-May Contain Spoilers!- In 1997, Hideo Kojima brought a new style of game to the Sony PlayStation. With that, brought one of PlayStation's most legendary heroes, Solid Snake. MGS was a revolution in the gaming world, MGS2 and MGS The Twin Snakes (GameCubes remake of MGS1) brought even more to the plate. With MGS3, although playing as Naked Snake/Big Boss and not Solid, it was hard to imagine just how much better things could get especially with one of the greatest Metal Gear fights of all time (vs The End).
There was always destined to be a PS3 addition to the series, and MGS4 received more hype than ever, the difference being this game actually lives up to the hype for 95%. There are a few flaws...let's get those out of the way...
Graphics - Now don't get me wrong, they are really quite fantastic, but like Kojima himself I think many were still disappointed at some points.
Cinematics - The cut scenes are really really long and the story telling is heavy at times, although worth watching the first time round just to see how everything gets tied up and such.
Cameras - Very occasionally the camera angles are iffy.
There have been other complaints like it's not "sneaky" enough, which is rubbish. You have two perfectly viable options in getting stuck in or sneaking around perfectly hidden with the help of the rather spiffy Octocamo.
Weapons are a plenty, with some 70 (if you include the online bonus of 1911 and a few unlock-ables). The majority are customisable with at least one item, but over all you can get suppressors, fore-grips, grenade-launchers, under-barrel shotguns, laser sights, dot sights, flash lights and scopes. In addition to all this you get the standard grenades of various kinds, including new sleeping gas satchels and mines and of course...every randy soldier needs PlayBoy.
The story is amazing, and it pretty much captures you completely or it did me anyway. As always, death scenes and sad scenes are emotionally charged and many have said being brought close to tears, especially at the end with Hal & Sunny, and when Snake and Big Boss finally reconcile. Though the story would be half of what it is without it's stunning sound track. The main theme remains with various tweaks and to help out they've brought in tracks from all 3 of the other games for various moments. Is there a new Metal Gear? No, just Geckos to deal with...and you *do* get an awesome battle where you control Metal Gear Rex vs Liquid in a Metal Gear Ray.
Generally there aren't many *new* characters, but it doesn't matter with the quality put into the existing characters. Those that are new involve two team-mates of Meryl's Rat Patrol 01 team, Sunny (Olga's daughter) and Drebin...and his monkey...who acts as MGS4's "Merchant" (similar to Resident Evil 4). Returning characters (other than Hal, Snake and Liquid of course) include Raiden, Rose, Roy Campbell, Naomi Hunter, Vamp and EVA/Big Mama.
I can't comment on MG Online though, as I've not had the access to play it but the comments seem to be positive from others.
This is a game to pick up for sure, well worth the cash and a truly fantastic way to end Snake's story, not to mention bringing an end to the stories of The Patriots, Liquid Ocelot, Vamp/Naomi, Raiden/Rose, Meryl/Johnny and of course Big Boss & Big Mama. The final battle is a huge amount of fun too, even after 6 or 7 times.
--- "This is good, isn't it?" - Big Boss's dying words to Snake.
There was always destined to be a PS3 addition to the series, and MGS4 received more hype than ever, the difference being this game actually lives up to the hype for 95%. There are a few flaws...let's get those out of the way...
Graphics - Now don't get me wrong, they are really quite fantastic, but like Kojima himself I think many were still disappointed at some points.
Cinematics - The cut scenes are really really long and the story telling is heavy at times, although worth watching the first time round just to see how everything gets tied up and such.
Cameras - Very occasionally the camera angles are iffy.
There have been other complaints like it's not "sneaky" enough, which is rubbish. You have two perfectly viable options in getting stuck in or sneaking around perfectly hidden with the help of the rather spiffy Octocamo.
Weapons are a plenty, with some 70 (if you include the online bonus of 1911 and a few unlock-ables). The majority are customisable with at least one item, but over all you can get suppressors, fore-grips, grenade-launchers, under-barrel shotguns, laser sights, dot sights, flash lights and scopes. In addition to all this you get the standard grenades of various kinds, including new sleeping gas satchels and mines and of course...every randy soldier needs PlayBoy.
The story is amazing, and it pretty much captures you completely or it did me anyway. As always, death scenes and sad scenes are emotionally charged and many have said being brought close to tears, especially at the end with Hal & Sunny, and when Snake and Big Boss finally reconcile. Though the story would be half of what it is without it's stunning sound track. The main theme remains with various tweaks and to help out they've brought in tracks from all 3 of the other games for various moments. Is there a new Metal Gear? No, just Geckos to deal with...and you *do* get an awesome battle where you control Metal Gear Rex vs Liquid in a Metal Gear Ray.
Generally there aren't many *new* characters, but it doesn't matter with the quality put into the existing characters. Those that are new involve two team-mates of Meryl's Rat Patrol 01 team, Sunny (Olga's daughter) and Drebin...and his monkey...who acts as MGS4's "Merchant" (similar to Resident Evil 4). Returning characters (other than Hal, Snake and Liquid of course) include Raiden, Rose, Roy Campbell, Naomi Hunter, Vamp and EVA/Big Mama.
I can't comment on MG Online though, as I've not had the access to play it but the comments seem to be positive from others.
This is a game to pick up for sure, well worth the cash and a truly fantastic way to end Snake's story, not to mention bringing an end to the stories of The Patriots, Liquid Ocelot, Vamp/Naomi, Raiden/Rose, Meryl/Johnny and of course Big Boss & Big Mama. The final battle is a huge amount of fun too, even after 6 or 7 times.
--- "This is good, isn't it?" - Big Boss's dying words to Snake.