My take on MGS4

It's been 5 days since I picked up my copy of MGS4 but didn't play it until 2 days later, because I was being an indecisive dick trying to decide if I should play after my exams or before. I chose the latter.

Critic mode ON:

Anticipating what promises to be a mind blowing game, I hurriedly booted up the game and gripped my DualShock 3 with so much eagerness. Now here's the catch. There was no install sequence. I was in a moment of joy because I didn't have to wait to start playing, but when I hit the "New Game" option, I got buttsecks-ed and was brought to an installing sequence. Not only was my joy short-lived, I had to sit there and watch Old Snake smoke on a cig while reading health warning messages and tips. I disregarded that because for a game of Kojima Productions, I'd be willing to even floss myself with glass-dusted thread.

The game had an excellent start-off, within minutes, I was thrown into a heated crossfire between rebels and PMCs and two-legged freaks of nature called Gekkos. Only thing was, I was mostly naked and had to dodge ever bullet and make a run for it into the next area map. Once I got my equipment, I was back to being the good 'old' Snake.

The graphics were orgasmic, the sounds were deafeningly real, the environment was very alive, and the engine for the game was cataclysmic. All that even on a CRT TV.

However one thing that put me off was the in-between chapters. Not only do I have to install (again) the next chapter, I had to watch Old Snake smoke another butt all over again with the same bible-like messages again like "Thou shalt not play for more than 1 hour." Instead, I got off the screen for awhile and flossed myself with a glass-dusted thread while I wait.

Like most MGS games, it prides itself on story and plot to advance. Mission briefings were conspicuously lengthy, but provided the needed details you need for the next chapter. In-game cutscenes were a godsend and was more than enough to put most Hollywood movies to shame. At some point, I being to feel deja vu sink in, no thanks to the occasional flashbacks when O was pressed. A considerably large chunk of gameplay and dialogue was taken from the past MGS series. Like in a mission where you're thrown into a jungle somewhere in South America and asked to sneak past enemy lines. You guessed it.

Other than the stealth and FPS-like gameplay, perhaps the most fun part for me was the chase fights which provided me with the same thrill as the bike chase in MGS3. Boss fights were revamped and provided much needed fanservice and eye candy. Not that I'm complaining.

Suffice to say, MGS4 was everything I'd expect from Kojima. From the gameplay to the tiniest of details and of course, Easter eggs, the man doesn't disappoint his fans.

Critic mode OFF