Metal Gear Solid 4 proved its worth after the extensive wait we endured these past few years. Game starts off in the Middle East and you have to track down Liquid aka Liquid Ocelot. Through the course of the game you end up in locales such as South America, Eastern Europe (most likely Russia), Shadow Moses (yeah game returns to Shadow Moses), and Liquid's Outer Haven (a modified Arsenal Gear). You meet up with familiar characters such as Otacon, Campbell, Meryl, Raiden, Rosemary, Mei Ling, EVA and square off against Vamp, Liquid, and even Psycho Mantis from MGS1. New support for Snake are Drebin, Rat Ptrl 01 (consisting of Meryl, Johnny Sasaki, Ed, and Johnathan), while new enemies are the Beauty and the Beast Corps, which intertwines the codenames of FOXHOUND from MGS1 and the emotions that were symbolized in the Cobra Unit in MGS3. However what tops all of this is Big Boss, which you see after the cast credits.

 

The gameplay of MGS4 is so much different from the previous games. First, the way to use weapons is combining L1 (to ready and aim) and R1 (to fire). R1 is also the button to use for CQC and attacks with the knife. Since I did not read the instruction manuel and assumed it will be similar to the previous games, I was totally thrown off from the start. I gradually got into the functions and got back to my usual OHKO shots (I always aim for the head, and I am darn good at it with practice from MGS2 and MGS3). Second, the Octocamo gear brings a whole new level of sneaking. Combining the elements of Stealth Camo and the Camoflauge system of MGS3, the Octocamo can mirror that of the surrounding area. There is also faceCamo, which you can have cover your face for additional sneaking rate. There are bonus FaceCamos that can be obtained throughout the game (such as a young Solid Snake face). Along with gameplay and camo going into changes, the FPS view is also changed. Instead of the traditional way in the previous games, FPS view can be selected via the Solid Eye (an item that doubles as Soliton Radar and Night Vision).

 

Otacon fights alongside this time in MGS4 as the Metal Gear MkII, which is a tiny robot on wheels controlled by him. This is handy to scout areas ahead of you and shock enemies. Howeve the the battery life prevents long usage of it.

 

The Gun Laundering System set up by Drebin is interesting. You can pretty much use any weapon you pick up in the battlefield (there are so many guns in this game), but using them comes at a price. Most guns are locked by ID chips, and Drebin unlocks them for you with point you earn throughout the missions. You can also purchase guns and customize them from him along with ammo. Unless you are good with ammo consveration, chances are you will be bulking up on ammo from him since ammo is hard to find for the gun you are using.

 

The music is just fabulous, and even includes remixed tracks from MGS1 during the Shadow Moses mission. The inclusion of the iPod is neat, allowing you to listen to music from MGS and other Konami related games in the background. So basically I can play through the game with the Snake Eater theme if I wanted.

 

One thing I enjoyed most was the references made to MGS1 specifically. The big one being the return to Shadow Moses and the B&B unit.

 

MGS4 ties up every loose end, even the smallest ones that were left up in the air, like Snake's "blood of the east that flows in his veins".

 

The only part I did dislike were the creators of the Patriots, who ended up being Major Zero, Sigint, Para-Medic, EVA, Ocelot, and Big Boss. I liked how they had it before with the Wisemen's Committee. It added a lot of mystery to the Patriots.

 

Considering I bought a PS3 just for this game, and was totally please with the results, I totally recommend this game to anyone who is a fan of the MGS series, a fan of espionage games, or just a fan of killing people.