POGD Game Review 1

MGS4: Guns of the Patriots Review

Title of the Game: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots
Platform of Game: Playstation 3
Genre of Game: Action Adventure >> Modern
Developer: Kojima Productions
Product Model Year: Worldwide Simultanous Release, 12/06/2008
Game Requirements: PS3 only.
Description of the game:

Introduction:
"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots features an aging and exhausted Solid Snake in the middle of a futuristic battlefield. In spite of his failing body, Snake is equipped with a crucial new device tentatively known as "OctoCamo," a high-tech suit that dynamically transforms its texture based on Snake's surroundings. This revolutionary new gameplay mechanic allows him to seamlessly blend into the environment, providing him with the means to stalk his enemies like never before. This latest chapter in Hideo Kojima's legendary tactical espionage action series marks the return of several characters from previous Metal Gear Solid games including Revolver Ocelot, Meryl Silverburgh, Naomi Hunter and Raiden, and features an unforgettable story that depicts the desperate state of the future as seen through the eyes of an older Solid Snake."*

Lets see some sneak peeks of the game before we start the review.



The game based on MDA framework:

Aesthetics:

Color scheme –The colors are vibrant and rich in looking. Every single object is distinct and the blending effect makes the game incredibly realistic. Lets make the picture do the talking :)

Look at the crisp vibrant colors.

Octo-Camo –For those who do not know what the Octo-Camo suits is, it is a power suit that changes itselfs to blend into the enviroment, a stealth camofluge suit. It really deserve an own section by its own here. The suits changes it texture whenever you are in contact with a surface, not jus its texture, the bump mapping too. Its is an art in the name of realism. Some pictures:

Octo-camo at its work, look at the texture and bump mapping on the suit.

Octo-camo at default.

The graphics look incredibly lifelike – everything down to the character models, faces, environment, and clothing. Everything is really, really crisp. Each crisp, painstaking detail is accounted for in character motions, animations, and facial expressions mostly. Not to mention, the game runs at an incredibly smooth 60 frames per second, with few drops to 30 frames despite extraordinary action on screen. However, they're hardly noticeable, your whole experience will be smooth throughout. Also, when I say action on screen, believe me, there is plenty of action. Bombs, physics, explosions, smoke effects, firefights, soldiers looking at playboys, etc – everything happening around you all at once makes the atmosphere exceedingly immersive. However, like every other game that uses self shadowing, shadows look jaggy at certain angles - other than that, it looks absolutely breathtaking.

Snake, with his age.

Crying wolf, the armored beast with a rail gun.

Laughing Octopus, The sly Beast with 4 grabbing tenacles and the ability to hide.

Raging Raven, The flying beast armed with warheads.

Screaming Mantis, The beast puppeteer who controls human like marionettes

Sound:

MGS4 supports 5.1 surround sound. The sound here is incredibly amazing, you just have to hear it yourself to believe it. Every gun sounds incredibly life like and distinct in so many ways. From everything down to the grandiose explosions to the sounds of even a silenced Mk22, the sound is something that can't fully be described, but experienced. If you do not have a 5.1 surround sound setup or headphones, buy one just for this game. As for the music… I'm at a loss of words. This is just one of the few games where the music is entirely memorable and emotional. The perfection and addition of certain moments coupled with the music provided such a grandiose and immersive adventure. The music and orchestra perfectly fit each section, making an incredibly unrivaled, emotional, experience that won't be equaled anywhere else. Sample of a piece of music:



Dynamics:

Gameflow - The game itself have different kind of landscape and situations. It isn't a stealth game where u can just ignore things and continue with the game. U will be forced to adapt to different kind of situation. It isn't a stagnant game where u will be focusing on only one objective.

Some different landscapes.

There is a theme for the bosses in game. They are the Beauty and the Beast. You will have to defeat the outer shell of the boss(The Beast), then fight them again in their human form(The Beauty). Thats right, all the bosses are female. Again, different stratagy is required to defeat each boss, U can't just use guns to just hurt and defeat each of them.

Some of the bosses in game.

Mechanics:

Controls - The controls are simple. The camera is very friendly as you can turn your right analog stick to change your views. You can lock yourself to the walls by pressing a button unlike the old metal gear series where you have to hold your controls against the direction of the wall you are facing. It is very easy to aim with the gun as the cursor will lock on to the enemy. For more control, the player can change into first person shooting mode.

Camera is able to rotate 360 degrees using the right analog stickFirst person aiming.Some screenshots featuring the camera.

Conclusion :

Metal Gear Solid 4 has done the impossible: Created perfection. Technical flaws are insanely hard to find, it is incredibly polished, and the gameplay surprises are unforeseen and immersive. You owe it to yourself to buy this game. The amount of hard work spent – the blood, sweat, and tears, is entirely evident with the breathtaking quality in this game. Get your hands on it whenever you see it, and when you play it, never let the precious moment pass you by. A truly unforgettable and unrivaled experience.

Some happy moments.

*Summary quoted from gamefaqs.com