EDGE magazine has come up with an extensive preview of Konami’s highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, bringing with it some particularly interesting tidbits on the upcoming stealth title.
For a full digest of all the juiciest information, see below.
-The copy of Metal Gear Online included with the game will be a “bare bones” edition, which will be upgraded over time
-Logan, the company responsible for ipod adverts, designed MGS4’s opening credits
-MGS4 will visit more locations and embrace more styles than any title in the series to date
-Players will be given the chance to test a variety of weapons and CQC techniques out in the game’s “Virtual Range” mode.
-A number of popular consumer gadgets will be able for Snake to tinker around with
-MGS4 has been under development for a total of four years
-The game will end on a bang, rather than a whimper; the preview states it will “blow you away.”
-Snake must make frequent injections to keep him alive during the course of the game
-MGS4 replaces the stealth-based antics of air ducts and camera’s of old games with a living, breathing battlefield full to the brim with traps and innovations.
-The control scheme is described as being “revised and improved.”
-The Gekkou – that is, the large mech-style enemies with organic limbs – will work in packs to pursue you. In some circumstances, they can also sense past your optic camo.
-As a result of his advanced age, Snake will now have to contend with two new energy bars:
Stress: Changes depending on the condition of battle. This can work to Snake’s advantage, giving him heightened abilities in accuracy and resistance to damage for a short period of time. However, if the effect is prolonged, Snake will “crash” out, leaving him more susceptible to his illness. A cigarette will help straighten him out, however.
Psyche: This bar reflects Snake’s general state of mind when in the field. Both bars must be monitored efficiently during the game.
-Players can use their camera to deviate from their mission objectives and record other goings-on around the battlefield, some of which are described as “unpredictable and dangerous.”
-EDGE commented that there is a "surprising degree of explorative freedom” in the game. Players can choose to either participate in or ignore on-going battles at will. As detailed before, Snake can form alliances or make enemies depending on your actions.
-Snake’s arms dealer, Drebin, will also have an important part to play in the game’s overall storyline.
-The game’s production values are said to be of such quality that they “transcend modern videogames.” MGS4 features a Hollywood grade soundtrack by Harry Gregson-Williams, along with a series of “electrifying” cut scenes and sense of closure that is "more suited to Return of the King than Halo 3".
-The game has so many hidden qualities that it may take player’s months or even yars to unearth them all.
-MGS creator Hideo Kojima stated, “As for future Metal Gear Solid I would love to produce rather than direct. But as far as Snake is concerned, this is it. It’s over".