Anyone played it yet?
Just wondering if it does live up to the hype
Just wondering if it does live up to the hype
Metal Gear Solid 4
Miscellaneous Forums/General Discussion/Metal Gear Solid 4 I'm looking forward to it. Apparently in ASDA they are selling it for £10 cheaper, if your in the UK obviously :o)
I might pop along there and grab it.
I might pop along there and grab it.
I've got mine sat on my desk at work and I won't get to play it till tomorrow night.
Unless I start feeling a little ill and have to take a sickie!!
Unless I start feeling a little ill and have to take a sickie!!
Hehe, terrible! I'm looking forward to it though. Will be interesting to see what the online play is like.
Of course it lives up to the hype! What kind of question is that! It's got perfect scores from several magazines! I'll be buying it in an hour! It's going to be the best game ever! My $500 will be well spent!
*twitch*
*twitch*
I gonna check out the PS 3 console price and maybe get MSG 4 today and who know
From what I have seen it looks like a Splinter cell clone with cheesy gadgets and OTT lengthy story. Haven't played it though, and didn't like the first one, and didn't bother playing the other two so I guess it's not my thing.
What hype? Do you understand the definition of the word hype? By definition MGS4 does not live up to the hype.
Having said that all the reviews I've read are along the lines of "If you like MGS games, then you'll like this one as well". I don't, so I won't.
Having said that all the reviews I've read are along the lines of "If you like MGS games, then you'll like this one as well". I don't, so I won't.
Hotshot:
Buy the 40gb PS3 from WalMart for $399, and you will get a $100 gift card back. You won't find a better deal than that, I've looked. The promotion runs till this weekend I think.
Buy the 40gb PS3 from WalMart for $399, and you will get a $100 gift card back. You won't find a better deal than that, I've looked. The promotion runs till this weekend I think.
Cool gadgets and a lengthy story with stealth gameplay to tie it all together are exactly what I want out of the game.
What's cheesy about laser tripmines, and night vision goggles? I've never considered the weapons in MGS to be particularly unrealistic compared to what you get in other games.
What's cheesy about laser tripmines, and night vision goggles? I've never considered the weapons in MGS to be particularly unrealistic compared to what you get in other games.
I played the first MGS game years ago and thought it was crap.
Too boring, trying to lurk in shadows and sneak up on folks. Much rather go in guns blazing, like, erm.... that bloke with the mucky vest. Die Hard - him.
Hitman was crap for the same reason.
Too boring, trying to lurk in shadows and sneak up on folks. Much rather go in guns blazing, like, erm.... that bloke with the mucky vest. Die Hard - him.
Hitman was crap for the same reason.
I don't understand why anybody wants a 90-minute cutscene interrupting the gameplay... or why anybody wants to install 4.6GB of data on a console to play a game that comes on what is supposed to be the best disc format ever invented...
:)
:)
I don't understand why anybody wants a 90-minute cutscene interrupting the gameplay...
I'm not saying "yay for more cutscenes in games!" but if you play games for entertainment, and a well-made cutscene entertains you, then... that's a good thing. The issue is when you can't skip them (apparently not an issue here) or they don't entertain.
or why anybody wants to install 4.6GB of data on a console to play a game that comes on what is supposed to be the best disc format ever invented...
It is the best disc format right now... it's just not as fast as a harddrive.
The game got 8/10 in Games TM magazine here in the UK.
Do the new model PS3's have a proper disc tray yet or do they still have that front loading slot thing ? ( which looks like it's just asking for discs to become scratched quicker than ever to me. )
Fred:
The 90 minute cutscene is probably not in the middle of the game. It's most likely the ending. And I'm just fine with being rewarded with a 90 minute video for the game's ending.
The 90 minute cutscene is probably not in the middle of the game. It's most likely the ending. And I'm just fine with being rewarded with a 90 minute video for the game's ending.
Gabriel:
No, they don't have a disc tray, and they don't need one. Blu Ray discs have a special coating on them which makes them much harder to scratch than a normal CD. I've put my Gran Turismo in the PS3 several times already and there's no scratches on the disc.
No, they don't have a disc tray, and they don't need one. Blu Ray discs have a special coating on them which makes them much harder to scratch than a normal CD. I've put my Gran Turismo in the PS3 several times already and there's no scratches on the disc.
"or why anybody wants to install 4.6GB of data on a console to play a game that comes on what is supposed to be the best disc format ever invented..."
"which looks like it's just asking for discs to become scratched quicker than ever to me"
You guys look like you need to read up on Blu Ray:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc
"which looks like it's just asking for discs to become scratched quicker than ever to me"
You guys look like you need to read up on Blu Ray:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc
Because the Blu-ray Disc data layer is closer to the surface of the disc, compared to the DVD standard, it was at first more vulnerable to scratches. The first discs were housed in cartridges for protection. Advances in polymer technology eventually made the cartridges unnecessary.
TDK was the first company to develop a working scratch protection coating for Blu-ray Discs. It was named Durabis. In addition, both Sony and Panasonic's replication methods include proprietary hard-coat technologies. Sony's rewritable media are sprayed with a scratch-resistant and antistatic coating. Verbatim's recordable and rewritable Blu-ray Disc discs use their own proprietary hard-coat technology called ScratchGuard.
