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The 25 biggest surprises in Metal Gear Solid 4 (page 3 of 3)

• By Sid Shuman
• April 09, 2008 14:45 PM PST
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DualShock 3 support: Rumble is back! The Metal Gear series and rumble technology have a long history; Metal Gear Solid was one of the first games to use the original DualShock's rumble function, and we hailed its implementation as groundbreaking. MGS4 is fully compatible with the rumble-capable DualShock 3 controller, and though the DualShock 3 isn't required, I felt more immersed in the game with the effects on. Cinemas, too, are made richer through rumble effects for explosions, shocking moments, and the like.

The Geckos: These gargantuan enemies are new to Metal Gear, and they are fierce foes that are equipped with powerful weapons and sensors. In fact, these bioengineered killing machines are so tough that they're practically indestructible -- your best bet is to simply run and hide! Explosive weapons will inflict some damage, but generally, these behemoths are too tough to tackle directly.

Epic boss fights: If you're a Metal Gear fan, then you already know to expect some seriously epic boss encounters in MGS4. Kojima Productions has been surprisingly liberal in revealing secrets through game trailers. For instance, this video shows Liquid Ocelot and Snake facing off in a pair of Metal Gear mechs. Then there's the Beauty & the Beast unit, a collection of killer androids who were introduced as the "bosses" of MGS4. But we'll talk more about them shortly...

Storyline closure: It's all been leading up to this! Though the individual plot lines of the three previous games all had some form of closure, Solid Snake's tale has remained elusive...and unfinished. Luckily, Metal Gear Solid 4 promises to tie up many of those loose threads and shed new light on Snake himself. Will he find peace? Will he simply kill himself, as hinted at in the first trailer? I won't spoil any secrets here, but I suspect players will be pleased by the ambition and honesty of the story.

Weapon mods: One of MGS4's most addictive new features is the ability to customize your weapons. Most weapons will accept basic silencers, but others will accept recoil-control grips (these improve accuracy), flashlights (which briefly blind enemies), laser sights (improved hip-firing accuracy), and rifle scopes. The stock M4, a Swiss Army knife of a weapon, also accepts an under-barrel grenade launcher or under-barrel shotgun. You fire these powerful sub-weapons by aiming (hold L1) and then tapping R2 to unload. Even later in the game I found myself gravitating back to the modded M4 carbine -- it's a versatile weapon.

The crouch-run: In prior games, Snake only had two movement options: he could a) run or b) crawl on his belly. Metal Gear Solid 4 helpfully adds an in-between option I'm calling the "crouch run." By running in this low-profile position, Snake can move at a brisk pace without totally blowing his cover. To crouch run, simply tap X to crouch and then start moving. I played much of the game while in a half-crouch, and found it helped immensely.

New stealth moves: In MGS4, Snake has several new maneuvers that make sneaking easier. The first is the "inchworm," where Snake plays dead and slowly crawls across the ground. The second is the roll, which enables Snake to flip unto his back if he needs to shoot enemies or hurl grenades. The third is a revamped "wall press" that enables Snake to smoothly peek around corners and take potshots at nearby enemies. I also liked how Snake can hang over a ledge to wait for enemies to pass underneath, them swoop down for the coup de grace.

Collectible weapons: With over 70 weapons in all, gun collectors will find much to celebrate in Metal Gear Solid 4. Many of the guns we've seen are based on real-life weaponry, including the P90 submachinegun carried by the Outer Haven troops, and the M4 carbine that Snake finds early in the game. Once you meet Drebin, a black-market gun launderer, you can "unlock" new weapons you find by paying a small fee in "Drebin Points." You will also automatically cash in any duplicate weapons you find for Drebin Points. I found myself darting out of cover simply to scoop up nearby weapons. Weapon collecting is clearly one of the game's most addictive features.

Simpler controls: If you enjoy games like Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, or Rainbow Six, you'll instantly take to the new control scheme in Metal Gear Solid 4. As in those games, you aim and fire weapons with the shoulder buttons. This may sound like standard stuff, but the MGS games have typically used old-school controls that have confused some gamers. Not this time. Though I knew about these control changes before I played the game, I was surprised how much I liked them: they felt sleek, simple, and utterly natural.

The Beauty & the Beast unit: First introduced last fall, the Beauty & the Beast unit is a group of four metal monstrosities who represent Liquid Ocelot's most trusted lieutenants and, obviously, key obstacles for Snake. These including Laughing Octopus, a master of disguise equipped with Doctor Octopus-style tentacles; Crying Wolf, an armored quadruped with enormous strength; Raging Raven, an airborne killing machine equipped with multiple rocket launchers; and Screaming Mantis, a mysterious figure who appears to control the actions of her squadmates.

Of all the features in MGS4, the Beauty & the Beast unit is one of the most ambitious. According to Metal Gear lore, the Beauties are women who experienced the horrors of war and retreated into violent cybernetic shells. Now they're working for Liquid Ocelot, and their twisted minds and armored hides make them extremely dangerous foes. What's more, the animal names of the Beauties reference bosses from MGS1. A coincidence? We think not.

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