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Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

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Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
North American box art
Developer(s)Kojima Productions
Publisher(s)Konami
Designer(s)Hideo Kojima (Producer, Director)
Kenichiro Imaizumi (producer)
Yoji Shinkawa (character designer)
Writer(s)Hideo Kojima
Shuyo Murata
Composer(s)Led by Harry Gregson-Williams and Nobuko Toda
SeriesMetal Gear
EngineIn-house engine
Platform(s)PlayStation 3[2][3][4]
ReleaseJune 12, 2008[1]
Genre(s)Stealth action
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer online (Metal Gear Online only, downloadable content)

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (メタルギア・ソリッド4・ガンズ・オブ・ザ・パトリオット, Metaru Gia Soriddo 4 Ganzu obu za Patoriotto), commonly abbreviated to MGS4, is a stealth action video game developed by Kojima Productions for the PlayStation 3. Guns of the Patriots is the latest addition to the Metal Gear series and was directed by Hideo Kojima, Shuyo Murata and Yoji Shinkawa. Its worldwide release on June 12, 2008 came ten years after the release of Metal Gear Solid and twenty years after the US release of Metal Gear.[5][6] MGS4 has received wide-spread critical acclaim, garnering Game of the Year awards from several major gaming publications, including GameSpot, which hailed the game as technically flawless. The game has been a driving force behind sales of the Metal Gear franchise, helping it to sales of over 4.75 million units since April 2008.[7]

Gameplay

File:94408-10-1.jpg
Metal Gear Solid 4 gameplay

In MGS4, the player assumes the role of Old Snake, utilizing stealth, CQC and traditional combat techniques. The overhead camera of earlier Metal Gear games has been replaced by a third person camera, with First Person View and Over The Shoulder cameras optional. CQC has been implemented with greater detail than any other game in the series.

A further addition to gameplay mechanics is the Psyche Meter. Psyche is decreased by non-lethal attacks, and is influenced by battlefield psychology. Stressors (including temperature extremes, foul smells and being hunted by the enemy) increase Snake's Stress gauge, eventually depleting his Psyche. Adverse effects include difficulty in aiming, more frequent back pain and the possibility of Snake passing out upon receiving damage. Among the available methods of restoring Psyche are eating, drinking, smoking and reading a Playboy magazine.[8]

Snake has a few gadgets to aid him in battle. The OctoCamo suit mimics the appearance and texture of any surface, decreasing the probability of Snake being noticed. The Solid Eye device highlights items and enemies, and can operate in Night Vision and Binocular mode. It also offers a Baseline Map, which indicates the location of nearby units[9]. The latter function is also performed by the Threat Ring, a visualization of Snake's senses that deforms based on nearby unit proximity.

Metal Gear Mk.II, later substituted by Mk.III, offers CODEC functionality and a means to the in-game menu for a large part of Snake's mission. It can be remote controlled to stun enemies, provide reconnaissance and interact with the environment [10]. Its design is based on the namesake robot from Snatcher, a game designed by Hideo Kojima.

Whenever the Drebin menu is available, weapons, attachments and ammunition can be purchased via Drebin Points, awarded for on-site procurement of weapons already in the inventory and by initiating specific scripted events. The conversion rate between weapons and DPs depends on current battlefield conditions.

The Virtual Range, similar to the Virtual Reality training of previous titles, functions as a test facility for weapon performance and gameplay controls.[8]

Plot

Fictional chronology
in Metal Gear

Metal Gear Solid 4 is set five years after the Big Shell incident (depicted in Metal Gear Solid 2), in 2014. The world economy is based on continuous war, fueled by Private Military Companies, which constitute the majority among nations' armies. PMC soldiers are injected with nanomachines to ensure only they can operate ID tagged weapons and regulate their battle capacity. The control network created through these nanomachines is called Sons Of the Patriots (SOP), and Liquid Ocelot is preparing to usurp that control launching an armed insurrection. Snake accepts a request by Roy Campbell to terminate Liquid, with Otacon and Sunny providing mission support from the Nomad aircraft.

Synopsis

Act 1 – Liquid Sun

Seeking information on Liquid's whereabouts, Snake infiltrates a Middle Eastern urban battlefield, meets up with Mk.II and heads for the area's UN informants. On his way, he encounters Drebin 893, a gun launderer and weapons retailer and agrees to an injection with nanomachines to enable weapon transactions.

