When Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater released in 2004, it was supposed to be the end to the series as we know it. It’s legendary creator and developer Hideo Kojima had decided it was time to put the series to rest. However, the amount of fan interest for a new MGS had built up almost immediately after Snake Eater. This led to Kojima deciding to take the reins once again and lead the development of a new MGS. Thus, Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriot was created, developed, and released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3.
Back in the Saddle
In Guns of the Patriot, you take control of Snake – who is now experiencing accelerated aging due to the fact that he is a super-soldier – as he goes on one final mission. In this MGS setting, the world is controlled by an economy built around war. PMC’s (Private Military Companies) fight the wars while severely outnumbered governments can do nothing but watch. In these PMC’s, soldiers use a new technology called nanomachines. This powerful new tech allows an ultra-advanced AI called the Sons of Patriots system to control these armies, acting as an overseer of sorts. You’ll quickly find out that your old foe Revolver Ocelot is back, but he’s been possessed by your brother, Liquid Snake. Liquid’s goal is to lead a revolt against the Patriots, who secretly control the maneuvering of global affairs. If you’re lost by now, you’re not alone. The MGS series is well known for its intricate story that takes events from many of the games, even twisting what you originally thought you knew about them.
73 results found for 'metal gear solid'. Filter results: Sony Playstation 2 » Document of Metal Gear Solid 2, The (Europe) Sony Playstation » Metal Gear Solid (Demo) Sony Playstation » Metal Gear Solid (Disc 1) (v1.0) Sony Playstation » Metal Gear Solid (Disc 1) (v1.1). Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a 2008 action-adventure game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami for the PlayStation 3 console. It is the sixth Metal Gear game directed by Hideo Kojima. Set five years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the story centers around a prematurely aged Solid Snake, now known as Old Snake, as he goes on one last. With Metal Gear Solid 4 now playable, people are really going to be looking to get this running as best as possible and, in addition, adding some features not seen in the original release.
Stop Sneaking, Start Shooting
Where MGS4 starts to take a different shape compared to its predecessors is in the gameplay. In previous iterations of the series, there was a heavy emphasis on stealth. The game was known for its tactical maneuvering around enemies while using all sorts of interesting tools at your disposal. In Guns of the Patriots, Kojima decided to open it up a bit. Gone are the levels where you’re forced to make-do with items or weapons that you started with or picked up from off the ground. In this world, you won’t be able to pick up weapons off the ground as they are linked to the person they were assigned to. Instead, you must collect these weapons, which will convert to points. You can then use these points to acquire all sorts of new weapons, attachments, and items from a vendor named Drebin.
This is a big change as this allows you to go into scenarios much more equipped to run and gun. And trust me when I say, you’ll find it much easier to do so than sneaking around. While some players may have issues with this drastic change in the gameplay, it does give you multiple ways to face a situation. This wasn’t always the case in previous MGS games, so this is a welcome addition without actually changing the core gameplay.
In terms of the graphics and sound, it’s superb as usual. When it was released in 2008, MGS4 was the peak of graphical fidelity on a console. Few games were able to take advantage of the PS3 like this game did. The stages are built beautifully, ranging from small villages to labs. The sound design is also terrific, most notably the music. Harry Gregson-Williams returned to score the game once again, so it’s no surprise it fits the series perfectly.
A Long Winded Tale
One major complaint some may have in regards to MGS4 is the amount of storytelling that is done within cutscenes. If you’re an avid fan of the Metal Gear franchise, you should be no stranger to watching cutscenes. However, MGS4 takes those to the next level. You are forced to watch long, drawn out scenes that hold tidbits of information throughout them. You can choose to skip them, but then you might be confused in a later scene. This isn’t necessarily negative in my eyes. The series has always told its story mainly through cutscenes and MGS4 is no different.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a wonderfully made game that is oozing with fan-requested content. If you’re able to make it through the long-winded cutscenes, you’ll be treated to a wonderful gaming experience and you might even shed a tear or two at the end. Kojima said this would be a fitting end to Snake’s journey, and I truly believe it was.
Pros
- Stellar graphics for a game released in 2008
- Satisfying narrative that concludes Snake’s story
- Emphasis on the choice of action or stealth
Cons
- You’ll need to watch hours and hours of cutscenes to understand what’s happening
- Playing previous MGS4 games are crucial to understanding what’s going on