The Story
This paragraph is only for people who don't play MGS.
Snake (1 of three clones from a legendary soldier Big Boss) is ageing at an accelerated rate. This is a result of the cloning. He was hoping that his work was done but he must go on one final mission. Snake is deployed to the Middle East to find and kill his brother Liquid. Metal gear solid is an intricate web of plots, twists and betrayal, So it would take hours to explain everything so I'm not even go to try.
The Opening Scene
Snake disguised as a militia soldier arrives in a abandoned Middle East city with a group of other militia soldiers. They are fighting the PMC'S (a rival fighting force controlled by the Patriots, again I'm not even going to try to explain) Soon the gunfire starts. The superior PMC'S start overcoming the less technologically advanced militia. Snake wades through the battle with bullets whizzing past him and militia soldiers falling dead around him.
The Graphics
Metal Gear Solid 4 has a vast array of different texture and tones. Urban areas look desolate and war torn while rural areas are lush.
The Gameplay
MGS's gameplay has changed. But don't grimace it's changed for the better. Although it is hinted that avoiding combat is the objective but for once at least Snake is not guaranteed to die if he is discovered. Combat is an option. Snake's aging body and mind is shown many ways through the game. The new Psyche gauge is directly linked to Snake's performance on the battlefield when snake physically exerts himself to much by hanging off ledges and rolling. In cut scenes jibes about his old age will also reduce the psyche gauge. The stress gauge is also a new addition to the game. Engaging in combat and sneaking past enemies will cause stress.
In prolonged combat and when the stress gauge becomes full Snake experiences a combat high which make very accurate and makes him heal at an accelerated rate. After a long combat phase Snake will hear a voice from an earlier game that says "you enjoy killing that's why." Snake then pukes. There are also new gadgets added to snakes arsenal mst importantly is the solid eye and the metal gear mark II. The solid eye is a device that looks like an eye patch that shows nearby enemies and has a night vision function. The mark II is a communications terminal the allows Snake to scout out the area. The old cardboard boxes are an effective way to hide with a hilarious phrase on the side.
Closing
MGS 4 is a symphony of excellent graphics and gameplay. The small details make the game almost perfect. 10/10