TDK was the first company to develop a working scratch protection coating for Blu-ray Discs. It was named Durabis. In addition, both Sony and Panasonic's replication methods include proprietary hard-coat technologies. Sony's rewritable media are sprayed with a scratch-resistant and antistatic coating. Verbatim's recordable and rewritable Blu-ray Disc discs use their own proprietary hard-coat technology called ScratchGuard.
A dual layer Blu-ray Disc can store 50 GB, almost six times the capacity of a dual layer DVD.
You guys look like you need to read up on Blu Ray:
I'm well read on Blu Ray, thanks. Sony developed a special protective coating for PS1 CD's too, but they still scratched as badly as a standard cd. The black dye helped to make them readable despite the scratches, but it was hardly a roaring success even so.
I'm also well-read enough to have read reports from people claiming scratches from the center to the edge of their discs. Such scratches could not be caused by vibrations or drive operation, so the insert/ejection mechanism seems like the most likely cause.
Either way, if they had a drive tray, I'd be much more inclined to buy one.
I bought PS 3 with 2 games for 220 pounds :)
You'll probably find the scratches are caused by folks trying to clean their discs. I've seen alots of people use their jeans to clean their disc... They deserve to get scratched discs :o)
I've not had any scratching issues so far with the discs, but i agree the disc device kinda sucks...
I've not had any scratching issues so far with the discs, but i agree the disc device kinda sucks...
I bought PS 3 with 2 games for 220 pounds :)
From where? New or second hand? I'd be slightly more inclined to take a chance at that price.
second hand shop :)
I saw two cheap games such as Motor Storm and Fall of Man which are 10 pounds each in computer exchange. snip!
I just bought Yellow Dog Linux OS for my PS 3 :)
MSG 4 is selling at 36 pounds at ADSA :)
I saw two cheap games such as Motor Storm and Fall of Man which are 10 pounds each in computer exchange. snip!
I just bought Yellow Dog Linux OS for my PS 3 :)
MSG 4 is selling at 36 pounds at ADSA :)
I'm 6 1/2 hours into the game and I love it. I'm a huge Metal Gear Solid fan though. But really.. this game rules.
How much of those 6½ hours are cutscenes? :)
It all adds to the game IMO. The game tells a story as well as a game. You can skip the cutscenes if you wish. :o)
Yes, but how much of the game is left if you do skip them? ;)
But MGS without cutscenes isn't MGS.
I'd also like to know how much of, say, the first six hours of "gameplay" is comprised of cutscenes. I'm thinking about picking up MGS4, but I'm not a fan of lame video game cutscenes - they're always packed full of cliches, melodrama, poor acting, and even worse dialog.
So can anyone who's played the game give a clear, honest, and non-evasive answer to the cutscene question, please?
So can anyone who's played the game give a clear, honest, and non-evasive answer to the cutscene question, please?
You can skip them, so it's not a big deal. It's not going to make it a worse game having cutscenes, which you can easily skip.
Would be nice to know though.
Would be nice to know though.
It would make it a worse game if there's only 10 hours of gameplay after subtracting the cutscenes, especially if the gameplay is confusing and emotionally disengaging due to skipping the plot progression and character development.
Catch 22 there. Metal gear solid 2 annoyed me that way. I believe you couldn't skip the cut scenes and the part with the bomb disposal expert, must have lasted about 20 mins... Not much use when there's someone at the door or on the phone...
I have play MSG 1 , 2, 3.
MSG 1 was good game...where they have little abit of cutscene which I dont mind.
MSG 2 was more like DEMO Tech and the game was ok.
MSG 3 in the ending was HARD as I trying find bugger Old man Sniper and I gave up in the end FFS!
MSG 1 was good game...where they have little abit of cutscene which I dont mind.
MSG 2 was more like DEMO Tech and the game was ok.
MSG 3 in the ending was HARD as I trying find bugger Old man Sniper and I gave up in the end FFS!
I have play MSG 1 , 2, 3.
MSG 1 was good game...where they have little abit of cutscene which I dont mind.
MSG 2 was more like DEMO Tech and the game was ok.
MSG 3 in the ending was HARD as I trying find bugger Old man Sniper and I gave up in the end FFS!
Its called "Metal Gear Solid", not "Metal Solid Gear".MSG 1 was good game...where they have little abit of cutscene which I dont mind.
MSG 2 was more like DEMO Tech and the game was ok.
MSG 3 in the ending was HARD as I trying find bugger Old man Sniper and I gave up in the end FFS!
...and you were trying to do WHAT to an old man? o.O
I imagine if you skip the cut scenes, you basicly have one of the latest splinter cell games almost cloned with all the same camera issues judging by the vids. Just even less realistic which would probably make me prefer a good splinter cell game anyway.
See, I don't like realism in games but I do enjoy stealth gameplay. For this reason, I'm intrigued by MGS4 but not at all interested in the Splinter Cell games. Story, plot development, characterisation and dialogue are very important to me too, and I suspect that I won't be able to overlook MGS4's weaknesses in these areas, hence my cutscene worries.
