alliance can be a fragile one, particularly if your aim is poor. Not only will your former allies turn on you if they sense something suspicious, but all of the other soldiers will immediately know if you've betrayed their comrades, and you may need to change back into your militia gear to avoid suspicion or to better blend in with resistance groups that aren't friendly so you can accomplish your mission.

Speaking of modifying your appearance, Snake's OctoCamo suit works better than what we've seen in previous trailers. Give Snake two to three seconds without moving, and he immediately blends into the surroundings, taking on the textured appearance of the surface he's kneeling next to or lying on. It's an excellent trick that innately builds upon the camouflage elements of Snake Eater and makes it much easier to evade detection by intelligent PMC troops as long as you don't attract attention with obvious movement. Inchworming along the ground while camouflaged or rolling from one location to the other shouldn't attract much attention, which is a good thing for these much more alert enemies. These troops won't merely walk along simple patrol paths. They'll actively scan environments for trouble, communicating anything suspicious to their comrades and call in for backup, making them much more threatening than previous enemies Snake has faced.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/2.jpg
Never saw it coming.

Apart from using the OctoCamo to fade from sight, you can acquire a drum can to hide you from troops. Much like the classically used cardboard box, Snake can tiptoe in the metallic drum can, advancing silently into areas under cover. The drum can isn't perfect, especially because astute soldiers can kick and overturn the barrel if they sense something out of order. However, unlike the cardboard box, which is easily destroyed, the drum also has a few defensive uses. Its metallic shell will repel gunfire from most firearms, and players can tip it on its side and roll through enemies, knocking them for a loop.

This is merely one of the ways that Snake can take out soldiers. He has a whole new compliment of CQC moves, such as choking them silently along the ground. We did notice that unconscious soldiers did appear to be knocked out much longer than in previous Metal Gear Solid games, regardless of whether we took them out with our fists, an electric shock from our stun blade, a tranquilizer dart or by being rolled over by drum can. But sometimes you might need more firepower than non-lethal means, particularly when you and your allies are pinned down by large groups of PMCs in armored personnel carriers. You've got a couple of options available to you in this case. The first is to get behind the controls of a mortar and shell the enemy positions. While Snake is somewhat exposed as he's adjusting the trajectory of the weapon, he can fire an unlimited amount of shells on troops and vehicles alike. Along with the destructive power, the splash damage from the explosives will easily knock down or eliminate nearby enemies.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/3.jpg
The battlefield will be littered with wreckage. Grab some cover.

The other way is to use firearms that you acquire from fallen enemies. Like previous Metal Gear Solid games, you'll acquire pistols, machine guns, grenades and other weapons from enemy soldiers. However, there's a twist to the standard "procure on site" method that MGS fans are accustomed to. In this world of PMCs and rebel factions, all weapons are coded to specific soldiers via their individual nanomachine codes. If you're not that soldier and you attempt to fire their gun, you get absolutely no response whatsoever (call it the ultimate trigger lock). So how exactly do you gain useable firearms in the game?

You have to have someone launder the weapon, removing this lockout feature. In Metal Gear Solid 4, this is handled via Drebin, the mysterious new character introduced in earlier released trailers. This new shop system works rather ingeniously – every single weapon that Snake comes across is immediately translated to Drebin points, representing its current world value in the theater of war during a given day. The more violent the conflict in the world, the more Drebin points you receive. Players can then use these points to unlock these collected weapons for their use, or players can save their points up to purchase ammunition or items in Drebin's shop, such as laser sights, hand grips and flashlights. These additional items can improve the accuracy or stability of a weapon, making it much better in combat. What's more, you can even get more for your Drebin Points if you return to the shop on certain in-game "days," as Drebin will offer sales for Snake so he can get the best bang for his buck.

Fortunately, you don't have to continually backtrack to a set location to sell your collected weapons, nor do you have to constantly expose yourself to danger just to collect a few guns from fallen soldiers. The Mark II can act as your conduit to Drebin, automatically converting any weapons into Drebin Points while saving the ammunition for Snake. Thanks to its size and the fact that it is invisibly cloaked from view thanks to OctoCamo technology, Snake can use the diminutive robot to sprint around the battlefield, gathering fallen weapons as he scouts out the environment around him. The Mark II can also be used to knock out soldiers from afar, as it can stealthily move up to troops and discharge an electrical blast akin to the stun knife. However, you have to be careful, because the Mark II can disrupt its invisibility if it bumps into a target or goes over a significant drop. The robot also has a limited range that it can be sent away from Snake before it becomes uncontrollable, and finally, it only has a certain amount of batteries that it can use before it runs out of power and has to be recharged.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/4.jpg
Chopper going down...

The Mark II isn't the only new gadget that Snake gets in MGS4. Otacon has been hard at work on a brand new vision system known as the Solid Eye, which actually combines features of multiple items from previous games. The ocular device has three separate vision modes: night vision, thermal and zoom functionality. It also ties into Snake's radar, making it easier to discern enemies on a battlefield from friendlies at a quick glance by projecting their group affiliation above their head. What's also cool about the Solid Eye system is that it allows players to have the option to play through sections of the game with completely new camera angles and viewpoints. No longer do you have to focus solely on a top-down perspective with a camera angle that swings behind your shoulder when you fire. Now, players can opt to fire and move in either a first person or third person viewpoint at any time, which is an excellent option to have when you're looking to snipe a soldier in an elevated position.

However, just as Snake had to contend with stamina in previous games, he'll have two new gauges to contend with in the battlefield, his Psyche gauge and his Stress Gauge. Snake is not as young as he used to be, and these two meters help track just how the seasoned soldier is performing during his missions. His Psyche gauge measures how he is mentally reacting to the battlefield at all times – when things are relatively calm, he can aim and fire without difficulty, but if he performs physically exhausting moves, such as tumbling rolls or has to seek cover from large bursts of gunfire, he'll start to lose his concentration, making easy shots much harder. Snake will also feel the aches and pains of his age much more and will sometimes react to a sharp pain in his back or another physical symptom more frequently, indicating that he's being pushed way too hard. This correlates to Snake's Stress Gauge -- if this mental exertion continues for prolonged periods of time, his Stress Gauge starts to spike. If it goes too high, Snake will immediately enter what's known as a Combat High, where he'll suddenly snap into a moment of heightened accuracy with a gun while shrugging off inflicted damage for a small period of time. Unfortunately, after a combat high, Snake will crash, bottoming out his stress and psyche gauges. This can harm Snake's health as well as leave him vulnerable to incoming attacks.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/5.jpg
Run, Snake, Run!

Obviously, being in a vulnerable state against PMC soldiers is hazardous, but that doesn't compare to facing off against some of the tougher enemies in the Middle East, such as the bipedal walkers known as Gekkos. These metal monstrosities, which have dominated the previously released trailers of the game, can easily eliminate a platoon of men without showing a single scratch, and their agility at climbing walls, leaping barricades, and firing at individuals makes them a threat in both close combat and long range situations.

Another threat comes with Liquid's elite personal guard known as the FROGS. Another squad of superhumanly-enhanced soldiers shown in previously released trailers, this all-female squad boasts cybernetic suits that allow them to cling to walls and fire at their enemies (you) from any angle. Their speed and acrobatic skills help them avoid incoming fire, which makes them even more dangerous. This is especially true when you fight them in the remains of a dilapidated hotel rigged with booby traps, where each step could be Snake's last. Fortunately, he's not alone in this massive battle. Meryl and her Rat Patrol provide ample fire support.

This four man squad is composed of a hulking brute with a Mohawk named Jonathan, a bald sharpshooter named Ed, an "intestinally challenged" grunt named Johnny, and Meryl, who's surprised and not particularly thrilled to see Snake. But for both soldiers to accomplish their missions, they have to team up to repel Liquid's attacking squads and attempt to bury them under the hotel rubble.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/6.jpg
Ready, Aim, Fire!

Meryl isn't the only familiar face that Snake runs into during his initial mission. Otacon provides intelligence support from aboard a mobile drop ship, providing hints and back up via the Mark II. Otacon also briefs Snake on various situations during some of the game's numerous cutscenes, which offer an interesting take on Metal Gear history through flashback sequences. By pressing the L1 or X button prompts when they appear, Snake can trigger a sequence or image from a previous title, adding extra depth to topics being discussed at that point in time, which is an excellent way to fill in pieces of the complex puzzle that is the Metal Gear universe of the last 20 years.

These cutscenes are not the only way that players will acquire background information on the situations Snake faces. Between operations, Snake will receive detailed mission briefings on his next assignment, Liquid's movements, or the threat of various PMCs in the area he will be dispatched to.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/7.jpg
Watch the FROGS.

Visually, Metal Gear Solid 4 is even more striking on the console than it has been in released trailers. We always had a sense that what Kojima was showing us was incredible footage, but the detail within the game itself is simply breathtaking. One example of this: when an explosion goes off near Snake, a fine coating of dust covers the camera, adding to the cinematic feel of the game. Another showcase of the striking graphics is the seamless transition between cutscenes and gameplay, many of which are only highlighted by a camera shift to indicate the cutscene has ended and gameplay has begun.

Another thing that stands out is the sound quality of the game, which is presented in Certified Dolby Digital Sound. The ambient battlefield noise provides a haunting backdrop to onscreen action, making you feel like just one part of a much larger conflict. The game's soundtrack is subtly shaded by local musical influences, as in the Middle East level, punctuated by a driving techno beat that builds when the guards become alerted to your presence and increases further if gunplay breaks out.

As I said earlier, there's only so much I can go into right now, but this is the system seller that we've all known Metal Gear Solid 4 was going to be. This preview has only scratched the surface; we haven't even described some of the bosses, radical and innovative game mechanics, or other features that make this title a fitting conclusion to one of the best franchises in gaming. As soon as we're able, we'll bring you more details on Metal Gear Solid 4, but for more information, check out our interview with Hideo Kojima here. And for new screens of the game, click on the gallery at the bottom of the page.
IGN: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Preview (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/863/863825p1.html)



-----------------------------------------------------------



Another preview:

GamePro gets unprecedented access to one of the biggest games of the year, and guess what? It's spectacular.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/5.jpg
Snake runs from a PMC chopper in a war-torn Middle East.

The 4 best things about MGS4

The graphics: You thought Gears of War looked amazing? Think again. Metal Gear Solid 4 will blow you away with its ultra-detailed characters and intricate environments, painting some of the most gorgeous graphics seen this side of Crysis. In motion, the graphics look so realistic that your eyes begin to register the visuals as a movie rather than a game. From what we saw, MGS4 puts its 50GB Blu-ray disc to outstanding use.

The guns: The final game will feature over 70 weapons, from lethal assault rifles to silent tranquilizer guns, and you can outfit many of them with scopes, recoil grips, laser sights, flashlights, and more. Collecting enemy weapons will unlock new guns and "Drebin Points" for further customization. There are 70+ guns in all.

The sound: MGS4 has some of the crispest, clearest sound effects we've ever heard -- the booming gunshots will make your hair stand on end! The Hollywood-style soundtrack is also predictably fantastic, and Snake's raspy voice sounds more desiccated than ever. GamePro editor Sid Shuman went so far as to say that MGS4 has "the best sound I've ever heard in a game."

The story: MGS4 is the darkest Metal Gear game by far: Snake is in terrible physical shape, and the world seems to rest on the brink of self-inflicted annihilation. Though the mood is dark, it's not depressing: you'll find plenty of characters to care about in this war-torn world.

Nestled in the snowy heart of Nasu, Japan, Konami and Kojima Productions recently held a secret "boot camp" where the companies showed off a nearly complete version of the anticipated PlayStation 3 action-epic Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Only a handful of gaming insiders were invited, but GamePro was there to get exclusive access to an enormous portion of the game. This is our report, complete with extensive hands-on impressions.

Before delving into the Metal Gear Solid 4 experience, however, we've got one word of advice: start saving those pennies! That $499 PlayStation 3 MGS4 bundle isn't going to pay for itself, and June 12th is right around the corner....
Death Adder

From the opening scenes, a palpable cloud of doom hangs over Metal Gear Solid 4. Once an unstoppable force, the legendary stealth operative Solid Snake is starting to show his age -- literally. In a near-future world ruled by private military companies (PMCs) and enforced by microscopic nanomachines lurking inside every soldier, Snake's old-fashioned skills and sensibilities make him something of a relic. Snake is still a tough guy, but he's no longer the invincible super-stud he once was due to a mysterious case of premature aging. MGS4's story is infused with a darker, more sophisticated tone...luckily, it just feels right. Fans of the first Metal Gear Solid will doubtlessly approve of the storyline developments, but we don't dare go into too many specifics: one of the game's charms lies in its intricate, sometimes shocking, storyline twists. No spoilers here!

We can share a few details, though. As usual, Col. Roy Campbell and Dr. Hal Emmerson Emmerich (Otacon) press the legendary Solid Snake to undertake "one last mission." The goal: to assassinate Snake's twin brother, the power-mad Liquid Snake, and save the world from the threat of the PMCs. You might remember Liquid as the chief villain from the original Metal Gear Solid, but here, his personality has been transfused into villainous mainstay Revolver Ocelot. It's a weird, trippy setup, but trust us: it pays off in spades.
Sidewinder

The first act opens in an unnamed country in the Middle East, where Liquid Snake's PMCs are clashing with local militias in a never-ending power struggle. As Snake, you'll duck through dusty alleyways, destroy tanks using mortar turrets, and take sides with the local rebels when the situation calls for it. Several hours into the game, Snakes meets a shady black-market gun runner named Drebin. Though his motives are suspect, Drebin quickly becomes one of Snake's closest allies because he holds the key to accessing an enormous arsenal of weapons. By collecting the firearms of fallen enemies, Snake earns "Drebin Points" that he can cash in to unlock new guns, weapon mods, and extra ammo straight from the field...even in the middle of combat. This meta-game is actually quite enjoyable, and it's tempting to dart out of cover and scoop up fallen guns, stealth be damned. The formula is simple: the more guns you collect, the more you'll be able to buy.

Speaking of guns, Metal Gear Solid 4's arsenal options are already setting new standards. The game includes over 70 unique firearms, with an array of pistols, sub-machineguns, rifles, shotguns, and far, far more. Gun modifications are another bright spot in MGS4. Through a sleek 3D interface, we outfitted a basic M4 assault rifle with a laser sight, red-dot scope, flashlight, under-barrel grenade launcher (shotgun also available), plus a silencer. That's five upgrades attached to one gun -- astonishing! It's a minor miracle that the aging Snake is able to even heft that bulky, do-it-all firearm, let alone shoulder and fire it. In another realistic touch, you can set automatic weapons to single-shot, triple burst, and full-auto modes. Naturally, Snake's still got a full repertoire of close-quarters maneuvers, from basic hand-to-hand combos to silent strangleholds a la MGS3. The end result is an extremely versatile combat system that's loaded with replay value.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/c.jpg
Snake can modify any gun to equip a wide variety of laser sights, scopes, grenade launchers, and much more.

