[dgibbs]

Hi, i'm tempted to pick this up as i need something on my PS3 to play while my 360 gets repaired by MS!! The games i've been playing of late are multiformat, but i have them on the 360, so unless i dig out RFOM or motorstorm again, i don't have anything recent to play on the PS3.

I have not bothered with the MGS games in the past as the original demo of MGS1 put me off (the fact the guards vision arc was only about 10 yards defeated the whole point for me).

Anyway, is this a game that makes sense and can be played in it's own right if you don't know the past story, or would it be a lot less enjoyable?

Also, one other thing that has put me off is the length of cut scenes... are they long in this version, and if so, can you pause them? May seem a silly question, but i have a baby sleeping upstairs when i play who will often stir or wake and need me to go and check him. If i want to watch the story (cut scenes) but they are too long and can't be paused, then it will be impossible and therefore pointless.

Opinions appreciated as i am deciding whether to order today. Am also tempted by Top spin 3.....

Thanks in advance!!

[CurlyPutz]

Game of the year so far for me mate, go buy it now!

[JackM]

Hmm, as an MGS fan I'm restraining the urge to use lots of exclamation marks and capital letters.

But, yes, this game does feature alot of cutscenes. And they can be paused (... and skipped, if you wish). Taking into account you didn't play any of the previous games in the series I'd recommend you not buying it, as alot of the fun, in my opinion is the fact that its all wrapped up. And alot of the humour is 'in-jokes', if you follow my meaning.
The 'cone vision' of the original MGS is pretty much gone, as there is no maps to show enemy vision at all anymore, and they see you very easily (from my experience, as I only play on the harder modes, so easier modes may be different).
The gameplay is much more advanced than your last dabble with the series, alot less linear, and alot more depth and replayability.

10/10 for me...

Even so, it seems the game may not be for you.


If Your looking for pickup-and-play quality gaming, try GTAIV.

[addyb]

Originally Posted by JackM

Hmm, as an MGS fan I'm restraining the urge to use lots of exclamation marks and capital letters.

But, yes, this game does feature alot of cutscenes. And they can be paused (... and skipped, if you wish). Taking into account you didn't play any of the previous games in the series I'd recommend you not buying it, as alot of the fun, in my opinion is the fact that its all wrapped up. And alot of the humour is 'in-jokes', if you follow my meaning.
The 'cone vision' of the original MGS is pretty much gone, as there is no maps to show enemy vision at all anymore, and they see you very easily (from my experience, as I only play on the harder modes, so easier modes may be different).
The gameplay is much more advanced than your last dabble with the series, alot less linear, and alot more depth and replayability.

10/10 for me...

Even so, it seems the game may not be for you.


If Your looking for pickup-and-play quality gaming, try GTAIV.

Yeh i agree, if you didnt really like MGS1 then im afraid MGS4 may not be for you. I personally love all the series and for me part 4 is the icing on the cake.
In terms of gameplay though this is easily the best in terms of accessibility and ease of use once you get a grip on the controls, theres plenty of weapons, upgrades etc and some of the action is sublime!

[Mark Hodgkinson]

Couldn't stand MGS1, trifled with MGS2 but again didn't really get on with it. MGS4, however, is simply outstanding and very accesible even for n00bs like me

[dgibbs]

Thanks all, great responses, and just the sort of feedback between you i was looking for to be able to make a decision.

Have decided to get the game for £26.99 (using £2 discount) form shopto as it is cheap enough to take the chance.

Cheers!

[JackM]

Well, now that you've given in, you should come on Metal Gear Online (MGO) once you've done the single player, and join our AVF clan

[dgibbs]

Originally Posted by JackM

Well, now that you've given in, you should come on Metal Gear Online (MGO) once you've done the single player, and join our AVF clan

Once i get to grips with it i might just do that.

[T800]

Originally Posted by dgibbs

Thanks all, great responses, and just the sort of feedback between you i was looking for to be able to make a decision.

Have decided to get the game for £26.99 (using £2 discount) form shopto as it is cheap enough to take the chance.

Cheers!

I enjoyed MGS, I enjoyed MGS2 but found the controls terrible and didn't have a clue what was going on in the story and MGS3 felt old so I didn't bother after 30 mins (which I now regret).

Having just got a PS3 and seeing the demos for MGS4 I decided I would get it but knew the 30-40 minute cut-scenes would be hard work and skipping them spoils the experience. I decided to catch up on the story/plot of MGS by reading about it on wikipedia.

I'm now playing MGS4 and even though it took a little while to really get into it, I'm absolutely loving it now and I'd say 50% of that enjoyment is knowing the back story.

