Monday 30 June 2008
Sunday 15 June 2008
Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3) Review
Kojima's highly anticipated tactical stealth espionage epic has finally made it's way onto your Playstation 3, and there's nothing else quite like it. Nothing has ever sparked as much debate, as much love and hate and as much media attention as 2008s Metal Gear Solid 4. But does it live up to the hype?
The gameplay consists of the familiar tactical stealth espionage, but it's unlike anything you've seen before. The combat has been picked up, looked at, shaken around a little and ultimately revamped into a sweet ambrosia which keeps what we know and love and then makes it even more complex, more intuitive and, ultimately, by far the best stealth gameplay going.
It consists of approximately the same controls as the other entries in the series, but with a few important changes. The L2 and R2 buttons still bring up the gadget and weapon menus respectively, but not the L1 button controls targeting and R1 is the kill button. This leaves the triangle button to be a context sensitive trigger notably responsible for taking cover, while cross changes your stance from crouch to prone and back to standing. The latter is handled far more intuitively than in previous installments- Snake can now walk around crouched as well as prone, and player need no longer hold down the cross button to lie down- it is done with a couple of quick taps. This allows Snake to more quickly maneuver himself into a position where he can use the greatly-expanded gunplay system. While CQC has been made more complex, the gunplay is the biggest adjustment to combat and it's what the series needed. No longer are players unable to directly aim in third person mode- it is now possible to aim with the camera over-the-shoulder for more accurate shooting. This stands up remarkably well, with each weapon having its own distinctive feel. First person mode has also been re-examined, and players can now walk around while aiming in first person, something which will is used for good effect in tense firefights.
But the biggest adjustment to the gameplay is the camera- it's now fully in the player's control, unlike its slightly clunky predecessors which had a difficult top-down, stationary camera. This makes sneaking much easier and alleviates any camera-related issues experienced in past Metal Gear games.
All in all, the gameplay is a refinement of what has come before it and sets the standard down for games of any genre. While linear, the level design is tremendous, both from an artistic standpoint and a gameplay one, and the AI matches-up accordingly. The stealth is tense and thoughtful, the action satisfying, and the whole experience a deep, customizable and robust system which will take several play-throughs to master. It's tactical stealth espionage at it's very finest, though the action element is what makes it stand head-and-shoulders above what has come before it.
To be brief, MGS4 is hands-down the best presented game ever. The graphics are atmospheric, realistic and drop-dead gorgeous. The cutscenes are a true work of art, with more unforgettable action scenes than can be counted on all my fingers and toes. The sound, brought to us by Harry Gregson-Williams, a Hollywood composer, is suitably professional and epic, bringing us tense and atmospheric orchestrated pieces, while the in-game Ipod allows access to previous Metal Gear classics. Yet it is the confidence and grace with which MGS4 brings across these aspects which truly stands out. Cutscene switches to gameplay with such ease that it is easy not to notice that you're back in control. The game allows you to zoom in and change camera angles in the cutscenes, daring you to find fault with the visuals. And the whole experience is brought about like a movie, from the opening credits forwards. Out of 10, it would only be fair to give MGS4 a 14/10, to show how far ahead of the competition it is in terms of presentation.
The online component, released with the game, stands up well, while never taking the main spotlight. This is no throwaway multiplayer mode either: hours of your life will be consumed by Metal Gear Online, and you'll love every minute of it. It contains the same quirks as the single-player, and while laying down magazines or hiding in a box may not have the desired effect, it feels good to stick close to what we know and love. MGO is dissimilar to many other online shooters in its slow, tactical gameplay which relies on teamwork and communication. The perfect accompaniment to the main attraction.
All in all, Metal Gear Solid 4 is Kojima's finest hour, the PS3's saviour, and my favorite game of all time. Every aspect of this title excels- it's a tour-de-force of deep, outstanding gameplay, superb production values and unrivaled story progression. It's a cinematic masterpiece in terms of the memorable moments of story, be it humorous, action-packed or moving. It's the perfect end to a venerable and unforgettable series of games, and the story is more satisfying, more epic and more unpredictable than both the past Metal Gear games and all other games to date. From the opening credits rolling in the desolate yet intricately beautiful Middle-Eastern vistas to the final breathtaking reveal, this is a masterpiece. It's in the deep, experimental gameplay. It's in the stunningly awe-inspiring imagery. It's in the unparalleled production values. But most importantly it's in the greatest tale ever told, told in the most beautiful and unforgettable way imaginable. The emotions stirred by this game will never leave me. The way the whole piece comes together as a cohesive and brilliant package is something else though, and words simply can't describe the quality of the story and the cutscenes. It's the perfect game to put the perfect soldier to rest. Goodbye old friend. We salute you.