Pit Viper

Perhaps the greatest joy of playing Metal Gear Solid 4 lies in its simple, intuitive control scheme. Snake may be getting older, but his abilities haven't diminished one bit. You may know about his Octo-cam suit, which allows him to automatically blend in with surrounding walls and floors. More impressive is his suite of new ground-based stealth abilities. "The inchworm" allows Snake to slowly creep past hotspots while playing dead, and is activated by gently nudging the analog stick while Snake lies prone. Snake can also aim and fire guns while lying down, or roll over to assume a back-down position -- handy for tossing grenades over-the-shoulder at unwitting enemies -- with a quick tap of the Triangle button. It's impressive to see such a wide range of abilities represented through such simple controller inputs -- the learning curve here is very gentle.
"Impressive, Snake"

Playing a nearly complete build of Metal Gear Solid 4 running on the PlayStation 3 was a revelatory experience. The graphics looked sensational, the sound effects and music sounded magnificently epic, and the interface felt sleek and simple. In short, it's becoming increasingly clear that Metal Gear Solid 4 will be the rare game to live up to its own massive hype. We feel confident that MGS4 is the game PlayStation 3 owners (and Metal Gear fans) have been waiting years to play. Visit OMGMetalGear.com for late-breaking updates on MGS4, and check back next month for more of what is quickly shaping up to be a top game for 2008. We couldn't be more excited!

Hands-On: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for PS3 on GamePro.com. (http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/previews/173848.shtml)
Check it out for screens and some older gameplay videos.


-----------------------------------------------------------


And here stuff on the bundles:


Apr
10
Brandon Laurino's Avatar
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Product Details Revealed!

+ Posted by Brandon Laurino // Konami Online

Hi all! Since Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is such a huge release, with so many different promotions and packages, we thought we’d take some time to clarify the rumors and speculation going on out there, as well as break some news about what we’ll be offering.

In case you have not heard, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots hits stores June 12th, 2008 and is rated “M” by the ESRB. This is for all the different configurations of the product, detailed below, which includes: the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle, and the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle. We’ll get to details on each of these below.

First, the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” free pre-order bonus offer DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert…

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2402555744_27e2df0351.jpg

This is a special offer, made through participating retailers and store locations, for customers that pre-order either the MGS4 Standard Edition or the MGS4 Limited Edition. We’ve been receiving reports over the last couple of weeks that store locations have been making the item available as soon as they’ve gotten the shipments in. As of this writing, participating retailers and their respective store locations should be getting their shipments and making them available. Unfortunately, we don’t have any more granular information beyond that, so you really have to check with your retailer/store location of choice, see if they are participating, and find out when and if they will have stock available. Also, please bear in mind, quantities are very limited, so you will have to do a bit of “legwork” to secure your copy while supplies last.

The “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD contains extensive original video content, which primarily focuses on the interconnected history of the “Snakes”: Big Boss (Naked Snake), Liquid Snake, Solidus Snake, and of course, Solid Snake. Additionally, the DVD contains a compilation of the MGS4 trailers to date and a special Prologue video to MGS4.

An insert in the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD case is your ticket to the Metal Gear Online Beta, containing the Unique Product Voucher Code (UPVC) and instructions on redeeming the UPVC to download the Beta client via the PlayStation Store when the download becomes available. The download of the MGO Beta will be available from April 17th 2008 to May 5th 2008 and the game play will be available from April 21st 2008 to May 5th 2008.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard a lot of questions from customers who have attained the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD, particularly about redeeming their UPVC via the PlayStation Store right now. Let’s make this clear: you CAN NOT redeem the UPVC for the MGO Beta download until April 17th, you will get an error until then. Do not attempt to redeem your UPVC for the MGO Beta right now, it won’t work! You will be able to do so April 17th!

Second, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition …
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2401727275_1494dd5c2f.jpg
MGS 4 Covershot

Yes, the image above represents the final box art for the MGS4 SE. Mr. Kojima and his team specifically designed the packaging art to convey his artistic vision for MGS4 – for all you MGS fans, this has been the status quo since the beginning of the franchise. If you have put in the extra effort to pre-order with a participating retailer/store location, while supplies last, you can also obtain the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert (detailed above). This product, of course, includes the full game of MGS4 as well as the Metal Gear Online “Starter Pack”. What is an MGO “Starter Pack”? We’ll get to that in just a little bit below, suffice to say, it is a full and complete multiplayer component of MGS4. Additionally, exclusively available through GameStop, customers reserving the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition is $59.99 USD.

Third, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition…
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2401924749_f0013e7893.jpg
MGS4_tipon_2D1

Yes, we just revealed another never before seen final box in this article, this time for the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition, which will be available exclusively through GameStop. The MGS4 LE contains everything the SE offers (above, yes, with the potential to get the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert), as well as a collectible box with exclusive artwork by famed Kojima Productions illustrator Yoji Shinkawa, an additional Blu-ray disc containing two unique and never-before-seen Metal Gear Solid “Making of…” documentaries, and the MGS4 Soundtrack. Additionally, customers reserving the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition is $84.99 USD.

Fourth, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle…
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2401726269_cac26b7bcd.jpg

Again, hot off the presses, a never before seen box! Of note, for the first time ever, the PS3 will be packaged in a white box as opposed to the typical black one, and of course, is also branded with MGS4 goodness! Inside you will find the 80GB PLAYSTATION 3 package (yes, the 80GB PS3 has been resurrected for this bundle), and will include a PS3 DualShock 3 controller - yes, the PS3 controller that rumbles, and the MGS4 SE (detailed above).

Fifth, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle …
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2401724641_c9bbdc8b62.jpg
mgs4-ps3-LEbundle-001

Sorry, no box reveal this time (we have to keep some surprises :-) )! We are confirming that there will be a North America offering of this VERY, VERY Limited Edition bundle! This is the “gunmetal grey” PS3 – the one seen selling out in a matter of moments in Japan at the KonamiStyle web store. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting product!

Lastly, sixth, we’d like to shed some light on “Metal Gear Online” and the MGO “Starter Pack” that comes with MGS4 …
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2402554994_477d0a32e8.jpg
mgosplash

From what we’ve seen here at Konami, there has been some confusion as to what exactly a “Starter Pack” is, so let’s put that to rest right now.

The MGO “Starter Pack” that comes with MGS4 (all configurations, detailed above) is a full-fledged, fully-featured multiplayer component of MGS4. It is not a “demo” or “teaser” in any way, as some have speculated. It comes packed with maps, weapons/items, an in-depth character creator – where your character can be personalized, and most importantly, customized – with special abilities that can be “leveled” and improved through experience, the SOP system, and much more. There will also be an extremely deep community experience through a specialized portal that will feature stats, communication, and other never before seen features - which we’ll dig into at a later date…

So, you may be wondering why we call it a “Starter Pack”, well, the answer is very simple: because it’s just the beginning. We have a huge slate of downloadable content planned for the game which encompasses new maps, weapons/items, and much more. Eurogamer has a fantastic preview up, which is a great primer on MGO, and details some of the unique features that show why it’s not just another shooter…

But, of course, if you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll be able to get your hands on the MGO Beta in just a couple of weeks (April 21st 2008 – May 5th 2008), and see for yourself!

Also, please don’t forget to check out the latest KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS REPORT from Ryan Payton at Kojima Productions in Japan!

And with that, we end this particular article. We’ll be watching the comments, so please let us know your thoughts, and specifically what you’d like to hear (we’ll do our best to address your burning questions, but please bear in mind, we’re really busy working on MGS4 among a lot of other great Konami games, so please understand we will not be able to get to everyone’s questions)!

Check back here on the PS Blog next Monday, April 14th 2008, as we have a very special surprise in store for you! See you next Monday!PlayStation.Blog » Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Product Details Revealed! (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/04/10/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots-%E2%80%93-product-details-revealed/#more-467)



Euro MGS4 PS3 pack and DualShock 3 dated on Bartsmit schedule

April 10th, 2008 @ 13:19

A supposed PS3 schedule from Dutch retailer Bartsmit (http://www.bartsmit.com/shop/index.php?menuID=1) has shown what appears to be dates for DualShock 3 and a Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 pack for Europe.

DualShock 3 is dated at May 2 on the list, the the MGS4 pack apparently launching on June 12, the same day as the game itself launches in Europe.

You can see the image of the schedule here. (http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j210/keesdijkstra89/09042008124.jpg)

The picture was sent in to videogaming247 by a reader from the Netherlands. So many thanks for that. And thanks to Blerk.
videogaming247 » Blog Archive » Euro MGS4 PS3 pack and DualShock 3 dated on Bartsmit schedule (http://www.videogaming247.com/2008/04/10/euro-mgs4-ps3-pack-and-dualshock-3-dated-on-bartsmit-schedule/)

[Fonzie]

I just creamed my pants.

[XxSephirothxX]

I took the liberty of changing the title to Previews, since Reviews at this early date is a bit misleading.

[Croyles]

Oh thanks Azar, mistake on my part. I now added some pictures as well, which was painful work, cause direct image links didnt work so I had to upload them to photobucket first.

Also, thanks for that thumb up!

[Rostum]

Damn, wouldn't mind getting that MGS4+PS3 bundle...

[Gilghamut]

I soooo cannot wait for this awesome game, got my LE version pre-ordered as there was no way I could pass that up. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how the game is like with it's more open world like gameplay. June can't get here fast enough!

[Ichimonji]

Oh, I'm definitely getting the MGS4-PS3 bundle when it comes out. All this information is orgasmic.

[Dreddz]

Im not going to read any previews as I prefer not to be spoiled. I already have my copy pre-ordered. Ive also got the beta code so I can get into the MGO beta in a few weeks, which should be awesome.

[Croyles]

I dont remember there being any story spoilers, if thats what you mean. Its only on the first part of the game anyway.

[Alucard von Elru]

GAh! Definitely getting the Limited Edition. Not only is Shinkawa's art glorious as usual, but this time the alternative is just painful. Good lord, the standard edition's cover is just nauseatingly generic (every previous installment either had a simple logo, or some awesome artwork; never expected a shot like that for a standard cover). I am a total cover art buff, so the LE is the only way for me to go. *readies cash*

I'm getting quite excited. And DAMN I want to see some more Raiden.

[Jowy]

Picking up my Metal Gear Saga v2 after work today. Also getting the limited edition because I am a consumer whore.

[Croyles]

http://www.coldhardflash.com/images/harding-don01.jpg

Indeed...

[Croyles]

The Metal Gear Online BETA is now available for download in NA if you have a voucher. The download will be available to Europeans soon (free and for everyone - no voucher needed/ public beta).


It's not available in the store, you gotta use your promotional code to get access for the download.

To download the Metal Gear® Online Beta from the PLAYSTATION®Network:

1. Open a Master Account on the PLAYSTATION®Network (or use an existing Master Account)
2. From the PLAYSTATION®Network icon on the XMB, select ‘Account Manager’
3. Enter ‘Transaction Management’
4. Select Redeem PLAYSTATION®Network card or Promotional Code.
5. Enter voucher code. Please note that the voucher code is case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as displayed.

The Beta cannot be played before April 21st.
Should also come to EU soon.

[Dreddz]

Europe gets to download the beta tomorrow. I currently have a Japanese beta code but think Ill just end up playing on the European version.

Ill gladly be up for a couple of games when the 21st arrives.

[Bolivar]

pre-ordered at my local mom & pop retailer... really can't wait

[Dreddz]

Well apparantly the beta has been delayed which is a joke, Konami doesnt have a clue what they were doing with this beta. They force people to sign up for a Konami Id so you can play the beta, god knows why they couldnt of just used everyones existing PSN's. Then, their site has to start acting up just as the beta arrives so making it near impossible to even make a Konami Id (It took me while but I managed to make one this morning when it wouldnt be as busy).

Kojima, your game deserves better than this!

[Old Manus]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Croyles/1.jpg
Snake will come across the horrors of war.OH MY GOD THE HORROR

[Wolf Kanno]

I really want this game... Alright, who do I have to sleep with around here to make some money and buy me a PS3 and a copy of MGS4?

[Alucard von Elru]

Sweet god. I spent about an hour with my local EB guys today watching tons of MGS4 trailers on that one disc... I'm really thinking about laying down that pre-order for the limited edition... GUh... I wonder how much I can get by trading in my perfect-condition, everything included, barely-been-played 360 and three games... GAh.

[Forsaken Lover]

The guy telling Snake's life in Metal Gear Saga makes several mistakes. He says Snake did not know Big Boss was his father after Zanzibar which flatly contradicts MGS1. he also says the world knew Big Boss was the head of Outer Heaven and of course htat contradicts MG1.

[Wolf Kanno]

MGS series retcons alot of stuff actually, Big Boss never mentioned he was Snake's father in Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake. In MG its stated that Big Boss created FOXHOUND in the late 80's but in MGS3 (and told through MGSPO) they are created in the early 70's instead.

[Forsaken Lover]

I know that. But retcons are only valid if we see them in the games or they come out of Mr. Kojima's mouth.
Right now, the guy telling Snake's life is just wrong. An invakud 3rd party source.
Like Big Boss being in his late 50s when LET Project happened. We know now he was actually in his 40s thanks to the games.

In case anyone was curious, here's the current MGS Timeline.

Beginning of the 20th century:
Reunion of the "Wisemen's Committee". Foundation of a group called "the Philosophers".

1909:
July 26th: Creation of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), which would later be known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
August 12th: Major Zero is born.

1914:
July 28th: Beginning of the First World War.

1918:
November 11th: End of the First World War.
Date unknown: Founding of GRU by Vladimir Lenin.

1924:
Date unknown: John Edgar Hoover is appointed as Director of the BOI.

1935:
Date unknown: The Bureau of Investigation (BOI) is renamed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

1936:
June 22nd: Para-Medic is born.
??????????: EVA is born.

1939:
August: Albert Einstein writes a letter to President Roosevelt and requests the atomic bomb to be made.
September 1st: Beginning of the Second World War.
November 11th: Sigint is born.

193X:
Last original member of the Philosophers dies.

1941:
July: British Army founds SAS.

1942:
August: The Manhattan Project is started. Otacon's grandfather is assigned to working on the project.
December 2nd: Physicist Enrico Fermi splits an atom in a nuclear reactor for the very first time.
Date unknown: The Boss sets up the Cobra unit at Stalingrad.