It's complex but I feel it's also quite rewarding when playing, heres the links if your interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_2:_Solid_Snake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_G...ons_of_Liberty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_G...3:_Snake_Eater

[JackM]

Originally Posted by T800

I enjoyed MGS, I enjoyed MGS2 but found the controls terrible and didn't have a clue what was going on in the story and MGS3 felt old so I didn't bother after 30 mins (which I now regret).

Having just got a PS3 and seeing the demos for MGS4 I decided I would get it but knew the 30-40 minute cut-scenes would be hard work and skipping them spoils the experience. I decided to catch up on the story/plot of MGS by reading about it on wikipedia.

I'm now playing MGS4 and even though it took a little while to really get into it, I'm absolutely loving it now and I'd say 50% of that enjoyment is knowing the back story.

It's complex but I feel it's also quite rewarding when playing, heres the links if your interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_2:_Solid_Snake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_G...ons_of_Liberty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_G...3:_Snake_Eater

You could also download the MGSD (Metal Gear Solid Database) from the PSN store. Which has alot of information on the subject.

[T800]

Originally Posted by JackM

You could also download the MGSD (Metal Gear Solid Database) from the PSN store. Which has alot of information on the subject.

Thanks,
I've only had a brief scan of the MSGD but tbh it looks so in depth I think it would be off putting to someone who knows nothing about the story unless I'm looking at the wrong part.

[Alanok]

I've played all previous MGS games but found the summaries on Wikipedia to be a very good refresher. I would think they will make a good intro to those new to MGS and only planning on playing MGS4.

[dgibbs]

Originally Posted by T800

I enjoyed MGS, I enjoyed MGS2 but found the controls terrible and didn't have a clue what was going on in the story and MGS3 felt old so I didn't bother after 30 mins (which I now regret).

Having just got a PS3 and seeing the demos for MGS4 I decided I would get it but knew the 30-40 minute cut-scenes would be hard work and skipping them spoils the experience. I decided to catch up on the story/plot of MGS by reading about it on wikipedia.

I'm now playing MGS4 and even though it took a little while to really get into it, I'm absolutely loving it now and I'd say 50% of that enjoyment is knowing the back story.

It's complex but I feel it's also quite rewarding when playing, heres the links if your interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_2:_Solid_Snake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_G...ons_of_Liberty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_G...3:_Snake_Eater

Nice one, thanks for that. Not something i'd considered before reading your post, but it makes good sense so i'll check it out.

Cheers.

[danvitale]

I have been spending 40+ hours over the past few weeks doing my MGS playthough.. And at 1:30am this morning I completed MGS3. All this in preparation for MGS4 which I hope to kick off with this weekend.

The question remains.. Should you play the first three MGS games before 4? If you dont care about the story then no. Just dive on in and enjoy what is a great game. If you do care about the story, and want to get what this game is all about, closure, then you should. But be aware, if like me you just completed MGS3, you'll now want to play Portable Ops on PSP (the timeline sequel to MGS3) and the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear II Solid Snake).

Just by playing MSG 1, 2 and 3 you will not get the true timeline experience that is in the MG universe (take a look at the Metal Gear database on PSN) but from my experience playing those games has given me an appreciation on how games have developed since a decade or more ago, and how Kojima has gradually improved the game to cater for western market tastes. MGS3 for example, was very 60s James Bond-esque with easier controls and a 3D camera included (if you had Subsistence). I adored the time I invested into that game and I know that what lies ahead with MGS4 both game wise and with the story will be an experience I'll remember for a long time

[T800]

Originally Posted by danvitale

I have been spending 40+ hours over the past few weeks doing my MGS playthough.. And at 1:30am this morning I completed MGS3. All this in preparation for MGS4 which I hope to kick off with this weekend.

The question remains.. Should you play the first three MGS games before 4? If you dont care about the story then no. Just dive on in and enjoy what is a great game. If you do care about the story, and want to get what this game is all about, closure, then you should. But be aware, if like me you just completed MGS3, you'll now want to play Portable Ops on PSP (the timeline sequel to MGS3) and the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear II Solid Snake).

Just by playing MSG 1, 2 and 3 you will not get the true timeline experience that is in the MG universe (take a look at the Metal Gear database on PSN) but from my experience playing those games has given me an appreciation on how games have developed since a decade or more ago, and how Kojima has gradually improved the game to cater for western market tastes. MGS3 for example, was very 60s James Bond-esque with easier controls and a 3D camera included (if you had Subsistence). I adored the time I invested into that game and I know that what lies ahead with MGS4 both game wise and with the story will be an experience I'll remember for a long time

I regret not doing the same but I didn't know how much I was going to enjoy MSG4 and also how nostalgic it would be (in a good way).

I'm currently trying to get hold of MGS1-3 (Twin Snakes on the GC) that I plan to play. When I had MGS3 I didn't really do a lot of sneaking and didn't even know about CQC so i feel like I didn't give it the chance it deserves.