File:FOXHOUND Unit depicted in MGS4.jpg
Ed, Meryl, Jonathan and Johnny

Upon arriving at the rendezvous point, Snake finds the UN informants, the Rat Patrol 01 unit, lead by Meryl Silverburgh. He teams up with them when Liquid's personal army, the FROGs, storm in, they avoid peril and split up towards Liquid's camp. Further on, Snake witnesses four cyborgs wreak havoc on a group of armed Militia men. He finally arrives at Liquid's camp, where Liquid activates the test phase of his SOP destabilizing system, reducing PMC soldiers, Rat Patrol and Snake to a faltering state. Liquid proclaims his will to surpass his origin, and Snake catches a glimpse of Naomi, who had injected him with FOXDIE in MGS, before she and Liquid escape. Johnny, curiously unaffected by SOP's effect, transfers Snake to safety.

Act 2 – Solid Sun

Via an encoded message, Naomi explains she is being forced to do research for Liquid in South America and asks for Snake's help. Snake enters the South American locale, and witnesses one of the cyborgs and Vamp turning the local Rebels against him. He traverses the terrain and yet again meets Drebin, who reveals the true identity of the cyborgs: the Beauty and the Beast Corps, four female soldiers suffering from PTSD and recruited to kill Snake. He also explains that SOP is currently controlled by the Patriots, a network of AI cores.

File:Metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots beauty-beast-unit.jpg
The Beauty and the Beast Corps

Further on, Snake reaches Naomi who explains that Liquid plans to use Big Boss's biometric data to access the Patriot's core AI and take control of SOP. Her tests indicate Snake's rapid aging is genetic, and that the FOXDIE virus will cost him his life within six months. Before that, however, Snake will start spreading a deadly mutated version of FOXDIE, effectively becoming a biological weapon. Naomi is kidnapped by FROGs, leaving Snake to battle Laughing Octopus. Snake later tracks Naomi down and they make their escape with the help of Drebin. When they end up surrounded by Gekko, Raiden, now a cyborg himself, appears to assist them and, at great bodily harm, stall Vamp, ensuring their escape.

Safely back on the Nomad, the team decides to head to Eastern Europe, where they can investigate Raiden's previous engagement in the territory and Naomi can see to him getting medical treatment.

Act 3 – Third Sun

Naomi builds a friendship with Sunny and shares intimate moments with Otacon. She later explains that the remains of Big Boss are in the possession of a resistance group. In Eastern Europe, Snake trails a resistance member to their leader, Big Mama, who is in fact Eva. She explains the Patriots were founded by Major Zero, and that Liquid will try to steal Big Boss's remains. True to her prediction, the Raven Sword PMC attacks the vehicles transporting the remains. Snake and Big Mama's motorcycle escort ends in a crash, forcing Snake to battle Raging Raven. He subsequently helps Big Mama escape to the riverside, where Liquid is waiting. Unfazed by the military forces ordering him to surrender, Liquid destabilizes the SOP system, and easily claims victory in the ensuing firefight. He throws Big Boss's body to the flames, where Eva follows to save it. Snake's fruitless attempts to save Big Mama leave him with extensive burn injuries. Liquid escapes with Naomi, but the Mk.II makes it onto their gunboat.

Act 4 – Twin Suns

Before it's destroyed, Mk. II sends a transmission revealing Liquid's plan. He intends to destroy the Patriots' core AI with a nuclear strike using Metal Gear Rex's railgun, then substitute it with his own core, and gain control. To this end, he needs a non ID-tagged warhead from the cache left in the Shadow Moses facility after Solid Snake subverted his revolution.

Snake returns to Shadow Moses, makes his way though the complex and defeats Crying Wolf and her FROGs outfit. When he reaches Rex's hangar, he finds the railgun has been removed and Vamp waiting for him, with Naomi at his side. Snake suppresses Vamp's nanomachines and holds off suicide Gekko while Raiden fights and kills Vamp. Naomi, revealing she's riddled with cancer and tormented by her mistakes, disables the nanomachines that kept her alive. Snake and Raiden use Rex to head out of the hangar, but Raiden ends up pinned under the hangar's rubble. Snake, now operating his previous nemesis, Rex, is left to duel with Metal Gear Ray, piloted by Liquid. After both Metal Gears are destroyed, Liquid reveals Outer Haven, a submersible warship ready to fulfill his launch plan. Liquid uses this weapon as a ram to kill Snake, but Raiden, who cut off his arm to free himself, stalls him. Eventually, cannon fire from the Missouri force Outer Haven to retreat.