1944:
Allied powers dispatch Cobra Unit to Normandy.
The Boss gives birth in Normandy - Ocelot is born.

1945:
End of World War II.
July 16th: The first nuclear test, code-named "Trinity", is conducted at Alamogordo.
August 6th: Hiroshima is bombed. Otacon's father is born.
August 9th: Nagasaki is bombed.


1946:
February 14th: ENIAC, the world's first computer, is unveiled.

1947:
September: The CIA ( Central Intelligence Agency ) is created.
Date unknown: The Boss disbands the Cobra Unit.

1949:
April 4th: NATO ( North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ) is formed.
May: Germany is split up in East and West.
August 29th: The USSR tests their first nuclear bomb in Semipalatinsk.
October 1st: The People's Republic of China is formed.

1950:
President Truman orders development of various types of atomic bombs.
June 25th: Beginning of the Korean War.

1951:
Israel begins MOSSAD.
The Boss is exposed to high radiation levels at Nevada nuclear test.

1952:
Wernher von Braun proposes plan to send me to Mars.
June: The NSA ( National Security Agency ) is formed.

1953:
April 25th: Watson and Crick discover the double helix structure of DNA.
June 27th: End of the Korean War.
September 7th: Nikita Krushchev becomes the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

1954:
January: Secretary of State John Foster Dulles announces the New Look policy.
January 21st: The USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, is launched.
March 1st: The hydrogen bomb is tested in Bikini Atoll.
March 13th: The KGB is formed.
November 3rd: The first Godzilla film is released in Japan.

1955:
April 18th: Albert Einstein dies.
First conference against atomic/hydrogen bombs meets in Hiroshima.

1957:
August: The Soviet Union successfully launches the first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), named R-7 Semyorka.
December 17th: The U.S. launcher ICBM - the Atlas A.
October 4th: USSR launch of Sputnik I.

1958:
February 1st: America launches its first sattelite, the Explorer I.

1959:
January 1st: The Cuban Revolution.
Date unknown: The Boss abandons Snake on a mission without any explanation.
American National NACA founds NASA.

1960:
May 1st: American surveillance aircraft, Lockheed U-2 enters Soviet airspace. It is shot down and crashes near Sverdlovsk.
September: Two NSA cryptanalysts, ADAM and EVA, defect to the Soviet Union.
Date unknown: The Boss becomes the first person in space.

1961:
Cuban and American diplomatic relations end.
President Kennedy falls into disfavor with the Philosophers.
April 12th: The Vostok 1 is launched into space, making Yuri Gagarin the first human to officially travel into space.
May 5th: Alan Shepard pilots the first sub-orbital flight.
August 13th: The construction of the Berlin Wall is started.
September 21st: US Army founds Green Berets.
October 30th: The most powerful nuclear explosive, codenamed Ivan, is detonated in Novaya Zemlya.

1962:
October 14th: U.S. U-2 surveillance craft discovers Soviet missiles in Cuba. Cuban Missile Crisis.
Date unknown: The Boss has a mission at Tselinoyarsk, being forced to kill The Sorrow, her former lover.

1963:
Ending a 114 day strike, New York Times publishes a 702 page Sunday edition.
June 16th: Valentina Tereshkova boards the Vostok-6 and become the first female cosmonaut.
February: The United States and the Soviet Union sign the Hotline Agreement; A direct telephone connection is set up between the American and Soviet leaders.
July 4th: The film The Great Escape is released.
August 5th: The United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union sign the Partial Test Ban Treaty ( PTBT ) in the Kremlin.
November 22nd: President Kennedy is assassinated.

1964:
US Department of Health announces that cigarettes cause lung cancer.
Gulf of Tonkin incident occurs in Vietnam.
August: Virtuous Mission. Naked Snake infiltrates Tselinoyarsk to rescue Sokolov. The Boss takes Sokolov and defects to the Soviet Union. The Virtuous Mission is a failure.
Operation Snake Eater. Naked Snake infiltrates Tselinoyarsk yet again to rescue Sokolov, destroy the Shagohod, and eliminate the Cobra Unit, Colonel Volgin and The Boss.
Operation Snake Eater is a success. The Shagohod has been destroyed, the members of the Cobra Unit are dead. Colonel Volgin is fried by a bolt of lightning, and Naked Snake kills The Boss.
Naked Snake earns the title "Big Boss".

1965:
U.S. bombs North Vietnam.
Date unknown: Sigint joins ARPA.

1966:
EMS response system is created.

1968:
Soviet Union invades Czechoslovakia.
SALT-1 initiated.
Date unknown: Agent EVA disappears in Hanoi.

1969:
Project Apollo puts the first man on the moon.
US Department of Defence and ARPA establish ARPAnet the basis for the internet.

1970:
Date unknown: Para-Medic establishes the nation's first paramedic system in Seattle, Washington.
Date unknown: Major Zero disbands the FOX unit.
Date unknown: Successor Project ends with San Hieronymo Peninsula Incident (Big Boss encounters GENE, Lt. Cunningham, Ursula/Elisa, Python, Null and destroys Metal Gear RAXXA.)
Date unknown: The United States receives the missing half of the Philosophers' Legacy. The American branch of the Philosophers is renamed to the "Patriots".

1971:
Soviet Union launches Salyut-1.
Date unknown: Big Boss establishes the FOX-HOUND unit.

1972:
Project Apollo ends with Apollo-17.
ARPA renamed DARPA.
June 17th: Beginning of the Watergate Scandal.
Date unknown: The "Les Enfants Terribles" project. Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake are born.

1973:
US launches space station Skylab.
US withdraws troops from Vietnam.

1974:
August 9th: President Nixon resigns.

1976:
Dawkins publishes 'The Selfish Gene'.

1977:
Delta Force established.

1979:
New cold war begins with the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

1980's:
Date unknown: Big Boss battles in various African civil wars and becomes a hero.
Date unknown (Late 80's): Start of the first Liberian Civil War.
Date unknown: Solidus kills Raiden's parents and takes in Raiden to use him to fight in said war as a child-soldier.

1981:
U.S. launches Columbia, the first space shuttle.

1982:
Falklands War begins.

1983:
President Reagan announces the SDI.

1985:
Gorbachev's new administration ushers the Soviet Union into the Detente-2 era.

1986:
US's space shuttle program stalls due to Challenger explosion.
Soviet Union launches space station Mir.
US proposed the Human Genome Project, igniting a global research effort.
Soviet Union officially announces the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

1989:
Berlin Wall falls.

1990:
Date unknown: Liquid Snake, working for the SAS at the time, is sent into Iraq to destroy mobile SCUD missile launchers. During the mission he becomes a POW, and is declared MIA.
Iraq invades Kuwait.
East and West Germany are reunited.


1991:
Gulf War begins.
The American army injects their troops with a "Fight Gene", obtained when studying Big Boss. The side effects of these injections are disguised as "Gulf War Syndrome".
Soviet Union collapses and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) rises in its place.

1992:
Nastasha Romanenko joins the DIA, where she meets Richard Ames, her future husband.

1994:
Date unknown: Liquid Snake is freed by the U.S government, and returns to the USA.
US adopts the START-2.

1995:
United Nations adopts the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Date unknown: Solid Snake joins FOX-HOUND.
Date unknown: Outer Heaven crisis: Solid Snake defeats Big Boss and destroys Metal Gear TX-55.

1999:
Date unknown: Genius Czech bio-technologist Dr. Kio Marv creates "OILIX", a micro-bio-chemical that could refine high purity crude oil and petroleum.
Date unknown: Zanzibar Land crisis: Solid Snake defeats Gray Fox, kills Big Boss and destroys Metal Gear D. He vanishes and decides to live in the solitude of Alaska.
UK scientists clone the somatic cell of a sheep.

2000:
January 1st: Millenium Bug: The Patriots spread a "data filter" worldwide, disguised as a software fix to impede the impact of the flaw in various computer systems.
Joint team of Japanese, American and European scientists map human genome.

2001:
Multiple terrorist attacks strike America on September 11.

2003:
Nations launch a multi-lateral strike upon Iraq.

2005:
Shadow Moses Incident. Renegade FOX-HOUND members hijack nuclear facility.
Revolver Ocelot accidently kills Donald Anderson (DARPA Chief).
Deaths related to FoxDie: Kenneth Baker (ArmsTech President), Liquid Snake and Decoy Octopus.
Gray Fox returns, fitted with a ninja exo-skeleton. Is crushed to death by Metal Gear REX.
Revolver Ocelot loses his arm (due to Gray Fox) and is unaffected by FoxDie.
Snake eliminates Sniper Wolf, Vulcan Raven, Psycho Mantis and disables Metal Gear REX.
George Sears resigns as President of the United States.
'In the Darkness of Shadow Moses' becomes a non-fiction bestseller.

2007:
April 30th: Jack and Rose meet each other for the first time.
U.S.S. Discovery incident. Scott Dolph and Sergei Gurlukovich killed by Revolver Ocelot. Ocelot hijacks RAY.
Date unknown: Olga Gurlukovich gives birth to a child, who is kidnapped by the Patriots.
Construction of the Big Shell disposal facility commences.

2009:
April 29th: The Big Shell Incident. Sons of Liberty uprising. Raiden sneaks in. The deaths of Fatman, Fortune, Emma Emmerich, Olga Gurlukovich, Ames and the President of the USA.
Ocelot retrieves GW from Arsenal Gear.
April 30th: Arsenal Gear crashes into Manhattan. Raiden kills Solidus.
Otacon finds out that the original Wisemen Committee has been dead for almost 100 years.
Raiden learns that the Big Shell Incident was actually a setup by the Patriots. Basically, a test program called S3 - Selection for Societal Sanity.

2014:
Five years after the Big Shell Incident, Solid Snake returns to battlefield as Old Snake.

[Wolf Kanno]

Probably hasn't read the Kojima brochure to keep him up to date. Silly 3rd party source :tongue:

[Forsaken Lover]

Well we all should have known he was wrong when he kept calling them "the Pat-triots." What a weird voice they chose to narrate. They should have had Old Ocelot narrate. Great voice AND he's been around for almost all the events mentioned.

[Wolf Kanno]

I haven't had the pleasure of watching the "Metal Gear Saga" so I can't comment on the narrator but I do agree it would have been cool to hear Ocelot (a shame the Japanese VA passed away) do it. I've been watching both English and Japanese trailers for MGS4 and I must say I honestly feel the English cast is superior. It doesn't surprise me cause MGS has always had top notch voice-work.

[Croyles]

Im not gonna put a http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/eek.gifSPOILERhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/eek.gif tag on this review, cause its too long. This is what they write about spoilers:

We've tried to keep this interview as spoiler-free as possible, but if you absolutely, positively don't want to even read a single hint of a seed of a scrap of a possibility of a plot point that you could extrapolate to work out the truth by the time the game comes out, click away now.

The UK Official PlayStation Mag has got its Exclusive Review, and if there was ever any doubt, it has recieved a perfect 10.

Scans:
High quality, including MGS history:
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting (http://rapidshare.com/files/114474026/mgs4review_opmuk.zip.html) - 36 MB
High quality, just MGS4 coverage:
RapidShare: 1-Click Webhosting (http://rapidshare.com/files/114473804/justmgs4.rar.html) 15 MB

Low quality:
Metal Gear Solid - 1st Review (http://forums.n4g.com/m_127991/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#127991)
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...312366A151.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...EF7C15D518.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...DC49C94CE7.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...2ACB1C8081.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...1419287EE6.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...8D11141B92.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...79CAB97396.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...4EC3D7A336.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...F701A5566D.jpg
http://forums.n4g.com/upfiles.aspx/2...3682B74F8B.jpg


Here is a different sort of review:

Metal Gear Solid 4: The first review is out!

And we've talked to the man who wrote it. Here's what he thinks

Words: David Houghton, GamesRadar UK


Metal Gear Solid 4. Looks like it's going to be good, doesn't it? But just how good, exactly? Just "Hmmm, this is fun, I'm glad I did buy a PS3 now" good? Or perhaps "There you go Hideo. My first-born child in recompense for this audio-visual wonder you have kindly bestowed upon my life" good?
One man knows the answer to that. His name is Paul Fitzpatrick and he's written the world's first review of the game for the UK's Official PlayStation Magazine. And he very happily gave it a none-better 10/10 score. The review will be in issue 19, which goes on sale on Friday 16th of May, but you don't have to wait that long. We have you see, spoken to Paul and found out exactly how he feels about the biggest game on the PS3 this year. Want to know? Of course you do.


One word of warning though. We've tried to keep this interview as spoiler-free as possible, but if you absolutely, positively don't want to even read a single hint of a seed of a scrap of a possibility of a plot point that you could extrapolate to work out the truth by the time the game comes out, click away now. In fact if that's the sort of person you are, why the hell are you reading this story anyway? Be off with you!

http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Games/M/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%204/Everything%20Else/Mag%20covers/OPM%20MGS4%20Cover%20Crop--article_image.jpg

GamesRadar: First things first. This is the epic resolution to an epic saga and it comes on a Blu-ray disc. Just what sort of percentage of the playing time do the cut-scenes take up?
Paul Fitzpatrick: Hard to say. I didn't time the cut-scenes, but I completed MGS4 in just over 29 hours, and at a guess I'd say it was two thirds playing to one third watching. But that is a guess…

GR: How long did you spend finishing MGS4 for the review? What was your play schedule like and how how complete a look at the game do you feel you got? Anything you would have liked to take some extra time over?
PF: 29 hours and six minutes was my exact play-through time, and I saw everything I felt I needed to see to really get the measure of the game. I'd love to go back and play through with all the cool weapons and items unlocked of course. There are some beauties. Oh, and the play through didn't take in Metal Gear Online, which is being reviewed separately.

http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Games/M/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%204/Bulk%20Viewers/PS3/MGS4_10--article_image.jpg

GR: The gameplay formula seems to have made the biggest single-game evolution we've ever seen in the MGS series. Does it still feel like a Metal Gear game despite that? If so, how have Konami maintained that essence, and if not, how have things changed?
PF: It totally feels like Metal Gear. The faction dynamic isn't over-used and when it is available is only ever an option, supplementing stealth. It was a bit of classic Kojima misdirection to suggest that everything would be tied to that. The characters, themes and to a lesser extent, the core controls and abilities are where MGS really resides, and they have remained the same, even if what you do with them has altered.

GR: The game seems to be made of a wider spread of game styles and mechanics this time. Is it still as focused an overall experience as we expect from Metal Gear?
PF: Yes, for the reasons above. Emotionally, there is some dilution as there are so many individual stories to tie up and resolve, but from a gameplay perspective it's remarkably focused.


