Turns out the import stores have the US version of Metal Gear Solid 4 in stock. If you remember my obsession with MGS, then you’ll understand that it looks like my plans for the weekend have been made. Though I may also get the JP version - as rumour has it that the online modes from one region of the game will only work with other copies from the same region. I’ll have to see if that region detection is based on the game copy itself, gaming login ID, or IP detection first.

In regards to the review itself, I have one point I would like to address: cutscenes. This particular point is being addressed quite a bit by many people - often those who are trying to dis the game in one fashion or another. I am not here to argue about cutscenes or console superiority, don’t worry. I have no greater love for one system over another. (I don’t know about you, but I like having more options at my disposal.)

Essentially, I don’t have a problem with long cutscenes. What I do have a problem with are bad cutscenes. I think the reason why so many people are upset about the duration of them is because typically story is such a low priority in games that they are agonising to watch. Occasionally a game may do it right, but usually it is rarer than finding gold bricks in the street, or a public waste bin in Tokyo. But one thing all the reviews seem to agree upon is that these cutscenes are phenomenal. From my looking into it, I don’t see a lot of “love it or hate it” reviews - they all seem to be overwhelmingly positive. So maybe the story is worth it. And in the end, isn’t it whether or not the game is good the main point?

Now, I am not the type to rely on the opinion aspect of reviews to tell me whether or not I will like movies, music or games. I rely on them primarily for their technical information that the back of a game box won’t tell you. I want to know if there is serious lag in online play. I want to know if the camera is a bitch to handle. I want to know about load times, number of levels, customisation options, etc. I don’t care about whether or not it is liked, by and large. If all the reviews for something say how atrocious it is (typically based on technical concerns) then I will take heed. But chances are, the opinions I have about what is interesting are different from the reviewers. Hell, my Dad and I love a lot of the same movies, but also find some of each other’s likes in film to be far from what the other would enjoy. (Speaking of which, dude, you need to see FEAST.) 

That said, everyone seems to love the game - long-ass cutscenes and all. And I think there is good reason to do so. This game is the last in the series (at least for the Snake character), so there are a lot of loose ends which need tying. This means that story is integral to the experience, and the consensus is that the story is epic. Ninja Gaiden II just came out for the 360, and the cutscenes are apparently atrocious for it - nonsensical, tacked on, confusing, poorly scripted, etc. But if people can argue “Well, story is not what the series is all about - so it doesn’t matter if they suck” - the the converse can be said for why there are so many in MGS4. I will not, however, like the heavy-handed scenes that over explain some things - apparently included for the slower players. 

And to be honest, I have noticed as I am getting older that I am getting less and less into “twitch” gaming. I like my first person shooters to be more strategic. I like my platform games to have more puzzle elements. I like my puzzle games to rely more on planning ahead than fighting against the clock. My day job requires me to think ahead a lot in a very short amount of time - so I don’t need that in my games. 

Anyway, I think I have probably bored you enough if you actually read this whole article. But be forewarned that I am sure this will not be the last time I talk about this game. I’ve been waiting for it anxiously since I saw the first video in May of 2005, so I’ve got a lot of interest tied up in this title.