MGS4 Database sneaks into Europe

When Hideo Kojima's highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots had a simultaneous worldwide release on June 12, there was one notable absence for those in Europe. The Metal Gear Solid Database, which was available on June 19 in both Japan and America, could not be found using European accounts on the PlayStation Network.

Whether it was an issue with getting everything translated into all of the European languages, or some other glitch, Konami's not saying. But it has confirmed that the Database will be coming to Europe this week on June 26.

Contrary to the name, the MGS4 Database does not just have info for the latest Solid Snake game, but instead is an archive of all characters, weapons, and plotlines starting from the first Metal Gear in 1987. There are three hubs: GENE (a glossary), MEME (which maps relationships), and SCENE (a timeline). Gamers can also search using keywords.

The database is free to use, but only those who have a saved game for Metal Gear Solid 4 on their PlayStation 3 hard drive will be able to access intel about this game "to avoid spoiling the final adventure." All spoilers have also been blacked out until the game has been completed.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has been several years in the making, and is the final game to feature the main character Solid Snake. In Japan, it sold almost 500,000 copies in its first three days on sale. It was the sixth game ever in the history of GameSpot to be given a score of 10; read the full review here.