Metal Gear Solid 4: Minute by Minute

My copy of MGS4 arrived today. Here is a minute by minute, sometimes more sometimes less so account of what happened with the game, it's also as spoiler free as I can make it.

3:22pm- I spend 2 minutes searching for my TV remote (messy me) whilst cbeebies blares out at me, I think I know which one I'd prefer to have on, but I'll play the game anyway. Spends every few seconds gazing at the box.

3:24- Should I read the manual or not. Well I should read it, but there will be time for that I'm sure.

3:26- Boot the game up, ah crap an 8 minute install screen with a giant model of Old Snake on the screen, smoking his usual cigarette. Ironic health warnings appear on the screen, telling you at some points to make sure litter such as ash and cigarette butts are put in a ashtray...Very clever. Also warns me that this game is only for use exclusively on the Playstation 3 system, really, its worth buying the game for these messages alone.

3:28- Snake starts another ciggie...Damn, pressing X doesn't work, thought it may of been a Kojima ploy.

3:30- Now some game hints, 4 minutes left....Lovely smoke effects.

3:31- Sparky Snake lights up again, I'm glad I didn't read the manual.

3:33- If he smokes this much no wonder he's aged, starts another one....99%....'Press Start'...cue witty remark from Snake.

3:34- I promise to not have any spoilers in this...If you don't want to know stuff don't read.

3:35- Meh, typical MGS menu, various options include;
- Photo Album
- Virtual Range (training and practicing area)
- Metal Gear Online
- Extras
Will check them out later.

3:37- Hmm, will go for Naked Snake difficulty, with the standard being Solid Snake, but from the descriptions, does not seem to be too much difference.

3:38- OK, very odd, trust me the introduction video is very odd, quite disturbing, yet makes sense by the end of it.

3:39- Wooo, awesomeness, sorry, but it does look really good at the moment, although this isn't the in game engine...Loading...

3:40- Typical MGS intro texts, cutscene time, one of many I'm presuming. Snake's voice certainly sounds older, at the moment, great job by David Hayter (Snakes voice actor)

3:44- What can I say, grisly, shocking, visceral, epic, this is truly impressive stuff. I begin to play for only a short time, another cutscene, so far this has opened in a much more high energy style than MGS3.

3:46- I'm Playing again, Otacon is helping me through this early sections, the cutscene's blend together with real time gameplay much better, no pauses.

3:48- It kicks off big time, and I'm less than 10 minutes in!.

3:49- Not sure how much is scripted, but this is just insane, I thought the trailers looked good, visual effects galore.

3:51- Very clever..hehe, you'll know what  I mean when you play it.

3:54- First save point, and we slip back in time, and something clever CAN happen. Read into that what you will.

3:57- Ah a reunion, I'm explained a few things to, helpful I do say.

3:59- It begins formally, and yay, the first codec conversation.

4:07- First taste of combat, good, if a little disorienting, even though I have played the online beta, it works far better than MGS3.

4:10- Was skeptical of the 'Threat Ring', but I take it back, works a treat.

4:13-  Verdict, fun, but damn tense (not official verdict!!)

4:15- The screen is covered with information, but does not overcomplicate things.

4:19- The area I'm in is the one Hideo Kojima demoed, looks far better though.

4:25- Near death experience, I really need to be more careful, the AI is much smarter.

4:27- Snakes Ipod is 30GB apparently, I'm listening to a podcast, with the promise of downloading new ones in the future, this is clever, so very cleverly done.

4:32- I want to find something out in the manual, oh joy. It smells funny...The manual that is, now the podcast is going off, Its destroying the atmosphere. The Ipod does work like a normal Ipod.

4:37- Time for the introduction of the adorable little Metal Gear Mk. II, and the cutscene everyone has seen bits of. Get the Solid eye and a few weapons, onward and upwards, and the little Metal Gear offers a welcome does of light heartedness.

4:42- I'm going to be good and tranquillise them....Holy cow, this game knows how the create a warzone.

4:44-  Remember what Kojima did....RPG!!.

4:47- Still very impressed with the graphics, look incredible, espicially from higher points on the maps, routes are much more varied as well, even more replay value than the previous games.

4:51- It's all becoming a bit more natural and intuitive now, sneaking past wounded soldiers.

4:55-Ah at last, the faithful cardboard box, then a playboy mag, I seem to attract these items......

4:58- Little plot hints etc are being exposed all the time, its hard to notice them though.

5:00- Ah the cola drinking monkey, I know what's coming at this point, and I'll call it a day for this update now.

Well that was is, my first look at MGS4, can't wait get back to it, it was really impressive, no doubt I'll post another blog a bit more in-depth view wise later this week.