There's a pretty balanced review over at Gametrailers. The cutscenes are somewhat mentioned... but not how many there are. All in all, it looks like a solid game (no pun there!) with a lot of story to tell. Not being able to pause the cutscenes, or play them again from a menu would be my only issue.
High def
Standard def
High def
Standard def
I've been playing through the game, and I can tell you there are a LOT of cutscenes. I recently fought my way through a building with some friendlies, had a cutscene where everyone jumped down an elevator shaft, then control was returned so that I could jump down the elevator shaft, (which I was standinf in front of, so I basically just had to push the jump button) and then upon landing, I was presented immediately with ANOTHER CUTSCENE.
Why would they DO that?!
But don't take that the wrong way. I'm having fun. I like the cutscenes. They're not too long, and they don't do the above all the time. But some times between cutscenes can be pretty short. I'm not sure if that's just because I'm at the very start of the game, or what.
Why would they DO that?!
But don't take that the wrong way. I'm having fun. I like the cutscenes. They're not too long, and they don't do the above all the time. But some times between cutscenes can be pretty short. I'm not sure if that's just because I'm at the very start of the game, or what.
Any idea how many GB of a BluRay disc the game actually takes?
I recall Hideo complaining a year or two back about how there wasn't enough disk-space on the thing, and I'm assuming the forced-installations per act may have been a compromise to fit the entire thing on a single-disc.
At any rate, it's disturbing to me that installations on PS3 titles are becoming more common these days...is the seek time that slow on its BluRay drive to warrent them to keep the game flowing?
I'll be picking up MGS4 some day (I'm probably one of the few that enjoys every cutscene and lengthy codec-conversation), but not while the PS3 sits at its current price.
(including the cost of a couple DualShock3 controllers because Sony is too anal about just shipping them standard with current PS3 SKUs instead of SIXAXIS)
I recall Hideo complaining a year or two back about how there wasn't enough disk-space on the thing, and I'm assuming the forced-installations per act may have been a compromise to fit the entire thing on a single-disc.
At any rate, it's disturbing to me that installations on PS3 titles are becoming more common these days...is the seek time that slow on its BluRay drive to warrent them to keep the game flowing?
I'll be picking up MGS4 some day (I'm probably one of the few that enjoys every cutscene and lengthy codec-conversation), but not while the PS3 sits at its current price.
(including the cost of a couple DualShock3 controllers because Sony is too anal about just shipping them standard with current PS3 SKUs instead of SIXAXIS)
I think MGS4 uses double-sided (dual-layer) blu-ray for the PS3 so anything up to 50GB perhaps?
I know what you mean about the cutscenes; I saw the intro the other day... 20 minutes of cutscene and about 3 minutes of gameplay.
I know what you mean about the cutscenes; I saw the intro the other day... 20 minutes of cutscene and about 3 minutes of gameplay.
Double sided and dual layer are NOT the same thing.
http://dvr.about.com/od/dvdrecordableformats/f/dvddlvsdouble.htm
http://dvr.about.com/od/dvdrecordableformats/f/dvddlvsdouble.htm
Alright. I'm 14 hours in and i would say that maybe 4 hours in cut scenes. Personally I love the cut scenes. The story in this series is incredible and they're explaining a lot.
Also, I've never had more fun and real heart beating excitement than I have with MGS4. The second boss fight alone is one moment to go down in history of boss fights.. actually they all are.. so far.
I bought the MGS4 PS3 Bundle Yesterday.. soooo I'm sort of a nut when in comes to MGS.
Also, I've never had more fun and real heart beating excitement than I have with MGS4. The second boss fight alone is one moment to go down in history of boss fights.. actually they all are.. so far.
I bought the MGS4 PS3 Bundle Yesterday.. soooo I'm sort of a nut when in comes to MGS.
You want cutscenes? Try Mass Effect.
Mass effect doesn't seem too bad. Not that many cut scenes, mostly when stuff is loading in the BG or short clips at key points of missions. Certainly nothing like the typical MGS game.
/me thinks Evak doesn't like metal gear solid ;o)
I bought the MGS 4 80G PS3 pack because I wanted some backward compatibility. So far MGS 4 is not my kind of game. The graphics are impressive but there's way too much interruption in the game for me.
I never played the other MGS games, it'd probably help if I had I guess.
I never played the other MGS games, it'd probably help if I had I guess.
Slightly OT, but I was wondering if anyone knows if an HDMI->DVI adapter works with the PS3?
Just purchased the damn system yesterday (the MGS4 bundle, thank god they packed a DualShock3 with it) for the game alone, and I feel like it's wasted cash playing at 480i on my TV when I could bump that up to 720p on my PC monitor to be able to appreciate the visuals (the lighting engine is crazy...) without having to physically place the game camera up-close to objects to see the detail.
Regarding the game itself, there's a terrible amount of fan-service in the game as well as many references/cameos to the previous titles that would make it hard for me to recommend to anyone else but those who've followed the sometimes crazy plot-line of the series.