Act 5 – Old Sun

Aboard the Missouri, Mei Ling, now captain, orders to intercept Outer Heaven. Snake, Meryl and Johnny agree to catapult onto it and avert Liquid's plans by implanting a virus in Liquid's AI core. The catapult landing leaves Snake alone, and he sneaks into the control room, where he confronts and defeats Screaming Mantis, who had Meryl under her control. FROGs storm in, and Meryl decides to hold them back while Snake proceeds. Johnny arrives to Meryl's assist, and confides he isn't influenced by SOP due to him lacking nanomachines. Meryl and Johnny's romance heats up in sync with the battle, culminating in the two exchanging marriage proposals. On his way to the core, Snake is aided by Raiden. The last part of the way, filled with lethal microwave emitters, Snake traverses on his own. Half dead, he finally arrives at the core, where Mk.III uploads the virus. Programmed by Naomi and Sunny, FOXALIVE destroys all the AI cores, disables the SOP system and brings the war economy to a grinding halt. It effectively counteracts the Patriots' upcoming civilian control scheme while preserving the energy and resource networks essential to modern society.

Snake, having passed out in the Core, awakes atop Outer Haven's sail where Liquid Ocelot asserts he is ready to gain control. As Revolver Ocelot, he had allowed the will of Liquid Snake to be implanted onto him, to promote their common agenda of destroying the Patriots. Snake and Liquid have their final showdown from which Old Snake emerges triumphant.

Epilogue – Naked Sin

Meryl and Johnny's wedding is underway, after Meryl accepts Roy Campbell as her father. The wedding ceremony concludes with a kiss and the celebration begins. Drebin reveals that both he and Rat Patrol were pawns in the Patriots' schemes, but are now free. Raiden, hospitalized after restorative surgery, receives a visit from Rose, who introduces him to their son. The three realize they are a family. Snake stands before the grave of Big Boss, ready to take his own life to avert becoming a biological weapon.

Debriefing – Naked Son

Yet a very much alive Big Boss prevents Snake from committing suicide. He explains that the body burned in Eastern Europe was of his perfect clone, Solidus Snake and reveals that the Patriots were originally an interpretation of The Boss' will, founded by Big Boss, Major Zero, Eva, Ocelot, Sigint and Paramedic. With increasing power, two rival factions arose within the Patriots' ranks, Zero's who stood for complete control, and Big Boss's, who dreamed of a soldier's world. Eva and Ocelot joined Big Boss in his cause. Over the years, Zero let the newly established AI network assume more and more control, eventually leading to the war economy, a vision far from The Boss' original will. Big Boss puts an end to the last remnant of this false vision by shutting down Zero's life support unit.

Big Boss informs Snake that Drebin's injection included a new strain of FOXDIE, programmed by the Patriot AIs to kill the rival Patriot faction and eradicate the old versions of FOXDIE. Thus, Snake has no risk of becoming a biological weapon. Big Boss succumbs to FOXDIE, but not before he makes amends with Snake.

When all is settled, Snake decides to live out his life peacefully, in the company of Otacon and Sunny, and vows to see this new age off.

Development

The game was publicly announced first at Tokyo Game Show 2005, under the slogan of "No Place to Hide".

Hideo Kojima wished to implement a new style of gameplay which was set in a full scale war zone. Kojima wanted to also keep the stealth elements in the game, which made the team abandon the "No Place to Hide" concept. The only announced war zone before release was the Middle East. Using several locations emphasized Kojima's original intention to portray the world in full scale conflict.

