Metal Gear Solid 4 SPOILER FREE strategy

SPOILER FREE! GamePro's Sid Shuman has finished Metal Gear Solid 4 twice. Here are his top strategies for mastering the game...and he won't blow any secrets!

Food is Life

You'll find three main healing items in Metal Gear Solid 4: Rations, Ramen Noodles, and the Regain energy drink. They all have their advantages.

1. Equip Rations during intense combat. Snake will automatically heal himself, even if he takes fatal damage, as long as you keep a health item equipped. There's a tradeoff, though: you can't equip other items when you're holding food.

2. Noodles are a godsend. Ramen noodles aren't just tasty, they're one of the best healing items in the game. The hot, delicious broth boosts Snake's Psyche meter as well as his health.



The Solid Eye

This inventory item packs in a lot of features, including motion sensors, plus optional nightvision and binocular modes.

1. The Solid Eye will locate hidden items for you. In its default vision mode, equipping the Solid Eye will highlight and identify enemies and allies, as well as nearby hidden items. If you need to scavenge for supplies, the Solid Eye is your best friend.

2. The Solid Eye makes you more vulnerable. When you equip the Solid Eye, you won't be able to automatically heal by holding Rations or food. If you're in a tough battle, drop the Solid Eye and grab a fistful of Noodles instead.

3. Nightvision will show recent footprints. Because it can see in the infrared spectrum, you'll often be able to spot enemy footprints when using the nightvision mode (highlight the Solid Eyeby holding L2, then tap Triangle).



CQC Basics

Close-quarters combat, or CQC, is effective against many human enemies in Metal Gear Solid 4. You've got to be quick, though, or you'll get a knife in the ribs.

1. You can't use CQC while holding a gun. Small one-handed weapon (pistols, grenades, knives) are fine, but hold anything bigger and you'll just shove your enemy.

2. The best CQC move is the hip toss. It's fast, silent, and reliable. Run up next to an enemy while pressing and holding R1. Snake will quickly slam the enemy to the ground, knocking him out instantly.



Stealth Basics

Though shooting will get you through most of the game, you'll encounter a few brief scenarios where stealth isn't an option but a requirement.

1. Watch your Camouflage rating. This is located in the upper-right hand corner of the screen. The higher that number is, the better; the maximum Camo rating is 100.

2. Crawl, crawl, crawl your way to stealth. Crawling on your belly (press and hold X) is the single best sneaking move in the game, and will get you through most stealth scenarios unfazed.

3. Keep an eye on your environment. Avoid light sources, sneak past threats while concealed behind objects (cars, fences, even grass), and lie perfectly still if you detect that the guards are getting suspicious.



Firearm Basics

Metal Gear Solid 4 has some seriously intense shooting. If you choose to go in guns blazing, be sure to read these tips.

1. Fire in short, controlled bursts. Pray-and-spray strategies won't work well in MGS4: the recoil will throw off your aim. Instead, fire of rapid volleys of one or two bullets at a time for maximum accuracy.

2. Always go for headshots. Shooting at legs, arms, or other body parts can take three or four hits to drop a foe. Instead, always aim for the head to drop your target with one shot.



Advanced Weapon Tactics

Metal Gear Solid 4 excels as a shooter thanks in large part to its massive arsenal of over 70 weapons. Here are some hints for maximizing your firepower.

1. Mods are a Snake's best friend. You can upgrade many of the weapons in MGS4 by highlighting the weapon in the options menu and attaching mods. Recoil grips, laser sights, and rifle scopes are top choices.

2. The M4 is a trusty traveling companion. You'll earn the M4 early in the game, and it's versatile even late in the game. It's accurate, reasonably powerful, and boasts a whopping five upgrade slots.

3. First-person aiming boosts your accuracy. For the most precise shooting possible, aim (hold L1) and then tap Triangle to enter first-person mode. This is also how you activate rifle scopes.



Reducing Stress

"Stress" is an important concept in Metal Gear Solid 4. Stress reflects Snake's well-being in various battle conditions.

1. Keep Stress as low as possible. As Snake's Stress rating climbs, his "Psyche" meter will begin to drain. If his Psyche meter drops out, Snake's hands will shake, ruining his accuracy, and he won't regenerate health between battles.

2. Stay away from stressful situations. If Snake lingers too long in a heated battle, his Stress will rise. But other environmental factors will also raise Stress, such as smelly objects (dumpsters, dirty toilets), hot sun, and other unpleasant conditions.

3. If all else fails, use a Compress. This warming pad will counteract the effects of stressful conditions. Flipping through a Playboy magazine (in first-person mode) will also reduce Snake's Stress. Later in the game, you'll find an item that you can equip to further relieve Stress.

Comments [56]

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kOudie

im 5th. its an honor. id like to thank my family, god. my beautiful imac and cablevisions optimum online for providing me with all i need to post.

_Mr.Snake

the game is awesome! i loved the first cinimatic it was almost movie worth

bigtime726

the only thing about this game is that it has a lot of movie scenes and load screens.

HellStaR

LOL It took me forever to figure out ways to lower stress.... I actually found more ways than you guys.

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