Metal Gear Solid 4 - Part 1

After many years of waiting I finally got my hands on the PS3 Exclusive: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. As an avid MGS fan since the PS1, I've been anxious to give this sequel a try since completing the fantastic prequel, MGS3: Snake Eater. The game is divided into 'Acts' and last night I completed the first one, "Liquid Sun".

Snake has a mustache... I don't know why yet...

Presentation wise there probably aren't many games that can match the cinematic qualities and level design of a Metal Gear Solid title. Destroyed urban cities, military camps, and forest trails all have a realistic feel as if digitized straight from Google Earth. While mostly linear in nature, the designers have done a great job twisting and curving level paths to make the experience of sneaking through a middle eastern city quite varied.

Cinematics, which Hideo Kojima is quite famous for, are riveting as usual and try to keep the player engaged with occasional button events such as showing different angles (L1) and showing flashbacks (X). Although both of these events are neither particularly interesting or useful in any way.

Characterization seems to be paramount this time around, as we seem to get more than we asked for about the Colonel, Meryl, and voice-overs done by Snake which tend to feel stale and lofty at times. There are several new and old friends, a few creative villains, and a gun "launderer" with a hairless(?) monkey. But at this point they have mostly just been introduced and I plan on not spoiling any surprises they may or may not reveal.

The new Game Mechanics of the OctoCamo, Mk.II, Gun Customization and Solid Eye give a much needed health boost to the aging gameplay. The OctoCamo is easy to use and amazing in action, The Mk.II is a great scouting tool, and the Solid Eye will give you something close to the classic map view to aid you in your missions.

This is the MKII. He likes OctoCamo and slow walks on the beach.

Audio is easily the best quality of this game. The composers (Harry Gregson-Williams and Nobuko Toda) have done a phenomenal job of capturing the sound of a tense, sneaking situation and the excitement of all-out action. Sound effects are superb causing you to instantly seize up when you accidentally kick a glass bottle or bump a metal can. And the distinct ambiance of a far off battle will keep you alert and wondering what's around the next corner.

So far MGS4 has proven to uphold its predecessors level of action, atmosphere, and presentation. What it seems to lack thus far is the mystique and draw of a new, exciting narrative with a quicker pace. There's been too many slow philosophical sit-downs about "war" and not enough of... something I imagine the player would actually care about. I will stick with Snake to the end, so here's to hoping the next Act is full of rapid fire plot twists and some boss fights!

FoxDie may cause sporadic ear hair and mustache growth. 

If your symptoms last longer than 4 hours, please consume a ration; Thank you.