During development, the game's exclusivity was continuously questioned, even after Kojima officially confirmed the exclusivity several times. The exclusivity of this game is still in doubt from non-PS3 owners, months after the initial release.[11][12]

Hideo Kojima announced that he would be retiring as director of the Metal Gear series after Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and would leave his position open to another person for Metal Gear Solid 4. As a joke, the new director was announced as "Alan Smithee", but in R, a 400-page book bundled with Metal Gear Solid 3's Japanese "Premium Package", the director was revealed to be Shuyo Murata, co-writer of MGS3 and director of Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner. He also contributed Easter eggs to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. However, it was announced that Kojima would be co-directing the game with Murata after substantial negative fan reaction, including death threats.[13]

The title was described as "essentially finished" by January 2008, and went through extensive beta testing.[14] At Destination PlayStation on February 26, 2008, Sony announced that MGS4 would be released worldwide on June 12, 2008, along with the special MGS4 PlayStation 3 bundle.[15]

Guns of the Patriots is the first PS3 game that uses a full 50GB dual layer Blu-ray Disc, even after extensive efforts in data compression.[16]

Originally, one of Kojima's endings for the game would have had Snake and Otacon turn themselves in for breaking the law, and subsequently they would be convicted and executed,[17] but this idea was vetoed by his team.

Soundtrack

Main article: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Original Soundtrack

The score to Metal Gear Solid 4 was led by Harry Gregson-Williams, his third Metal Gear Solid soundtrack,[18] and Nobuko Toda, who provided music for Metal Gear Acid and Metal Gear Acid 2.[19] Other contributors are Konami employees Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Akihiro Honda, and Sota Fujimori.[20] Directed by Norihiko Hibino, GEM Impact employees Yoshitaka Suzuki and Takahiro Izutani also made compositions late in the game's production.[21] It was revealed in an interview with Norihiko Hibino that the team in fact wrote 90 minutes of music for the game's cutscenes, only 15 minutes of which made its way onto the official soundtrack.[22]

There are two vocal themes for the game. The opening theme, "Love Theme", is sung by Jackie Presti and composed by Nobuko Toda. The ending theme, "Here's To You", is sung by Lisbeth Scott. Before the release of the game, "MGS4 - Theme of Love - Smash Bros. Brawl Version" was provided for Super Smash Bros. Brawl in the Shadow Moses Island level.[23] The Metal Gear Solid Main Theme, composed by Tappi "TAPPY" Iwase, was notably omitted from the soundtrack, and the soundtrack of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. In an interview with Electronic Gaming Monthly, Norihiko Hibino stated that the company had difficulties with "Russian composers who said we stole their music", referring to an occasion when a group of Russian games journalists presented Hideo Kojima with a composition by Georgy Sviridov and claimed this had been plagiarised to create the theme. Hibino states that "they didn't actually", however the company was "too sensitive about the situation" and elected to drop the theme.[24]

The official soundtrack was released on May 28, 2008 by Konami Digital Entertainment under the catalog number GFCA-98/9.[25] It consists of two discs of music and 47 tracks. A soundtrack album was also packaged with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Limited Edition.[26]

Marketing

At a press conference on May 13, 2008, Hideo Kojima announced a marketing campaign and agreements with several companies to promote the game. Apple computers and monitors feature in the game and an Apple iPod is an in-game item that Snake can use to change the background music, listen to in-game podcasts and collect hidden songs scattered throughout the game. ReGain Energy Drinks are used in the game as a Psyche gauge booster, and Sony Ericsson mobile phones are used, specifically by Naomi and Vamp.[27]

Konami and Ubisoft put an unlockable costume in the game for Snake, Altaïr from the Ubisoft stealth game Assassin's Creed. Initially revealed on April Fool's Day 2008, Kojima later announced that it would actually be in the game, unlockable by doing "something special". To obtain the attire, the player must acquire the "Assassin Emblem", a nod to the game's title (or input a password in the Extras section).[28]

Konami had originally planned to organize grand launch events in Tokyo, but some of them were canceled with the "safety of participants in mind" in light of the Akihabara massacre on June 8, 2008.[29][30]

Versions and releases

Limited Edition

The Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Limited Edition was released simultaneously with the game's standard edition, as an enhanced counterpart. The limited edition contains Guns of the Patriots, a box with artwork by Yoji Shinkawa, a Blu-ray containing two "making of" documentaries, and the game soundtrack. The Limited Edition was available exclusively at GameStop in the United States and EB Games in Canada,[31] while a similar bundle with an additional 6-inch 'Olive Drab' Old Snake Figurine was made available at Play.com in the United Kingdom.[32]. It is also included in the 40 GB Limited Edition PlayStation 3 Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle.

