Carlos

I've played each and every single one of the Metal Gear games released in U.S. I love Metal Gear for its story, and presentation.

In the 4 years of waiting for MGS4, I've been anxious, and one of the most memorable moments is none other than the first MGS4 trailer shown at E32005. Standing right next to fellow xbox staff members, watching the video, and it was intense, because I was one of the first people to watch it. Not to mention straight from the source.

I knew I wouldn't be disappointed by Kojima, but he swept the floors off the the audience by stitching together a trailer that would get people talking, but it didn't stop, it kept going and going until the launch.

Now, four years later, the game is released, and its selling PS3 units. Copies of MGS4 flying off faster than any other game on the market today.

Was it worth the wait!? You don't need me to say it; yes. I will say this: It is the most memorable gaming experience that I've had in a while. Everything from the starting loading screen, to the end credits. The game not only keeps you hooked till the end, but it throws surprises, and twists along the way.

Story:
MGS4's story isn't just a story, it is a very integrated story not just within the game, but it is connected from the other games in the series - so you HAVE to play the other games in the series in order to follow what's going on. The game has a deep history tracing back to the Virtuous Mission. In fact, if you've never played a MG or MGS title before, you will be going like "who's that?" And, "what the hell is that?" (even MGS veterans will ask that question, but you get the point). The game takes place after the events of the Tanker incident (in other words, after MGS2).

While the story drags on for a long time, it feeds you the information you want to know about. Along the way, it throws compassionate moments where you are vexed into caring for the characters as much as they care about their fellow friends or family. It also throws action and more action, followed by memorable moments. Nothing can replace that Outer Haven end. Because it throws in something most people would want in a MGS title, and then a epic battle. I won't spoil it for you. I can tell you that you're in for a treat.

Graphics & Presentation:
The cut scenes in the game is a mixture of both in-game, and CG, and not only do they look gorgeous, they integrate with the main game itself. When you start playing the game, MGS4 switches from cinema camera to gameplay camera without having to load, or switch scenes. You'll encounter these moments, and you'll marvel at the programming done here.

Nothing about the graphics screams "tacked-on" or tacky for that matter. Every detail of every character (and I mean every detail), background, item, vehicle has all taken lots of care. Each of the B&B corps members has a purpose, a vice, a theme. And for each one of them, there's a model, and a actress for each. Each model is responsible for the faces of those members, each model has to do facial expressions to match the polygonal characters themselves, the actresses do the motion capture work.

The programmers, and designers crafted each and every part of the design process of the characters; a lot of care, a lot of attention to detail can be seen in the cutscenes. The special effects for all characters clearly shows the power of the PS3, just as much as the camouflage effects on the CamoSuit, and the FaceCamo clearly does.

Gameplay & Controls:
MGS4 can get away with a slow-paced gameplay, but on the flipside, the controls feel intuitive at best. I was skeptical about MGO, ever since I first played the beta. And my skepticism was right; though I was looking for a reason not to knock on MGO, and instead focus on the single player experience in MGS4. I've said this before and I'll say it again: MGS does NOT belong online. In fact, I kind of wonder why Kojima didn't use the MGS2 engine for the online component, or emulate it. The thing is after playing COD4, it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

When you move, either slow or fast, it feels like you're actually there. When you bend your back for sneaking purposes, you feel like rambo or somethin', wait until you press against a wall or box - THAT'S when you feel like you're in the action; as if you were really sneaking. The game allows you to look around while pressed to the wall without worry that you might slip off. It locks you onto that wall, just press the circle button to release and you can do whatever.

Aiming feels precise, too. It feels right, oh its not the laser sight, its that the act of aiming and then shooting leaves you wanting to do more.

But like I said before MGS4's controls are really, really intuitive, it feels right in your hands. The fact that you know what to expect from MGS, further solidfies the controls. Its just not fast-paced as COD4.

Sound & You:
I hope you have a surround sound system, because the musical score in MGS4, are among one of the most high quality scores ever put on a video game. The voice work are all superb, that its Hollywood-quality. The sound effects are all awesome, everything from your footsteps, gunshots, bombs, are all not just loud, but they're distance-sensitive. You can hear gunfire from the other side of the fence, or from a long distance. Its that realistic, adding to the intensity level of the story. You will be in awe at the details.

Replay Value & You:
You will want to play the game again at least one more time or two. You will want to test your memory, by sneaking through MGS4 with a better record. Or that you want to revisit some locations to get the items you didn't before. You'll find new paths to a destination the second time.

Verdict: MGS4 is not only the most memorable game on PS3, it is the best game ever. I will not forget the first time I was shocked, the first time I cried in the game....Again, I won't spoil it for you, so go and buy the goddamn game. I pity the foo' that didn't buy the game when the game came out. Foo!

This article is a copyright of CarlosX360 Co. Ltd., any use of this article without the author's permission is liable for a lawsuit.

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