I loved previous MGS titles, but this game completely exceeded my expectations. There are a few things that really set this title above the glut of other action games on the market:

Pros

• Original, Inventive Gameplay: MGS is probably the most original and inventive in terms of action game mechanics. Most action games, even my favorites, tend to take a very standard and well established genre and add a few cool, unique touches and polish and clever implementation details on top of that. MGS has so much unique play elements and content in it, that it really goes beyond a simple genre and stands in a league of its own. One good example of MGS originality: the boss battles. If you’ve played any of the MGS games, you will know what I mean.



• Balance between depth and ease of play: A lot of developers are dumbing down their games to cater to a wide audience. We see a lot of titles that are nothing more than very basic run-and-gun gameplay; they are easy to get into but ultimately superficial, derivative, and not very interesting. At the other extreme, there are games that are so complex and require prolonged effort to learn and appreciate. MGS4 definitely balances this well. There is plenty of depth and tons of highly detailed and very original gameplay systems to sink your teeth into, but players can dive right in and enjoy without reading a manual or playing tutorials or tutorial-like levels.
• Variety: The game structure changes quite a bit as the game progresses. Just as you start getting comfortable with one game mechanic, the game changes things up. Some games create a single set of gameplay mechanics, and then build N levels of story, art, and content on top of that. MGS4 is not like that at all. The downside to this is that I sometimes felt like I didn’t get enough time to play with certain game mechanics before I moved on to the next thing. I can always replay the game, but a little more length to some of the levels would have been nice.
• Gameplay Options + Customizability: You can clear most scenes through a blast-everything approach or a stealthy sneaking approach. But beyond that, there are tons of optional ways to customize your play experience. There is an a elaborate weapon customization system, with tons of optional guns, add-ons, and modifications. There is a close quarters combat system to master, lots of specialty stealth moves, a variety of special camoflague tricks, and you can learn how to exploit battlefield dynamics and ally with militia groups. And none of these systems are forced on you or are necessary to progress through the game. You can delve into the ones that interest you and play the game how you like.



• Story: This isn’t Academy award material, but this is top notch comic book style fiction. The villains are reminiscent of Batman, with goofy themes, special powers, and exagerated personality quirks. There is some really well thought out pop-science and dystopian alternative history. The mythology to the series is also very deep and well thought out. Players can appreciate it without any previous knowledge of the series, but it’s more rewarding as you get into it. I’ll be honest, some of the dialog in MGS games has been atrocious, it can occassionally be long-winded, and I’m not enough of a fan to read the Metal Gear graphic novels or anything like that, but for the most part it’s like a really cool comic movie. It’s even better (IMO) than Hollywood comic movies and provides the perfect backdrop and context for the game experience.
• Cut Scenes: Metal Gear has become infamous for having long and frequent cut scenes. Reading about 45-minute cut scenes sounds very daunting at first, but ultimately, the cut scenes are a key part of what makes the game great. I tend to hate cut scenes, because most games have terrible stories, and the cut scenes get annoying after a few seconds. It’s not simply that MGS has a great story, even though it does. The blend and pacing between action sequences and story cut scenes just works. There are tons of storyless action games out there, and many players will prefer them, but for fans, the story and atmosphere are a key part of the MGS experience, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. You can also pause/skip the cut scenes, and many of the cut scenes feature limited interactivity, such as switching cameras, and controlling a mini-robot while the dialog proceeds in the background.

Cons

• It’s easy to miss everything: For a game with so many options and gameplay systems and subtleties, it’s really easy to beat the levels really quickly and only see a small portion of what’s in the game.
• It’s not for everyone: For most players who appreciate the occasional comic or graphic novel, this game is a fan’s dream. Some other people don’t have the time or patience for that type of fiction or have simply outgrown their appreciation for such fantasy; these people probably won’t have the patience to appreciate this game.
• Out of Style: I’m so sorry, Snake. But, the mullet? Cigarette chain smoking? The bandana? And what is that, a glute suit? Please don’t try to rationalize it; it looks ridiculous. The designers may have fooled themselves into thinking this stuff was the peak of comic hero fashion in some previous decade, and they were wrong. But today it just looks crazy.



