MGS4 - Pros and Cons

[A.G.]

So MGS4 is the last Metal Gear game I really enjoyed. But I've always said there were a lot of issues. So let's do some pro and cons for this game.

I'll start us off with some major issues. Probably the biggest that I see. The game ruins the open-ended mystery of the previous titles:

MGS1 had two endings and until Meryl showed up in MGS4 both were canon.
MGS2 kept the identity of the Patriots hidden. The reveal in MGS4 never had any hope of living up to the hype.
Vamp's powers were never explained, just his healing. And that was a cheap nanomachine fix. Yet all other powers were not covered by the nanos.
Liquid's takeover of Ocelot was cheapened. Though as I described in an older topic I believe that there was a legit possession in MGS2.


I don't want to post a lot, just get the topic started.

[A.G.]

Great tech points!

[fgdj2000]

I thought, his other powers were also nanomachine-induced... Oh, no, wait! It was parasites first, then they were strengthened with nanomachines. Every supernatural bit before the nanonmachines was parasites!

Jokes aside, I love how each MGS game before MGS4 was its self-contained little episode even with its own protagonist. Sure MGS1 and MGS2 had stronger ties and build more on top of one another, but MGS1 was Solid Snake's story, MGS2 Raiden's and MGS3 Big Boss'.
There were many ties that hinted at a larger universe, but didn't go as in-depth as all the stuff in MGS4 and V. Don't get me wrong, part of me loves this universe building, but ultimately, keeping some things as mysteries and having the player figure it out for themselves is a great experience, because in a way the player creates his/her own canon and actively participates in the story.

What I didn't like about MGS4 was the act structure. As I said before, I loved how you would explore a base and go deeper and deeper into the "rabbit hole" throughout the game and find items and key cards that open new doors in previous areas and gradually build up your arsenal and learn new tricks. There was a cool puzzle and exploration element to it. In the later games, because you have the Act and Mission structures as well as the Drebin shop and your Motherbase support, that feeling got lost.

Boss fights were also underwelming. Crying Wolf, REX vs. RAY and Liquid Ocelot were pretty epic, but other bosses were just bullet sponges. A precursor to the A.I. weapons and mechs in PW. MGS4 was also the game were Kojima's sexuality got creepy with the B&B unit and Naomi's cleavage.

[A.G.]

I agree. Though part of me liked the variety of atmospheres we got by having the acts take place around the world each one lacked depth. But again, if it was a one-off, I would be ok with it. MGS4 was meant to be something that connected the other 5 games, not really its own game. If you look at each act, it's very clearly a tribute to older games:

Act 1: this is the MGS4 contribution. Full war zone, Middle East setting, a completely new feel for the series. But MGS4 as its own style ends here.

Act 2: tribute to MGS3. Many references and even a tracking section at the end.

Act 3: tribute to MSX games as well as Snatcher. The look and feel, tailing the resistance... all very retro.

Act 4: MGS1 nostalgia.

Act 5: MGS2 futuristic setting of an Arsenal-style base.


In this context I can forgive the lack of depth. To me, MGS4 was like a reunion special. It can never measure up to the best episodes of the show but that's not what it's for. Its purpose isn't to make itself stand out but rather pull the others together in a nostalgic sendoff. I absolutely loved all the returns and cameos. I could even forgive any logical inconsistencies there simply because it was great to see the cast together. Think about, it was epic:

MG1 & 2 - Solid Snake, Big Boss, Madnar, Campbell

MGS1 - Meryl, Otacon, Ocelot, Liquid, Naomi, Johnny, Mantis

MGS2 - Raiden, Rose, Vamp, Solidus

MGS3 - Eva, Zero, Sorrow

Granted, the game didn't introduce much in terms of new characters besides Drebin. Rat Patrol and B&B Unit weren't all that memorable. But again, that wasn't the point. It wasn't about creating something new. It was about closing the saga and letting everyone take a final bow. And I loved that about MGS4.

Side note, I was thrilled that they didn't introduce a new Metal Gear. Going beyond Ray always felt stupid to me. It was the ultimate. MGS4 didn't. Instead we got the greatest dream match possible with Rex and Ray! It was completely different from other games and a beautiful way to end the Metal Gear weapon saga.