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PS3 | Action | Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Boxart for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 226 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 5.00
  • SOUND: 5.00
  • CONTROL: 5.00
  • FUN FACTOR 5.00
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.5
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 5.0
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Preview: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Page 4 of 5)

Preview by Vicious Sid & Mr. Marbles | 01/26/2007 | 13:50:54 PM PST

Then we hit on an interesting topic: MGS4's arsenal. Carefully avoiding too many specifics, Kojima mentions that gamers will be "surprised" by the number of weapons Snake can use in the final game. "There will be loads of weapons as we know them today in the military," Kojima says. There will also be prototypes of current next-gen military hardware, as well as some imaginary weapons in the final game.

Grenade launcher -- need we say more?

Grenade launcher -- need we say more?

But Kojima wants to keep MGS4's gunplay based at least partially in the near-future real world, and will only deviate for the sake of "interesting game design." Kojima also confirms that hand-to-hand weapons play a big role in MGS4, but declines to elaborate because "that gives away a little bit of how you complete the game, actually."

But the biggest news, by far, is the fact that Snake can now fully customize his weapons with upgrades and attachments. Kojima specifically names grenade launchers and scopes, also hinting at silencers, laser sights, and flashlights. Kojima himself isn't much of a gun nut, so the gun modifications are being designed by other team members at Kojima Productions, one of whom Kojima describes as a "geeky maniac" of military tech. "I can't keep up with him!" he laughs. But Kojima clams up when we asked how many mods would be in the final game, again teasing that "you'll be really surprised by how many variations are possible."

This leaves a big question--how does Snake obtain weapon mods? Does he find them, buy them, or make them somehow? "Excellent question," Kojima says, chuckling. "And I can't answer it," explaining that gun mods tie too closely into the plot. He also lets slip that weapons and mods may have a collection element: MGS4 may allow players to trade mods with other MGS4 players online or through some other form of player-to-player sharing.

You Can't Spell "Kojima" Without "E-N-I-G-M-A"

There were some questions you just knew he wouldn't answer. Would the famous nuke-powered Metal Gear Rex mech make a comeback? How will the PSP game tie into the PS3 one? And what's up with Meryl? "Secret," Kojima beams. We were able, however, to pry out a bit of information on the game's much-anticipated online multiplayer mode. Would Kojima consider bumping MGS4's online segment to a separate release date, as he did with Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence? "I can't say right now," he responds before adding, "We're considering it, actually."

Talk of a firm release date also proves to be a futile effort. At this year's E3, the newest trailer bumped the game to a generic "2007" window, and Kojima feels just fine about leaving that date wide open. "The guy who said 2007 was Raiden, and not me," Kojima jokes.

But if you ask us, the game can't come soon enough. Sony needs a mega-ton hit for the PS3, and Kojima needs a new audience to wow. Sounds like a next-gen party to us.


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