• Online ID System: This is a nitpick that doesn’t affect the core game, and it’s been harped on plenty already, but it’s still worth mentioning: Their online dual-ID system is excessively obtuse and completely unnecessary. Why not hook into the user’s PSN ID like every other game?

This is actually available on the Japanese PlayStation Store now. You can change the language to your choice too. I didn’t have time this morning to download it. I can’t wait to try this out tonight! I still haven’t beat MGS4, still on Act 2.

The MGS4 Database is a free, downloadable interactive application that contains the official knowledge base of everything that is Metal Gear, reaching all the way back to the very beginning of the franchise. Including complete storylines, character profiles, relationship diagrams, and much more! The MGS4 database is a great way to catch up for someone new to Metal Gear, as well as a useful resource for any veteran of the series, with complete official details on every aspect of the intricate Metal gear lore.

The MGS4 Database also contains a special feature – if you want to make use of the database, but have not yet fully played through MGS4 yet and are worried about spoilers – all MGS4 spoilers are “blacked out” until you’ve beaten MGS4.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Database on the way!

Nearly 500,000 for Metal Gear Solid 4 in Japan Not only that, but MGS4 causes the sales of PS3 systems to increase seven-fold.

I got MGS4 for Father’s Day yesterday. Quite a nice gift, I have to say. The game’s been getting great reviews, plus Tosh and others here give it the thumbs up. What other endorsements do I really need?

I didn’t get a chance to play the game beyond going into a training mission and figuring out the controls. But I did install the game, install MGO Online, and get both my Konami ID and GAMER ID (for online play).

What the? Konami ID and Gamer ID? Why the heck do I need those? Beats me. Something about being able to buy stuff, which I don’t plan to do anyway. Grrrrrr. (I’ll have to PAY for additional character slots playing online? That’s crazy.) But man is it a pain in the butt. The two ID’s can’t be the same. But they have to contain numbers, letters, a period, and an underscore (or somesuch stupidity). The password for the first can contain letters, the password for the second must only be numbers. And they’re of different lengths.

The whole reason for having to get these stupid ID’s is beyond me. But if they’re gonna make me do this, they could at least make the process easier. And just one ID, not two. Crazy. If I were a reviewer, I’d dock half a point just for this idiocy.

Wow, where to start, and not give any spoilers. Even from booting up the game you’re excited to play it. The title screen is just beautiful to look at. You are truly immersed into the world right from the start. There is so much going on around you. Graphics in MGS4 are a sight to behold, I’m only viewing it in 720p, but it’s still amazing to look at. The cut scenes are actually interactive. I won’t say how, but it’s fun. Everything is so fluid and a joy to watch. The Octocam is fun to use as well. I’m not that far yet, just barely started Act 2. Even though I’m not that far there was still MGS4 style comedy, which I love.

Like Gary said in the Shoutbox, you can set up your bluetooth headset for the codec. It’s so cool to hear Otacon in your ear giving you game tips.

I can see myself playing through this game several times easily. So far this generation I haven’t played any single player game after I beat it. I just don’t have any desire to. But with MGS4, everything is so dynamic. Since I was part of the MGO Beta I only played MGO (Metal Gear Online) for a few minutes. But it seems more polished.

Even if you are not a die hard Metal Gear fan, give this game a shot. Try it on easy if you have to.

There are cutscenes in Metal Gear Solid 4 that are 90 minutes long. Not total, that’s just one cut scene! So be prepared with some munchies. But you can skip the cutscenes or pause them. Konami is really going all out for MGS4, no wonder they ran out of room on the 50GB Blu-ray disc. It will also require a 4.6GB install, which I’m okay with. Give me MGS4 already!

