Review: Metal Gear Solid 4
- Thread starter Earnest Cavalli
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Very good review, though I did prefer PedroSteckecilo's review in the forum. I think it explored the gameplay further and other things that only someone who has played MGS4 can relate to properly but for those who are still looking forward to this game, this one may be more to your likeing. Very good summary, "steal it" lol and for last time the loading times mark the end of an act and longer more spread out loading times would break momentum too much!!! It isn't fair to mark down MGS4 on system issues!
But well done, I couldn't have put it better myself regardless of my critism.
But well done, I couldn't have put it better myself regardless of my critism.
Definitely looking forward to getting this game, as this review will be the final straw into doing so. Never really played the series, so was a bit hesitant in getting it. But I never played any of the GTA's either just because they weren't my type of game, but love GTAIV, so figure MGS4 can't hurt.
Speaking as one of those crazy people that did take notes in the previous games, write casual essays on the game's themes and plot devices, I'll admit that I really enjoyed Metal Gear Solid 4.
That being said... yes, the game does seem to be tailored to the fans, or at least those that have played the previous 6 (plus expansion packs [Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus), and one semi-AU GBC title (Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel)) Metal Gears, this game does go over people's heads.
Arguably, the comment could be made that it would be like reading the final chapter of The Return of the King before starting The Lord of the Rings, as the game is designed to finish the story of Solid Snake. Aside from a couple cop-outs at the end of the story, it does so very well.
Yes, the movies are rather long, and take up more than 50% of the time spent... operating the game (the word "playing" is hard to use in this context), and the "Quick time events" in the game at least won't kill you if you miss them (Dear God, imagine having a QTE at the end of a 45 minute cut scene kill you...). On the other hand, it is what we've come to expect from this brainchild of Kojima, and at Mr. Croshaw has pointed out, it's nice for people to deviate from their norms, but at the same time, don't break something that's working. If you sat through all of Metal Gear Solid and enjoyed the over the top dialogue and cutscenes, and went on to play the others, then absolutely, drop the $60 American on the title. If you didn't... I'd say either rent "Metal Gear Solid: The Essentials" to see what you're missing (or if you like it), or just put that money in a tin for Forced Unleashed to come out in September.
That being said... yes, the game does seem to be tailored to the fans, or at least those that have played the previous 6 (plus expansion packs [Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus), and one semi-AU GBC title (Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel)) Metal Gears, this game does go over people's heads.
Arguably, the comment could be made that it would be like reading the final chapter of The Return of the King before starting The Lord of the Rings, as the game is designed to finish the story of Solid Snake. Aside from a couple cop-outs at the end of the story, it does so very well.
Yes, the movies are rather long, and take up more than 50% of the time spent... operating the game (the word "playing" is hard to use in this context), and the "Quick time events" in the game at least won't kill you if you miss them (Dear God, imagine having a QTE at the end of a 45 minute cut scene kill you...). On the other hand, it is what we've come to expect from this brainchild of Kojima, and at Mr. Croshaw has pointed out, it's nice for people to deviate from their norms, but at the same time, don't break something that's working. If you sat through all of Metal Gear Solid and enjoyed the over the top dialogue and cutscenes, and went on to play the others, then absolutely, drop the $60 American on the title. If you didn't... I'd say either rent "Metal Gear Solid: The Essentials" to see what you're missing (or if you like it), or just put that money in a tin for Forced Unleashed to come out in September.
You can't buy anything else anyway, otherwise you'd have to create a new account to change your name.Xwii360 said:
SHHHHH, if you complain about Yahtzee not reviewing MGS4 yet then it will feel more like business to him!
I think one major flaw in MGS4 is that it's short. After your first play through, you skip most of the cutscenes and you find out that it's incredibly short. I'm almost finished on my 2nd play through in the 3rd place and i'm only at 3 hours. Plus it can be very easy at times, but i still love the game anyway.
I think one major flaw in MGS4 is that it's short. After your first play through, you skip most of the cutscenes and you find out that it's incredibly short. I'm almost finished on my 2nd play through in the 3rd place and i'm only at 3 hours. Plus it can be very easy at times, but i still love the game anyway.
Hey Earnest, I liked your review, but I think you may have ignored your audience. 
In jest, of course. Excellent to see you here.
In jest, of course. Excellent to see you here.
Well, as someone who's never played an MGS game before, I did not become much wiser after reading this review. Telling me it ties together all of the plots and that there's fan service is a "don't care" for me and what I get is not far from Edderz1989's "IT'S AWESOME".
So either the revewer assumes everybody's already played a MGS incarnation, or they've read more in-depth reviews on other sites. Which is it?
Thanks about the installation warning, in any case.
