 Review By: Grant McCallum |
Developer: | Kojima Productions |
| Publisher: | Konami | |
| Genre: | Stealth Action | |
| ESRB: | Mature | |
| # Of Players: | 1 (1-16 online) | |
| Online Play: | Yes | |
| Accessories: | PlayStation Network (online play), Hard Drive (4600 MB required), HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p, Headset | |
| Buy Now: |   |
As the name suggests, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the fourth entry in the Metal Gear Solid series (unless of course you count the numberless Portable Ops on PSP, in which case it is the fifth), and is the first title in the series to be released on the Sony Playstation 3.
Developed by Kojima Productions and directed by a man familiar to most MGS gamers, Hideo Kojima, Metal Gear Solid 4 has a lot to live up to as it follows in the intimidating footsteps of the critically acclaimed games released before it in a franchise which now spans 20 years of gaming, including the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 on the MSX. To add to the pressure, MGS4 has also been stated by many to be reason enough to buy a PS3 – a fairly bold claim, I think you’ll agree.
So, can Solid Snake's final mission prove to be that exciting? Is there really life left in this aging franchise?
The story of Guns of the Patriots rivals that of an epic spy novel or film, and is delivered in a truly spectacular fashion through literally hours of cutscenes rendered within the engine which blend seamlessly into gameplay in a smooth transition that you don’t quite experience with pre-rendered cutscenes. Couple this with the fact that some of these sequences are partially interactive with optional flashbacks to previous games at the push of the X button, and you know you’re onto something good, and thank God the cutscenes are enjoyable, because you will spend a large portion of the game watching them. Thankfully, they can be paused midway for light refreshments and bathroom breaks (yes, some really are that long), and for those of you gamers who couldn’t care less about the story and wish to get straight to the action, you’ll be happy to know that every cutscene in the game can be skipped. Be warned though, if you do decide to ignore the plot altogether, you’re missing out on a real gem.
In the not too distant future, Solid Snake (now known as Old Snake due to his accelerated aging) has been given “a year at best” to live, and must end the tyrannous reign of his “brother” Liquid for good in a world driven by the war economy before he finally passes away. Once again aided by his good friend Otacon and even his old friend Colonel Campbell, Snake embarks on his final mission in an action packed roller coaster ride of sheer emotion and grit.
Prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor as some of the series’ biggest secrets are revealed, and the fates of your favorite characters play out in front of your very eyes. To mention almost anything about the specific details of Metal Gear Solid 4’s story would spoil things for you, so you’ll just have to take our word for it – it is that good. Most fans will not be at all disappointed with the way this game ends the series, and it is certainly an A-Grade farewell to Solid Snake, who is once again joined by a cast of insane and wonderful villains.
In terms of gameplay, Metal Gear Solid 4 makes some relatively large and perhaps even controversial decisions compared to the style of previous games. This time around, it’s perfectly possible (but still not advised) to head in all-guns-blazing in a large number of areas, and the game isn’t as merciless as its predecessors when it comes to getting caught. But have no fear, stealth lovers: Guns of the Patriots can still be played just like any other Metal Gear Solid game, and in fact a no alert and no kill run is entirely possible, and very rewarding. Sneaking is aided this time by a new system known as OctoCamo. Old Snake’s OctoCamo suit is a nifty piece of kit which mimics the appearance and texture of his surroundings when he goes prone or presses himself against a surface, whilst also doubling as a muscle suit to allow the old dog to get around just as well as he could back in the day. Essentially this works just like the camouflage system of MGS3, without being hampered by multiple menu screens. Snake also comes equipped with a device named the Solid Eye, which resembles an eye patch aesthetically – perhaps a nod to Metal Gear Solid 3? This all-purpose goggle serves as night vision, binoculars and radar for Snake, however don’t expect a radar picture as clear as that seen in MGS1 or 2 – the Solid Eye detects movement and noise, and displays this on a circle in the top right of the screen. This device is very useful; however those who like an extra challenge will most likely seek to deactivate it. There is of course a variety of other gadgets as well, ranging from the remote-controlled Metal Gear MKII reconnaissance robot, to Snake’s trusty cardboard box.
Posted: 2008-07-28 15:25:20 PST