GR: What's the single biggest improvement over the previous games? What makes the biggest difference in MGS4?
PF: Having what is basically a classic FPS shooter control set up is the biggest improvement (although I guess it debuted in MGS3: Subsistence). It means that when Snake has to shoot it out, you can negotiate that with confidence for the first time.

GR: You said in your review that MGS4 isn't perfect. What were your biggest complaints with it, and why did those issues disappoint you? Any major flaws?
PF: I think the game's ending suffers from the Return Of The King syndrome in that it keeps ending when it should really draw a line earlier on. That's the main one for me. Also, the 'togglable' auto-aim isn't always as smart at locking on as it should be in those situations where it really makes sense that you use it.

http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Games/M/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%204/Bulk%20Viewers/PS3/MGS4_9--article_image.jpg

GR: Why weren't those problems enough to stop you giving the game a 10/10 rating?
PF: For me, like the greatest films, it's outstanding because of, and not despite, its idiosyncrasies and flaws. It's the expression of one very creative person's vision and to see that undiluted with all it's eccentricities and genius intact is remarkable. It's also a cracking story and truly rewarding to play.

GR: Can you talk about anything that really surprised you? Anything you weren't expecting, or that you expected to be there but wasn't?
PF: I was expecting the faction dynamic to be enforced, and to feature for longer. The other thing that surprised me is something that should be left to surprise you too. Sorry!


GR: Without giving too much away, which characters and story elements should we be looking out for this time? Any surprises or character moments you found particularly rewarding as a long-term fan? Does Raiden redeem himself?
PF: Raiden does redeem himself, although clearly Koj loves him a lot more than we ever will. Big Mama's story is worth looking out for too, but it's impossible to say much more without spoiling it.

GR: Did the game's ending feel as final a resolution as we're being led to believe it is, or is there still potential for continuation with or without Kojima?
PF: A bit of both. This is the end of Snake's story, but there are other characters who feasibly could live to sneak another day.

http://static.gamesradar.com/images/mb/GamesRadar/us/Games/M/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%204/Bulk%20Viewers/PS3/MGS4_8--article_image.jpg

GR: As an overall production, does the game deserve the years of hype it's garnered?
PF: It is unique, and mostly for the very best reasons. It is, lest I haven't said this enough, a really, really enjoyable game to play. So, for my money, yes.

GR: Do you think its release will make any kind of difference to the PS3 as a platform? Some say it'll sell systems like nothing we've ever seen before, while some think it will only sell to the pre-converted hardcore Metal Gear audience.
PF: I think GTAIV is more likely to shift hardware, but if you like games at all and/or have any interest in where they're going, this is indispensable. This is a game for the fans. But if you're not one, it doesn't take much to get on board. The earlier games are still superb, and wikipedia can get you up to speed with the plot in fifteen minutes. Get involved!

GR: In ten years, how do you think MGS4 will be viewed in comparison to the rest of the series?
PF: As a brilliantly inventive, reassuringly mad grand finale to a consistently inventive and mad series.

Metal Gear Solid 4: The first review is out!, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots PS3 News | GamesRadar (http://www.gamesradar.com/ps3/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots/news/metal-gear-solid-4-the-first-review-is-out/a-20080512143146234035/g-20051216153655522074)

[Wolf Kanno]

If I trusted reviews, I would be quite happy right now but I will have to wait until I get a chance to play it myself. Still nice to hear some positive things though :D

[Roto13]

Reviewers are throwing perfect scores around like confetti these days.

I'm still expecting this to be the PS3 game of the year, if not the overall game of the year. xP

[Wolf Kanno]

Nah, with the way the reviewers are catering nowadays, I think GTAIV will still net game of the year despite it being multi-platform. I'm still annoyed MGS3 got sidelined cause of San Andreas except for one magazine which still rated it their game of the year (only cause a God of War game hadn't been released that year :rolleyes2)

I think MGS4 may become a system seller but it depends on the PR Konami puts behind it.

[Roto13]

I mean the REAL game of the year. ;P I don't care about GameSpot or Game Informer or whatever has to say.

[Wolf Kanno]

I get you now ;) We all know it really will be, its already proven to have more than just a fresh code of paint like a few other popular titles I know :rolleyes2

[Forsaken Lover]

New trailer.
New MGS4 Clips: New, New, New MGS4 Trailers (http://kotaku.com/389818/new-new-new-mgs4-trailers)

Around 1:15...recognize that voice?
That line is NOT from MGS2 and all the other dialog is new as well.
Is "he" still alive?

[JKTrix]

Boom Blox is the game of the year.

The energy drink one made me laugh. Japanese commercials!

The girl at 1:39 is 'Crying Wolf' as played by real-life model Lyndall Jarvis. (http://i30.:bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou:/nqqruw.jpg)

[Wolf Kanno]

New trailer.
New MGS4 Clips: New, New, New MGS4 Trailers (http://kotaku.com/389818/new-new-new-mgs4-trailers)

Around 1:15...recognize that voice?
That line is NOT from MGS2 and all the other dialog is new as well.
Is "he" still alive?

Nice Videos :D

Wonder if we're going to have ourselves a little "reunion" ;)

[SpendGil]

I reserved the standard edition...now i'm sorta wishing I went LE...

[JKTrix]

http://i25.:bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou:/depnaw.jpg

The important part is in the 2nd yellow box from the left.

4.6GB installation.

Also, 1UP has a preview focusing on the Drebin shop, which seems pretty cool (http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3167934).

[Nifleheim7]

Hideo Kojima and Yoji Shinkawa will be signing some 300 exclusive HMV sleeves in London at 2nd of June.
Link here (scroll down):
hmv.com: Music CDs, DVDs, Games & More (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=12;6;82;-1&pPageID=1080)

[KentaRawr!]

I wonder what the Sub-version will be.

[Dreddz]

Hideo Kojima and Yoji Shinkawa will be signing some 300 exclusive HMV sleeves in London at 2nd of June.
Link here (scroll down):
hmv.com: Music CDs, DVDs, Games & More (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=12;6;82;-1&pPageID=1080)

Thats actually so convenient for me as my college is around the corner from Oxford Street. Hopefully it'll be easier to see them then it was to see Quentin Tarantino when he was at HMV.

[Nifleheim7]

Hideo Kojima and Yoji Shinkawa will be signing some 300 exclusive HMV sleeves in London at 2nd of June.
Link here (scroll down):
hmv.com: Music CDs, DVDs, Games & More (http://hmv.com/hmvweb/navigate.do?ctx=12;6;82;-1&pPageID=1080)

Thats actually so convenient for me as my college is around the corner from Oxford Street. Hopefully it'll be easier to see them then it was to see Quentin Tarantino when he was at HMV.

I think you have to go quite early if you want to get one of the 300 sleeves (this will give you access to the queue)...
Also,i hate the fact that you have to pre-order the game from the store in order to get one of the sleeves.I mean,chances are,the people who are interested in going there have already pre-ordered the game...:/
Of course you can always try and sell the other version,but still it sucks.

[ReloadPsi]

Seeing as I'll never own a PS3 I'll have to stick with my original arrangement of seeing this whole game at a mate's house. There's gonna be quite a few of us sitting in :p

[JKTrix]

Dear God. I wouldn't normally post links to another forum, but the effort put into NeoGAF's official MGS4 thread is just amazing.

It's here if you want to take a look (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303161). This will probably be one of the best sources/collections of information on the game, period. Just beware of potential spoilers, though I'm sure they will be either tagged or heavily moderated. The thread is going to move super fast as well. I mean, it was just launched last night, and there are over 1,000 posts in there already.

[KentaRawr!]

Oh, goodness, that... that THING. It's a colossal mass of information! I saw it before, but I had to run for my life to avoid being crushed.

[Croyles]

Wow....

[DMKA]

Wow. I'm 40 minutes in and I've only gotten to walk a grand total of eight steps.

[JKTrix]

Yep, sounds like Metal Gear!

Launches:

Epic Madness: Hideo Kojima At NYC's Metal Gear Solid 4 Midnight Launch (http://kotaku.com/5015693/hideo-kojima-at-nycs-metal-gear-solid-4-midnight-launch)
Metal Gear Solid 4 Launches In New York City | Game | Life from Wired.com (http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/06/new-york----at.html)
MTV Multiplayer » Kojimapalooza: ‘Metal Gear Solid 4′ Superfans Waiting Over 28 Hours To Meet Snake’s Dad (image gallery) (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/06/11/kojimapalooza/)
Yeah, we met Kojima in Times Square - Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/12/yeah-we-met-kojima-in-times-square/)
We're here in Times Square! - PS3 Fanboy (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/06/11/were-here-in-times-square/)
Metal Gear Solid 4: Metal Gear Solid 4 Japan Launch - Tokyo (http://kotaku.com/5015686/metal-gear-solid-4-japan-launch-+-tokyo)
Mgs4: Metal Gear Solid 4 Japan Launch - Osaka (http://kotaku.com/5015692/metal-gear-solid-4-japan-launch-+-osaka)
Metal Gear Solid 4: The San Francisco Launch (http://kotaku.com/5015715/metal-gear-solid-4-the-san-francisco-launch)
Siliconera » Live from the Metal Gear Solid 4 launch party (http://www.siliconera.com/2008/06/11/live-from-the-metal-gear-solid-4-launch-party/)

New York one is the most interesting, really.

[Dreddz]

To whoever is buying the game in the UK, BUY IT AT ZAVVI! They're offering the game for only £40 (which is how it should be really, but its being sold for £50 everywhere else). You also get a bitchin MGS4 T-shirt with it, plus some pointless keyrings but more importantly, you get MGS3 free. Better than paying £50 for just the game everwhere else.

Anyway, I better get off my computer and play the friggin game. Its been too long.

[Roto13]

*doesn't read the rest of the thread to avoid any potential spoilers*

I'm planning on buying this game and a PS3 later on this month. I can't wait to play it. I need to know what happens next. xP

*leaves forever*

[Breine]

Here's (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35051.html?type=) a review of the game from Gametrailers.com, and here's (http://www.gametrailers.com/retrospective.php) a link to the Metal Gear retrospective. Enjoy! :cool:

[Dreddz]

Well the worst thing that could possibly happen has happened. My PS3 is out of commision. I now need to replace the hard drive. Its a long story but it couldnt of happened at the worst time. I got maybe 5 minutes into the game. I got to witness the weird TV channel programs that play at the beginning. They were pretty hilarious

[JKTrix]

How odd. I'm curious to hear the long story sometime. Is it the stock HD in there?

Other news, I just might be able to get the game today, once again breaking the tradition of games arriving a week late where I live.

Trying to keep my hopes down though, so I don't get too disappointed if they don't have it/it's sold out.

[Fonzie]

I'm buying it and playing the game at my friends house.

[Dreddz]

How odd. I'm curious to hear the long story sometime. Is it the stock HD in there?

My HDD became corrupt. While I was playing MGS4 it kept crashing at a specific point so I repeatedly reinstalled the game. I have to do this often with my PS3 games. I became desperate and started deleting other installed data. I tried to delete my DMC4 data but it crashed while deleting so I had to turn my PS3 off. This actually didnt do anything the first time I turned my PS3 on and MGS4 started working. I saved and turned off my PS3 for a while. Now whenever I boot my PS3 it tells me my HDD is corrupt and it needs to be restored. I let it do its work but when its finished it simply restarts my PS3 and shows the exact same message.

I am VERY pissed. From what I played MGS4 was pretty amazing. Hell even the install screen was awesome. I dont even want to play any other games at this point, that'll just depress me even more.

[DMKA]

It's pretty hot so far. Quite a bit more difficult than three.

[Fonzie]

It's pretty hot so far. Quite a bit more difficult than three.

God yes, and finding where you're supposed to go at times can be pretty annoying.

[JKTrix]

This is reminding me of the first time I ever played an MGS game, MGS2 on Xbox. I was so freaking scared to do *anything* because I was afraid I would get caught. It's pretty tense.

I just got a little bit past Drebin. Weapon customization ftw.

[Fonzie]

This is reminding me of the first time I ever played an MGS game, MGS2 on Xbox. I was so freaking scared to do *anything* because I was afraid I would get caught. It's pretty tense.

I just got a little bit past Drebin. Weapon customization ftw.

The M4 is a beautiful weapon.

[Croyles]

Am absolutely loving it at the moment. I thought the install screen + intro were awesome!
And yes the M4 rocks!

[KentaRawr!]

You lucky, lucky, people.

This thread needs more posts if the SSBB thread got so many, and now lives on. >_>

[Pete for President]

I'm getting it tomorrow, can't wait :choc: couldn't get it any sooner due to... simply no time for videogames...

[The Shoeless Hobo]

My order from Play-Asia just shipped. I'll be ordering a white PS3 on tuesday. I'm dying to watch a Clockwork Orange on blu ray. :p

[JKTrix]

What difficulty are you guys playing on? I'm on Solid Normal, but I'm interested to see what things are different. I know in other games, if you start on 'easy' then you would get a tranq gun with unlimited ammo and stuff. I only started off with the Stun Knife, which I've barely used except for shocking people I've alreay killed.

Current progress: Still on Act 1, just past the part where the four members of the Beauty and the Beast (BB) squad obliterate everyone. It was like 3 in the morning when I got to that point, so I quit and went to sleep.

About the FROG soldiers, killing them is pretty disturbing for me. You could probably miss the fact that they're women as they're running around and stuff, but when you shoot/kill them their screams really get to me. I don't like harming/killing women at all :( I know I won't be using lethal force on the BBs when I eventually have to fight them.

Just set up my character for Metal Gear online this morning, character name [JKTrix]. Haven't had a chance to actually play it yet, but my costume is done.

[Croyles]

Im playing on solid normal too, which is fun!

[Sephex]

I love this game. This might be my favorite MGS. I played it for nearly 12 hours yesterday. I almost wish they would remake the entire series (even the Metal Gear games) with the control scheme they set up for MGS4. What kills me is that I am going to have to wait untill late saturday afternoon/early evening to play it. I'll probably finish it then, though.

Most of you seem to be pretty far behind were I am at right now. Just prepare yourself. It gets ****ing crazy.

[Croyles]

I just got to Act 3, but in Act 2: The fight against Laughing Octupus was SO DAMN TENSE!!!!! It was one of the best boss fights ever in my opinion!

[Croyles]

Greatest MGS by far! And one of the best games ever made! I havnt finished yet, but I think im close!
I dont have any thing more productive to say other than, WOW!

[Fonzie]

When do you get the mask for Octocamo?

