*The article does NOT contain spoilers*
It’s not been easy to wait for a span of 5 years patiently for a game this big to come out. When the first few reviews hit the web one could make very little about the actual gameplay of Metal Gear Solid 4 barring the facts that had already been stated in countless previews that had appeared all across the web. But as the engagement comes closer, its finally time to go out with the idol that had single handedly defined the genre of tactical action and espionage.
Welcome to Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the not so final game in Kojima’s long running list of Metal Gear series.
1. The Camera
The Metal Gear Solid series has considerably evolved over the years from the days of the original PlayStation, the last iteration MGS3: Subsistence on the home consoles provided an important addition to the gameplay which had restricted the series until now as far as stealth was concerned, a free moving camera to allow players to experience the visual goodness of a jungle and the variety of enemies that lay within.
Metal Gear Solid 4 brings this feature to a dimension that has become a staple diet ever since the release of Resident Evil 4. The camera pans behind “Old Snake” to allow a tighter degree of control for the player, thus providing a better aiming module for hardcore action addicts.
2. Weapons and Interactivity
The game has also changed its traditional motto from stealth to a greater degree of action, even though Snake still masters stealth, his weapons play a very crucial role in the entire game allowing the player to shoot his/her way through without any significant hassles.
I.D. tagged weapons found in previous versions of the game can now be wielded with extreme agility, with Drebin providing “nanomachines” to conveniently upgrade your current arsenal. This gives the game a relatively high degree of customization that was absent in previous games where the only form of arsenal were the ones that Snake picked up from within the game hidden in boxes, scattered across the game.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater introduced the system of close quarters combat although it was pretty limited as far as the list of moves was concerned. It was an exhilarating and satisfying experience taking down an enemy soldier with just a knife. Metal Gear Solid 4 improves on this and allows players a greater degree of moves at the behest of an experienced Snake.
But this requires a lot of patience and memorizing enemy patterns which may not be so consistent at times, giving the player the option to shoot and progress forward rather than utilize stealth to accomplish his objectives. Since the camera has been placed at a rather convenient position, the first person mode seen in the earlier versions seems practically redundant and is rarely utilized except in certain scenarios and Kojima’s claims of playing the game in the first person view should be best avoided to enjoy the essence of the game.
3. Camouflage System
Once again introduced in Snake Eater, Guns of the Patriots builds upon this innovation to a satisfying detail. Snake can merge with his surrounding with a mere press of a button giving his suit the texture of the surroundings which he desires. The Octocamo mask that has been showcased in different parts of the game are used merely to poke fun around here and there, it does not provide too much use to the gameplay.
4. Enemies
The enemies in the game are a variety mix and match of Human soldiers and Liquid Ocelot’s private army who love vengeance as a part of their cold platter. These enemies who are fast and agile in their actions, always have Snake trapped in their hole flanking him from either side. The important aspect of this group of enemies is the fact they always flank Old Snake from either side when they attack him or the Rat Patrol Unit led by Meryl.
The Gekkos who are part flesh, part metal but act like machines are quite a formidable might to deal with throughout the game. Taking them head-on takes a lot of guts and glory. Your heavy weapons are the best bet, but most situations with the Gekkos are conceived as an on-rail shooter, players can also use Octocamo in certain situations when they feel under dressed for the occasion to take down a Gekko. Be warned a collision with these mean beasts will leave many gasping for breath!
5. Bosses
The Beauty and Beast Unit is Kojima’s tribute to perhaps the most memorable Metal Gear Bosses. They are violent, vicious and down-right brutal in their action. Some plot twists are also closely tied to these bosses, for instance Screaming Mantis has a lot more than her name to live upto, and she is in fact a part of an old foe from the original game. As mentioned above, Veterans of Metal Gear will instantly feel at home even while ploughing through the central evil protagonists of the game. The boss fight with Liquid Ocelot brings a lot of memories of Metal Gear Solid into the fore.
6. Plot
This is perhaps the central part of the game, which makes it so great. Metal Gear Solid has always been about its convoluted and deep story. The gameplay mechanics found in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots have already been seen in one form or the other in previous versions of the game itself.
But the plot that ties everything together is as unforgiving as Metal Gear Solid 2. Even though there isn’t any Raiden player twist here, the ending just does not seem very satisfying and whole heartedly. It seems unnatural and forced and yet again leaves the balance of the entire series hanging by the thread. This is possibly done to exploit more sequels starring your favorite hero “subtitled” Snake.
Metal Gear Solid 4 is definitely worth picking up and shall be picked up by Kojima loyalists who have played through the story over and over again. But for new comers to the PlayStation brand, this game may not appeal too much for it requires heavy investment in playing almost all the prequels. Check out for an official review soon enough.
- By Neelesh Mukherjee