Just purchased the damn system yesterday (the MGS4 bundle, thank god they packed a DualShock3 with it) for the game alone, and I feel like it's wasted cash playing at 480i on my TV when I could bump that up to 720p on my PC monitor to be able to appreciate the visuals (the lighting engine is crazy...) without having to physically place the game camera up-close to objects to see the detail.
Regarding the game itself, there's a terrible amount of fan-service in the game as well as many references/cameos to the previous titles that would make it hard for me to recommend to anyone else but those who've followed the sometimes crazy plot-line of the series.
i was thinking of getting one myself, so my gf can watch telly and i can stil play my ps3 while sitting at my pc.
Enjoying the game more as I get futher into it. I'm at the first boss battle now, and I'm getting my ass kicked, but it's one of the best boss battles I've ever played, and I hear the second one is even better.
Turning on auto aiming so I don't have to use the damn joypad all the time has been a big help. And its taken a while, but I've gotten good at controlling the camera at the same time as I'm running around with snake.
Genexi:
Unfortunately, it looks like the answer is no:
http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:r3XDpiomsBgJ:episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/39309975/m/546000622831+ps3+HDMI-%3EDVI+adapter&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us
Some pople say yes, but others who've actually tried it say that you without HDCP (HD copy protection) which the HDMI cable provides and the DVI does not, the PS3 won't output high def video, even just for games.
Turning on auto aiming so I don't have to use the damn joypad all the time has been a big help. And its taken a while, but I've gotten good at controlling the camera at the same time as I'm running around with snake.
Genexi:
Unfortunately, it looks like the answer is no:
http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:r3XDpiomsBgJ:episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/39309975/m/546000622831+ps3+HDMI-%3EDVI+adapter&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us
Some pople say yes, but others who've actually tried it say that you without HDCP (HD copy protection) which the HDMI cable provides and the DVI does not, the PS3 won't output high def video, even just for games.
Surely you can get a connector that goes from the PS3 into pc screen? I'm using a connector that splits into 5 different cables and produces an HD signal.
Ross:
That's a component connector.
Genexi, does your monitor have a component connector on the back?
That's the red green and blue cables:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video
If your LCD isn't a bigger one it probably doesn't, but if it does, then from what I've read, you're set for playing games and watching movies at up to 1080i.
But rather than spend more money on more cables, I'd just get an HDTV. You can often find older CRT ones on craigslist pretty cheap:
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/search/sss?query=hdtv&minAsk=&maxAsk=
That's a component connector.
Genexi, does your monitor have a component connector on the back?
That's the red green and blue cables:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video
If your LCD isn't a bigger one it probably doesn't, but if it does, then from what I've read, you're set for playing games and watching movies at up to 1080i.
But rather than spend more money on more cables, I'd just get an HDTV. You can often find older CRT ones on craigslist pretty cheap:
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/search/sss?query=hdtv&minAsk=&maxAsk=
Just a standard 17" LCD monitor with a DVI & VGA input unfortunately, although the component idea may work if I can find me a decent Component->VGA adapater.
(which would be nice as my PC is using the DVI port currently, could easily swap between the two signals)
Can't really afford me even a cheap HDTV currently (actually, I'm saving up {again <.<} for a 1920x1200px 24" monitor that supports HDCP/HDMI) after having spent a fair amount on the PS3 system itself.
At any rate, enjoying the game a fair bit after act1 was over (I didn't like the middle eastern setting much), and I'm surprised at how well the graphics are holding up on the exterior locations. They're almost photo-realistic at times, although that may be due to the crap 480i resolution I'm running at and flaws may appear on full 1080p displays.
I'm also following the plot line perfectly so far, which I wasn't expecting considering MGS 2 & 3 had me confused to death until I did a second run-through of both after knowing how the events unroll.
[EDIT] On a different note, I have to say Konami absolutely fails at providing an online gaming service with a respectable registration service. You have to create two accounts with strict rules regarding username/password information, but also have to check your actual e-mail afterwards to confirm it for you to even play Metal Gear Online.
I wasted 20min on the bloody thing also because it tossed me an error after I did everything the way it required and thus had to re-input all the info again.
The online itself is decent, although I've yet to find a way to quit a match mid-game. It looks like they just ripped the engine from MGS3:Subsistence and bumped the visuals up from what I can tell, as everything is essentially the same as I remember it (regarding the gameplay and general interface) before Konami pulled the plug on their North American servers quite awhile ago. Oddly enough I've found more headset users on MGS3's online than I have on MGS4. Not came across anyone that has a USB keyboard hooked up also.
(which would be nice as my PC is using the DVI port currently, could easily swap between the two signals)
Can't really afford me even a cheap HDTV currently (actually, I'm saving up {again <.<} for a 1920x1200px 24" monitor that supports HDCP/HDMI) after having spent a fair amount on the PS3 system itself.
At any rate, enjoying the game a fair bit after act1 was over (I didn't like the middle eastern setting much), and I'm surprised at how well the graphics are holding up on the exterior locations. They're almost photo-realistic at times, although that may be due to the crap 480i resolution I'm running at and flaws may appear on full 1080p displays.
