BPReview: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
What I liked:
Cutscenes - While there were too many of them and they were way too long, the cutscenes were nicely produced and they looked really good.
Areas - There are numerous levels to explore in MGS4 and each one varies nicely from the last. I just wish there was a better wooded area to explore a la MGS3.
Moving - Hey look RE5 you CAN move around while shooting from the 3rd person...and it makes things alot easier.
What I didn't like:
Movement - Throughout the MGS series Snake has always seemed to move around like a stick figure. His animations have always seemed very stiff and unfortunately he moves around no differently in MGS4.
Respawning - When I walk into a room I would like to be able to clear it out of baddies. In MGS4 there are points in the game where enemies respawn...endlessly. To me there is nothing worse then fighting for 20mins only to find out that the guys you're trying to put down will never stop coming at you no matter how long you fight. Don't allow me to clear a room at one point only to have me walk into another room and have endless enemies come at me. It's very confusing.
Cutscenes - I know I said the cutscenes have really nice production values...and they do. Trouble is most of these cutscenes are 20 minutes long...I timed one that went for over an hour. I know the MGS series is known for it's long scenes and I also know there are people out there that say if you don't like the cutscenes then you're not a fan. Bullshit. I've finished every MGS game and I'm here to say these cutscenes are too damn long. We're playing games here not watching movies. Enough already.
Installs - Most PS3 games these days require you to install the game to your HDD for faster loading and thankfully you only need to do this once. In MGS4 the game installs at least 5 times. The game already takes you out of the actions with endless lengthy cutscenes do we really need to sit through endless installs as well?
Check Points - There is nothing worse in a game then fighting for every inch of ground only to die and have to start all over due to lack of check points. MGS4 needed more check points.
Gekkos - Don't get me wrong I love the Gekkos and think that their a pretty cool new addition to the MGS universe. What I hated was that some of the Gekkos were killable and others weren't. I hated unloading endless ammo onto a Gekko only to realize that these particular ones couldn't be put down.
Trophies - Why aren't there Trophies in MGS4? Seriously. Just imagine all the possibilites there are for cool Trophies in this game. What a shame. Just think if this game was on the Xbox 360 Kojima Productions would have been forced to get off their asses and make Achievements...
Story - Yes I've played the previous MGS games but only once each. To fully understand part 4 and all it's story has to offer, IMO, you need to know those other games inside and out to get the most out the story that's presented in GotP.
Summary - If this is indeed Snake's swansong I have to admit it was a little underwhelming. MGS4 feels too much like previous MGS outtings. Sure there are some cool new areas (and old areas you revisit) and enemies but for the most part I came away from MGS4 feeling like I've already been there and done that. Plus those cutscenes need to be shortened down greatly. MGS4 falls short of the final game I wanted for Snake and his story.
Overall I give Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots a 3 out of 5.
