Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

"The pinnacle of modern storytelling - 1 year anniversary review (spoilers)"

It has been roughly one year since Metal Gear Solid 4 hit the streets and this review will attempt to sort out just how much older Old Snake has become over that time.

All games age, but their ultimate worth is based on their longevity and ability to conjure nostalgic feelings within us.

Take Zelda:OoT, which just won the Best Game Ever award on Gamefaqs. It is a perfect example of a game that has qualities that transcend the shackles time.

Is MGS4 worthy of such praise? Read on to find out.




Presentation:
Ever since the gaming public was introduced to Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation we have seen countless copy cats in terms of presentation. Hideo Kojima introduced us to the cinematic experience on a level we have never seen before. Sure games before it had wonderful presentational aspects, but non had the "coolness of Hollywood" implemented in such masterful way.

Each iteration of Metal Gear Solid only got better and Hideo Kojima kept sharpening his skills as a story teller.

Metal Gear Solid 4's presentation is unmatched in the industry. The camera is masterfully directed during the cutscenes, shaking with every explosion, refocusing with every swing, and repositioning with every character action. It is clear that the cutscene shots are on par with any major big budget Hollywood effort. The camera angles and movements are a sight to be seen. Given Hideo Kojima background and fascination with Western Film this presentation style is expected. What isn't expected though, is Kojima mastery of the art of cinematography.

Many of these cutscenes are transitioned directly into gameplay which is both exhilarating and refreshing even to this day. Few games released in the last year manage to incorporate the player into the cutscenes like MGS4 does.

The voice acting and narrative is long and complete. All voice actors fit there part. The standout performance is of course David Hayter who plays snake and has hit the nail on the head for Old Snake's worn voice.



Graphics
While there will no doubt be more and more games that look as good or better than MGS4 the only one that comes to mind is Killzone 2. MGS4's character models are still the best looking and best animated in the industry. It is still a marvel to see the game in action to this day. However, overall Killzone 2 has MGS4 beat in special effects and lighting but other than that MGS4 still looks amazing. The attention to detail in the environment is unmatched. Leaves blowing in the wind, dirt settling on the camera, water ripples, bump mapping, HDR lighting. All of it is eye candy.

I guess I should mention Resident Evil 5 as well. RE5 had great graphics too, but the cutscenes weren't render in real time, and therefore the cutscenes look noticeably better than the actual gameplay. MGS4 doesn't suffer from this, the gameplay looks just as good as the cutscenes and it is a better game for it.



Controls
We all know by now that MGS4 has the best controls in the series but how does it compare to other games now?

To this day the control is amazing. Since the learning curve was relatively complex it took awhile before you could confidently pull off the kill you wanted. After a couple hours or a couple playthroughs, depending on your skill, you could look like a complete bad*** legendary hero. After a year of playing the game on and off, you will look like The Boss herself!!! There are so many ways to play and mastery of the controls opens up a whole new feeling of accomplishment. Disarm and hold up, disarm and kill, choke, drag, stun, etc.



Gameplay
Fast paced and finely tuned. A year later I am still having a blast playing through this game. Many complaints have been centered on the fact that there doesn't seem to be enough gameplay compared to other Metal Gear Solid games. I have played through all the previous game recently and I must conclusively say that the gameplay in all of the Metal Gear Solid entries are nearly identical, with MGS3 and MGS4 having the most time wise. MGS4 seems to have less but this is only because MGS3 stuffs a lot a gameplay at its conclusion but the gameplay is sparse before that. MGS4 on the other hand stuffs most of its gameplay in Acts 1-4 and falls off on Act 5. But compared to each other the gameplay length is nearly identical.

Since this game is set in a warzone (most of the time) the overall feel has changed as well. The game feels more action oriented. However, nothing stops you from sneaking through the game. In fact there are more ways to play this game, which will ultimately give it more longevity.

I feel like this was a good decision since when we play as Solid Snake the games seem to be more action oriented anyway, and when we were introduced to Big Boss the gameplay was more stealth oriented. The difference being that MGS4 gameplay mechanics and controls allow you to play either way without frustration.



Sound
Not much to say here except that every single thing you see was given an appropriate sound, and I mean everything. Hollywood quality. The soundtrack is masterfully composed by Harry Gregson-Williams.


Replayability
Metal Gear Solid games have always been known for their easter eggs and rewards for multiple playthroughs. MGS4 is no different. What is different is that the gameplay is so enjoyable and so finely tuned that replaying the game never feels like a chore. I love MGS3 and I rank it as one of my all time favorite games. However, I didn't playthrough it that many times specifically because the gameplay wasn't as smooth as I was hoping. This is both a weakness and strength for both MGS3 and MGS4. MGS4 lets you play however you want without compromise in control, however, since the setting doesn't strictly limit you to stealth tactics (e.g. MGS3) even when you sneak it doesn't feel as tense as MGS3. The same goes for MGS3. Since the game forces a stealth approach you have less options for playthroughs. However, as a pure stealth expericence MGS3 gets the nod. But as a better game to replay and playthrough MGS4 gets the nod. Period.

Everyone has there preferences, and I play both MGS3 and MGS4 regularly. But Kojima always one ups himself in terms or gameplay and replayability.



Story
Everyone will have their opinion when it comes to how MGS4 was told and here is mine. MGS4 is told in the only way it can be. Over the top and over blown. However, there is really no other way for Kojima to wrap up his beloved series. You can whine all you want about the BB Corps and their lack of back stories, but you can't deny that they have the most thematic significance to the overarching MGS Series story. War is bad, it kills, it rapes, it devours, it creates beasts and the BB Corps where that embodiment better than any other bosses in the series.

Some think Snake should of killed himself. I disagree. Snake must live, he has much to atone for and can by contemplating his death, which is much more powerful than just ending his life. It takes a bigger man and a empathetic mind to put off death and see off the age of war. Furthermore, snake is the only beast that has a chance to fine salvation, that has a chance to find peace. He must live to avenge all those he killed throughout the series. He was a tool, a puppet of the Patriot AI's and by living he avenges Solidus', Liquids', and Big Boss' cause to end them. During the last days of Solid Snake he will contemplate his death and die with the peace of mind that, even though he was used as a puppet for terrible things, his determination and shear will to see the job through helped free the world from the elitist control of the Patriots.



Tilt
Games don't get much better than this. Everyone will have their own opinion on how they think the game should of been told, but that fact remains that game was told the way Konami and Kojima wanted. And we have a better game for it. The are no wrong moves in the gameplay department and the story is as satisfying and masterful and joyous as you allow it. Anything and Everything can be scrutinized, it just depends on how much of a pessimist you are.

10 years from now MGS4 will be looked upon as a game that pushed the boundaries of interactive entertainment. A game and vision so sharply and loudly crafted by Kojima that nothing will have had touched its relevance of mankind's control and importance in manifesting society's future.






Rating
10/10



.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/17/09

Game Release: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (US, 06/12/08)