[Gilghamut]

Defeat the boss who likes to laugh, and you'll get it, according to what I've read from another board.

[JKTrix]

Beginning of Act 2, I kept restarting it over and over because I wanted to save all the militia men. They die so easily! After a while I just said 'screw this' and just bypassed it...and there were more militiamen as I went along. So I wasted all that time trying to save these guys who technically didn't really need to be saved.

Getting those transmissions from Raiden were pretty cool. Can't wait til I get to see him again. Saying things like 'Snake...I'm at your side' seems a little gay on paper, but he totally pulls it off in a more manly way. I suspect something fishy with the 'marriage' of Rose and Roy though.

[Dreddz]

Im definately a long way behind everyone else. I just replaced my hdd so now I can play. Ive only just met Meryl. From early impressions this seems like the best MGS so far (and I know I havent even got into the good stuff yet). The fight with the FROGS was sweet. Oh and keep everything in spoilers guys.

Ill set up my MGO character soon but I doubt ill be playing much until after ive beaten the story. Im archaic88 so add me if you want to play.

[Fonzie]

Defeat the boss who likes to laugh, and you'll get it, according to what I've read from another board.

Thanks, I'm pretty close then I guess.

[Dreddz]

Beginning of Act 2, I kept restarting it over and over because I wanted to save all the militia men. They die so easily! After a while I just said 'screw this' and just bypassed it...and there were more militiamen as I went along. So I wasted all that time trying to save these guys who technically didn't really need to be saved.

I was confused for a while and thought they were the enemy as well (well a ! sign does appear over their head after all) so I wasted most of my ammo. I was a fool.

As for the situation with Roy Cambell and his wife Its funny to think even an old man would move in on somebodies wife. Especially when their half his age He seems pretty happy about it :P

Im think im nearing the end of act 2. I havent faced any boss fights yet but good things come to those who wait I guess. The whole first act was let down by the fact that all the good bits were shown in the trailers. And alot of the build up to certain events has also been ruined by the trailers (ie what happened to Raiden). Very minor complaints though.

[demondude]

The vamp - Raiden battle is absolutely insane.

[JKTrix]

I just finished Act 2, my god there was so much in there that I was impressed with. The 'tracking' gameplay with the helpful advice (and the person who gives it to you) was just amazing, and I'm kind of sad that it might not be in another part of the game.

Here's an example of the necessity of a DualShock 3: There's a cutscene after you defeat an enemy, and Snake reaches down to check their pulse to see if they're still alive. You can feel their pulse through the controller. I was floored.
It was Laughing Octopus. I didn't kill her, like i mentioned in a prior post I don't like the idea of killing women and I'm glad this game gives you the option of non-lethality. Perhaps you don't get the 'pulse feeling' thing if you do use lethal force, I might check that next time around. Also, if you defeat her without killing her, you get to use 'her face' on the face camo.

Edit: Holy crap Otacon! You dog you.

[Dreddz]

Here's an example of the necessity of a DualShock 3: There's a cutscene after you defeat an enemy, and Snake reaches down to check their pulse to see if they're still alive. You can feel their pulse through the controller. I was floored.
It was Laughing Octopus. I didn't kill her, like i mentioned in a prior post I don't like the idea of killing women and I'm glad this game gives you the option of non-lethality. Perhaps you don't get the 'pulse feeling' thing if you do use lethal force, I might check that next time around. Also, if you defeat her without killing her, you get to use 'her face' on the face camo.

I decided to kill her, just because I felt too awkward her hugging me the whole time. Great boss fight though. Kinda freaky too when she was hiding in the box. I didnt notice till the end that you can put your eyepiece on and locate her when she screams. I literally just went into every room and sprayed bullets everywhere to spot her.

Nice to see im catching up with everybody despite only starting this morning.

[KentaRawr!]

Try the Konami code every 5 seconds, you guys.

[JKTrix]

I decided to kill her, just because I felt too awkward her hugging me the whole time. Great boss fight though. Kinda freaky too when she was hiding in the box. I didnt notice till the end that you can put your eyepiece on and locate her when she screams. I literally just went into every room and sprayed bullets everywhere to spot her.

Nice to see im catching up with everybody despite only starting this morning.

Well, I just tend to play games really slowly :P Did you get the 'pulse checking' scene after you beat her? Did you feel the pulse?

[Dreddz]

Well, I just tend to play games really slowly :P Did you get the 'pulse checking' scene after you beat her? Did you feel the pulse?

Unfortunately no, I tend to put the controller down alot of the time during cutscenes. Im always in a frenzy to find my controller when it prompts to press a specific button on screen during cutscenes.

[DMKA]

I'm still way in the beginning apparently. I really need to glue my ass to the chair and play. It seems so difficult to do now though.

[Croyles]

I completed it...
It was truly epic.
I think I may need to watch the ending again because I missed one or two things.

I said earlier I thought it was one of the best games ever made. Well for me, this game now is the BEST damn game in history!
I can only understate how awesome it was!

[Sephex]

I just finished it. Beautiful game. Tied up everything.

My only complaint is there were some of the usual cheesiness and awkward moments. Gets a bit too linear towards the end. Other than that, I am very happy to be a Metal Gear fan right now.

[Dreddz]

Wow, the end of act 3......just wow.

[Croyles]

Wow, the end of act 3......just wow.

The best is yet to come ^^

[Fonzie]

I'm in the middle of act 4, and if you need to know how to kill Vamp equip the Syringe and use CQC + triangle.

[Croyles]

I'm in the middle of act 4, and if you need to know how to kill Vamp equip the Syringe and use CQC + triangle.

It was so awesome when I figured that out, it was a true ! moment.
He started talking about nanomachines and then I was thinking for a minute and then remembered the syringe.

[Dreddz]

The end of act 4 is so stupid Theres no way Raiden could stop that submarine. That thing was HUGE. The Rex vs Ray fight was a surprise, I thought we'd just watch it, not actually play it. It was great when Snake goes "Fox" and Liquid goes "Die" and then goes "NOT". Haha seriously I love this smurfing game.

[Croyles]

Dreddz, dont you think the (end of Act 4) Vamp fight, rex escape and rex vs ray fight were absolutely awesome?

[Dreddz]

Yes, all of that was great. I died when the Gekko's ambush you while Raiden and Vamp are fighting. Its so difficult to play when they show Raiden and Vamp duking it out on the other half of the screen.

I also liked just going around Shadow Moses again. It was cool when they'd play certain voice clips from the original game as you went through Shadow Moses (it was even cooler when they let you play MGS1 for a while before you re-entered Shadown Moses). ARGH makes me want to play MGS1 again so much. Ill probably revisit it once Ive finished MGS4. Hope the last act doesnt disappoint. Its been so great so far.

[KentaRawr!]

I really, really wish I had this game right now. :(

[Dreddz]

I finally beat it. The game would be perfect if it wasnt for the final cutscene. That was practically a feature length movie with way too much infomation to digest. Im even more confused about Metal Gears story than I was before. I think ill read a synopsis to clarify a few things, because im not putting myself through that final cutscene again.

Other than that, the game was a masterpiece. My favourite bits were the Screaming Mantis boss fight, just incredible. And the entire first act.

Right, now I guess Ill start playing MGO.

[Croyles]

I finally beat it. The game would be perfect if it wasnt for the final cutscene. That was practically a feature length movie with way too much infomation to digest. Im even more confused about Metal Gears story than I was before. I think ill read a synopsis to clarify a few things, because im not putting myself through that final cutscene again.

Other than that, the game was a masterpiece. My favourite bits were the Screaming Mantis boss fight, just incredible. And the entire first act.

Right, now I guess Ill start playing MGO.

My mind was hyperactive by the end so I understood nearly all of it. I wouldnt have been able to understand it on a normal day though..

[KentaRawr!]

I've seen too many spoilers. D:<

[Dreddz]

My mind was hyperactive by the end so I understood nearly all of it. I wouldnt have been able to understand it on a normal day though..

I was watching it from about 2.50am till 4am so I guess being tired wasnt helping me understand it all.

Ive now played MGO for a bit and pretty much have the same feelings towards it as to MGS3's and PO's multiplayer. It technically works but alot of the things that make the gameplay so enjoyable in the single player simply cant translate well into multiplayer. You can run and gun easily but cant sneak up on anyone. Actually being stealthy is possibly the worst way to play MGO. I tried to hide in a trash bin but didnt notice I was spotted a mile off by several people on the opposing team. I then had six people line up around the trash bin, was pulled out and without given a chance massacred on the spot. It seems the only way to survive is to always be on your feet and always have a machine gun equiped.

I noticed clan support so thought maybe we could all team up and form one. Although MGO doesnt seem like the most endearing multiplayer game, so I dont know how long ill still be playing it. Im not paying for the additional content in the future, thats for sure.

[JKTrix]

If I didn't have to go out yesterday I would have finished it then, but I just finished it. My play time was just over 24 hours.

Long ending is long.

Act 2 was probably my overall favourite. The event at the beginning of Act 4 actually threw me right off, because the controls were so different. I actually died.

I like how with the camera now, you can take the photos off the PS3 and put it on to your computer (http://i31.:bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou:/2w6avrn.jpg) to save.

All in all, good game. There were a few times where I was extremely impressed, and the entire experience was definitely worth it.

[Mirage]

I'm buying a PS3 as soon as that PS3+MGS4 bundle is in stock again where i live.

[Dreddz]

The event at the beginning of Act 4 actually threw me right off, because the controls were so different. I actually died.

Did you still get the pixelated face camo even if you die? I didnt know what to do so just went through the vent on the balcony like I was actually playing the game

Who actually listened to the ipod while playing? I kept forgetting it was there till act 4 where I thought it would be cool to play the nuclear warehouse music while going through Shadow Moses again. That whole act felt more like a nostalgia trip than a continuation of MGS4 with the music playing.

What was everyones rank at the end of their playthrough. Mine was pig which I think is the worst one (or at least one of the worst). When I go through the game again Ill try to improve on it. I hear you get some rewards if you play well but I think its just costumes, nothing special.

[Old Manus]

I bought this yesterday and so far I've just escaped with Drebin in his pimpwagon and saw a load of Gekkos get their http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif ruined by Raiden. It's pretty awesome so far, that pitched battle between PMC and militia while I was trying to reach Naomi was so awesome I creamed myself.

[Fonzie]

Jesus Christ, just finished it, and it was epic. God damn epic.

I got the title of eagle by the way.\

Edit: I just remembered the scene when he's going down the microwave tunnel. So hard to play through without almost breaking into tears. Just so beautiful and disheartening. Listening to the music makes me have chills.

[JKTrix]

Did you still get the pixelated face camo even if you die? I didnt know what to do so just went through the vent on the balcony like I was actually playing the game

I did get the face camo. I listened to the iPod a couple of times in the game, but it was most often when I was just lying down doing nothing to regain my stats. The music makes your Psyche raise faster. I found it distracting when i was actually sneaking around though, as I prefered the ambient sounds so I could hear things around me. After a while I just started going to the Virtual Range to listen to the iPod without worrying about distraction. I wonder when and how often they'll be updating that Podcast. Apparently, some of the songs you unlock will have an additional effect on enemies if you play it.

My ending rank was 'Eagle' as well, however you do get titles for other things depending on how you play. From what I remember, I got Eagle, Hawk, Inchworm, Pig, Tarantula, Hyena. Eagle I think is for getting a lot of headshots, Hawk for getting praised by the militia, Inchworm for spending a lot of time prone or crawling, Tarantula for a high kill count without being seen much, Hyena for scavenging a lot of items, and Pig for eating a lot of restoration items. There looked to be over 30 different titles you can get depending on your performance. I'd imagine some others would be based on how fast you played, if you didn't kill anybody, if you never get spotted and for difficulty completion.

The tunnel scene was ruined for me. I had a power surge and my TV turned off, but the PS3 was still on. So I'm here trying to continue mashing Triangle and keep straight with one hand while I was fishing around for my remote to turn the TV back on. I was upset. I'm gonna play that part again tonight.

[Dreddz]

Well It makes sense that I got pig because I was pretty generous with using health items. Especially near the end (I think I used around 7 noodles at the beginning of act 5)

From what I hear I missed out on a lot of cool stuff while on my playthrough. Apparantly Hideos ghost is scattered all throughout the game which I think is cool. The only thing I picked up on was that if you shake the controller while talking to Rose via codec you can make her boobs bounce. It became almost routine to do it while talking to her, I have no idea why.

[JKTrix]

lol, I never would have thought about that :P The only time I used a 'shake' was in the final Beauty fight. I remember hearing somewhere that you can turn the OctoCamo back to normal by shaking, but it didn't work when I tried it once.

One thing I did is that when you meet up with Naomi, Snake checks her out a few times, but the L1 prompt does not always come up.

[Sephex]

Jesus Christ, just finished it, and it was epic. God damn epic.

I got the title of eagle by the way.\

Edit: I just remembered the scene when he's going down the microwave tunnel. So hard to play through without almost breaking into tears. Just so beautiful and disheartening. Listening to the music makes me have chills.


Yeah, that whole part was beautiful. This is why I give MGS a pass when it comes to cutscenes and sometimes linear gameplay. The story/path is so cool, that I don't really care if I am interacting with it all the time. I never got why people started ripping on it so much. Sure, the cutscenes are have been getting progessively longer with each installment, but the original MGS was pretty much a movie, too.

Whoa, didn't mean to rant. I should stop reading GameFAQs boards.

Now that I let the game sink in (in the middle of my second playthrough...taking it slow and watching everything again), I must say that I still like MGS3 better. HOWEVER, MGS4 is a very close second.

[Croyles]

Im trying to be naughty, dirty, filthy and dishonorable by trying to watch the making of metal gear solid 4 somewhere online, but about halfway through me watching part 1 on youtube, it got deleted, and the persons account suspended. Wow they are fast.

I feel so dirty...... But I just dont want to pay that much more for a limited edition, especially when I already have the normal game. Actually when I think about it, I dont think there is a LE in europe...

[KentaRawr!]

Apparently, leaving to eat a sandwich while playing in the Shadow Moses level does something special.

That's a spoiler I'm pretty glad to know, actually. >_>

[Bolivar]

If there ever was a thread where spoiler tags were necessary, it would have to be MGS. But what I find hilarious is how much of the rumors/speculation on the story which know-it-alls on this forum and others came out to debunk, actually turned out to be true.

I don't know if I'd say it's the BEST game I've ever played, but it's damn sure up there; it's absolutely the best next gen title I've played and much of it really blew me away. If they wanted to end the series here, they could very well do it and I would be satisfied, although there are still some small blanks that could be filled in should they choose to go on. I'd really want them to remake MG and MG2: SS using this engine. The iPod was cool, I hope they make another integral podcast, and "Theme of Tara" from MG was really fun to listen to while infiltrating.