MGS4 features 90-minute cutscenes, 4.6GB installation

[Update]

Seems the rumor is false:

“I’ve beat the game twice, and am the author of the forthcoming [GamePro] review,” Shuman said. “Ninety-minute-long cinemas in MGS4 sounds like an exaggeration. Like the other MGS games, MGS4 definitely has a cinematic quality. And yes, some of the cut-scenes in the game are elaborate and occasionally lengthy. But not a one, to my recollection, even approaches 90 minutes.”

gamepro.com

I was prepared to sell my 60GB PS3 to get this bundle. But it’s a 40GB PS3 … booo Konami. We want a 80GB PS3, oh, well. At least I have the MGS4 LE Game bundle pre-ordered.

If you want the bundle you can pre-order on Monday May 19th at Konami.com. Details below:

It comes with the Gun Metal Gray PLAYSTATION 3 system with a 40GB hard drive, the bundle also includes a matching DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller.

The MGS4 LE game box contains: The Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots game, which includes Metal Gear Online, enabling you to take part in the ultimate multiplayer squad based tactical shooter. An exclusive Blu-ray disc including over 2 hours of additional content - “Hideo Kojima’s Gene”, a behind-the-scenes vision of Hideo Kojima’s production team & game and “The Making of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” documentary. As well as, the official Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots CD Soundtrack, including 16 never-before-released tracks by Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, Armageddon, The Rock), Nobuko Toda, and Ennio Morricone.

MGS4 Limited Edition PS3 Hardware Bundle Details!

As the owner and operator of this site, you’d think that I’d be privy to interesting PS3 rumours that others might not hear. Well, you’d be wrong. I don’t get inside information about anything, and it’s just as hard for me to find stuff out as you guys.

Except maybe this once.

You’re gonna have to take this with a huge grain of salt, but feel free to debate and discuss the worthiness of this rumour. It comes in two parts.

The first is that along with MGS4, you’ll also get a separate app as a download to your PS3 which will let you access scoreboards, story, and more information. This download is open to all PSN users, but purchasers of the game will be able to unlock more stuff in the app than others.

The second thing I heard is that MGS4 will be getting DLC packs in July and August. No more details than that.

SPOILER ALERT, SPOILER ALERT, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

! x 100 and I love the ending

First off this game is not for everyone. You either love it or hate it. Me personally I love it. Big improvement over MGS3 Online. Don’t think this will be your standard FPS, it is not! That’s what makes MGO unique and fun. There is a big learning curve if you’ve never played a metal gear game. But there is a training mode to practice your shooting, CQC(close quarter combat), movement, adjusting the settings to your liking, etc. Which you should do before you jump into a live game, because you’ll get slaughtered quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing.

It still took me some time before I really got used to the controls, and adjusting the settings to my liking. It’s a blast to roll over people in the barrel. But if you roll for to long you will throw up. It works great to hide barrels and boxes. Most of the time people just walk by, but you’ll get people that shoot boxes and barrels just to be sure. The catapult (I call it the man cannon), is so great. You hop on and you can move it to two angles, then just press triangle and off you go flying into the air. I like to rotate the camera in mid air to get a good look at the whole level almost and see if I can spot any enemies while flying. Then you nail the landing on both feet and continue on. You always know when somebody is flying because of the scream they make, lol.

Then there is the magazines with bikini clad ladies. Works the same as usual, but this time you can actually turn the pages and choose which sexy lady you want to “distract” you enemies. I think there is a about 4 pages. The CQC is fun, I finally leveled up my knife skill to lv3 so I can slit throats. So fun to hide around corner and grab a enemy passing by and knock him out or kill him. If you have CQC level 3 you can actually disarm your opponent of his weapons, inject a virus, knock him out, etc. I don’t have this yet, but I’m working on it.

The skill system has 4 slots and 16 skills total. For example you can select a gun type mastery which reduces the recoil and faster reloading or Fast Movement which would be useful for CQC or just getting away from enemy fire. But if you level up a skill to level 2 it will take 2 slots, and level 3 (max) takes 3 slots. Which I wish wasn’t the case. Because if you want to slit throats with a knife. You have to have lv3 knife and lv1 cqc, and that takes up all your slots. Wouldn’t be so bad if you could swap out your skills after you die. But you can’t until the whole round is over.

