First Impressions I put the disk in, it says it needs to install, like most PS3 games. The install screen shows off old Snake smok ing his cigarette in true MGS style. Once the install is ready, you can start a new game by choosing one of 4 available difficulty options, including a standard difficulty level called Naked Normal. If you're new to the series, it's best to choose a lower difficulty option as the game can get really tricky at higher difficulty levels. mcdermott cueNow, I won't be discussing the plot in detail as I may give away unnecessary spoilers. The game starts off with the Middle East intro sequence that we have seen so many times on YouTube. David Hayter's harsh voice commenting on war and how it has become the new medium of supremacy after oil. I have seen the same intro sequence many times before in various formats including a high quality 1GB 720p version, but even then the intro just mesmerizes you with its beautiful visuals and soundtrack. The intro continues and suddenly you see a HUD display on your screen, indicating that it's your time to play. The transition is so smooth that you will take a second to realize that you aren't watching the video, and that you are playing the game. Such seamless gameplay mechanic is unheard of in gaming and is truly a next-gen feature. In the middle of a battlefield, the scenario is so beautifully recreated that it can rival the best in the genre. poison cue The explosions and the sound of bullets hitting concrete and metal are so well-defined that you can actually feel the agony of war. The level ends with an uber-cool sequence and then jumps right into a flashback, on how Snake got here. The game is riddled with gadgets but the most impressive has to be the OctoCamo. This unbelievable suit is the perfect companion to a sneaky character like Snake. It's simple - whenever you stick to a surface or lie down on the ground, the suit adapts to the textures below you and recreates it on your body. The suit enables Snake to avoid being detected and helps him sneak around. The OctoCamo and its usage will be defined better in the review that is coming up this week. predator cue The PS3 really impresses as this is a unique feature and the constant texture rendering seems no biggy for it. The audiovisual presentation in general is beyond words and one needs to see the game in action to believe it. It runs so smooth that other developers complaining about the difficult PS3 architecture should take a few lessons from Konami. There is virtually no lag even in the most testing frames with tons of explosions and commotion. Another cool gadget that you get is the Solid Eye. This multi-purpose eye patch can be use as a binocular and a night vision goggle, as well as to gain information on the various soldiers on the battlefield. There are many rules that apply on the battlefield, once you choose which of the two sides you want to be a part of. The combat is really different with a lot more action than you would normally expect in an MGS game. Agreed that you could go guns blazing in the previous games as well, but this time it's much more rewarding. There are tons of guns to be found in the game. It gets even better once you encounter the gun launderer Drebin, as he provides you with an awesome array of guns and gadgets. The Drebin system is very detailed and will be covered in the upcoming full review. The most interesting aspect of the game is that introduction of characters, this time around you will meet almost everybody from the previous games and every character is put in the game at the right time to maintain the game's pace. This is an awesome game that is truly worth every bit of hype surrounding it. It is easily the most visually stunning game on a console ever, and it sounds just as good. The full review will be up later this week, so watch this space for more on MGS 4.