MGO is a hell of alot better than what I remember of its previous incarnation, only scratching the surface, I have to say it's very addicting. It is possible to "sneak up" on people, but it's more so getting the drop on them. I was able to hide behind a crate and watch 2 guys walk down a hallway, then got behind them and cut down both. The weapon balance seems to be good - I've seen players get high ranks with all primary weapon types, and pulling out hte pistol to land the last few shots is a worthwhile technique. Even the sneaking mode is alot of fun compared to the abomination i remember it was on the ps2.

[DMKA]

I'm stuck on the stupid annoying flying RAAGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE boss. I think I'm doing it wrong.

[JKTrix]

She'll eventually overheat and go chill out on one of the roofs. She'll actually say "Gah, I'm overheating!" and all attacks will cease. You will find her more easily by using the night vision and looking around from the top level of the tower. If you haven't killed many of her flying-around buddies, they'll be circling around her location.

While she's cooling down, that's your opportunity to send a rocket her way or snipe her. If you don't have a rocket or a sniper or its relative ammo, you can always buy one. You should have enough DP to purchase one right there.

Since the B&B Bosses are in 2 parts, I don't think it counts as a 'kill' if you defeat their beast form with a lethal weapon. Though I could be wrong, but it wouldn't make sense to me.

You can still damage her normally as she's flying around, though it's easier to get bigger damage using that method. I found that if I just laid down on some stairs near the top level, she couldn't hit me at all, so you can use that if you need to regain your gauges.

It might be different on difficulties higher than 'Solid Normal'.

[Bolivar]

I'd also recommend using the M14, as you can drill away at her up close for decent damage, plus snipe when she's far away. IMO its one of the best guns in the game, I use it whenever i can in MGO.

[Gilghamut]

I absolutely loved this game, it was just so amazing throughout. The very last boss battle I think was the first boss fight of any game, that admittedly made me teary eyed.

Act 4 was so damn awesome as how it brought back that nostalgic feeling.

[JKTrix]

Oh, also:


Konami never said the flashbacks were gameplay or related to that video.
...
They just go to the remains of shadow moses, it's not a flashback.

Sure, they haven't explicitly stated that 'This Is A Playable Flashback', but there's a lot of suggestion. The last bump that comes up at 2:47 says "Is it possible to replay MGS!?" I haven't been following MGS4 as super closely as some people have, so I can't really contest anything else that was mentioned.

Nice to see they're making good use of the footage from their April Fool's joke. (http://forums.eyesonff.com/2459840-post1.html)

[Bolivar]

Oh, also:


Konami never said the flashbacks were gameplay or related to that video.
...
They just go to the remains of shadow moses, it's not a flashback.

Sure, they haven't explicitly stated that 'This Is A Playable Flashback', but there's a lot of suggestion. The last bump that comes up at 2:47 says "Is it possible to replay MGS!?" I haven't been following MGS4 as super closely as some people have, so I can't really contest anything else that was mentioned.

Nice to see they're making good use of the footage from their April Fool's joke. (http://forums.eyesonff.com/2459840-post1.html)

well, the game actually does have a playable flashback, it just happens to not be what they showed in that video

[Outer Heaven]

The game is a huge disappointment. What a complete failure on the story part. Jeez, 3 years in the making, and Kojima couldn't even wrap up the series decently. NO, just had to retcon the http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif out of MGS2, Meta Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. I think this is a huge F-U! from Kojima to the fans who have been following the story's depth, giving us crappy fan-service, and sub-par explanations. I guess he just didn't care anymore, now I really wish MGS3 was his last. The ending was the real biggest low-blow to the original fans, ha. What a joke. Sweet jesus, this is worse than Resident Evil 4 or Devil May Cry 4,

I would hardly even call MGS4 canon.


R.I.P.

Metal Gear Solid Series

1987 - 2004

[Bolivar]

The game is a huge disappointment. What a complete failure on the story part. Jeez, 3 years in the making, and Kojima couldn't even wrap up the series decently. NO, just had to retcon the http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif out of MGS2, Meta Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. I think this is a huge F-U! from Kojima to the fans who have been following the story's depth, giving us crappy fan-service, and sub-par explanations. I guess he just didn't care anymore, now I really wish MGS3 was his last. The ending was the real biggest low-blow to the original fans, ha. What a joke. Sweet jesus, this is worse than Resident Evil 4 or Devil May Cry 4,

I would hardly even call MGS4 canon.


R.I.P.

Metal Gear Solid Series

1987 - 2004

^is this a joke? Assuming it's not, I have to say I agree with the overwhelming majority of fan reactions that it tied up all of the loose ends perfectly and is one of the best games I've yet to play. I could not imagine a better ending myself, and the more I dwell on it, the better I realize the game is, definately one I'll still be playing years from now, as well as the rest of the MGS series.

But umm, what are some of the retcons you speak of? Because most of them are dead characters turning out to actually be alive, which after MGS1, 2, and 3 has become business as usual

[Old Manus]

I finished it yesterday. Awesome game, but I'd have to agree about the stupid amounts of retconning.

[Dreddz]

The game is a huge disappointment. What a complete failure on the story part. Jeez, 3 years in the making, and Kojima couldn't even wrap up the series decently. NO, just had to retcon the http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif out of MGS2, Meta Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. I think this is a huge F-U! from Kojima to the fans who have been following the story's depth, giving us crappy fan-service, and sub-par explanations. I guess he just didn't care anymore, now I really wish MGS3 was his last. The ending was the real biggest low-blow to the original fans, ha. What a joke. Sweet jesus, this is worse than Resident Evil 4 or Devil May Cry 4,

I would hardly even call MGS4 canon.

You failed when you said Kojima didnt care. You can tell he put more care into this game then any other developer has with any other game ever. This game was made for fans and fans only. Say what you want but the references to past games were done well in my opinion.

However, the story was the only disappointing thing about MGS4. I couldnt even tell if the story was wrapped up well in MGS4. Its just so confusing. This game requires you to play Japan only MSX games to fully understand it. People say that the story is the best part about MGS games but by MGS3 the series had no hope in satisfyingly wrapping up all the loose ends. Kojima was put in a dead end and I guess he dealt with it the best he could but that doesnt change the fact that if this story was planned from the start of the series it could of been a whole lot better.

[JKTrix]

Sure was fun to play though.

[Dreddz]

Yep. Its hard to mess up a game involving ninja's.

[Croyles]

The game is a huge disappointment. What a complete failure on the story part. Jeez, 3 years in the making, and Kojima couldn't even wrap up the series decently. NO, just had to retcon the http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif out of MGS2, Meta Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. I think this is a huge F-U! from Kojima to the fans who have been following the story's depth, giving us crappy fan-service, and sub-par explanations. I guess he just didn't care anymore, now I really wish MGS3 was his last. The ending was the real biggest low-blow to the original fans, ha. What a joke. Sweet jesus, this is worse than Resident Evil 4 or Devil May Cry 4,

I would hardly even call MGS4 canon.


R.I.P.

Metal Gear Solid Series

1987 - 2004

Wow, have I found my nemesis? My evil twin brother? My spiritual opposite (not meaning luuuuurve). I would agree with everything you said if it was the exact opposite.

[Bolivar]

I finished it yesterday. Awesome game, but I'd have to agree about the stupid amounts of retconning.

again, what retconning?

[JKTrix]

I'm thinking stuff related to Ocelot's arm could be thought of as 'retconning'. I just took it as part of the story.

Some people take these things very seriously. I'm not one of them :P

[KentaRawr!]

Well, one thing that's considered a retcon is the fact that the Colonel was apparently not an AI during the course of MGS2 until the end. :o

[Croyles]

He was an AI, nothing that happens in MGS4 says otherwise I believe.

[Old Manus]

again, what retconning?Big Boss being alive
Liquid being dead the whole time
Mei Ling having a different accent
The data on the Patriots retrieved from GW being a load of rubbish
GW was destroyed but then got repaired
The Patriots aren't humans at all
Naomi has cancer
Metal Gear REX, after you literally blew it to pieces in MGS1, manages to get back operational after fiddling with the power for a few minutes
Snake's Foxdie now has the ability to kill everyone on the planet

The game was still awesome, just some of the things were fine as they were and didn't need to be changed.

[Vivisteiner]

This game sucks.





Only kidding. Dammit. When will my PS3 and my copy of the game arrive? Hopefully by Wednesay.

[DMKA]

For some reason my game keeps resetting on the Screaming Mantis boss fight whenever I've almost beaten it. o__O

[KentaRawr!]

She must be crossing the fourth wall to avoid losing.

[JKTrix]

She must be crossing the fourth wall to avoid losing.

Yeah, that. I never got that far with her, the only weird thing she did for me was to 'change' the video input on my TV to 'Hideo 1', but apparently she does more if you linger long enough.

[Bolivar]

again, what retconning?Big Boss being alive
Liquid being dead the whole time
Mei Ling having a different accent
The data on the Patriots retrieved from GW being a load of rubbish
GW was destroyed but then got repaired
The Patriots aren't humans at all
Naomi has cancer
Metal Gear REX, after you literally blew it to pieces in MGS1, manages to get back operational after fiddling with the power for a few minutes
Snake's Foxdie now has the ability to kill everyone on the planet

The game was still awesome, just some of the things were fine as they were and didn't need to be changed.

well, I don't think different accents could be considered retcons considering it doesn't have an impact on past story events, and it's been that way since The Twin Snakes on Gamecube.
What the patriots actually were has been debated since their introduction, and 3 of them were alive for the events of MGS4.

REX wasn't blown to pieces, in fact you had a boss fight ontop of it after you disabled it.


As far as most of the others you mentioned, BB being alive, Liquid being dead, Naomi's cancer and Snake's FOXDIE - you should be used to all of those things by now if you've played previous games in the series.

[DMKA]

I just finished the game. I baaawwwwwww'd.

Now, can someone explain to me what the opening FMV's intended meaning was?

[JKTrix]

'Meaning', I don't know. They all had something to do with the game's themes though. And after the 'main' part of each of the various programs was a commercial for one of the 4 PMC groups.

The one with the man wearing the Solid Eyes being interviewed by the woman, the man is Snake's voice actor David Hayter (perhaps obvious), but the woman interviewing him was Lee Meriwether--former Catwoman and voice of Big Mama.

Mainly, I think they were put in there just to be different :P A peek into Kojima's mind.

[Dreddz]

I always thought the meanings of the opening FMV's was to show what TV has turned into in MGS4's world. Oh and all the people you see in the FMV's are voice actors for the game.

[Roto13]

I bought it and a PS3 today. I'll come back here when I'm finished. xP

[Outer Heaven]

Well in response to Bolivar who asked what sucked about MGS4 :



***MAJOR SPOILERS***






I don't know why would anyone who has been paying attention to the previous titles of the game, would even think that MGS4 is brilliant or even has great story, because it's one huge self-contradiction to rest of the MGS titles.








1. Big Boss is blatant fan service - I don't care what anyone says...it's fan service. Unfortunately, it was catered to those fans who would rather piss all over his great character just so there could be one last father/son bonding scene. He's been in a coma for 15 years, comes back, explains stuff, then dies. An unnecessary, and flat-out stupid retcon. For some reason, Big Boss just had to be yet another "I'm a good guy that turned into a bad guy but I was really a good guy all along" character. He died in MG2:SS, why couldn't Kojima leave it there? We will never know.

2. The "explanation" for Liquid Ocelot is a cop out AND a retcon. We clearly saw that it was Liquid controlling Ocelot's body in MGS2, period. Kojima didn't intend to explain how Liquid did it, he was just going to leave it like that. It was supposed to be the last MGS game. The arm is now a mechanical one in MGS4 (just like he wanted it to be before MGS2 development) and Ocelot went under "Psychotherapy". Flat out COP OUT!

3. Vamp's immortality through nanomachines is http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif as well. I don't care how fast he can heal, a bullet to the head will kill you instantly. Another slap to the face by Kojima. It's seems his answer to everything is "NANOMACHINEZ":
"He was dead!"
"Nanomachines."

"He's immortal!"
"Nanomachines."

"That man just became a platypus!"
"Nanomachines."

But to be honest, he screwed up in MGS2 to begin with by making him seem immortal.

4. Ninja Raiden is another fan service as well. He may have been gay MGS2, but his character was no longer needed in MGS. He was done at the end of MGS2, just remember what Snake told him. But no, Kojima felt that there was some need to bring him back, but in order to please fans he changed him completely into a ninja, now idiot fanboys want to play this loser, and his character was pissed all over as well with his emo "I have nothing to live for" attitude... And it was supposed to be Snake finding Sunny, but this was retconned as well as badass Raiden found her and left her under Otacon & Snake. And most of all, Kojima provided no info on why he went from a loser to an "extreme badass".

5. GW was destroyed in MGS2, but then retconned to only be destroyed into pieces in MGS4 (BS)...so all of Emma's efforts were for http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif. And it seems JFK has suddenly disappeared in MGS4, and now there's JD.:eek:

Colonel : Raiden, are you receiving? We're still here.

Raiden : How's that possible!? The AI was destroyed!

Colonel : Only GW...

Raiden : Who are you?




6. Vamp's ability to read people's muscles in MGS2 was changed, and now he can no longer read Snake's in MGS4...which in MGS2, Raiden was the only one he was able to read and had Snake pinned down after he slaughtered Seal Team 10.


Vamp : Hahaha... I thought so. Human muscles are quite eloquent. They
speak-out clearly what the person's next movement will be. They
even tell me which way a gun will be pointed before the trigger
is pulled. But your muscles -- they're different. This should be
fun...well worth the wait.

Raiden : You knew I was coming?

Vamp : You think I'm going to lose -- I can't let you interfere with
Arsenal Gear.


So from this quote, if this was a Snake vs. Vamp fight, Snake would have never stood a chance.

7. The codec was absolutely useless. Like I previously said, they decided to focus more on cinematics & fan-wanks then actually story or gameplay. If you were to skip all cut-scenes, you will only get like...maybe 3 hours of gameplay compared to 8 hours of cut-scenes, and they were boring as hell; crappy dialogue, poor voice acting.

8. Naomi's death was so sudden and http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifty "uh..I have cancer" *dies*.

9. The whole REX vs. RAY is yet another fan-wank. After so many times on take on and destroying a Metal Gear, they just keep coming back (REX), and everything works too. I guess this was also catered to those who would actually want to see a REX vs. RAY fight...well they got, and they just made the Shadow Moses act look like one huge smurfing joke.

