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Gekkos look awesome and are a deadly enemyWith stealth still being the core component of the game Snake has numerous tools at his disposal. These include a knife that can stun enemies, a tranquillizer gun, the MK II robot (ideal for scoping out areas while invisible) and a new OctoCamo suit that has chameleon-like properties. If Snake is still it will take on the appearance and texture of the surface it's next too. This is good enough to fool the naked eye and infra-red sensors. Your level of cover is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen, so you're always aware of how visible you are. During certain sections you'll have access to additional disguises and camouflage items, including a few that have been included for nostalgic purposes.
Avoiding enemies has always been a core component of the Metal Gear Solid series and it remains so here. If you're spotted the enemy will start actively pursuing you, so you need to get out of sight for long enough for the counter to count down to zero. If you're spotted during this time it'll hit 99 seconds again and you'll have to start the evasion from scratch.
AdvertisementEnemies vary a lot throughout the game, coming in all shapes and sizes, from the standard soldiers to the half robot, half animal Gekkos that can crush you if you're not careful. Bosses don't disappoint either, with those on offer being some of the most creatively designed I've ever seen in a video game. You can't simply shoot until their health bar is depleted either, with some thought required to pinpoint their weaknesses.
Once you've familiarised yourself with the nuances of the control scheme (which allows you to play the game in numerous ways - complete a level without killing anyone if you're good enough) the opening two thirds of the game are full of superb moments and thrilling gameplay. Things change from here on, though, with cut scenes suddenly taking up the majority of your time and the actual gameplay sections feeling rather disconnected from one another. As the game turns more and more into a movie things start to drag, and by the end I found it hard to give the game my full attention. There's no one cut scene that lasts too long, but at times they're joined together in a way that feels rather self indulgent. A boss fight near the end may well impress MGS devotees, but as a climax it felt woefully inadequate for such an epic game - but in keeping with its direction.
Much has been said about MGS4'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. 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. Cut scenes look incredible and for the most part offer some form of interactivity, but at times it's a shame you're having to watch some of the most action packed moments instead of playing in them.
MGS4 is a fitting last game to end the seriesWhen talking about the presentation the superb audio can't be overlooked. The use of surrounds is incredible and voice over work on the whole is on a level above the best we've heard. Having said that, at times some less than spectacular acting lets down key dramatic moments. One scene towards the end of the game fell completely flat as the actor failed to convey the emotion required. It's a small complaint in the grand scheme of things but one that stands out due to the cinematic feel.
Also included with MGS4 is Metal Gear Online, a team-based multiplayer game that will be expanded in the months to come. At the moment it's a great alternative to MGS4's single-player mode, although by no means for everyone. If you're expecting a standard online shooter, think again, or rather think again while re-spawning as you'll be shot dead rather quickly. By far the star of the online show is a sneaking game mode in which one player is Snake, another is the MK II and the rest are trying to hunt him down. This makes for some thrilling hunter/hunted gameplay, with superb support options available to the MK II player - invisible electrocution is always fun. With a selection of other team-based modes and plenty of players on the servers, MGO should have quite a future. It is worth noting that only one character is allowed per console. If a second player requires their own character it'll cost you money.
Metal Gear Solid 4 had a lot to live up to and it's done so brilliantly. It's a game that will go down in history as one of the most ambitious and cinematic ever made, but also, finally, and more importantly, it will go down as a MGS game with gameplay that doesn't polarise opinion. It's not without it problems, most notably in the change of pace in the last third and the often laborious cut scenes (if you could play even half of the best cinematic moments MGS4 would wipe the floor with the best games we've ever seen), but MGS fans won't care. Although unquestionably a game everyone should play, when you're forced to take the back seat the blurred line between a game and movie prevents MGS4 from being the 10/10 masterpiece we hoped it would be.
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The Priest wrote at 09:54 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 11:11 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 11:59 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 13:01 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 14:02 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 14:41 on 16 June 2008
And all we need now is MGS1 on the PSN for us to download.
tnt wrote at 16:49 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 19:30 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 04:11 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 05:16 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 10:41 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 16:50 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 17:52 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 17:56 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 20:11 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 13:32 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 20:19 on 18 June 2008
graphics look weak
Sylencer wrote at 02:47 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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