I'm also following the plot line perfectly so far, which I wasn't expecting considering MGS 2 & 3 had me confused to death until I did a second run-through of both after knowing how the events unroll.
[EDIT] On a different note, I have to say Konami absolutely fails at providing an online gaming service with a respectable registration service. You have to create two accounts with strict rules regarding username/password information, but also have to check your actual e-mail afterwards to confirm it for you to even play Metal Gear Online.
I wasted 20min on the bloody thing also because it tossed me an error after I did everything the way it required and thus had to re-input all the info again.
The online itself is decent, although I've yet to find a way to quit a match mid-game. It looks like they just ripped the engine from MGS3:Subsistence and bumped the visuals up from what I can tell, as everything is essentially the same as I remember it (regarding the gameplay and general interface) before Konami pulled the plug on their North American servers quite awhile ago. Oddly enough I've found more headset users on MGS3's online than I have on MGS4. Not came across anyone that has a USB keyboard hooked up also.
Just picked up the game today. I was debating on wether or not I should get since I never played a single Metal Gear game - well unless you consider that NES one part of the it back in the day, so I really wasn't too interested in it.
Initially, I had some trouble figuring out the controls and mechanics of the game at first, but once I got through that, I was hooked on it for the last 3 hours. This was one of those games that you enjoyed and got into instantly (like Resident Evil 4, or GTA 4 - whats with all the fouth games in the series being so good?!!).
Lots of cinematic cutscenes and a very absorbing storyline so far considering I had no clue on the backstory (but now I kinda want to go and get the previous games to see what I missed out on). Graphics are pretty good on 1080i and some of the best AI I've seen since Fear. I havent tried the online feature at all, probably will tommorow. Definately worth getting after all.
Initially, I had some trouble figuring out the controls and mechanics of the game at first, but once I got through that, I was hooked on it for the last 3 hours. This was one of those games that you enjoyed and got into instantly (like Resident Evil 4, or GTA 4 - whats with all the fouth games in the series being so good?!!).
Lots of cinematic cutscenes and a very absorbing storyline so far considering I had no clue on the backstory (but now I kinda want to go and get the previous games to see what I missed out on). Graphics are pretty good on 1080i and some of the best AI I've seen since Fear. I havent tried the online feature at all, probably will tommorow. Definately worth getting after all.
Does anyone know if this game is region free? I'd like to buy it but don't know whether it would work on a Japanese PS3.
It works fine on my Hong Kong PS3 so, yeah, it seems to be.
I've been playing through the game, and I can tell you there are a LOT of cutscenes. I recently fought my way through a building with some friendlies, had a cutscene where everyone jumped down an elevator shaft, then control was returned so that I could jump down the elevator shaft, (which I was standinf in front of, so I basically just had to push the jump button) and then upon landing, I was presented immediately with ANOTHER CUTSCENE.
Why would they DO that?!
Why would they DO that?!
aye that does sound pants ... epecially if you cant do anything else but jump down the shaft ... if you could do other stuff to instead of immediatly jumping down then it wouldnt be so bad
"where did you get to? you were right behind us at the elevator"
"well you see they had this vending machine nearby"
"a vending machine?"
"yeah thing is it wasnt accepting my money, kept spitting it out all the time"
"and"
"well i got frustraighted and shot at it"
"you SHOT a vending machine"
"yes and it still didnt dispence anything, it was like totally empty inside, not even a cash box"
"you SHOT an EMPTY vending machine"
"yeah and erm kinda attracted the attention of a dozzen or so goons"
only way ill be able to play it if it comes to pc, but as the 3rd metal gear wasnt made i doubt it will.
Bought it, played it, finished it. The game is a generally comprised of a bunch of short gameplay bursts sandwiched between long cutscenes. And when I say long, I mean loooooong. Many of them last longer than thirty minutes. At least one of them approaches ninety minutes in length.
Luckily the story is fairly compelling and easy to understand, although there is too much exposition, flabby metaphorical/philosophical dialogue and needless repetition of previously stated.
The gameplay is fairly solid (no pun intended), but the controls feel somewhat fudgy and unresponsive at times. It's nice to be able to approach a level using a variety of strategies - stealth, violence, or a mixture between the two. There's a huge arsenal of weapons to choose from, but you'll probably find yourself sticking to a handful of favourites. Enemy AI is decent. Ally AI is dire. Bosses battles are memorable but fairly easy.
All in all, every area of the game feels workmanlike rather than inspired. Individually each gameplay mechanism and cutscene seems "just ok", but combined, the sheer quantity of features allows the game to become more than the sum of its parts.
I'd rate the gane a very solid (still no pun intended) 8 out of 10. I look forward to the further adventures of old Snake.
Luckily the story is fairly compelling and easy to understand, although there is too much exposition, flabby metaphorical/philosophical dialogue and needless repetition of previously stated.
The gameplay is fairly solid (no pun intended), but the controls feel somewhat fudgy and unresponsive at times. It's nice to be able to approach a level using a variety of strategies - stealth, violence, or a mixture between the two. There's a huge arsenal of weapons to choose from, but you'll probably find yourself sticking to a handful of favourites. Enemy AI is decent. Ally AI is dire. Bosses battles are memorable but fairly easy.
