METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS

Solid Snake; one of the most questionable names in video game history, we may as well have just called him erect cock. This is probably not the best way to set the tone for the impending review but still, whenever I pick up a Metal Gear Solid game and hear that name it still makes me giggle. MGS has always been it's own genre of gaming, Deus Ex felt very reminicent of a Metal Gear game but still didn't quite have that aura about it. Anyone who's played a game in the series knows what it's all about; Tactical Espionage Action. Now while I absolutely love MGS4 I still didn't enjoy it as much as 1, 2 or 3. I still don't know why I have this negative attitude towards it, maybe I'm just used to the older, more serious games. Not to this game isn't serious at all, no, it's just feels...different. Definitely the extended amount of cut scenes didn't help; as much as I love intuitive story telling I'm here to play a video game not watch a movie. Now while there were some innovative aspects and new ideas floating round in MGS4 nothing really grabbed me, what did however were the graphics and that's something MGS has always been very proud of. I feel with the recent announcement of MGS5: The Phantom Pain now is as good a time as any to talk about the amazing franchise.

So if I don't like MGS4 that much then why am I talking about it instead of my preferred 1,2 or 3, well it is a more recent game and I feel I should endeavour to review such games. That said, I'll be reviewing old games all the time, don't you worry. So getting back to it, the MGS universe is a very complex one and without making things too confusing here's what it's all about. Over the course of the many games you play as multiple characters but in MGS4 you play as Solid Snake, who is now referred to as Old Snake. Snake is clone of the legendary hero Big Boss, whom you play as in MGS3, due to Snake being a clone it has rapidly aged his body so for a lot of the game it almost feels like Snake's going to keel over at any moment. This aspect is quite unique and does serve well to drive the story. There were other clones; Liquid Snake and Solidus Snake but this is where it starts to get confusing. Rather than spoil any plots and twists I'll say this...the MGS is a remarkable one at story telling, while a little farfetched at times there are some exceptionally awesome characters and intense. Anyone who hasn't played a MGS game I strongly urge going from the start now and playing 1 through to 4, 1 is a little dated now but considering when it came out and what it did for its time, it's pretty amazing. you ca download 1 on the PS Network and 2 & 3 are available on a HD re-release which I suggest you all buy!

Getting into the gameplay now there's only one word to describe it; flawless! You are in complete control and stealthing around in your advanced stealth suit is incredibly fun. While the CQC (close quarters combat) mechanic did take me a little bit of getting used to one I mastered it, it was quite easy to silently take everyone down without being detected. The morphing stealth suit in MGS4 is a very cool tool to have in your arsenal and that's definitely something that I'm sure we'll be seeing more of in future MGS games. Come to think of it I haven't even talked about Metal Gear...for those who don't know, Metal Gear is a weapon that was developed by the military and has seen many adjustments and overhauls since the Shagohod was introduced in MGS3 during the Cold War. It is a menacing creation and coming up against one of these is both not a good idea but also awesome at the same time. Something that has always drawn me back time and time again to the series is the graphics, they are phenomenal! Sure 1 was bricky and old but it was the PS1 years, now when I saw MGS2 on the PS2 I thought it was the future of gaming, it was that good. Going back and playing 2 and 3 now, they still look amazing and that's definitely a sign that the MGS series and a good graphics development team.

Overall MGS4 was a great game but for me as a MGS fan it is the weakest in the series so far, but that's just my opinion. I have friends that absolutely love and I can understand why. It's a great game, check it out. With the announcement recently of the overhauled and sleek 'Fox Engine' that MGS5 will be running on I feel that you all should look at this trailer from E3 this year, it blew my mind! What made it even more crazy is that this gameplay is only running on a PS3, imagine the potential they can harness from a PS4. All I'm saying is that the sole reason I'm buying a PS4 come Christmas is because of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhxtfpYo7yo

Genre: 1st / 3rd person Stealth based Action

Platforms: PS3

Score: 9 / 10