Metal Gear Solid 4 is a crowning achievement in video games.
It is very difficult to play the game and not be blown away, either by the open gameplay,
the amazing visuals, or the deep and compelling story.
This is not just another game, but rather a benchmark other games will be trying to
reach for years to come.
Over its twenty year history, the Metal Gear franchise has developed an elaborate storyline
dealing with government conspiracy and secret missions.
The world have grown to be controlled by PMCs, with Liquid Ocelot in control of the most
powerful.
So series hero Solid Snake returns, only now as Old Snake, and he is the only hope.
The story is amazing, and does a great job tying up many of the loose ends in the series.
But the game is not just more of the same.
The gameplay has been reworked and the changes are impressive.
Snake now moves in an over-the-shoulder perspective.
You can crouch, crawl and shoot your way through the mission.
The game can be played like a stealth game where you sneak through and avoid contact.
It helps to play with stealth and make use of Snake’s new equipment.
The camo index return with the OctoCamo, which changes to fit the environment.
And the Solid Eye, which is your rader and best friend.
But you can play as a shooter where you run and shoot anything that moves.
The shooting is over-the-shoulder or first person and brings more depth to the gameplay.
Snake can now pick up enemy weapons and customize his own, with the help of arms dealer Drebin.
You will do your sneaking and shooting through some of the best looking environments I have
ever seen.
The game is broken into five chapters, and five locations.
From the opening level in the Middle East during battle, to the returning to old favorite,
the game is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
There is so much going on and so detailed you have to take not just a second but a minute
to appreciate it.
Each levels in varied, and includes some great set pieces and some great boss battles.
You are constantly looking forward to the next section while also enjoying where you
are.
If you are looking for complaints, you are going to have to dig.
The cut-scenes do tend to drag on, with some being over 40 minutes in length.
But with the superb voice-acting and storyline, this is a small complaint.
They may be long but they will keep your attention throughout.
Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of the highlights of the Playstation 3.
With some of the deepest gameplay, engaging story elements and unsurpassed visuals, this
game is a testament to what is video games are capable when developers have great ideas
and the talents to create them.