Console bundles

In North America, a bundle containing an 80GB PlayStation 3, a DualShock 3 wireless controller, a downloadable game coupon from PSN (Pain) and a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was released for US$499 on June 12, 2008 to coincide with the release of the standalone edition.[33] Japan saw the release of the Guns of the Patriots Welcome Box that contains the game itself, a DualShock 3 controller, a Sixaxis controller, and a 40GB PS3 in either black, white or silver.[34]

Sony also announced a limited edition pre-order bundle containing Guns of the Patriots Limited Edition and a matte grey (officially titled Gunmetal Grey) 40GB PlayStation 3. First announced in Japan on March 18, 2008 at a cost of ¥51,800,[35] the bundle sold out by March 25, 2008.[36] An identical bundle was available in North America for pre-order on May 19, 2008 in "very limited" supply for US$600 at Konami's official website.[37] David Reeves has announced a similar bundle for Europe which includes a 40GB PlayStation 3, the game itself and a Sixaxis controller.

Metal Gear Online

Metal Gear Solid 4 includes the Starter Pack for Metal Gear Online. MGO features 16 player online tactical battles and incorporates several gameplay elements from MGS4, including the SOP system that allows players to have a visual confirmation of their teammates' position and battle status [38].

MGO also offers Sneaking Missions, in which a player assumes the role of Snake (and another can assume the role of Mk.II) utilizing the OctoCamo, Solid Eye and Threat Ring to acquire dogtags from other human contestants [39].

The Starter Pack offers several maps, while players can also purchase Expansion packs that add maps and characters from MGS4. Purchase is available via the PlayStation Network Wallet [40] or credit card.

Metal Gear Solid Touch

Metal Gear Solid Touch for the iPhone and iPod Touch is a "touch shooting" game that revisits MGS4's plot and action through the touch interface.[41]

Metal Gear Solid 4 Database

On June 19, 2008, Konami released the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database onto the PlayStation Store in North America and Japan,[42] and one week later on the European store. The Database is a downloadable application for PlayStation 3 that catalogues every piece of Metal Gear lore from all seven canonical entries in the series, in the form of an encyclopedia (browsable by alphabet and category), a timeline, and character relationship diagrams. Highlighted words in each article link to related articles, and it keeps track of which ones the user has already read. The Database automatically locks any items related to MGS4, in order to prevent the leaking of spoilers to those who have not beaten the game. In order to reveal these articles, the user must have a completed MGS4 game save that was created on the same console. The encyclopedia uses the same interface as the one featured in the supplemental discs for the 3DO and PlayStation versions of Policenauts, as well as in the Saturn version of the full game.

LittleBigPlanet

Developers of the game LittleBigPlanet, Media Molecule, released an expansion pack based on Metal Gear Solid 4 on December 23, 2008. It includes character skins for Old Snake, Raiden, Meryl, and Screaming Mantis, as well as a Metal Gear-themed set of levels.

Reception

Commercial

According to Enterbrain, Guns of the Patriots sold 476,334 copies in its first four days on sale in Japan, which includes copies bundled with the PlayStation 3, and caused a boost in PlayStation 3 sales.[43] The PS3, which usually sells nearly 10,000 units in a given week, went on to sell 77,208 units in the game's debut week.[43] As of July 9, 2008, the game has sold 576,437 copies in Japan.[44] It is the 11th best-selling game of Japan in 2008, selling 686,254 copies.[45] According to Chart-Track, the game is the second fastest-selling PlayStation 3 title in the United Kingdom after Grand Theft Auto IV and was below Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty's opening weekend figure by 14,000 copies recorded in 2002; the sales of the PlayStation 3 increased by a "minimal" seven percent over the opening weekend.[46] Konami has reported that MGS4 sold over one million copies across Europe in its first week, with 25,000 limited-edition copies "snapped up almost immediately".[47] In the United States, MGS4 was the best-selling game in June 2008 selling 774,600 copies (nearly one million if the number of copies bundled with the PS3 were included), causing PS3 sales to double over the previous month, according to the NPD Group.[48] As of June 30, 2008, the game had shipped over 3 million copies worldwide.[49] Many stores had game players lined up around the block at midnight and the excitement was covered by a variety of news outlets.

