Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots [PS3]

As for the controls, Metal Gear Solid 4 is simple and intuitive to jump into, housing nearly all of the in-game actions on triangle, with shooting handled on R1, aiming on L1, and the classic MGS drop-down menus on L2/R2 respectively. The X button makes use of the fairly mainstream standing, crouch, prone setup, having players tap to switch between a full stand and crouch, with prone only activating when holding down X for a brief moment. Between those simple controls and a few others (O allows for reload, while square switches between aim modes) you've got everything you'll need.

After a few minutes of sneaking around (and play time ticking away) I decided to open up on a few soldiers to check out MGS4's revamped combat control. It's a huge leap in the right direction, using the same over-the-shoulder RE4-like camera, with the additional option of rocking a more classic "auto-aim" function for MGS purists. The aiming was a bit floaty at times, but for the most part it was smooth sailing as I gunned down soldier after soldier with my MP5. Once you're in the thick of it though, you won't often come back, as the ambient noise switched from a propaganda-spewing loudspeaker to one radioing for military backup. After piling up a stack of about a dozen bodies, I made a run across the street for shelter and was promptly gunned down by the K-19 car. Hey, when you're short on time you at least need to try for it, right?

Unfortunately our demo was pretty short, sitting at only about ten minutes total (which included a short briefing on the game), but if it was any indication of the game's appeal I was pretty much pushed out of the booth by Konami reps who handed me a feedback flyer and sent me on my way. From my very brief stint with the game, however, Metal Gear Solid 4 is already very impressive, and a step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. Everything from the smooth controls to active camo system (which can display over 100 textures in the game) and RE4-inspired aiming hooked me within just a few minutes, and now I'm stuck wanting more.

Snake Eater was a nice look back to the roots of Metal Gear, dropping players back into the wide open jungle, but there's something far more rewarding when you're creeping through monasteries, slithering on your belly as a firefight rages on all around you, or deciding to befriend local soldiers in return for support when it's most needed. Metal Gear Solid 4 blends the classic Metal Gear feel with a design not entirely removed from games like GRAW, and it's a refreshing experience to be back in the thick of battle. As far as I'm concerned, MGS4 is already shaping up to be the best Metal Gear since Solid. Take it with a grain of salt, but it's the first game in the series to really hook me in nearly a decade, and there's something to be said for that.

We'll have more coverage of MGS4 soon, including footage from E for All, as the show continues. Stay tuned.

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