New hands-on with Metal Gear Solid 4

GamePro gets unprecedented access to one of the biggest games of the year, and guess what? It's spectacular.

Snake runs from a PMC chopper in a war-torn Middle East.

Snake runs from a PMC chopper in a war-torn Middle East.

The 4 best things about MGS4

The graphics: You thought Gears of War looked amazing? Think again. Metal Gear Solid 4 will blow you away with its ultra-detailed characters and intricate environments, painting some of the most gorgeous graphics seen this side of Crysis. In motion, the graphics look so realistic that your eyes begin to register the visuals as a movie rather than a game. From what we saw, MGS4 puts its 50GB Blu-ray disc to outstanding use.

The guns: The final game will feature over 70 weapons, from lethal assault rifles to silent tranquilizer guns, and you can outfit many of them with scopes, recoil grips, laser sights, flashlights, and more. Collecting enemy weapons will unlock new guns and "Drebin Points" for further customization. There are 70+ guns in all.

The sound: MGS4 has some of the crispest, clearest sound effects we've ever heard -- the booming gunshots will make your hair stand on end! The Hollywood-style soundtrack is also predictably fantastic, and Snake's raspy voice sounds more desiccated than ever. GamePro editor Sid Shuman went so far as to say that MGS4 has "the best sound I've ever heard in a game."

The story: MGS4 is the darkest Metal Gear game by far: Snake is in terrible physical shape, and the world seems to rest on the brink of self-inflicted annihilation. Though the mood is dark, it's not depressing: you'll find plenty of characters to care about in this war-torn world.

Nestled in the snowy heart of Nasu, Japan, Konami and Kojima Productions recently held a secret "boot camp" where the companies showed off a nearly complete version of the anticipated PlayStation 3 action-epic Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Only a handful of gaming insiders were invited, but GamePro was there to get exclusive access to an enormous portion of the game. This is our report, complete with extensive hands-on impressions.

Before delving into the Metal Gear Solid 4 experience, however, we've got one word of advice: start saving those pennies! That $499 PlayStation 3 MGS4 bundle isn't going to pay for itself, and June 12th is right around the corner....

Death Adder

From the opening scenes, a palpable cloud of doom hangs over Metal Gear Solid 4. Once an unstoppable force, the legendary stealth operative Solid Snake is starting to show his age -- literally. In a near-future world ruled by private military companies (PMCs) and enforced by microscopic nanomachines lurking inside every soldier, Snake's old-fashioned skills and sensibilities make him something of a relic. Snake is still a tough guy, but he's no longer the invincible super-stud he once was due to a mysterious case of premature aging. MGS4's story is infused with a darker, more sophisticated tone...luckily, it just feels right. Fans of the first Metal Gear Solid will doubtlessly approve of the storyline developments, but we don't dare go into too many specifics: one of the game's charms lies in its intricate, sometimes shocking, storyline twists. No spoilers here!

We can share a few details, though. As usual, Col. Roy Campbell and Dr. Hal Emmerson Emmerich (Otacon) press the legendary Solid Snake to undertake "one last mission." The goal: to assassinate Snake's twin brother, the power-mad Liquid Snake, and save the world from the threat of the PMCs. You might remember Liquid as the chief villain from the original Metal Gear Solid, but here, his personality has been transfused into villainous mainstay Revolver Ocelot. It's a weird, trippy setup, but trust us: it pays off in spades.

Sidewinder

The first act opens in an unnamed country in the Middle East, where Liquid Snake's PMCs are clashing with local militias in a never-ending power struggle. As Snake, you'll duck through dusty alleyways, destroy tanks using mortar turrets, and take sides with the local rebels when the situation calls for it. Several hours into the game, Snakes meets a shady black-market gun runner named Drebin. Though his motives are suspect, Drebin quickly becomes one of Snake's closest allies because he holds the key to accessing an enormous arsenal of weapons. By collecting the firearms of fallen enemies, Snake earns "Drebin Points" that he can cash in to unlock new guns, weapon mods, and extra ammo straight from the field...even in the middle of combat. This meta-game is actually quite enjoyable, and it's tempting to dart out of cover and scoop up fallen guns, stealth be damned. The formula is simple: the more guns you collect, the more you'll be able to buy.

