originally posted June 17, 2008



A little background on my previous experience with metal gear:
I've only completed Metal gear solid 2 It was also the first metalgear game i've played, tried to play the first one after that but couldn't get past the PS1 graphics, bought MGS 3 snake eater, played it for maby 5 hours and haven't touched it since.

Remember while reading this that it is a PS3 exclusive at the moment, the controls will be referenced as such.

Camera control

One of the first things you notice when you get past all the MGS-esque cutscenes and crazy names for orginazations (la-le-lu-le-lo wtf man... were you high or does that mean more to someone who speaks Japanese?) is that you have complete directional control over the view of the camera in third person view. This at times adds a whole new dimension to the game, but it can also be confusing and annoying to constantly have to adjust the angle of the camera to see the whole picture. Overall though I think this is a positive addition to the game, although I do miss the static camera's at times.


More FPS like at times.

There's a section of the game I just recently completed that is basically a running gun battle for you and 3, no wait think it was 4 other people you meet up with, then are ambushed by the "frogs" or something. (yes, it's very much a MGS game lol) Anyway it is very action oriented and actually very well done, but it doesn't have the classic MGS sneaking aspect to it. Not to say that the sneaking aspect of the game isn't there, as I said not 2 seconds ago, it's very much a MGS game. I think that the addition of some action moments can actually help the game stay fresh and interesting so long as they don't make to much of the game action oriented.


Game Controls

I don't remember much about the MGS2 controls, but I remember them being some of the most complex controls in any game I've ever played. There's just soo many things you can actually do in the game like taking people hostage, tapping the wall, pressing up against the wall and peaking around the corner, then pop out and point your gun into the room. Describing it with words doesn't really do it justice, you need to play the game to appreciate it all. Anyway, to my point... The controls in this game are just as all-encompassing, but I think they've really simplified them, or atleast made some onscreen prompts to help you understand that pressing triangle is how you hide behind a wall. Pretty much triangle is used for everything.


Inventory

Just like in MGS2 you have an item "menu" on the left and one for weapons on the right, you hold L2 or R2 then use the left joystick or D-pad to scroll through the items and weapons you have. Unlike MGS2 though you have (atleast you start out with) about 5 slots for active weapons, and about twice that for items. You can actually hold alot more than that it appears, but you have to go into the menu and pick which items you want to appear on that list. If you want to unequip your current weapon or item for some reason you can still just tap the L2 or R2 button.


Firing the equipped weapon and reloading

In MGS2 if i remember correctly, you would just press and hold R1 or whatever button it was to draw your weapon, then if you let go Snake would fire it. They've changed it to a system I am LOVING at the moment, and it was a simple switch. Basically you hold L1 to draw/ready your weapon and to bring up the cross hairs, then you press R1 to fire. Simple, and if you accidentally let go of L1 you don't end up shooting something.

To reload you simply press the Circle button...that seems to be it's only function.


Environment

Okay... AWESOME. You truly feel as if this is a war zone that you've entered. There are explosions, bullets flying by, soldiers fighting. You can fight back, or go the intended route and have as little confrontation as possible.


Graphics

Also quite impressive. This is the first PS3 game I've personally played that feels like it's utilizing the PS3's potential. GTA4 was good but still disappointing, Oblivion was shit, dynasty warriors 6 was the same as GTA4 and the simpsons game was cell shaded so I don't really count that =)


Installation Screen

of the 6 games I currently own for the PS3, 4 require you to install 1-4GB of data onto the hard drive, one has it as an option, and one doesn't require it at all. of the 4 that require it, two are pains in the ass that make you wait 5-15 minutes each (GTA4 and assassins creed) one apparently installed in the background because i never noticed it install 4GB to disk (elder scrolls 4: oblivion) The last is Metal Gear Solid 4.

I've had 3 separate installation screens at this point. One at the beginning of each new act. The first installation screen was about 8 minutes I think, the second was 5 and the last one was 3.

To be honest it's not so bad, but the principle of buying a console game has until recently been about not having to install the game ONTO something. (and not having it crash on you, see GTA4 release day shenanigans) At no point should I have to choose which games I can play on the system based on harddrive space available. I love installing the games to my harddrive to increase the load speed, and will probably do so on every game that allows me to, but it should still be completely upto the person who will be playing the game. Next thing we will see is requiring us to upgrade our system just to play games. (see nintendo 64 memory pack, also see "nickel and dimed".

Ranting aside, having one mandatory, let alone multiple, installation screens is retarded.


Alert, Caution, Evasion.

The same system from the older games is back. If you are seen or the trail of your devastation is seen by an enemy, it will create an alert. Alot of the time they will send out additional forces to check out the area surrounding where the alert originated. When the alert timer runs out, the caution timer comes up, I don't really notice any difference in their behavior in this mode. My guess is that the extra guys on patrol get sent back, and the standard guys keep an eye out for you. Evasion... honestly I can't tell the difference. haven't paid enough attention really, I think the standard guys go back to their posts during or atleast after this mode passes.

I remember the differences being pretty clear in MGS2. alert the guards would chase you and you're radar would dissappear. caution, the guards would still be on patrol and i think your radar would still be disabled, evasion I think they went back to their posts and your radar came back.

I'll have to pay attention to this more when playing.




I'm done for now, topics for later:

rendered cinematic sequences
boss battles (need to beat game first)
snakes movement while completely prone.
Gun launderer
Old snake(spoilers?)
game menu background animation (spoilers?)
story (lol, just TRY to follow it!)