Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

THE BAD:

> A bulk of the game's storyline is in past games, making it sometimes difficult to get a grasp of the game if you haven't played the originals

> Cutscene length is near movie length, although not 90 minutes worth as some people state

SUMMARY:

Metal Gear Solid 4

Set in the near future, Metal Gear Solid 4 has several themes and messages embedded into it's story. Messages such as 'the rite of passage' are present, meaning the need to pass on ones legacy to a heir. This is the case of Big Boss and Solid Snake, who is now old and dying due to an accelerated aging process and is now referred to as 'Old' Snake. Alongside these events, Liquid Ocelot is still active. Now the head of a global Private Military Company (PMC) known as Outer Haven, he is leading them to launch an insurrection. While this is all folds out, a final faction is controlling these events in the shadows. A network of sophisticated AIs known as the Patriots.

The Patriot AI serves as the primary Antagonist of the game, alongside Liquid and his PMC soldiers, as Snake follows the Patriot and Liquids trail around the world on a mission from Colonel Roy Campbel to eliminate them. The game will take the player from the Middle East to South America and more. Displaying block-buster environments and beautiful design that is ever present in the game.

The classic Metal Gear Solid formulae has been tweaked and refreshed, Snake now has Octocam technology which technically replaces the original 'hide-in-box' mechanic of the old games. When ever Snake is pressed against a surface or is lying down, his suit with blend into that environment. Allowing him to remain unseen as enemy patrols pass by him and then offer him the opportunity to launch a quick surprise attack.

Another new feature in the game is the Metal Gear that follows Snake through the battlefield, and can be controlled remotely as a gadget using a PS3 controller. This little 'mini' Metal Gear is controlled by Snake's friend Octocon from a mobile aerial base called the Nomad, and is also their living quarters off missions.

Gameplay and CQC is also happily repackaged and serviced. Due to SOP, a system which monitors soldiers and locks their weapons, Snake cannot simply use any gun he finds on the battlefield. He has to have them laundered and cleaned of their locks for him to be able to use them. This gameplay element introduces Drebin, a gun launderer who makes his living off the war economy. Drebin purchases the weapons snake collects on the battlefield, launders them, and also sells upgradeable parts for the weapons he has.

The levels are also designed to allow multiple paths to be available for the player's preferred game style. Should they prefer sneaking, they can. Should they prefer open combat, they can work with local militia and aid them in open warfare (and they in turn will help him throughout the game) against the PMC soldiers. Creating a truly free, but still scripted, open formed game.

The sound-track and general in game sound of Metal Gear Solid 4 is nothing short of incredible. An outstanding track list composed by Harry Gregson Williams, is married to perfect and crisp voice acting from the likes of David Hayter and Jennifer Hale. Gunshots, footsteps, NPCs, PMCs, Mechanical enemies, all of the listed and much more are brought to life with exceptional care and sound. Making Metal Gear Solid 4 that much more immersing.

Although I would say Metal Gear Solid 4 is as close to perfection a game could probably get, it does still have some problems. For one, some of the story's bulk and key elements lie in previous games. Leaving gamers new to the series struggling to understand what is going on. Second the cut scenes can lead up to a lengthy portion of the game, and you may feel that you watched more than played at the end. However regardless of how you feel of the game length, there are numerous unlockables and titles available for multiple play-throughs and the cutscenes are skippable so they are not serious points of debate.

In conclusion I will say this. I did not tread on this in the review as I like to avoid all spoilers, however I can promise any fan of the series to truly love the ending of this epic final chapter of Solid Snake!

Score


Graphics > 9.8 out of 10, take a telescope to it and I dare you to find more than one stray texture! Go on!

Gameplay > 10 out of 10, perfectly designed and brilliantly formed.

Sound > 9.7, Fantasic! Possibly the best soundtrack a game has had in years

Story > 9.5, suffers due to it's complexity but still perhaps the greatest story told in a game.

Lifespan > 10 out of 10, DLC available nearly weekly and loads of replay value make this game a life long keeper. I didn't even begin to point to Metal Gear Online either.

Overall > 48.8 out of 50, 97.6%, 4.9 out of 5

Reviewer's Game of the Year 2008