Speaking of guns, Metal Gear Solid 4's arsenal options are already setting new standards. The game includes over 70 unique firearms, with an array of pistols, sub-machineguns, rifles, shotguns, and far, far more. Gun modifications are another bright spot in MGS4. Through a sleek 3D interface, we outfitted a basic M4 assault rifle with a laser sight, red-dot scope, flashlight, under-barrel grenade launcher (shotgun also available), plus a silencer. That's five upgrades attached to one gun -- astonishing! It's a minor miracle that the aging Snake is able to even heft that bulky, do-it-all firearm, let alone shoulder and fire it. In another realistic touch, you can set automatic weapons to single-shot, triple burst, and full-auto modes. Naturally, Snake's still got a full repertoire of close-quarters maneuvers, from basic hand-to-hand combos to silent strangleholds a la MGS3. The end result is an extremely versatile combat system that's loaded with replay value.

Outer Haven soldiers (aka

Outer Haven soldiers (aka "frogs") are Liquid's elite troops and boast lithe, free-running movements. Hooked talons on their hands and feet allow them to cling to walls and ceilings.

Drebin is your go-to guy for all guns laundered. You can collect and cash in enemy weapons for

Drebin is your go-to guy for all guns laundered. You can collect and cash in enemy weapons for "Drebin Points," which buy ammo and new guns.

Comments [13]

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Sudesh

Hey ViciousSid, I love MGS1 and MGS3 alot (MGS2 was okay) and the latest trailer hints at playing a bit of MGS1 (or something) in the snowy Shadow Moses. I'm an extremely ultimate fan of MGS3 (Subsist. because of camera) because I'm personally attracted to the beauty of the forest. It was the one game in the series that I actually sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the scenery while moving through the jungle, even while CQC-ing the enemies. I know you can't really reveal anything but for the past year I've been suffering and giving up hope of Kojima-san implementing at least one small forest/jungle stage. Can you at least say something...anything that can indicate something of a forest stage. Octocamo would rock with it. I know it may not have the survival hunting (or would it?) but Kojima-san spoke of "sense" and gave the analogy of the "tree". Even if MGS4 went only with urban/near-urban environments it won't bother me that much because it is a Metal Gear. It will always be a great game. I just don't wanna go playing the game worrying when a jungle will pop up from South America and then nearing the finish to realise that there will be no jungle. I need some info on that so that I can play expecting or not expecting a jungle to help ease that disappointment. If ViciousSid won't say anything, does anybody know anything about such a lush green environment with rivers etc? By the way, I recommend that those of you who haven't played MGS1 and MGS2 and MGS3 yet to do so before playing MGS4. Reading a story summary is not enough. MGS4 was made for the fans who stayed with the series. Don't say I didn't warn you when you start complaining of the hours and hours of confusing story and plot twists. (Damn!, hope I get that job tomorrow for my PS3/MGS4 80GB bundle. The date is too close...)

Sudesh

By the way, "Emmerson" was used in MGS3 by Granin because he forgot Emmerich's name. ......."Emmerson....Heinrich.....". I thought Sid wrote it on purpose.

Sudesh

I know Payton said that we can revert to MGS3 Subsistence's controls...which I prefer to the default MGS4 control scheme......but the forums are confusing me. Can I really change the controls (Street Fighter style) or go back to MGS3's control? And, can I play MGO using MGS3's control scheme, including the O button as the Select button and X as the Go Back button?

itwiz90

Give me give me give....I wanna play it NOW!!!!!!!! I been hiding in cardboard boxes, steel drums, getting in my practice, LOL

Dadavinci

Buying this with my PS3 Day one. At least ima person that wants this BECAUSE I've beaten every Metal Gear an want to know what's gonna happen to Snake NOT Because it's a PS3 Exclusive like most of you fanboys. Though im curious, this just doesn't look like a stealth game that much anymore.

carlhawkproskater

this is gonna be awesome and dont anyone think im a fat fanboy , i didnt play any other MGS games of my entire life... phoque U...

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