Critical


Metal Gear Solid 4 has received high critical acclaim, with a 94% aggregate rating at Metacritic[63] and a 93% aggregate rating on MobyGames.[64] The first review was a 10/10 from PlayStation Official Magazine (UK), commenting "MGS4 shifts gears constantly, innovating again and again".[67] The game has been awarded 10/10 from Game Informer[68] and a 5/5 in all categories (graphics, control, sound, and fun factor) from GamePro.[69] The game also received perfect scores from PlayStation: The Official Magazine (5/5)[70], Japanese magazine Famitsu (40/40)[71] and Empire.[72] The game received a 9.9/10 from IGN UK,[73] a 9.5/10 from IGN AU,[74] and a 10/10 from IGN. IGN was quoted in a video review, saying MGS4 is "one of the best games ever made".[75] Edge[51] and Eurogamer[53] both gave the game 8/10. GameSpot gave it a 10/10 saying "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the most technically stunning video game ever made,"[76] making MGS4 one of the four games to receive a perfect 10 from both IGN and Gamespot.

Reviewers were unanimous in approval of the way the title continues and concludes the series. Eurogamer stated that "You could not ask for a funnier, cleverer, more ambitious or inspired or over-the-top conclusion",[53] and IGN AU found that the result "refines the MGS formula and introduces just enough new (or respectfully influenced) ideas to ensure that it stands on its own as a game".[74] Edge concluded that "it is faithful to its fans, its premise and its heart, delivering an experience that is, in so many ways, without equal",[51] while IGN UK describe it simply as "the ultimate Metal Gear game" and "a dazzling, heart-lifting, voyage of discovery".[73]

The new control scheme ("the ideal balance of intuitiveness and range"),[51] camouflage system[51][73] and shift to more free-form, "replayable" gameplay (in particular the Drebin Points system and alternatives to "stealthy" play)[51][73] were particularly highly praised with a few minor annoyances.[74] The variety of set-piece events, details such as the "psyche" meter, and healthy provision of secrets were also remarked upon.[51][73] Eurogamer tempered their overall praise with concern that one of the chapters may induce "ennui", but noted that the game quickly recovered,[53] while Edge expressed mild disappointment that the "Beauty and the Beast" unit compare poorly to the previous title's main foes, the "Cobra Unit".[51]

The game was also lauded for its technological and artistic achievements, with Edge describing the "Otacon" character as "the real star", and "a gaming revolution" while they found the game's score to be superior to that of many Hollywood offerings. The magazine felt that the few visual shortfalls (such as texture detail) did nothing to detract from the game's overall quality.[51] IGN UK comment that the attention to detail in both visuals and audio represent "sublime brilliance", and remark upon innovations such as the use of split-screen.[73]

Criticism of the game was largely leveled at the storyline, which reviewers found at times to be confusing[53][74] or poorly executed[73] and with IGN UK advising players to revisit the earlier titles for clarity.[73] However the overall result was praised as emotionally engaging and topical, and characters such as Liquid Ocelot were singled out for the quality of their depiction.[51][53][73] It was generally conceded that although the use of cut scenes is more intrusive than it needs to be (comprising "about half of the content of the game" by one estimate, and which "might make you crave action, or wonder why they couldn't have been turned into interactive sequences"),[73] the style is somewhat appropriate given the rest of the series[74] ("in many ways it's a vindication of Kojima's unique interpretation of the videogame medium"[73]) and unlikely to trouble fans.[51] The addition of a pause function for these story sequences was universally welcomed.[53][73][74]

Edge and Eurogamer alike concluded that although the game represents an apotheosis of the series style, it ultimately fails to revitalise it, and will not win over new fans.[51][53] IGN UK were concerned that the game's hype and widespread praise may lead to disappointment, but feel that, objectively, the game is a "masterpiece".[73]

Awards

Following the critical acclaim it received upon its release, Metal Gear Solid 4 won numerous Game of the Year Awards from major media outlets such as GameSpot, Gamezine, and PALGN. The game also garnered numerous Reader's Game of the Year awards, as well as a large amount of awards directed towards the game's graphical, story, and voice-acting aspects.

