The greatest game series of all times now has the perfect game to end the most epic story ever told. Thank you Kojima.
MGS4 is the most stunning game to hit a gaming system as of this day. The game is so gorgeous and outstanding. It really shows you what perfection really is in a video game. Everything about MGS4 is so far above par that it seems unbelievable that it could have been done. You will be in awe while playing, listening, watch and fighting through this game. You will not want your first play through to end, ever. Though you will be able to walk away with ease after beating this game.The narrative story telling and gameplay is so smooth and nice, that it will all just fit together without a second thought.
The story sequences and cut scenes are quite long and lengthy, but any Metal Gear fan will tell you, as long as it is interesting it is worth the watch. Not only is the story line of MGS4 great and keeps you wanting more, but the graphics and character animation are so beautiful and amazing. For those who are not all into story or are new to Metal Gear might find the cinematics drawn out and/or boring. In fact you will be spending a good amount of time just watching this game, though you can skip by it all and just get down to the playing. Doing this will leave you totally lost and not knowing what is going on. Not to mention the visuals that you will be missing out on As great as the prerendered cinematics look, it is even more grand seeing these scenes flow and transition into gameplay without any type of pausing or loading. Like seeing an enemy walking right toward you and put you in its shadow ready to crush you into the ground that you just watched in a scene seconds before smash through buildings to get to you. The environments are so rich with textures and feel so full and lush. They never change during any story sequences which will leave you with your mouth hung open in grand amazement. This is exactly the kind of stuff you do not want to miss by pausing the game and clicking on "skip".
With MGS4 the story telling is so detailed you really can come into it without knowing anything about Metal Gear and come out with a pretty good idea of what all has happen. I will say though that with some parts of the game it was nice having played all the other games before hand. At some points even giving me goosebumps. gameplay without any type of pausing or loading. Talking too much about the plot can end up spoiling some thing for those who have not yet played though, or finished the game yet.
You play as Solid Snake, the legend and hero most will know from the past Metal Gear games. He is now aging, and doing so quite fast, more so then any normal person. now playing as such an old man has its perks, he is still going quite strong, though dealing with hurting and stiffness. He is still skilled as ever in many fights ways. This is Snakes final mission, and as the game goes on reaching higher with dramatic story telling. Snake seems to fall apart a little more each time leaving the tension of the game high. Some new plot holes open, while some old ones finally close off giving answers to some question MGS fans have always wanted to know. Some friends from the past show up, long with a couple enemies, even a few real shockers to say the least, holding as many twists and surprises as it can handle without becoming too much. Sometimes these come off as over dramatic, but still rightfully so as it is a MGS game after all, subtlety isn't one of Metal Gears strong points.
The gameplay is quite the same for hardcore MGS fans, but is touched up and is smoother and cleaned up. I found the gameplay mechanics to be the best of any Metal Gear game so far. For example I found the close quarters combat much more easier to deal with compared to Metal Gear Solid 3, which I had a very hard time with. Now it comes off almost second nature for me, after playing around with it for awhile. I found the shooting mechanics to be the best makeover in the game, so mush nicer and easy to move around while aiming at someone, and not having to go into first person mod just to get a nice clean head shot off. The number of guns in this game are unreal to say the least, for once instead of picking up weapons throughout the game, this time you actually buy whatever you want, though I am sure you will be playing awhile before collecting them all. Also the feel of the weapons are so perfect and easy to handle. You can go it like I do with over the shoulder or go into the first person mode, either way have their advantages. All weapons are fully customizable which for me is a big deal in any game that makes for switching stuff around much fun.
Now all the weapons are great and all, if you are into suicide missions that won't get you far at all. You need to be on the defense too. The game offers many of great things for you to use to get around without being noticed. The most talked about and obvious one would be the OctoCamo suit, which takes on the look of anything you are laying down on or hugged up against. It is very good for getting around in wide open areas if done right, but also it looks really cool while playing the game. Something finally better than the Predator suit from the other MGS games.
No matter if you like to go it stealth, or if you are more of a head on battle it out kind of person, you have plenty of times that you are forced into one or the other. Keeping you a bit on your toes you might say. Sometimes you will be a fight that will keep your heart racing, other times you will be crawling on the ground with a number of guards walking all around you as you tighten your grip on the controller thinking that at any second they might step on you and everything is blown. It is quite the nice mixture so you don't get too comfortable playing just one way. Now the games AI is quite smart too, so that is something else to look out for. Some ways of hiding maybe be better then others depending on the situation and environment. If you are by some bushes and beside to hide in the rusty can or box, be prepared to be noticed. If you are in a firefight, the games AI's will try to flank you, draw you out of hiding and dodge you in many ways. Somethings you will want to be very careful of.
The Boss fights for the most part are great and do hold the water, mostly if you compare them to the weaker one of Metal Gear Solid 2. Don't get me wrong they will keep you roped in that is for sure. They are easy for the most part, but some do take a few tries to get through the battle. It is clear you will be facing off with the Beauty and the Beast unit, though the characters seems quite empty and don't have much to them, learning little about them.
In all, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the most epic game there is. The story is amazing. The graphics, cut scenes and gameplay look so beautiful and full of life, more then anything I have witnessed. Everything about it has set new standards for gaming. If you only need one reason to buy a PS3, make it this game, you will not be disappointed what so ever.
Thank you Hideo Kojima, your visions and storytelling are topnotch and you can now put this series to bed. It has now been fulfilled.