10. Last but not least...MGS Database, which is possibly the dumbest thing. It contradicted MGS4, while MGS4 contradicted the other installments, so basically they went all ape-http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif with MGS4. The game has only been out for a week and they are already retconning everything in MGS4 by adding more useless garbage like Area 51 etc. This is why I don't take MGS4 as canon, it has now become something you see on the Sci-Fi channel a smurfing cheap fantasy game...which brings me to my last and final point...:

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6876/retconsmc0.jpg

So in conclusion, IMHO, MGS4 is the worst of the series...an complete fan-wanked game...It's cool if you like the game, I respect your opinion...but I'm trying to defend my opinion (before anyone pulls out " fuk u...ms4 iss epik!).

Overall I would give the game a 1.8/10...yes it was that disappointing to me. And now they want to piss all over Big Boss again, with a prequel (MGS5)...R.I.P. MGS Series.

[Croyles]

Shoudnt you be used to this sort of stuff by now? I really dont get why your so dissapointed.

REX wasnt destroyed in MGS1. It wasnt already fixed, the Mk.II fixes it.
You would get MUCH more than 3 hours of gameplay. I thought the cutscenes werent included in the total time?
I hated really long codec scenes.

I get the feeling your really looking for things to hate about the game. Oh well, its only bad for yourself because this was one of the best game experiences I have had in my life.

[Dreddz]

A good point Outer Heaven made was about the nanomachines.They end up being the cause for almost everything that is weird in the series. Kind of a cop out if you ask me.

[Fonzie]

Well in response to Bolivar who asked what sucked about MGS4 :



***MAJOR SPOILERS***






I don't know why would anyone who has been paying attention to the previous titles of the game, would even think that MGS4 is brilliant or even has great story, because it's one huge self-contradiction to rest of the MGS titles.








1. Big Boss is blatant fan service - I don't care what anyone says...it's fan service. Unfortunately, it was catered to those fans who would rather piss all over his great character just so there could be one last father/son bonding scene. He's been in a coma for 15 years, comes back, explains stuff, then dies. An unnecessary, and flat-out stupid retcon. For some reason, Big Boss just had to be yet another "I'm a good guy that turned into a bad guy but I was really a good guy all along" character. He died in MG2:SS, why couldn't Kojima leave it there? We will never know.

2. The "explanation" for Liquid Ocelot is a cop out AND a retcon. We clearly saw that it was Liquid controlling Ocelot's body in MGS2, period. Kojima didn't intend to explain how Liquid did it, he was just going to leave it like that. It was supposed to be the last MGS game. The arm is now a mechanical one in MGS4 (just like he wanted it to be before MGS2 development) and Ocelot went under "Psychotherapy". Flat out COP OUT!

3. Vamp's immortality through nanomachines is http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif as well. I don't care how fast he can heal, a bullet to the head will kill you instantly. Another slap to the face by Kojima. It's seems his answer to everything is "NANOMACHINEZ":
"He was dead!"
"Nanomachines."

"He's immortal!"
"Nanomachines."

"That man just became a platypus!"
"Nanomachines."

But to be honest, he screwed up in MGS2 to begin with by making him seem immortal.

4. Ninja Raiden is another fan service as well. He may have been gay MGS2, but his character was no longer needed in MGS. He was done at the end of MGS2, just remember what Snake told him. But no, Kojima felt that there was some need to bring him back, but in order to please fans he changed him completely into a ninja, now idiot fanboys want to play this loser, and his character was pissed all over as well with his emo "I have nothing to live for" attitude... And it was supposed to be Snake finding Sunny, but this was retconned as well as badass Raiden found her and left her under Otacon & Snake. And most of all, Kojima provided no info on why he went from a loser to an "extreme badass".

5. GW was destroyed in MGS2, but then retconned to only be destroyed into pieces in MGS4 (BS)...so all of Emma's efforts were for http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif. And it seems JFK has suddenly disappeared in MGS4, and now there's JD.:eek:

Colonel : Raiden, are you receiving? We're still here.

Raiden : How's that possible!? The AI was destroyed!

Colonel : Only GW...

Raiden : Who are you?




6. Vamp's ability to read people's muscles in MGS2 was changed, and now he can no longer read Snake's in MGS4...which in MGS2, Raiden was the only one he was able to read and had Snake pinned down after he slaughtered Seal Team 10.


Vamp : Hahaha... I thought so. Human muscles are quite eloquent. They
speak-out clearly what the person's next movement will be. They
even tell me which way a gun will be pointed before the trigger
is pulled. But your muscles -- they're different. This should be
fun...well worth the wait.

Raiden : You knew I was coming?

Vamp : You think I'm going to lose -- I can't let you interfere with
Arsenal Gear.


So from this quote, if this was a Snake vs. Vamp fight, Snake would have never stood a chance.

7. The codec was absolutely useless. Like I previously said, they decided to focus more on cinematics & fan-wanks then actually story or gameplay. If you were to skip all cut-scenes, you will only get like...maybe 3 hours of gameplay compared to 8 hours of cut-scenes, and they were boring as hell; crappy dialogue, poor voice acting.

8. Naomi's death was so sudden and http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifty "uh..I have cancer" *dies*.

9. The whole REX vs. RAY is yet another fan-wank. After so many times on take on and destroying a Metal Gear, they just keep coming back (REX), and everything works too. I guess this was also catered to those who would actually want to see a REX vs. RAY fight...well they got, and they just made the Shadow Moses act look like one huge smurfing joke.

10. Last but not least...MGS Database, which is possibly the dumbest thing. It contradicted MGS4, while MGS4 contradicted the other installments, so basically they went all ape-http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif with MGS4. The game has only been out for a week and they are already retconning everything in MGS4 by adding more useless garbage like Area 51 etc. This is why I don't take MGS4 as canon, it has now become something you see on the Sci-Fi channel a smurfing cheap fantasy game...which brings me to my last and final point...:

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6876/retconsmc0.jpg

So in conclusion, IMHO, MGS4 is the worst of the series...an complete fan-wanked game...It's cool if you like the game, I respect your opinion...but I'm trying to defend my opinion (before anyone pulls out " fuk u...ms4 iss epik!).

Overall I would give the game a 1.8/10...yes it was that disappointing to me. And now they want to piss all over Big Boss again, with a prequel (MGS5)...R.I.P. MGS Series.

Good god, you have a lot of sand in your vagina.

And while I do agree with some of those, you seem to focus only on the damn negatives.

[DMKA]

Well in response to Bolivar who asked what sucked about MGS4 :



***MAJOR SPOILERS***






I don't know why would anyone who has been paying attention to the previous titles of the game, would even think that MGS4 is brilliant or even has great story, because it's one huge self-contradiction to rest of the MGS titles.








1. Big Boss is blatant fan service - I don't care what anyone says...it's fan service. Unfortunately, it was catered to those fans who would rather piss all over his great character just so there could be one last father/son bonding scene. He's been in a coma for 15 years, comes back, explains stuff, then dies. An unnecessary, and flat-out stupid retcon. For some reason, Big Boss just had to be yet another "I'm a good guy that turned into a bad guy but I was really a good guy all along" character. He died in MG2:SS, why couldn't Kojima leave it there? We will never know.

2. The "explanation" for Liquid Ocelot is a cop out AND a retcon. We clearly saw that it was Liquid controlling Ocelot's body in MGS2, period. Kojima didn't intend to explain how Liquid did it, he was just going to leave it like that. It was supposed to be the last MGS game. The arm is now a mechanical one in MGS4 (just like he wanted it to be before MGS2 development) and Ocelot went under "Psychotherapy". Flat out COP OUT!

3. Vamp's immortality through nanomachines is http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif as well. I don't care how fast he can heal, a bullet to the head will kill you instantly. Another slap to the face by Kojima. It's seems his answer to everything is "NANOMACHINEZ":
"He was dead!"
"Nanomachines."

"He's immortal!"
"Nanomachines."

"That man just became a platypus!"
"Nanomachines."

But to be honest, he screwed up in MGS2 to begin with by making him seem immortal.

4. Ninja Raiden is another fan service as well. He may have been gay MGS2, but his character was no longer needed in MGS. He was done at the end of MGS2, just remember what Snake told him. But no, Kojima felt that there was some need to bring him back, but in order to please fans he changed him completely into a ninja, now idiot fanboys want to play this loser, and his character was pissed all over as well with his emo "I have nothing to live for" attitude... And it was supposed to be Snake finding Sunny, but this was retconned as well as badass Raiden found her and left her under Otacon & Snake. And most of all, Kojima provided no info on why he went from a loser to an "extreme badass".

5. GW was destroyed in MGS2, but then retconned to only be destroyed into pieces in MGS4 (BS)...so all of Emma's efforts were for http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif. And it seems JFK has suddenly disappeared in MGS4, and now there's JD.:eek:

Colonel : Raiden, are you receiving? We're still here.

Raiden : How's that possible!? The AI was destroyed!

Colonel : Only GW...

Raiden : Who are you?




6. Vamp's ability to read people's muscles in MGS2 was changed, and now he can no longer read Snake's in MGS4...which in MGS2, Raiden was the only one he was able to read and had Snake pinned down after he slaughtered Seal Team 10.


Vamp : Hahaha... I thought so. Human muscles are quite eloquent. They
speak-out clearly what the person's next movement will be. They
even tell me which way a gun will be pointed before the trigger
is pulled. But your muscles -- they're different. This should be
fun...well worth the wait.

Raiden : You knew I was coming?

Vamp : You think I'm going to lose -- I can't let you interfere with
Arsenal Gear.


So from this quote, if this was a Snake vs. Vamp fight, Snake would have never stood a chance.

7. The codec was absolutely useless. Like I previously said, they decided to focus more on cinematics & fan-wanks then actually story or gameplay. If you were to skip all cut-scenes, you will only get like...maybe 3 hours of gameplay compared to 8 hours of cut-scenes, and they were boring as hell; crappy dialogue, poor voice acting.

8. Naomi's death was so sudden and http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifty "uh..I have cancer" *dies*.

9. The whole REX vs. RAY is yet another fan-wank. After so many times on take on and destroying a Metal Gear, they just keep coming back (REX), and everything works too. I guess this was also catered to those who would actually want to see a REX vs. RAY fight...well they got, and they just made the Shadow Moses act look like one huge smurfing joke.

10. Last but not least...MGS Database, which is possibly the dumbest thing. It contradicted MGS4, while MGS4 contradicted the other installments, so basically they went all ape-http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif with MGS4. The game has only been out for a week and they are already retconning everything in MGS4 by adding more useless garbage like Area 51 etc. This is why I don't take MGS4 as canon, it has now become something you see on the Sci-Fi channel a smurfing cheap fantasy game...which brings me to my last and final point...:

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6876/retconsmc0.jpg

So in conclusion, IMHO, MGS4 is the worst of the series...an complete fan-wanked game...It's cool if you like the game, I respect your opinion...but I'm trying to defend my opinion (before anyone pulls out " fuk u...ms4 iss epik!).

Overall I would give the game a 1.8/10...yes it was that disappointing to me. And now they want to piss all over Big Boss again, with a prequel (MGS5)...R.I.P. MGS Series.

tl;dr

[Outer Heaven]

@The Fonz: How can I not focus on the negatives when the game if full of 'em? I guess the only good parts of the game were the flashbacks, some of the gameplay was ok, the soundtrack was pretty good as well. But that doesn't really make MGS4 any better. If the Big Boss ending was removed and Snake succeeds in his suicide attempt. that there would have maybe made the game decent.

Ok maybe I was being mean, how about a 3/10 for MGS4, cuz I mean MGS1 had sucky grapix - you can't c snake's eyez, and it's old and mgs4 is badasss wit run n gameplay.[/sarcasm]

MGS1 is still the masterpiece even after 10 years.


@DMKA: Sorry my analysis of the game hurt your feelings.:mog:

[DMKA]

@DMKA: Sorry my analysis of the game hurt your feelings.:mog:

Nah, you didn't hurt my feelings. In fact, your overall butthurtness made me chuckle. :)

[Croyles]

Good god, you have a lot of sand in your vagina.



Or maybe something else down there? (http://teethmovie.com/film.html)

Anyway, this was one of the best gaming experiences I have ever had and I dont care what anyone else says :)

[Ichimonji]

I loved MGS4 a lot. The gameplay was extremely fun; every cutscene was infused with emotional intensity, and the wad of fan service was like a big explosion of awesome for most crazed fans of the series. I.e.: Me. There are a plentitude of areas which are particularly amazing, especially a certain fight that I won’t name but anyone who has beaten the game will know what I’m talking about. I surprisingly loved the Beauty and the Beast bosses. Before the game came out they didn’t seem too interesting, but they were actually pretty cool. I loved all the freedom that you had to play the game the way you wanted, and especially adored Drebin’s Shop. That was just awesome.

That being said, I thought the game was a bit on the easy side. Even though you can play the game in full stealthy goodness, the gameplay is a lot more free-gunning action accessible. And along with the massive variety of guns you can purchase from any point in time, it pretty much whispers in your ear to treat the game like you’re playing Gears of War. So you can Rambo your way through a good portion of the title with very little consequence. Of course, you’ll reap better rewards at the end if you stealth it, but still, little consequence if you don’t. And yeah, some storyline elements were a bit out there, but that was all part of the awesome in my perspective.

However, as amazing as MGS4 was, I think MGS3 might still be my favourite. MGS3 was just perfect, and I have yet to see a better ending in a videogame. I was just emotionally captured by it. And oh yes, The End. Anyway, yeah. MGS4 is great.

[JKTrix]

As far as 'enjoyment level' goes, I think MGS3 was the most consistently great among the Solid games. MGS4 has several moments which to me completely outshine everything that came before it, though it also dips below MGS3's level from time to time.

Those moments are so good however, that I would rank it above MGS3 on my scale.

[Dreddz]

MGS3 was always the most disappointing in my opinion. The octo camo in MGS4 shows how unnessasarily long winded it was to change camo in MGS3. Plus healing wounds in MGS3 just felt like they were going too far with realism (even though it was entirely unrealistic how fast Snake could treat them).

MGS4 is up there with MGS2 (yes, im part of the weird breed who enjoyed MGS2 immensly). For the story, probably not. But for the gameplay, MGS4 shatters all previous MGS's without question.

[Roto13]

The Escapist : Video Galleries : Zero Punctuation : Metal Gear Solid 4 (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/99-Metal-Gear-Solid-4)

New Zero Punctuation covers Metal Gear Solid 4. Someone watch it and tell me if there are any spoilers past chapter 3.