All in all, every area of the game feels workmanlike rather than inspired. Individually each gameplay mechanism and cutscene seems "just ok", but combined, the sheer quantity of features allows the game to become more than the sum of its parts.
I'd rate the gane a very solid (still no pun intended) 8 out of 10. I look forward to the further adventures of old Snake.
I just wasted my entire weekend playing the damn game.
Finished it at 15 hours of .......well, was going to same gameplay, but odds are 75% of that time was sitting back munching on popcorn. At any rate, I did rush through it (basically meaning I didn't stealth the open sections at all and just abused the old trick where you lose the warning/evade/caution sections by zoning into the next area), and I do plan on going back again just to take in the visuals more and explore all the little shacks and alternate paths I skipped the first time.
Really enjoyed it overall at any rate, I'd give it an 8/10 also.
(10/10 if it had double the actual gameplay segments. I mean, I recall MGS3 having more sneaking around bits)
Finished it at 15 hours of .......well, was going to same gameplay, but odds are 75% of that time was sitting back munching on popcorn. At any rate, I did rush through it (basically meaning I didn't stealth the open sections at all and just abused the old trick where you lose the warning/evade/caution sections by zoning into the next area), and I do plan on going back again just to take in the visuals more and explore all the little shacks and alternate paths I skipped the first time.
Really enjoyed it overall at any rate, I'd give it an 8/10 also.
(10/10 if it had double the actual gameplay segments. I mean, I recall MGS3 having more sneaking around bits)
Finally got it and it rocks. How people can rate this as only 8/10 I can't quite comprehend. The quality of the experience is second to none. I suppose the cut-scenes are a bummer for some people but at least the metaphorical philosophical stuff is interesting and they are fully real-time and can be skipped or paused.
The gameplay is really good. I would say Call of Duty 4 is only a bit better in the gun-play department as Metal Gear has essentially the same setup but with the additional button press to go into 1st person mode. The transition from the old school clunky MGS style controls to fully combat ready is really nice. Overall every aspect of the game seems to be a treat, the developers really went above and beyond to make the experience enjoyable. I haven't thought of a way I'd improve the game after 2 hours of play. Guess I'll see how I feel at the end.
The gameplay is really good. I would say Call of Duty 4 is only a bit better in the gun-play department as Metal Gear has essentially the same setup but with the additional button press to go into 1st person mode. The transition from the old school clunky MGS style controls to fully combat ready is really nice. Overall every aspect of the game seems to be a treat, the developers really went above and beyond to make the experience enjoyable. I haven't thought of a way I'd improve the game after 2 hours of play. Guess I'll see how I feel at the end.
How people can rate this as only 8/10 I can't quite comprehend. The quality of the experience is second to none.
Because they aren't looking for an experience. They're looking for a GAME. Metal Gear Solid is too much mix and match. Not a compelling (or non-ridiculous) story to work as a movie, not Interactive enough to qualify as a game.Add to that the controls, designed for a sneaking game, using in a game that is essentially a 3rd person shooter, and you're left with nothing like what most people expected (a killer must-have game for the PS3).
Well that's Metal Gear I suppose. Honestly, that's what I've always loved about the series. Fun gameplay in short spurts with a creative story I can enjoy. I've always felt the dialog in the MGS games was really great as well. I don't know if I liked #2 so much and I didn't play Snake Eater but the original on the PS was great in its day. This reminds me of that but with better action.
... I've always felt the dialog in the MGS games was really great as well.
Yikes! I thought that the dialogue was awful in MGS4.
The formula seems to be: "Select a key piece of information. Choose a character to communicate it. Make the same character repeat themselves ten more times in increasingly long-winded, metaphorical ways. Insert at least two minutes of needless exposition between each repetition. Repeat for each character in the scene."
Yikes! I thought that the dialogue was awful in MGS4.
The formula seems to be: "Select a key piece of information. Choose a character to communicate it. Make the same character repeat themselves ten more times in increasingly long-winded, metaphorical ways. Insert at least two minutes of needless exposition between each repetition. Repeat for each character in the scene."
I pretty much see it the same way as JustLuke. I love story based games normaly and can put up with some repetitive dialogue. The Japanese don't seem to handle stories that well for me.
All of the metaphors are reflections of the characters. Often times they are projecting which I find really neat. Real people do the same thing so I always felt that the characters in MGS games has a great depth. I don't think any other game has dialog of the same caliber. Perhaps it's because I don't really like RPG's and MGS has the story of an RPG but with action oriented gameplay.
I too have just finished this game, after spending the entire weekend doing not much else. I bought a PS3 for Metal Gear Solid and it was certainly money well spent. So many good things to say, incredibly well executed as expected from a Metal Gear Solid game.
I haven't been this impressed by a new game since Resident Evil 4, and the graphics are practically photo realistic, fantastic!
I think the only downside was that there was barely anyone to talk to too on Codec (compared to the previous games anyway) and maybe for my liking it seemed quite short at 25 hours. But hmm yes, sad to have finished it now.