10/10
The gameplay consists of the familiar tactical stealth espionage, but it's unlike anything you've seen before. The combat has been picked up, looked at, shaken around a little and ultimately revamped into a sweet ambrosia which keeps what we know and love and then makes it even more complex, more intuitive and, ultimately, by far the best stealth gameplay going.
It consists of approximately the same controls as the other entries in the series, but with a few important changes. The L2 and R2 buttons still bring up the gadget and weapon menus respectively, but not the L1 button controls targeting and R1 is the kill button. This leaves the triangle button to be a context sensitive trigger notably responsible for taking cover, while cross changes your stance from crouch to prone and back to standing. The latter is handled far more intuitively than in previous installments- Snake can now walk around crouched as well as prone, and player need no longer hold down the cross button to lie down- it is done with a couple of quick taps. This allows Snake to more quickly maneuver himself into a position where he can use the greatly-expanded gunplay system. While CQC has been made more complex, the gunplay is the biggest adjustment to combat and it's what the series needed. No longer are players unable to directly aim in third person mode- it is now possible to aim with the camera over-the-shoulder for more accurate shooting. This stands up remarkably well, with each weapon having its own distinctive feel. First person mode has also been re-examined, and players can now walk around while aiming in first person, something which will is used for good effect in tense firefights.
But the biggest adjustment to the gameplay is the camera- it's now fully in the player's control, unlike its slightly clunky predecessors which had a difficult top-down, stationary camera. This makes sneaking much easier and alleviates any camera-related issues experienced in past Metal Gear games.
All in all, the gameplay is a refinement of what has come before it and sets the standard down for games of any genre. While linear, the level design is tremendous, both from an artistic standpoint and a gameplay one, and the AI matches-up accordingly. The stealth is tense and thoughtful, the action satisfying, and the whole experience a deep, customizable and robust system which will take several play-throughs to master. It's tactical stealth espionage at it's very finest, though the action element is what makes it stand head-and-shoulders above what has come before it.
To be brief, MGS4 is hands-down the best presented game ever. The graphics are atmospheric, realistic and drop-dead gorgeous. The cutscenes are a true work of art, with more unforgettable action scenes than can be counted on all my fingers and toes. The sound, brought to us by Harry Gregson-Williams, a Hollywood composer, is suitably professional and epic, bringing us tense and atmospheric orchestrated pieces, while the in-game Ipod allows access to previous Metal Gear classics. Yet it is the confidence and grace with which MGS4 brings across these aspects which truly stands out. Cutscene switches to gameplay with such ease that it is easy not to notice that you're back in control. The game allows you to zoom in and change camera angles in the cutscenes, daring you to find fault with the visuals. And the whole experience is brought about like a movie, from the opening credits forwards. Out of 10, it would only be fair to give MGS4 a 14/10, to show how far ahead of the competition it is in terms of presentation.
The online component, released with the game, stands up well, while never taking the main spotlight. This is no throwaway multiplayer mode either: hours of your life will be consumed by Metal Gear Online, and you'll love every minute of it. It contains the same quirks as the single-player, and while laying down magazines or hiding in a box may not have the desired effect, it feels good to stick close to what we know and love. MGO is dissimilar to many other online shooters in its slow, tactical gameplay which relies on teamwork and communication. The perfect accompaniment to the main attraction.
All in all, Metal Gear Solid 4 is Kojima's finest hour, the PS3's saviour, and my favorite game of all time. Every aspect of this title excels- it's a tour-de-force of deep, outstanding gameplay, superb production values and unrivaled story progression. It's a cinematic masterpiece in terms of the memorable moments of story, be it humorous, action-packed or moving. It's the perfect end to a venerable and unforgettable series of games, and the story is more satisfying, more epic and more unpredictable than both the past Metal Gear games and all other games to date. From the opening credits rolling in the desolate yet intricately beautiful Middle-Eastern vistas to the final breathtaking reveal, this is a masterpiece. It's in the deep, experimental gameplay. It's in the stunningly awe-inspiring imagery. It's in the unparalleled production values. But most importantly it's in the greatest tale ever told, told in the most beautiful and unforgettable way imaginable. The emotions stirred by this game will never leave me. The way the whole piece comes together as a cohesive and brilliant package is something else though, and words simply can't describe the quality of the story and the cutscenes. It's the perfect game to put the perfect soldier to rest. Goodbye old friend. We salute you.
10/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)