Metal Gear Solid 4
There was some confusion in my head between the launch of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 4. Since a remake of Metal Gear Solid 1 was released in the same year as Metal Gear Solid 3, I somehow missed that part 3 was released at all. For the longest time, even after MGS4 was released, I assumed Konami simply skipped releasing a proper third game and instead pushed the remake of the first game as a 'new' title. Perhaps because the remake was so well done it simply garnered the most attention, either way, to this date I've yet to play either of them. I did however play Metal Gear Solid 4 when I finally got myself a PlayStation 3.
Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2 really were showpieces for the PlayStation 1 and 2 during their released. Kojima and Konami really pushed the limits of the systems and made those consoles sing as it were. Metal Gear Solid 4 was no exception to this rule. Released early on for the PlayStation 4, it really was a game that seemed to exist for the soul purpose of selling the PS4, because believe you-me there were a number of times I almost bought one for this game alone. Released over 4 years ago, MGS4 exists as one of the finest looking games on that system to date. Not to mention the flexibility and power of the engine, allowing for some fantastic effects and brilliantly cinematic gameplay.
Now, I've talked at length previously about how jam packed the Metal Gear Solid series is with high-quality cinematics. Packed to the extent where it's borderline detrimental to the gameplay. MGS4 is no exception to that rule. Now, most people take issue with the fact that Metal Gear Solid 4 contains about 50% gameplay and 50% cinematic videos and normally I would side with them. A game is about the experience and a good game director will properly incorporate as many cinematic elements into the hands of the player as possible. Games like Half Life 2 for example contain no videos whatsoever and instead strategically place the player as to frame the world in a cinematic manner. However, there was something special about how Hideo Kojima went about creating cutscenes for Metal Gear Solid 4. I'm not certain what it is, perhaps simply the quality of these cinemas, videos that didn't seem tossed in to expand on the narrative in a way that forces the player to listen. The cutscenes in MGS4 were such a great watch that I took no issue whatsoever putting my controller down, getting some popcorn and enjoying the story unfold. It was like being treated with an incredible short film, then being allowed to play some of it, then back again. Though 'short film' is perhaps an exaggeration, I believe I clocked the final ending at just about an hour and a half long. Seriously. It included both a wedding and a funeral.
Metal Gear Solid 4, like it's predecessors, goes out of it's way to be an extremely polished Tactical Espionage Action game. Pushing the use of steath vs combat to get through the game, Snake can incapacitate his foes without the use of lethal means, being sure to cover his tracks of course. MGS4's active camouflage feature is particularly great, allowing you to blend into the background like a chameleon when standing still, allowing you to hide in almost plain site. Graphically the game was ahead of it's time, rendering shadows, textures and lighting in a very realistic manner. Which is especially important when, ya know, you're looking at the backside of a man in an ultra-tight drysuit.
Metal Gear Solid 4 was one of those games that will always stick with me as having stood out among the rest. In a market that is oversaturated with military shooters and violence based games, MGS4 goes out of it's way to be technically exceptional and, thanks to director Hideo Kojima, an all around unique title from so many facets.
Metal Gear Solid 1 and 2 really were showpieces for the PlayStation 1 and 2 during their released. Kojima and Konami really pushed the limits of the systems and made those consoles sing as it were. Metal Gear Solid 4 was no exception to this rule. Released early on for the PlayStation 4, it really was a game that seemed to exist for the soul purpose of selling the PS4, because believe you-me there were a number of times I almost bought one for this game alone. Released over 4 years ago, MGS4 exists as one of the finest looking games on that system to date. Not to mention the flexibility and power of the engine, allowing for some fantastic effects and brilliantly cinematic gameplay.
Now, I've talked at length previously about how jam packed the Metal Gear Solid series is with high-quality cinematics. Packed to the extent where it's borderline detrimental to the gameplay. MGS4 is no exception to that rule. Now, most people take issue with the fact that Metal Gear Solid 4 contains about 50% gameplay and 50% cinematic videos and normally I would side with them. A game is about the experience and a good game director will properly incorporate as many cinematic elements into the hands of the player as possible. Games like Half Life 2 for example contain no videos whatsoever and instead strategically place the player as to frame the world in a cinematic manner. However, there was something special about how Hideo Kojima went about creating cutscenes for Metal Gear Solid 4. I'm not certain what it is, perhaps simply the quality of these cinemas, videos that didn't seem tossed in to expand on the narrative in a way that forces the player to listen. The cutscenes in MGS4 were such a great watch that I took no issue whatsoever putting my controller down, getting some popcorn and enjoying the story unfold. It was like being treated with an incredible short film, then being allowed to play some of it, then back again. Though 'short film' is perhaps an exaggeration, I believe I clocked the final ending at just about an hour and a half long. Seriously. It included both a wedding and a funeral.
Metal Gear Solid 4, like it's predecessors, goes out of it's way to be an extremely polished Tactical Espionage Action game. Pushing the use of steath vs combat to get through the game, Snake can incapacitate his foes without the use of lethal means, being sure to cover his tracks of course. MGS4's active camouflage feature is particularly great, allowing you to blend into the background like a chameleon when standing still, allowing you to hide in almost plain site. Graphically the game was ahead of it's time, rendering shadows, textures and lighting in a very realistic manner. Which is especially important when, ya know, you're looking at the backside of a man in an ultra-tight drysuit.
Metal Gear Solid 4 was one of those games that will always stick with me as having stood out among the rest. In a market that is oversaturated with military shooters and violence based games, MGS4 goes out of it's way to be technically exceptional and, thanks to director Hideo Kojima, an all around unique title from so many facets.
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