Roll on Resident Evil 5!
I haven't been this impressed by a new game since Resident Evil 4, and the graphics are practically photo realistic, fantastic!
I think the only downside was that there was barely anyone to talk to too on Codec (compared to the previous games anyway) and maybe for my liking it seemed quite short at 25 hours. But hmm yes, sad to have finished it now.
Roll on Resident Evil 5!
Well, the codec always was a replacement for cutscenes from a time when cutscenes were expensive to implement. So it makes sense that you no longer have enemies and every other person you talk to in the game contacting you on it.
I finished the game a couple weeks ago. I was dissapointed with how they ended it. I was dissapointed with the cutscenes. I was dissapointed with the lack of sneaking in combat and the aiming system.
But overall, I still enjoyed the game enough to finish it, which is saying something, because I almost never finish games. I haven't finished Mario Galaxy, or Smash Brothers, or the latest Paper Mario game, or Twilight Princess, or even Bioshock. Hell, I didn't even finish Portal because when I got near the end I thought I still had 90 more jumping puzzles to go.
Last game I finished was Episode 2 I think.
However, I finished it thinking the ending was going to be worth it. It wasn't really. But the middle was worth it I think. At least the middle felt like an action movie.
I finished the game a couple weeks ago. I was dissapointed with how they ended it. I was dissapointed with the cutscenes. I was dissapointed with the lack of sneaking in combat and the aiming system.
But overall, I still enjoyed the game enough to finish it, which is saying something, because I almost never finish games. I haven't finished Mario Galaxy, or Smash Brothers, or the latest Paper Mario game, or Twilight Princess, or even Bioshock. Hell, I didn't even finish Portal because when I got near the end I thought I still had 90 more jumping puzzles to go.
Last game I finished was Episode 2 I think.
However, I finished it thinking the ending was going to be worth it. It wasn't really. But the middle was worth it I think. At least the middle felt like an action movie.
Well in the previous games you had like 6 to 8 characters to chat with, but on MGS4, just 2 only!
It sounds like to me you were dissapointed with the game compared to the prequels. On technical merit and execution though the game can't really be faulted. I thought the stealthing, especially in regard to sneaking through a raging battle field was very well done and interesting.
And sneaking past those big robots was pretty scary, and even having to fight several of them at once. I thought there was a of sneaking but I suppose in the other games, (especially MGS1) there was a hell of a lot of backtracking through similiar territory and repeatedly having to stealth through the same guards again and again. Not sure whether that's a good thing though but in 4 you never needed to have to have to spend a long time searching for a 'key card'.
As for the ending, well how were they supposed to end it? The story had almost become ridiculous and it was already getting out of hand a bit, but for me it was ok. It's difficult to end things that have a cult following, or even put an end to it in general, just look what happened to the Matrix?
It sounds like to me you were dissapointed with the game compared to the prequels. On technical merit and execution though the game can't really be faulted. I thought the stealthing, especially in regard to sneaking through a raging battle field was very well done and interesting.
And sneaking past those big robots was pretty scary, and even having to fight several of them at once. I thought there was a of sneaking but I suppose in the other games, (especially MGS1) there was a hell of a lot of backtracking through similiar territory and repeatedly having to stealth through the same guards again and again. Not sure whether that's a good thing though but in 4 you never needed to have to have to spend a long time searching for a 'key card'.
As for the ending, well how were they supposed to end it? The story had almost become ridiculous and it was already getting out of hand a bit, but for me it was ok. It's difficult to end things that have a cult following, or even put an end to it in general, just look what happened to the Matrix?
I bought a PS3 just for MGS4 too, and I was pleasantly surprised. I felt it was a big improvement over previous incarnations. In particular, the controls have been tightened up to the point where everything feels intuitive now. I don't get the problems with aiming that others get, perhaps because I never expected it to be a first person shooter.
Also, the boss fights - which I felt could be gimmicky and repetitive in past games - are massively improved this time around. You really need to take some time, think about the boss, look for weaknesses, learn to read their attacks, and then you need to use your skill to achieve it. They keep throwing new things at you ( the Screaming Mantis fight is my favourite ) and I never felt like I was up against something I couldn't beat as I have with previous titles in the series.
** SPOILERS AHEAD **
With regards to the story, I think they gave the fans exactly what they wanted. I would imagine that an ending where Snake gets a world of peace, albeit that he is (apparently) not going to live much longer would have been one of the most common fan requests, and I'd be surprised if anyone didn't want a return to Shadow Moses Island.
I also really appreciate the little extra touches and multitude of secrets. The flashback to MGS1 which has you playing the second area from the PSX game, complete with PSX controls and graphics followed by Snake claiming to have "had that dream again" was a nice touch, and I've already discovered a number of secrets including the Beauty & Beast secret photoshoot and the Roy Campbell Crop Circle. I'm sure there are lots more, but I'm trying to find them myself, without the aid of an FAQ or guide. It has great replay value as the moment I finished, I went back and started again. This time, I'm aiming to complete the game with zero kills, grab a few more face camos and buy the Matchlock from Drebin. After that, I think I'll try for a psycho run, killing as many people as possible, and try to collect all the dolls, being that I've already missed one this time around, I think.
