[rcoundon]

I've never played any of the previous Metal Gear Solid titles. In fact, I've never even seen any of them played by someone else.

MGS4 gets great reviews but given my lack of knowledge of the back story (of which I hear there is lots) am I still going to enjoy it and should I go ahead and buy it?

Cheers,

Ross

[Bomer]

I dont even know the MGS story and I've enjoyed it loads It's great \o/

Infact, gonna go onto Metal Gear Online just now \o/ That's SERIOUSLY addictive.

[rcoundon]

Originally Posted by Bomer

I dont even know the MGS story and I've enjoyed it loads It's great \o/

Infact, gonna go onto Metal Gear Online just now \o/ That's SERIOUSLY addictive.

That's good news since I've just found out my wife has just picked it up for me on a trip to the US. Cheers for the reply

[MooseMullay]

Originally Posted by rcoundon

I've never played any of the previous Metal Gear Solid titles. In fact, I've never even seen any of them played by someone else.

MGS4 gets great reviews but given my lack of knowledge of the back story (of which I hear there is lots) am I still going to enjoy it and should I go ahead and buy it?

Cheers,

Ross

The story wont make complete sense to you, as the game is heavily related to previous games. Act 4 in particular!

That said, you should still get a basic understanding for the story (enough to enjoy it at least ) and I would put money on you enjoying the game play itself

And on top of all that, the graphics are outstanding - easily the best I have ever seen in a game.

Hope you enjoy it

[Mickus]

Originally Posted by rcoundon

I've never played any of the previous Metal Gear Solid titles. In fact, I've never even seen any of them played by someone else.

MGS4 gets great reviews but given my lack of knowledge of the back story (of which I hear there is lots) am I still going to enjoy it and should I go ahead and buy it?

Cheers,

Ross

Once you've got stuck into it and you want to know more about the characters & history of all things MG related - download the free Metal Gear Database from the PSN store. It's a wikipedia of the MG universe. As it checks your game progress from the single player - it should keep it spoiler free too.

[Sinzer]

I have just bought the game and I have never played an MGS game for longer than 30mins, because I always used to hate the non-lethalness of it. I can say that after a few hours this game is awesome, and you may be a little confused at times, but it is no worse than watching most anime movies!

Just buy it!

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Sinzer

I have just bought the game and I have never played an MGS game for longer than 30mins, because I always used to hate the non-lethalness of it. I can say that after a few hours this game is awesome, and you may be a little confused at times, but it is no worse than watching most anime movies!

Just buy it!

Glad you're enjoying it Sinzer, it's one of the best games i've ever played personally. A true masterpiece .

[rcoundon]

Originally Posted by Mickus

Once you've got stuck into it and you want to know more about the characters & history of all things MG related - download the free Metal Gear Database from the PSN store. It's a wikipedia of the MG universe. As it checks your game progress from the single player - it should keep it spoiler free too.

So, I've got the game now and I think it's incredible! It's quiet difficult, especially to do it sneakily but I'm getting there. Story hasn't baffled me too much just yet although Meryl obviously featured elsewhere and I'm not sure of the relevance. Guess I'll have to browse that wiki.
Cheers

[Ravelin]

I rented MSG4 form Blockbuster and, since I haven't played any of the previous games, I enjoyed it despite not having a clue what the hell they were talking about in most of the cutscenes. As has been said, the graphics are good as is the gameplay. The cutscenes are well scripted but a bit too long and/or frequent for my liking at times.

[Darth_terra]

Originally Posted by Ravelin

I rented MSG4 form Blockbuster and, since I haven't played any of the previous games, I enjoyed it despite not having a clue what the hell they were talking about in most of the cutscenes. As has been said, the graphics are good as is the gameplay. The cutscenes are well scripted but a bit too long and/or frequent for my liking at times.

Long and frequent cutscenes are part Of what makes MGS, Kojima loves movies and such loves to create movie style scenes and effects. some like them some don't, personally i like them i love a good story.

[mabo]

Originally Posted by Ravelin

I rented MSG4 form Blockbuster and, since I haven't played any of the previous games, I enjoyed it despite not having a clue what the hell they were talking about in most of the cutscenes. As has been said, the graphics are good as is the gameplay. The cutscenes are well scripted but a bit too long and/or frequent for my liking at times.

Tbh i think you'll find most (myself included) who have played the previous games struggle to comprehend what's going on. To say the backstory is convoluted would be a gross understatement. I find myself sounding like an old lady watching midsomer murders saying "who was he again?"

[sunnybacon]

I just got it too, don't understand what they're going on about as I have not played any of the previous games. I tried reading the plots of the previous games on Wikipedia, but they're too long and heavy-going.
Does anyone know any sites that have brief, but informative, plot summaries of the previous Metal Gear Solid games, and if you do, can you post the links here? Thanks very much

[Alanok]

I suggest watching the various episodes from the 2 saga dvd's which were given away free to certain people who pre-ordered. I think you can catch them on Youtube.

[dominic12]

for me the best and easiest way to recap was to watch the retrospectives of each of the 3 playstation games, They should be on gametrailers.com somewhere as it was them that put them together, there enjoyable to watch to .

[dso]

Originally Posted by dominic12

for me the best and easiest way to recap was to watch the retrospectives of each of the 3 playstation games, They should be on gametrailers.com somewhere as it was them that put them together, there enjoyable to watch to .

Yes, Gametrailers has about 6 vids documenting the series right from day 1 including story, gameplay evolution, characters etc. The best vids I've seen so far that document the MGS timeline.

[P-P-S-S]

I got this game free with my ps3 and i am kinda struggling to get into it really. From the start you run around and all you have is a knife (and those blooming two legged robots are impossible to kill with it). Is the game supposed to be like this all the way?

If it is i think i might trade it in or swap it for some other game i like (COD4 etc). The graphics are great and the game looks cool but unfortunately for me it's not my type of game which is sad coz i was really looking forward to this one

[Alanok]

Originally Posted by P-P-S-S

From the start you run around and all you have is a knife (and those blooming two legged robots are impossible to kill with it). Is the game supposed to be like this all the way? (

I think you have answered your own question. Your not meant to kill the Raptors at the start, Otacon even tells you to not bother them.. Its a stealth game, get to your staging point as quickly as possible. I also suggest searching a few buildings for rations etc. Later on you can tackle the Raptors if you want to go the Rambo way.

[sunnybacon]

For those of you, including me, who haven't played the previous games, at gametrailers there is a series of six videos that teaches you everything. Here's the link:
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/6748.html

But for those of you who can't be bothered to download and watch those videos, there's a less-informative-but-still-useful guide here:
http://www.joystiq.com/photos/mgs4-need-to-know/855739/

Hope that helps