So either the revewer assumes everybody's already played a MGS incarnation, or they've read more in-depth reviews on other sites. Which is it?
Thanks about the installation warning, in any case.
"Metal Gear Solid, like Kubrick's films, has always been defined by its circuitously branching plot details that almost always border on incomprehensible to those not taking detailed notes and consulting Wikipedia every 20 minutes."
I can't speak for MGS having never played any of the games, but I wrote a dissertation on Stanley Kubrick and I'm not sure where the writer got the above idea. If anything, Kubrick's films have been defined by the simplicity of their narratives, which typically belie complex themes. This is the nature of allegory, and it cannot be appreciated simply by having Wikipedia ready on Alt-Tab.
I can't speak for MGS having never played any of the games, but I wrote a dissertation on Stanley Kubrick and I'm not sure where the writer got the above idea. If anything, Kubrick's films have been defined by the simplicity of their narratives, which typically belie complex themes. This is the nature of allegory, and it cannot be appreciated simply by having Wikipedia ready on Alt-Tab.
I really want to play MGS 4, but I don't have a ps3. But this christmas I might get one. Can't wait
That was not a review, that was gushing fan praise. Such things do have their own place of course, but I expect more from an official review for a generally quality site such as Escapist.
The review is simply trying to hard to excuse the many flaws by either saying they're not distracting, honest, or that they are features that speak to the initiated, and not flaws. One of the important points that the author is hung upon is the storytelling aspect, which is claimed to not have been done as good in any game so far. One reason for this is that the games are not really the medium for the MGS sort of storytelling, that's the domain of film. Not having played MGS4, only MGS 2, but if the kind of storytelling is anything close to the one in the second part then I'm afraid it's a failure on many levels. Sorytelling in games works when it's intricately vowen into the game structure (see Portal or Half Life 2), not when it's an overly long cut scene. Plus, unless Kojima seriously raised his storytelling skills, I doubt even if accepting the scripted style of storytelling it could ever surpass gems such as Grim Fandango. MGS 2 certainly never came close.
MGS4 is one of the definitive games of the year no doubt, but reviews like this don't really show why that should be the case.
The review is simply trying to hard to excuse the many flaws by either saying they're not distracting, honest, or that they are features that speak to the initiated, and not flaws. One of the important points that the author is hung upon is the storytelling aspect, which is claimed to not have been done as good in any game so far. One reason for this is that the games are not really the medium for the MGS sort of storytelling, that's the domain of film. Not having played MGS4, only MGS 2, but if the kind of storytelling is anything close to the one in the second part then I'm afraid it's a failure on many levels. Sorytelling in games works when it's intricately vowen into the game structure (see Portal or Half Life 2), not when it's an overly long cut scene. Plus, unless Kojima seriously raised his storytelling skills, I doubt even if accepting the scripted style of storytelling it could ever surpass gems such as Grim Fandango. MGS 2 certainly never came close.
MGS4 is one of the definitive games of the year no doubt, but reviews like this don't really show why that should be the case.
"Not having played MGS4"
Couldn't you have just begun your response with this phrase so we didn't have to read all that text to realize your argument is purely based on a desire to fill the "pedantic, contrarian bastard" role that every corner of the internet needs?
Oh, and thanks Waldo. I'm pleased to be here. Mostly because unlike at that other place I can call people "pedantic, contrarian bastards."
Couldn't you have just begun your response with this phrase so we didn't have to read all that text to realize your argument is purely based on a desire to fill the "pedantic, contrarian bastard" role that every corner of the internet needs?
Oh, and thanks Waldo. I'm pleased to be here. Mostly because unlike at that other place I can call people "pedantic, contrarian bastards."
A fair point of course, my criticism of the actual game by extrapolating on the MGS2 experience is indeed unfounded. It was merely a reply to the over the top hyperbole used in the review, however, which was just as unfounded if not more.
Then again, if I had already bought MGS4 I wouldn't need to read the review, would I? By hanging onto this very part of my post you only confirm that this is indeed a pat-on-the-back review for those who "get it", not a review that would really help anyone decide whether to buy the game or not.
Please don't take this as a mere contrarian post, though. I used to write reviews for a now defunct (along with the genre) flight simulator website in the 90s and I could at times be accused of just the same sort of un-criticism as I am pointing to above, that's why I am probably more sensitive to it these days. While I probably didn't start it off the right way, I do hope you can still take all of this on as positive criticism.
P.S.: love the phrase "pedantic, contrarian bastard"!
Then again, if I had already bought MGS4 I wouldn't need to read the review, would I? By hanging onto this very part of my post you only confirm that this is indeed a pat-on-the-back review for those who "get it", not a review that would really help anyone decide whether to buy the game or not.
