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Snake might be old but MGS4 doesn't show itMetal Gear Solid is a big deal for a lot of people. Cinematic gaming probably wouldn't be where it is today if Hideo Kojima and his team hadn't brought us the original PlayStation game and for many the series stands way ahead of the pack. It's been far from a smooth ride though. Awkward controls and a convoluted, often overacted story made the PlayStation 2 games an acquired taste. The question looming over the head of MGS4, then, isn't if it'll please hardcore fans (it unquestionably does) but if Kojima has seen where the series needed improving. The fact that this is the single best PS3 exclusive released to date should answer that question for you.
A huge part of the Metal Gear Solid series is its story. It's often criticised for being too convoluted and told through excessive cut scenes, but for fans it's a big deal. We won't spoil anything here, but sleep easy knowing that Kojima delivers the goods and then some. Sure, at times the mixture of comedic elements, political comments and despair sit uneasily with one another, but familiar characters return, plot twists surprise and jaws hit the floor. It's typical Kojima storytelling, for better or worse.
AdvertisementThe voice acting is top class, the direction is brilliant and it's not too difficult to follow the basic storyline. Some things are definitely hard to work out (I don't believe for a second that I full understood exactly what was going on in every facet of the storyline), but it in no way hurt my enjoyment of the game. And yes, the cut scenes are at times exceedingly long, and no, you can't save during the middle of them. This is one of MGS4's most disappointing aspects. I can't help but feel that with a harsher edit and a quicker pace the cut scenes could have been something really special. There's also an abundance of lengthy codec conversations and quite dull explanations that really needed to be re-worked into entertaining cut scenes. These moments hurt the flow of the game, as do the unfortunate loading screens in the middle of intense sequences - forgivable only because they often look so spectacular.
One of the most significant changes to Metal Gear Solid 4 is the control system. I played a few hours of MGS3 the night before getting my hands on MGS4 and the changes make for a far more playable game. For many the stop and shoot gameplay felt rather dated by the time MGS3 arrived, with the rooted to the spot first-person viewpoint feeling incredibly restrictive. This has been completely changed in MGS4, which allows you to move and shoot from either a first or third-person point of view.
L1 brings up your targeting reticule in a third-person perspective and from here you can move and shoot, albeit slower than when moving without a weapon drawn. MGS4 features a GTA-style auto-aim system, but you're able to disable this and use free-aiming if you wish. A tap on the triangle button while your weapon is drawn changes the action to a first-person perspective, giving you a more precise aim. You're still rather limited as far as movement speed goes, but are no longer forced to stand still, which will come as a huge relief to many gamers.
Familiar faces return and there are plot twists around every cornerElsewhere much remains the same. There's no jump button (which takes some getting used to) and L2 operates the item inventory while R2 handles weapons. As in previous games, these on-screen menus only show what's been equipped from the pause menu and your slots are limited. The first 20 minutes or so will prove to be quite difficult to newcomers even with the changes to the control scheme. MGS4 still plays rather differently to your average action title so you'll probably see the game over screen fairly frequently during the first act. You'll settle into it though, learning how best to move through each environment and avoid the patrolling enemies.
Early on in the game Snake is given a tactical eyepiece which allows him to use a radar and view threatening soldiers. The game uses an ally system, where you can help out rebels in order to win favour and easier passage. Blue icons represent friends, while red represents enemies. If you're seen to be taking out enemies you'll be able to move through a level without facing an onslaught from both sides of the war. It's easier said than done, as rebels will attack you if they don't know who you are, but worth the effort.
To make the most of the game's new-found gun prowess Snake has access to a black market gun retailer. Drebin appears early on in the game (along with his coke drinking, silver pant wearing monkey) and from that point on you're able to trade any collected weapons for points, redeemable for new weapons and ammo. All the weapons dropped by soldiers in the game are hard coded to each soldier and Drebin is able to unlock them and offer you a selection of side arms, rifles, machine guns and heavy duty weapons. At no point in the game after I'd met Drebin did I have a shortage of ammo. It might be a tad unrealistic to enter a shop while in the middle of a battle, but it makes the game more enjoyable to play.