Konami review limitations

Several publications have commented[77][78][79] on limitations given to pre-release reviewers by Konami, including discussion on the length of cutscenes and size of the PS3 installation. These limitations have resulted in Electronic Gaming Monthly delaying its review.[77] In lieu of a review, the magazine printed a roundtable discussion about the game,[80] with a proper review expected to print in the magazine and post on 1UP.com after Konami's restrictions have been lifted. Kojima Productions spokesperson Ryan Payton has since explained more specifically what the NDA restricts, and has amended "some items [that] are outdated and require more explanation." He also listed the length of install times, noting that the restrictions were intended to prevent spoilers regarding what occurs during the installations.[81]

Following this statement, gaming site GameSpot published a blog entry in which it claims it will be unable to review the game either, claiming Konami have withheld review code because of non-compliance with the limitations. The article originally implied that the absence of a review was due to GameSpot's refusal to attend the "Boot Camp" event at Kojima Productions' offices. However, it has revised it to state that the Boot Camp was a mid-development feedback and PR exercise, and would not have led to a review in any case.[82]

The day before Konami's restrictions were to be lifted, Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewer Jeremy Parish clarified the reasons for the self-imposed review embargo, dispelling rumors of a disagreement between Konami and EGM on the review conditions in a lengthy blog commentary.[83] His review of the game appeared on the website shortly after.[52]

Sequel

Before the release of MGS4, Kojima stated in an issue of Famitsu that he was already thinking about MGS5[84] but to have less involvement with future games in the series.[85] In an interview with 1up.com, Kojima reveals he has three ideas for MGS5 but added that should Kojima Productions pursue them, Kojima would have to be more involved than he would prefer to be.[86]

Ryan Payton, the Assistant Producer for Metal Gear Solid 4 mentioned a sequel when he announced that he would be leaving Kojima Productions on the August 26, 2008, saying, "It'll be hard not being involved in MGS5, but I've got the utmost confidence that Hideo Kojima, Ken Imaizumi, and our amazing team will put together another blockbuster game. I'll be cheering from the sidelines"[87] Hideo Kojima has also hinted to a sequel several times in other interviews.[88]

In a Konami's event in Tokyo, celebrating the completion of Metal Gear Solid 4, 1UP a final audio clip was played featuring Ocelot having a conversation with an unknown character about a "sequel."[89][90]

On December 5, 2008, Kojima Productions uploaded a teaser page that states "A Next Metal Gear is...". It was later revealed to be Metal Gear Solid Touch, a game built specifically for the iPod Touch and iPhone [91].

On the end of Hideo Kojima's 2009 GDC keynote, he revealed an image hinting at a new Metal Gear Solid game.[92]

On May 26, 2009, the Kojima Productions viral campaign website revealed a high resolution CGI render of someone who appears to be a young Big Boss, along with another timer that begins at 116 hours, ending not long before E3 2009.[93] The render has an eye patch on his right eye and the words "Militaires Sans Frontieres" (Military Without Borders) [94] on his hat.

References

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  2. ^ http://digg.com/gaming_news/Metal_Gear_Solid_4_Remains_PS3_Exclusive_Kojima_Says
  3. ^ http://www.gamefreaks365.com/newsarticle.php?sid=1961
  4. ^ http://kotaku.com/gaming/go307/feature-talkin-metal-gear-with-hideo-kojima-248695.php
  5. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots FAQ". 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
  6. ^ http://www.konami.com/ctlimg/konami/pressrelease/02_28_2008_MGS4_DPS.pdf
  7. ^ http://www.konami.co.jp/en/ir/ir-data/meeting/2009/0514.pdf
  8. ^ a b "No Country for Old Men". EDGE Magazine (188). United Kingdom: Future Publishing: 62–71. 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |quotes= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ GameSpot. "TGS '07: Kojima speaks". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  10. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 4 TGS 2006 Trailer Impressions". Gamespot UK. 2006. Retrieved September 22 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); External link in |work= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Konami Considering MGS4 for Xbox 360".
  12. ^ "360 can handle MGS4, says Microsoft".
  13. ^ "Sony PS3 News: MGS Creator Received Death Threats". Retrieved 2007-08-03.
  14. ^ Jeff Haynes (2008-01-10). "IGN: Metal Gear Solid 4 Almost Done". IGN. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  15. ^ Kotaku. "Kotaku".
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Bibliography

The Complete Official Guide to Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Piggyback Interactive and Kojima Productions, July 2008. ISBN 0-50694-27817-9.

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