The SOP system is great addition. Just press triangle near your team mates and you are all linked to the SOP system. Once you die your not connected and you’ll need to connect again. This outlines them with your teams color (red or blue), and it’s still visible threw walls even. You can tell if your teammates are distracted by a magazine, stunned, being killing etc. There is even a skill that allows you to hack into your opponents SOP system and if the guy you hacked into is connected to his team mates you basically know the locations of everybody on there team!

On Monday Konami released another game mode, Sneaking Mission (my favorite), and a map called Midtown Maelstrom. Somebody at random is picked to be Snake, and if there is at least 11 players somebody gets to play as the Metal Gear Mk. II robot. To win Snake must collect 3 dog tags from enemies without dying, which can be very hard sometimes. While this is going on there are two teaming battling it out. For a team to win they have to kill snake up to 5 times (depending on your server settings). If Snake doesn’t collect his 3 dog tags or he doesn’t die five times from a team. Then the team with the most kills win. It’s a blast.

Snake has Octocamo, which takes the color and texture of whatever he’s against if he doesn’t move for a couple seconds. Sometimes he is extremely hard to see, think of it like trying to find predator cloaked during a fire fight. But for the Octocamo to be truly effective you have to keep changing the suit to match your environment. Snake also has another great tool in his arsenal, the Solid Eye vision system. Which allows him to switch between Night Vision and binoculars. Another cool thing is you can even do a hold up with Snake. Just point your gun at a guys back and he’ll say Freeze!

Playing as the Mk. II robot is a blast too. It’s basically invisible in the shadows, in the sunlight it casts a small shadow. The Mk. II only has one weapon & purpose really, to assist Snake in winning. He can deliver shocks to people to knock them out so snake can collect the dog tags.

Had a epic MGO moment over the weekend! A guy had my team member in a standing choke hold just outside the warehouse doors. I was hidden inside the warehouse with my sniper rifle. I zoomed in on the opponent doing the CQC choke hold and boom head shot. Team member saved. Then he saluted me!

This game is so fun, I haven’t even been tempted to try out the new CoD4 maps I bought, or anything else really. A easter egg I found, is when your booting up the game and your on the screen with your character. If you rotate the camera for a while, your character with get dizzy and fall down. If you just sit there he hides in a box. Oh Konami what else have you hidden! lol This is exactly why I love the MGS series! I could go on and on about MGO, but I’ll shut up now.

It should be available now. So go test it out and leave your thoughts on it in the comments. Now the looong day at work begins for me There is a training mode so you can get some practice in before jumping online. If you didn’t update to 1.02 you’ll be prompted before you play.

Just a FYI on the character creation, you can NOT change your face and voice after you register, so choose wisely.

It has a some new footage, can you spot it? I’m pumped for MGS4/MGO. Hopefully this trailer will be up on the Japanese Store today.

Download it here

As you may have heard the Metal Gear Online Beta is available to download if you have a valid 12 digit beta key. But it seems a lot of people have 9 or 11 digit keys. I got stuck with a 9 digit key. I’ve contacted Konami and this is there response.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for contacting Konami Support. If your code is appearing with only 9 or 11 digits, then this is incorrect.

Please copy your code exactly as it appears on your voucher in your reply to this email. We’re very sorry for this inconvenience and we will do our best to rectify the situation in time for the Beta start.

Regards,

Konami Customer Support
kdeussupport@konami.com

I’ve sent them my 9 digit key, I haven’t got my valid 12 digit key yet. But I should get it soon I’d assume. Also after you download the Beta you’ll need to download a patch for the Beta. Which can be done via BitTorrent or http. Not sure which is faster, because I can’t download it yet.

[Update]

Konami has made a faster signup page:
https://id.konami.net/mgo/selectCountry.jsp