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The Priest wrote at 10:54 on 16 June 2008
I agree with some 'Aspects' of this review about MGS4. But my main focus is the long 'cut-scene' which you have a problem with, your forgetting that MGS4 is the final one. And it with long 'cut-scenes' its wants the gamer to be involved in about everything in which the game can offer. Like you can press L1, or the X button to show flash backs and look at pictures. Prime example of this is when Snake meets up with Rat Patrol Team 01, even though Meryl Silverburgh still has the FOX HOUND body vest.
I like the weapons / shop part of the game, you can keep the ammo of the weapon you have just picked up and the main gun it-self gets automatic sold to Drebin. And with the ID checker on every gun, I think the government should think about that idea to lower gun crime in the UK. You see people trying to slate games, look at MGS4 as a processor for gun-crime use the ID check on weapons.
MGO is very good I like how you can select some of the old songs of MGS, I like the first MGS theme song it justs brings back those fond memories from the game.
El-Dev wrote at 12:11 on 16 June 2008
You weren't blown away by the visuals? What exactly were you expecting?
Best looking game on this gen of consoles so far, and probably the best game on this gen as well!
slug wrote at 12:59 on 16 June 2008
Looks aren't everything MGS has always had shallow gameplay and shallow storylline too.
My idea of a game involves the player not OTT cutscenes a niche game for fans only.
Fredrik wrote at 14:01 on 16 June 2008
U wernt blown away by the graphics but still you gave it a 10? 10 = perfect right?
As far as the cutscenes, MGS wouldnt be the same without.
El-Dev wrote at 15:02 on 16 June 2008
Slug, shallow gameplay and storyline? I think you'll find that the storyline is extremely complex and the gameplay is excellent, especially in MGS4. The cutscenes are extremely watchable and the dialogue is better than what you'd get in most movies. I'm actually starting to feel emotions for the characters, something I've never experienced in a game before, a testament of just how good this game is!
Wido wrote at 15:41 on 16 June 2008
And all we need now is MGS1 on the PSN for us to download.
tnt wrote at 17:49 on 16 June 2008
it blows gears out of the water gamplay wise and graphically gears 2 doesnt come close to it judgeing by what ive senn gears 2 just more of same i think gears multi player is a lot better though
Jebe wrote at 20:30 on 16 June 2008
Well..from a critic who gave BOOM BLOX A 9...LOOL. I kinda expected this score (in line with other UK-what`s wrong with UK ?) ...and why does this guy review every f.. game?? Videogamer has only one guy working?
Sneaky Squirrel wrote at 05:11 on 17 June 2008
I"m sorry, just what kind of mind-blowing visuals were you expecting? Every rock, every bombed-out building, even the blades of grass and tall weeds you can hide in were flawless and realistic. Physics of characters, vehicles, even the fact that when you go from a bright to a dark environment it takes a moment or two to have Snake's eyes adjust to the change. Those "laborious" cut scenes also yield rewards-- hidden views, flashbacks that net more Drebin points if you're on your toes... clearly you are one of those that fall into the "God, why can't I skip the story and just kill things" player. If that's your way of thinking, then please, go back to your CoD and GoW. You're not welcome in a storyteller's paradise.
Fredrik wrote at 06:16 on 17 June 2008
'Im sorry, just what kind of mind-blowing visuals were you expecting? Every rock, every bombed-out building, even the blades of grass and tall weeds you can hide in were flawless and realistic. Physics of characters, vehicles, even the fact that when you go from a bright to a dark environment it takes a moment or two to have Snake's eyes adjust to the change. Those "laborious" cut scenes also yield rewards-- hidden views, flashbacks that net more Drebin points if you're on your toes... clearly you are one of those that fall into the "God, why can't I skip the story and just kill things" player. If that's your way of thinking, then please, go back to your CoD and GoW. You're not welcome in a storyteller's paradise.'
I so agree on that one.
TomO wrote at 11:41 on 17 June 2008
It seems people can't read very well regarding the review's comments on MGS4's visuals.
