Video Game Review: 'Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots'

Editor's note: There are no spoilers in this review.

After four years in the making, "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" has arrived exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Hideo Kojima and Kojima Production Studios have delivered a fitting ending for one of gaming's most influential characters, Solid Snake. The "Metal Gear Solid" series is considered one of the pillars of stealth action games and has influenced games like "Splinter Cell" and "Assassin's Creed." So does "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" live up to its promises?

Story

The premise in "MGS4" is that Liquid Ocelot plans to take over a system that basically controls war. Everything from guns to soldiers' emotions are all monitored and identified by the system. In exchange, soldiers with no combat experience can become veteran troops. Thanks to the System, war is fought by Private Military Corporations, PMC's, in order to stimulate an economy dependent solely on war, the war economy.

Old Snake, a.k.a. Solid Snake, is recruited to track down and kill Liquid Ocelot. "MGS4" occurs five years after "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty," and even though Snake should only be in his mid '40s, his body has aged to be 60 or 70 years old. Because of his condition, "MGS4" is basically a suicide mission for Old Snake, and is meant to finish the fight between Liquid and himself.

Gameplay mechanics

One of the highlights of "MGS4" is that the gameplay has been refined to perfection. Because you are in the middle of proxy battles between PMC's and civilian troops/rebels, you are given the choice of helping either side, staying out of the conflict all together, or using your close-quarters combat (CQC) skills to gain new weapons from soldiers. The game will encourage you to avoid conflict because both sides are being manipulated by the System to fuel the war economy. For me, having the choice on how to approach each battle was probably one of the best additions to the game.

New CQC skills have been added to Snake's arsenal. Not only can you take soldiers hostage and use them as shields, but now you can use their guns while they're being held hostage, or pat them down to find items. Along with these additions, Snake has his usual CQC moves that involve punching, choking and slitting the enemies' throats.

A couple of new features incorporated into Snake's movements are the abilities to be barely prone on the ground and the ability to lie on your back. While in this position you can use your weapon, or roll back to the normal prone position.

Now for the major additions to the game; first, the Solid Eye is an eye patch that can be used for night vision, binoculars and a radar system. While binoculars are self-explanatory, the new radar system is not. With the new radar system, you will only see heat signatures. There are no more cones to display the enemy's field of vision. If the Solid Eye isn't equipped at all, then the only way to find enemy positions is to spot them yourself. The Solid Eye is not perfect though, and in fact you will have to manage how long you will want to use it. The battery life drains rapidly in night vision mode, while it drains more slowly using the binocular mode.

The second new element is the OctoCamo suit. This suit blends in with practically anything and everything. If you're in a wheat field, the suit will not only turn the same color as the field/place in which you are located, it will also add any details (such as the grain) into the OctoCamo pattern. You can save these patterns and use them for later. The OctoCamo suit combined with the Solid Eye may make the game seem easier, but you have the choice as to where you want to use either one of these items to their full ability. Other costumes are provided to help Snake blend in with local militants.

AI

Artificial Intelligence is taken to the next level thanks in part to the PS3's Cell processor. Enemy troops no longer behave in a robotic pattern, and respond intelligently to sounds and each other. They recognize whether you helped them or not. There are moments when you can make both sides your enemies.

Unmanned "Geckos" are literally a blast to be chased by. Not only are they not easily fooled by your OctoCamo, they also have a sensor that scans the area for body heat. These are in my opinion are the hardest enemies in the game to fight. Lastly are the "Frogs," Liquid's private guard and a dangerous threat. They move as a unit and respond with each other in order to eliminate you effectively.

Controls

If you have played any "Metal Gear Solid" game, then you will know that the controls were not really fixed until "Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence: Snake Eater." The controls have undergone an overhaul. Aiming is much better and responsive than before, and you now have the option to use a third person over-the-shoulder perspective, much like "Gears of War" or a first-person perspective. Auto-aim can be enabled in third person view.

Triangle and Square are used to switch between each perspective, while O reloads, and X allows you to stand, crouch, and prone. Triangle also activates any special functions such as using the OctoCamo. You aim your gun by holding L1, while R1 fires and activates CQC moves. L2 will switch items, while R2 will switch weapons.

Presentation

Graphics not only showcase the power of the PlayStation 3, but they immerse you into the game. Just being able to go from cut scene to gameplay without the slightest transition is amazing. This means that the high definition models that are in the cut scenes are the same models used in game. There are a hefty amount of beautifully directed cut scenes in the game and each run about 20 minutes. The clouds, lighting and shading, along with so many other details allow "Metal Gear Solid 4" to be one of the most immersive games of our time.

The only location I can reveal is the Middle East because it has been shown to the public many times. So many details were put into each level's design. Levels are large, and the open environments seem like a haven to hide in, until you realize that the battle is progressing your way. Tanks and other enemies may blow your haven apart in search of the enemy. Soon you will find yourself wondering where to run, but all you can see are explosions and chaos. Pieces of paper and debris float throughout the Middle East level. Soldiers scream while enemies drop bombs on their hideout, and in certain points troops are slaughtered in front of your eyes to influence you to help one side or another.

The sounds and soundtrack are unbelievable. Music is done by master composer Harry Gregson-Williams, and each song carries a weight with it while fitting the situation. Voice acting is superb. All the voice actors from the previous "Metal Gear" series make their return, which keeps the game feeling like an authentic part of the series. David Hayter should be awarded something for the role as Old Snake, while the script writers need an award for a very engaging script.

"Metal Gear Solid 4" has in my opinion some of the best storytelling in gaming history. The series finally resolves, and all loose ends are successfully tied together. The game captures Old Snake as a dying war legend who just wants one thing: Liquid Ocelot's death.

Conclusion

This game is a definite must buy. If you do not have a PS3, then pick up the new PS3 bundle with the game. You will not be disappointed. I highly encourage any person who has not played any of the "Metal Gear Solid" games to play them before picking up MGS4. "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" is one of the defining points this generation and everyone deserves to experience it. I tip my hat off to Kojima-san and Company for sending Solid Snake off with the game that both he and the fans deserve.

'Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots'

4 out of 4

Platform: PlayStation 3

ESRB Rating: M