Please don't take this as a mere contrarian post, though. I used to write reviews for a now defunct (along with the genre) flight simulator website in the 90s and I could at times be accused of just the same sort of un-criticism as I am pointing to above, that's why I am probably more sensitive to it these days. While I probably didn't start it off the right way, I do hope you can still take all of this on as positive criticism.
P.S.: love the phrase "pedantic, contrarian bastard"!
Man, the argumentative folk are of a much higher quality over here than at that other place.
And I see what you're saying, the only problem is that in writing this review of this particular game theres no way to avoid coming off as a "pat-on-the-back" type thing without giving away massive spoilers. I could have said "x plot point doesnt work" or "x does" but then I run the risk of pissing off those who havent played the game by blowing plot points for them.
Honestly I think they would've been a lot more pissy about it than those who simply thought I was praising the game unnecessarily.
Also, the point "youll like it if youre a MGS fan" is such a bullshit statement in a review that it sorta goes without saying.
And I see what you're saying, the only problem is that in writing this review of this particular game theres no way to avoid coming off as a "pat-on-the-back" type thing without giving away massive spoilers. I could have said "x plot point doesnt work" or "x does" but then I run the risk of pissing off those who havent played the game by blowing plot points for them.
Honestly I think they would've been a lot more pissy about it than those who simply thought I was praising the game unnecessarily.
Also, the point "youll like it if youre a MGS fan" is such a bullshit statement in a review that it sorta goes without saying.
This is the kind of thing that makes me wish that some actual critics would review MSG4 rather than the masturabatory fanboys who seem to have been given the job so far.Jumplion said:
As best I can tell, the gameplay is, at best, unremarkable, while the story is the kind of "I'd find this incredibly intelligent if I was too stupid to actually think about any of it" crap that I consider the bane of a lot of modern storytelling.
Is there even an actual game included with MGS4?
Anyone who doesn't play the game should refrain from commenting on it. Have we all not learned from the Mass Effect debacle?BloodSquirrel said:
Anyway, as a noob to the series (Ok, I played the original Metal Gear on NES a long, long time ago... In a galaxy... Oh, never mind...) let me give you my take.
You own a PS3? Yes? Ok, buy this game. That's the short take.
The long take... *Takes a deep breath*
I'm married. I have a child. I get little time to play video games. So I'm as monogamous to my games as I am to my wife. That is: very. If I start a game, I finish it with no interruptions, unless my orifices, mostly eyes, begin to bleed from the sheer incredibly bad game design.
MGS is frustrating. But, IMO, a good way. See, I'm a JRPG fan. I like grinding. I hate hand-holding. I want a game to challenge me and make my $40/$50/$60(!) worth the time. I don't want level scaling. I don't want a game to reward me for sucking. Oh, and I want a story. On that doesn't include the 'because we said so' phenomenon. And I like my RPGs without the FPS. Bioshock/Oblivion, you broke my heart. And I expect Fallout 3 to do the same... They are all FPS in RPG clothing. A true Daggerfall remake, where art thou?
MGS is... Original. Maybe when compared to the other Metal Gear games not so much (or so I've been lead to believe), but it certainly is a genre to itself. You have to think. You have to react. You have to equip. You have to... Not fight? Weird, right? But MGS rewards you, and allows you, to not fight. It's like giving you choice, but unlike games like Bioshock, the choice matters. And matters in a way that directly affects you, the gamer.
So, I killed 15 guys my first time through the first act. Big deal, right? The next time through I killed 0 and got a huge boost (I won't say how), but I will say it was a hell of a lot more rewarding a choice than most recent RPGs that tout 'choice'. Ok, so harvest the little girls and... Ok, and so I don't.. And.. WTF???? It's all the SAME!!!
Anyway, MGS4 is a game within a movie. It's an RPG (again, IMO) wrapped in an FPS. It's a game about choice, war, morales, story, etc. etc. etc. wrapped in an experience. And I think that's the best word to describe it.
MGS4 is an experience. Maybe it's short. Maybe you aren't into the stealth/3PS type elements. Hell, maybe you just don't like the Metal Gear series. But I'll tell you this. I hate FPS. I hate 3PS. If I could have a game remade for me, it would be 50% Daggerfall, 50% Tie Fighter, 50% Jedi Knight, and 50% day of the Tentacle. Yep, 200% game, baby.
But I loved MGS4. And I think with a little bit of time, effort, thinking and some lit review (hell, I needed a recap on EVERYTHING in the MGS universe, including.. Who th ehell is this Snake guy?), you might just find an experience wrapped in this game.