Also, the boss fights - which I felt could be gimmicky and repetitive in past games - are massively improved this time around. You really need to take some time, think about the boss, look for weaknesses, learn to read their attacks, and then you need to use your skill to achieve it. They keep throwing new things at you ( the Screaming Mantis fight is my favourite ) and I never felt like I was up against something I couldn't beat as I have with previous titles in the series.
** SPOILERS AHEAD **
With regards to the story, I think they gave the fans exactly what they wanted. I would imagine that an ending where Snake gets a world of peace, albeit that he is (apparently) not going to live much longer would have been one of the most common fan requests, and I'd be surprised if anyone didn't want a return to Shadow Moses Island.
I also really appreciate the little extra touches and multitude of secrets. The flashback to MGS1 which has you playing the second area from the PSX game, complete with PSX controls and graphics followed by Snake claiming to have "had that dream again" was a nice touch, and I've already discovered a number of secrets including the Beauty & Beast secret photoshoot and the Roy Campbell Crop Circle. I'm sure there are lots more, but I'm trying to find them myself, without the aid of an FAQ or guide. It has great replay value as the moment I finished, I went back and started again. This time, I'm aiming to complete the game with zero kills, grab a few more face camos and buy the Matchlock from Drebin. After that, I think I'll try for a psycho run, killing as many people as possible, and try to collect all the dolls, being that I've already missed one this time around, I think.
As for the ending, well how were they supposed to end it? The story had almost become ridiculous and it was already getting out of hand a bit, but for me it was ok. It's difficult to end things that have a cult following, or even put an end to it in general, just look what happened to the Matrix?
***SPOILER***
I'll tell you how they should have ended it:
First off, they shouldn't have killed off Naomi. Otacon getting hitched, Sunny getting a mom? That's a good ending.
Second, the number of times they nearly killed Raiden only to have him miraculously recover was rediculous.
After the initial encounter with Vamp in South America, he should have been out of commission until he showed up at the end to hold off the ninjas, with both arms, and he should have kicked their asses, not had his ass kicked.
Also, he should not have shown up to finish off Vamp during the second encounter with him, he had his chance, he failed, Snake did all the hard work, and taking that victory away from the player was asstastic.
ALSO, he should not have shown up to hold back this giant ass ship, to be "killed" once again. I already mentioned how rediculous him getting almost killed over and over was, but this was even more rediculous because there's no way he could have held that ship back. He was bracing himself against the very dock that the ship was moments before having no trouble plowing through!
No, what they should have done is have him almost be killed by Vamp, have Snake save his ass and then kill Vamp by himself, and then have Raiden show up only at the very end to allow Snake to complete his mission by kicking ninja ass like he SAID he would. Then he gets his happy ending with his wife and the kid.
Finally, Snake:
First Snake is going to die because he's prematurely aging. Then we find out that he'll have to kill himself long before that happens because the FoxDie virus has mutated. THEN we find out that he's got to sacrifice himself to a room full of microwaves to prevent the launch of a nuke.
Fer crissakes Hideo, PICK ONE!
Okay, in truth, I can live with all of those things. But what I can't live with is Snake miraculously surviving two out of the three, only for us to be left knowing that he'll die from premature aging a year or so after the credits roll.
Obviously having Snake survive the microwaves, the need to commit suicide, AND finding some miraculous injection that restored his youth would be just as rediculous as Raiden's multiple miraculous recoveries. And having Snake commit suicide would be a depressing end for a hero. Even more so than what we got with him presumably dying of old age a year after the game ends. But there was a way to end everything in a satisfactory manner.
After Raiden shows up to stop the Ninjas, have snake battle Liquid on the top deck. Rather than killing him though, Snake merely knocks him unconcious. Liquid does not reveal his real plan to Snake at this time.
Then Snake braves the room with the microwaves. You know, the one that was supposed to KILL HIM. And it nearly does, but he lives long enough to make it to the server room, where Ocelot uploads the virus.
Then, AS PROMISED, Snake DIES. Thus, he dies a hero, doesn't have to commit sucicide, doesn't have to die of old age, and there needs be no deus ex machina of Big Boss showing up and telling him that he was revived, only to have him be killed immediately by a virus which conveniently is overwriting the FoxDie virus that was going to kill everyone.
Then Ocelot still gets to cry about someone dying, only this time we see him yelling Snake Snake! instead of just hearing him, and we still get to end the game in the same graveyard where it began but this time with a big military funeral for a fallen hero who deserved it, where Meryl gets to pay her respects.
Oh and Liquid, on the deck, still alive? Well the ship blows up after the virus is uploaded, but not before he gets to have his final mologue explaining how this is what he meant to happen all along.
And Big Boss... Well, if he must, he could show up after the funeral, pay his respects, give HIS monologue explaining everything, and pull the plug on that old guy.
And then they can have that silly wedding, with Drebin, only in a proper church instead of on a stupid airstrip.
And that's how the game should have ended. Not with the crap we got.
***END SPOILER***