[Mirage]

I couldn't spot any at all.

[Vivisteiner]

Finished Act 1 today. The gameplay is freaking awesome. The plot hasnt yet taken off though. The graphics are insaaaaaane!

[Roto13]

It really looks like most of Outer Heaven's complaints are basically the same one. The game is full of stuff that people would actually want to see. Ninja Raiden was awesome.


This is why I don't take MGS4 as canon,

Totally not up to you.

Anyway, I finished it just now. Holy snaps that ending was long. Maybe a bit too much talking from Big Boss at the end. I think it could have been about half that long and still had the same effect. :P I did find the whole Zero thing interesting. It was so sad to see him in that state, and difficult to watch him die.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the game. Definitely a game for the fans. And Otacon cried several times, keeping his perfect record. He's cried in every MGS game so far!

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that Meryl ended up marrying the soldier with diarrhea from MGS1? xD Actually, that whole proposal scene was the coolest part of the game. xD

[Croyles]

lol that video was funny! not true, but funny!

[JKTrix]

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that Meryl ended up marrying the soldier with diarrhea from MGS1? xD Actually, that whole proposal scene was the coolest part of the game. xD

That was actually the cheesiest part for me. The act itself was great, but I could have done without the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356910/)" theatrics. I do like how Johnny was developed over the series history, culminating in this game. It even explains why he couldn't control himself :P He also looks a lot like a really young Snake.Which could be part of Meryl's attraction.

[Roto13]

I thought he looked like Patrick Swayze.

[Bolivar]

Well in response to Bolivar who asked what sucked about MGS4 :



***MAJOR SPOILERS***






I don't know why would anyone who has been paying attention to the previous titles of the game, would even think that MGS4 is brilliant or even has great story, because it's one huge self-contradiction to rest of the MGS titles.








1. Big Boss is blatant fan service - I don't care what anyone says...it's fan service. Unfortunately, it was catered to those fans who would rather piss all over his great character just so there could be one last father/son bonding scene. He's been in a coma for 15 years, comes back, explains stuff, then dies. An unnecessary, and flat-out stupid retcon. For some reason, Big Boss just had to be yet another "I'm a good guy that turned into a bad guy but I was really a good guy all along" character. He died in MG2:SS, why couldn't Kojima leave it there? We will never know.

2. The "explanation" for Liquid Ocelot is a cop out AND a retcon. We clearly saw that it was Liquid controlling Ocelot's body in MGS2, period. Kojima didn't intend to explain how Liquid did it, he was just going to leave it like that. It was supposed to be the last MGS game. The arm is now a mechanical one in MGS4 (just like he wanted it to be before MGS2 development) and Ocelot went under "Psychotherapy". Flat out COP OUT!

3. Vamp's immortality through nanomachines is http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif as well. I don't care how fast he can heal, a bullet to the head will kill you instantly. Another slap to the face by Kojima. It's seems his answer to everything is "NANOMACHINEZ":
"He was dead!"
"Nanomachines."

"He's immortal!"
"Nanomachines."

"That man just became a platypus!"
"Nanomachines."

But to be honest, he screwed up in MGS2 to begin with by making him seem immortal.

4. Ninja Raiden is another fan service as well. He may have been gay MGS2, but his character was no longer needed in MGS. He was done at the end of MGS2, just remember what Snake told him. But no, Kojima felt that there was some need to bring him back, but in order to please fans he changed him completely into a ninja, now idiot fanboys want to play this loser, and his character was pissed all over as well with his emo "I have nothing to live for" attitude... And it was supposed to be Snake finding Sunny, but this was retconned as well as badass Raiden found her and left her under Otacon & Snake. And most of all, Kojima provided no info on why he went from a loser to an "extreme badass".

5. GW was destroyed in MGS2, but then retconned to only be destroyed into pieces in MGS4 (BS)...so all of Emma's efforts were for http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif. And it seems JFK has suddenly disappeared in MGS4, and now there's JD.:eek:

Colonel : Raiden, are you receiving? We're still here.

Raiden : How's that possible!? The AI was destroyed!

Colonel : Only GW...

Raiden : Who are you?




6. Vamp's ability to read people's muscles in MGS2 was changed, and now he can no longer read Snake's in MGS4...which in MGS2, Raiden was the only one he was able to read and had Snake pinned down after he slaughtered Seal Team 10.


Vamp : Hahaha... I thought so. Human muscles are quite eloquent. They
speak-out clearly what the person's next movement will be. They
even tell me which way a gun will be pointed before the trigger
is pulled. But your muscles -- they're different. This should be
fun...well worth the wait.

Raiden : You knew I was coming?

Vamp : You think I'm going to lose -- I can't let you interfere with
Arsenal Gear.


So from this quote, if this was a Snake vs. Vamp fight, Snake would have never stood a chance.

7. The codec was absolutely useless. Like I previously said, they decided to focus more on cinematics & fan-wanks then actually story or gameplay. If you were to skip all cut-scenes, you will only get like...maybe 3 hours of gameplay compared to 8 hours of cut-scenes, and they were boring as hell; crappy dialogue, poor voice acting.

8. Naomi's death was so sudden and http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifty "uh..I have cancer" *dies*.

9. The whole REX vs. RAY is yet another fan-wank. After so many times on take on and destroying a Metal Gear, they just keep coming back (REX), and everything works too. I guess this was also catered to those who would actually want to see a REX vs. RAY fight...well they got, and they just made the Shadow Moses act look like one huge smurfing joke.

10. Last but not least...MGS Database, which is possibly the dumbest thing. It contradicted MGS4, while MGS4 contradicted the other installments, so basically they went all ape-http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gifhttp://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif with MGS4. The game has only been out for a week and they are already retconning everything in MGS4 by adding more useless garbage like Area 51 etc. This is why I don't take MGS4 as canon, it has now become something you see on the Sci-Fi channel a smurfing cheap fantasy game...which brings me to my last and final point...:

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6876/retconsmc0.jpg

So in conclusion, IMHO, MGS4 is the worst of the series...an complete fan-wanked game...It's cool if you like the game, I respect your opinion...but I'm trying to defend my opinion (before anyone pulls out " fuk u...ms4 iss epik!).

Overall I would give the game a 1.8/10...yes it was that disappointing to me. And now they want to piss all over Big Boss again, with a prequel (MGS5)...R.I.P. MGS Series.

Outer Heaven, I totally respect you for coming in here after being called out and explaining your reasoning in full. It's hard these days to find an angry fan of a video game on the internet who can actually explain his logic. I would disagree on a few things:

1) Yes, Big Boss at the end was nothing but unashamed fanservice, but: a) I am a fan, and b) I enjoy being serviced. It was an amazing moment, and the perfect end to the series, in my opinion, obviously not yours. But it was obvious he was going to be in the game as evidenced by the infamous Shinkawa promotional illustration and the fact that it had been announced that the japanese had hired a voice actor for him.

2) Big Boss was suggested in many ways to be a "good guy all along" character - They showed it in MGS3, Portable Ops, even Snake himself sounded like he held no grudges against him in MGS1

3) I don't think Liquid Ocelot's revealed nature was a cop out, because if you download the promotional wallpapers for Liquid Ocelot and blow it up, look underneath the name and it starts to spell "REVOLVER". Not to mention him being responsible for it himself is the most Ocelot-esque direction Kojima could have possibly taken it. I even speculated it myself before the game was released, so don't say it's an out-of-the-blue cop-out.

Other than that, I enjoyed reading your posts and you have a very valid opinion.

However, I can't call these changes "retcons". These plot twists have become so synonymous for "Metal Gear Solid" that I would have been surprised and disappointed if the game wasn't full of them. Each game has countless ones within them, even across installments, changing the context of previous games. When I think of Metal Gear Solid I think of: 1) Tactical Espionage Action gameplay 2) a cinematic experience on par with films 3) central issues relevant to today and 4) lots and lots of plot twists.

[Roto13]

Vamp not actually being a Vampire and Ocelot not actually being controlled by a transplanted arm were both fixing horrible mistakes made in Metal Gear Solid 2, as far as I'm concerned. I mean, come on. Someone's mind and personality and memories all being stored in their hand? A guy who drank his family's blood and turned immortal? Those are both incredibly stupid within the context of Metal Gear Solid. The MGS world has a lot of weird stuff in it, but magic is a stretch.

[Fonzie]

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that Meryl ended up marrying the soldier with diarrhea from MGS1? xD Actually, that whole proposal scene was the coolest part of the game. xD

That was actually the cheesiest part for me. The act itself was great, but I could have done without the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356910/)" theatrics. I do like how Johnny was developed over the series history, culminating in this game. It even explains why he couldn't control himself :P He also looks a lot like a really young Snake.Which could be part of Meryl's attraction.

Yeah I also thought he looked alot like him.

[Karellen]

In the next game they'll explain that The Sorrow's soul didn't actually appear in MGS3 but rather it was a natural phenomenon where subatomic particles nanomachines patriotswerwer dsfnbowryne qteqrhgtpierqgqg.

[Croyles]

anyone know of a way to hihglight spoilers in the ps3 browser? a little offtopic but oh well

[Shattered Dreamer]

It was hinted in MGS3 that Ocelot was the son of The Boss & The Sorrow or didnt some of you notice. This explains why a dead Liquid Snake can get into his head. Ocelot is a medium just like his father was.

Big Boss was always portray as the "good guy all along character" that was kinda the whole point of MGS3. Big Boss comes to realise when he sees how the US shafted The Boss that good & evil are not objective but subjective. The Boss' speak to Big Boss before you fight her in MGS3 explains my point.

However I do think that Kojima is guilty of 3rd degree retconning & should probably be kicked really hard in the groin for it. Maybe he should play through all his old games again before he makes MGS5.

Just to warn you all The Les Enfrant Terribles project include 7 or 8 clones of Big Boss so don't get get too pissed if you all see Liquidus Snake or In Need Of Defrosting Snake in the future. If memory serves me right Liquid was full sure in MGS1 that he and Snake were Big Boss' only surviving clones but then we got Solidus.

[Roto13]

Didn't Solidus come after, though?

[Woodinator]

There were a lot of the points in the game (especially in the ending cinematic) where I just kept thinking "Come on is that really necessary?" and groaned because the characters basically repeated themselves 10 times. Aside from this I thought the game enjoyable and the story to be pretty good despite being overly complex.

On a side note, it just seems plain stupid to me to rip apart a game and denounce certain parts as "fan services" when the whole game is a fan service in essence. What's the point of making a game if you don't keep the fans desires in mind? I'll agree that the return of Big Boss and the fact that Snake doesn't die in the end was a bit ridiculous, but honestly if the developers think the fans want it, why wouldn't they put it in?

Just a thought by me, I could be looking at it the completly wrong way...

[Bolivar]

However I do think that Kojima is guilty of 3rd degree retconning & should probably be kicked really hard in the groin for it. Maybe he should play through all his old games again before he makes MGS5.

if you joined him while he went to play through all his old games, you would see how such plot twists are integral to his games. Like I've already said, I would have been more surprised, and probably disappointed if MGS4 was simply about Old Snake trying to stop Liquid from carrying out an insurrection well, it is, but kinda not really.


the fact that Snake doesn't die in the end was a bit ridiculous,

When it got to that point, and the camera started backing out, I really thought it was going to be like MGS3 where the player has to manually pull the trigger and I was dreading it. But overall, I think that the fact that this didn't happen made some of the footage in the trailers highly more appropriate.


Didn't Solidus come after, though?

Yeah, Naomi says in the Mission 3 briefing that after Liquid and Solid Snake were created, realizing that they weren't perfect clones of Big Boss, "they" decided (or needed) to create Solidus.

[Shattered Dreamer]

[quote=Shattered Dreamer;2526900]
However I do think that Kojima is guilty of 3rd degree retconning & should probably be kicked really hard in the groin for it. Maybe he should play through all his old games again before he makes MGS5.

if you joined him while he went to play through all his old games, you would see how such plot twists are integral to his games.

A retcon does not count as a plot twist. But then again Metal Gear Rex not being destroyed is not really a retcon anyway. For Meryl & Otacon to be in MGS4 neither of the endings in MGS1 can be what really happened

[Bolivar]

A retcon does not count as a plot twist.

In its actual meaning, a retcon is, by definition, a plot twist occuring amongst different stories.

Retcon (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/retcon)


For Meryl & Otacon to be in MGS4 neither of the endings in MGS1 can be what really happened

Otacon doesn't die in the Meryl ending, technically Meryl doesn't in Otacon's either, it's only assumed that she's dead. During the optional flashback in MGS4, I believe the last shot you see of her is her lying in a pool of blood after the Sniper Wolf incident, so i think the game might imply that either ending could have worked.

[Roto13]

The Sniper Wolf incident isn't where she dies, anyway. She dies before/during the brawl with Liquid.

[Shattered Dreamer]

In the Otacon ending,Snake checks to see if she is stil alive after the Liquid fight & she's not!There is even a codec conversation where Snakes tells Roy Campbell she is dead & Campbell tells Snake Meryl is his daughter.

In the Meryl ending, Snake & Meryl ride off into the sunset & Otacon escapes by himself.

The Otacon ending made more sense when you played the Tanker part of MGS2 because it was because they survived Shadow Moses together they started that anti metal gear group. But since Meryl is alive in MGS4, the Otacon ending cant of been what right because Meryl died!

Use spoiler tags, please.

~Void

[Wolf Kanno]

Just because they didn't leave together doesn't mean its a retcon. Kojima said after MGS2 that Meryl's ending was the correct one. If memory serves me correct, I thought Snake even mentions their breakup in a Codec conversation during the Tanker mission. I might be wrong though.

I just finished the game and overall I was pretty content. Its not the best in the series but its one of the better games. I do have a feeling I might enjoy it more the second time through as I had some technical issues and problems adjusting to the new control scheme. Overall I felt many of the control tweaks were unnecessary and I'm a bit sadden by combat being dumbed down abit for the sake of it being more fluid. Damn "run and gun" players :mad:

I may give a better response after I finish it a second time cause I'm borrowing a friends copy and another's PS3.

[Bolivar]

Yesterday I beat it for the second time and I was just as satisfied.

As far as it's ranking, right now I would say MGS3 is the best overall game in the series, but at the same time I have to proclaim that MGS4 had such a beautiful portrayal of life that almost transcends video games. The only shortcoming is that I myself prefer a long, continuous mission in one location to tell a story, rather than a set of 5 Virtuous Missions (that's not really fair, each Act is so much more). So I think it'll take some time before I can give it a proper ranking in relation to the other games.

I'll just say that any fan of MGS or any owner of a PS3 definately owes it to him/herself to play this game.