Metal Gear Solid 4 - Opinions?

[markdown474]

Hi guys,
I just finished Metal Gear Solid 4 for PS3 and I have to say I was kinda disappointed. Usually I don't mind the cut scenes in these games but they were just way to lengthy in this one. That may have been acceptable if I didn't find them so often boring. Light on action and heavy on talking. I thought the boss battles were cool but there wasn't one in particular that I thought was phenomenal. I was hoping for another epic sniping mission like the battle with The End in MGS3, but the sniping mission in this one was just another fast paced boss battle.

Overall the game was okay, but it seemed to be a step down from the PS2 games.

Anyone have thoughts on this game?

[Just Jay]

I definitely agree with you, hands down. I liked the epic feel of MGS4, but MGS3 was done perfectly. It had the satisfying boss battles, the environments seemed much more interactive, and overall the story was just told better in my opinion. I felt that MGS4 was the easiest game of the bunch, and you can tell Kojima may have tried to get the game to sell to a wider audience by including 1st person mode and making the bosses easier.

[metalinnovation]

I feel the same. I think MGS4 is an excellent game, but the longevity of the cutscenes kind of ruined it for me. Both the last boss battle and last few cutscenes lasted way too long for my likening. I actually fell asleep briefly during the last cutscene. Still a excellent game, but fell short of being truly something amazing.

MGS3 was easily my favorite game in the series. I think it was the setting and all the survival tactics that made it the best for me.

[Kroot bringing Justice]

I actually didn't mind the length of the cutscenes, only problem I had with it was that it was a bit to easy, otherwise excellent game. And it made Raiden cooler which is a plus in my book,

[judodave]

I could never get past Vamp.

[J is Justice]

I thought it was good, but not a masterpiece like alot of sites were saying. And I definetly agree that the cutscenes were ridiculously long. I just ended up skipping most of them. Plus, I couldn't follow the story, but that'll probably have to do with me not playing any of the other MGS games.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

I haven't played it myself, but any complaints I've heard about have been about the cutscenes. I've heard it compared more to an interactive movie then a video game quite a bit

[Alexander The So-so]

While I do see the point about the cutscenes, I personally don't mind them, because the cutscenes and cinematics are practically my favorite part of the MGS series. Besides, it's to be expected that it's so heavy on cutscenes because, as (presumably) the final game in the series, it needs to tie up all the plot loose ends, bring a close to all of the conflicts that have built up in the series, and incorprate ALL of the major cast members so that closure is brought to all of their stories. And that takes time no matter what. It's an expected trade-off for storyline closure.

And the gameplay was pretty standard, I suppose. The Octocam offered some intriguing twists on the stealth gameplay, but other than that, it was pretty standard MGS not too different from the rest of the series. But the rest of the series is awesome, so I can't complain.

Overall, while I loved it and came off with a sense of closure to one of the greatest video game series of all time, I can see that it's not the end-all-be-all of games either.

[Jiren]

I loved it, I also loved the cutscenes because they were brilliant.

You know what's overrated, Halo

[Red Impact]

Jun 11, 2009 17:55:52 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

I haven't played it myself, but any complaints I've heard about have been about the cutscenes. I've heard it compared more to an interactive movie then a video game quite a bit

That's a bit overblown. They're long, but there's plenty of gameplay in it.

My favorite in the series is 3, but I thought 4 was rather good as well.

[The Line]

I may be one of the few around these parts that thought the game was every bit as great as its cracked up to be. It was my initial reason for buying a PS3 in the first place, and I don't regret that purchase.

[thesam07]

I enjoyed it.

[Perpetual Nirvana]

I liked it. For a Metal Gear game, it was perfectly fine. There were some revelations I could have done without and the entire cringeworthy subplot (you know the one I mean), though I don't even know if I can call it that since it comes out of nowhere.

My major gripe is that Konami promised things they never delivered. They talked up the idea of Snake being dropped into a battlefield and influencing the outcome of the war around him. He does no such thing. The much hyped customization options leave you with little more than an option to attach a silencer or flashlight to your gun. And then there's the exagerations and downright lies "Yeah, Outer Heaven in the game. But not THAT Outer Heaven." The "flashbacks" that were hyped up explain absolutely nothing.

And the Beauty and the Beast unit, while fun to fight, have no dimension to them at all. Aside from their desire to kill Snake, you really aren't sure why you're fighting them aside from the boorish "they are the bad guys" mentality.

And don't get me started on Metal Gear Online. And the goddamn constant installations.

But yeah, for it's flaws, very good game. Not the best Metal Gear but still good.

[Time Lord Soundwave]

Jun 11, 2009 13:39:56 GMT -5 judodave said:

I could never get past Vamp.

Stick him with a syringe in CQC.

I liked 4, personally. Cutscenes were pretty long, and the constant installs were a bit annoying, but overall I felt it was worthy end to the series.

Until the next one, of course. ;D

[lemonyellowson]

the split screen bit where you are blasting the robots when raiden is fighting vamp is quality. i died loads cos i was watching them fight.
I loved it, but was for some strange reason left feeling unsatisfied at the ending.... i thought for sure they would kill him off and put the series to bed that way.
but if he is still alive my fingers are crossed for msg 5

[Perpetual Nirvana]

You know FOXDIE or not, Snake still only has 6 months to live. I prefer they just leave him to live out his days in peace, as he states that he intends to do in the scene after the credits.

[lemonyellowson]

yeah but im a huge mgs mark so i kinda wanted on screen closure

[thesam07]

I liked the ending.
The big reveal of "you know who" and Snake. Very epic and surprising.

[teamjd]

It was AWESOME. As a fan of the series, i loved all the callbacks and cameos, the revelations and reveals. Not the best GAME, but the game EXPERIENCE for a longtime follower is unparalleled.