Predictions for Metal Gear Solid 4

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Again, we already got to do that (well, close enough) in MGS3.

[Old Manus]

They should scrap everything brought in MGS2 and bring it back to bare-bones MGS1 style. I'm getting fed up of walking into a room, tranqualising all the guards, and walking on unscathed. This isn't James Bond.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Then simply don't use the tranquilizer guns.

[Old Manus]

There are guns other than tranquilisers?

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

The only point in any of the games where you're stuck with a tranquilizer gun is at the beginning of MGS2, since it would screw up the story if the first boss battle ended with Olga dead. Other than that, you always have the freedom to choose between tranquilizers and live rounds.

[Old Manus]

I'll keep that in mind. You're a lifesaver. Ha...lifesaver! Get i - nevermind.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

The first screenshots are out: http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=5534

Looks like the predictions that the game would take place just two or three years after MGS2 were wrong. Considering the sophistication of technology (including slender mini-REXes and Metal Gear Mk.II from Snatcher) and how much everyone seems to have aged (not just Solid "accelerated aging" Snake, but also Otacon), it looks more like a good decade or two after the events of MGS2.

On the other hand, the predictions that the game would take place in urban environments with a wartime setting seem to be accurate. Looks like the Patriots have been exposed and the States have sunk into chaos as a result.

More details, particularly some real-time video footage, will be released at the Tokyo Game Show, which starts in two days.

[Maxico]

Wow, those are pretty impressive. Although the Snake there seems to be missing an eye. Is that definitely Solid?

[Necronopticous]

Awesome.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

It's Solid Snake until proven otherwise, and there's really no reason to think it's anyone else. Liquid is worm food (his body, anyway), Solidus was looking that old back in 2009 (and had his spine severed), and Big Boss lost his right eye, not his left (and was burnt to a crisp).

And we don't know for sure that Solid is actually missing an eye, there. The rad cyberpatch could just be some high-tech sensory device--and a sly reference at the same time.

[Maxico]

Ah yes, now I look at it it seems more likely that it's used to interface with the little Snatcher esque Metal Gear he has. I would assume that the orange tinted screen would be the view from it.

[Cloud No.9]

snake actually looks evil now. could he have went the same way as his brothers and father?

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Trailer's out.

Edit: High-resolution screenshots, character models, and artwork.

The fifth screenshot reveals that the lettering on the rad cyberpatch says "Solid Eye System," which is the same name as the 3D PSP peripheral being packaged with Metal Gear Acid 2. And in the trailer, Otacon mentions that Metal Gear Mk.II is equipped with a Cell processor. Gotta love Kojima's references.

[Sephex]

Looking good.

[DK]

Snake is a Pensioner. I'm not sure whether I like this or not. He does look gnarly, though.

Edit: Alright, just watched the trailer and it's pretty damn impressive. But the possibilty of Snake dying is more likely it seems. Not only is he old now, but he appears to be ill as well. Possibly the FOXDIE? Maybe that thing he injected was a vaccine of some sorts to keep it under control. Who knows. Looked amazing, though.