The first sentence in the paragraph about the game's visuals:
"From a technical point of view I wasn't blown away as much as I expected to be, mainly down to some rough texture work here and there and a frame rate that doesn't stay as smooth as I'd have liked."
These aren't things that can be argued to be false. The game suffers from frame rate problems and there's no way the texture work is as good as many other next-gen games.
Later on in the same paragraph:
"Despite this MGS4 easily competes with the best visuals consoles have produced, in no small part to the incredible design work in the game. MGS4 is a joy to play through, with some truly wonderful looking levels and enemy designs that quite frankly stand head and shoulders above what we see in most games."
It is possible to criticise one aspect of a game yet still like another. From a design point of view MGS4 is incredible, and this is enough to make up for and overcome the technical problems the game suffers from. Just because you love a game doesn't mean it's flawless in every department.
slug wrote at 17:50 on 17 June 2008
@jebe
Boom Blox is a 9 game is U HAVE FRIENDS stick with Marmite Gear Solid if you want rich visuals, a bullshit storyline, silly hide & seek oil drums and a hint of homosexuality you are a sucker for hype
tnt wrote at 18:52 on 17 June 2008
tomo the textures are excellent its a very sharp looking gameand i have had no frame rate probs but iam only 3/4 through first act but i can tell u 1 thing it beats gears of war easily and gears to if the gamplay footage is to be believed i bought gears and expected to be blown away i wasnt i found a very repetive gamewith only 1 aproach to the levels where as metal u have a choice on how u aproach the level listen tomo its the biggest game in the world and i bet u gears 2 dont match it for salesmetal gear willl win game of the yr i had my xbox and u know what the only game that blew me away on that system was cod which is better on ps3 any way lol ps3 drake impressed me metal motorstorm and even heavenly sword which was shit but the 3 60 aint prouduced nowt better graphically mass effect good game massive slowdown metal something special mt and graphically head and shoulders above any other console game a round at the mo even ign and gamespot said it
Wido wrote at 18:56 on 17 June 2008
You tell them Tom :) I must admit I couldn't agree no more than what you have written. All credit too a good man, still MGS4 is the best looking game on the PS3 for a mile and everybody can tell that. And anyone who appreciates this then they would be proud to own such a awesome game on there PS3. Vice Versa with Gears 2 and etc. Fan-bois for you, *and now waits for the 12 yr old bois to argue with me, equips keyboard at the ready*
@Wido wrote at 21:11 on 17 June 2008
Before you ask its RecoN!
Well said mate! This is an awesome game and so graphicaly equiped compared to other games released.
As for the fanbois, yes i think it should of got a 10, the reason why is because the game devs have used the PS3's capabilitys to the expectations that have been long awaited for, and it has been done well.
But the review didnt give the game a bad name so be happy with it.
@Slug sorry mate but slandering a good game to get yet another reaction isnt going to prove a point. Also i dont think your right about this game either but your entitled to an opinion. In my eyes, nuttin wrong with this review.
Jebe wrote at 14:32 on 18 June 2008
@slug LOOOL
I`ve played every MG title, in fact I`ve played them all in the past week, and while they are not perfect it`s certainly much better than boom f.. blox (I own both wii and x360). Reviewers must remain consistent..MG is more like a movie, ok , splinter cell mechanics are much better but MG creates a bond with players..well boom blox LOOOL. Those casual gamers instead of staying at home on wii fit should go to the street and actually do some real exercise not with dumb f... NES dolls apperance.
alert wrote at 21:19 on 18 June 2008
graphics look weak
Sylencer wrote at 03:47 on 19 June 2008
Sorry fellas, but MGS4 has some of the worst dialogue I have seen in a game for awhile. As far as graphics and gameplay go its a stellar game... but stop ignoring the elephant in the room. If we don't start telling developers we are tired of cheesey dialogue they will just think they can get away with it. The overall storyline is good and the interweaving of plots from all the MGs was well done. But the dialogue would probably make an 8 yr old cringe.
Maybe if the cutscenes had been shortened or edited better and someone mainlined some style into the dialogue. But hearing two characters asking each other too marry them just about had me laughing and cringing all at the same time. And thats just one example.
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