| Pre-Order Grand Theft Auto IV |  |
|
|
| Pre Order Grand Turismo 5 |  |
|
|
| |  | From: Konami
Category: Video Games
List Price: £49.99
Buy New: £24.50
You Save: £25.49 (51%)
New (27) Used (19) from £21.94
Rating:  133 reviews
Sales Rank: 45
Platform: Playstation 3
Genre: espionage-action-games
Media: Video Game
Number Of Items: 1
Age: 11 - 18 years
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.4 x 0.7
EAN: 4012927050118
ASIN: B000E6DYXA
Release Date: June 12, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New. UK Pro Merchant Seller with excellent feedback. Despatched within 24 hours!!
|
| Customer Reviews:
 As close to perfection as a game can get July 13, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
"War has changed."
Those grim words, delivered by a world-weary Solid Snake as he prepares to embark on his final mission, mark the beginning of one of the biggest and most important games that the PS3 is likely to see for a very long time. Yes, Metal Gear Solid 4 is here at last. After months of waiting and speculation, delays and rumours, it's finally available for us all to enjoy. But was it worth the wait? Has it lived up to the hype? Does it provide resolution for one of the most beloved characters in the history of gaming? The answer, strangely enough, is a resounding yes.
I've been a fan of the Metal Gear Solid series since the original was released back in 1998. With its complex narrative, solid voice acting, revolutionary (for its time) graphics and movie-style cut scenes, MGS took gaming to new heights. The series has had its ups and downs since then - MSG2 was hampered by a meandering, over-complicated plot and an unlikeable protagonist, while MGS3 was a welcome return to form.
And so we're back to the present, ready to join Solid Snake on another mission to save the world. But this is a very different Snake than the one we saw at the end of MGS2. As those familiar with the games will know, Snake is a genetic clone of legendary soldier Big Boss. Now approaching the end of his projected lifespan, he's suffering from rapid ageing - greying hair, wrinkled skin, stiff joints etc. His appearance isn't the only thing to have changed, however - this is a man wearied and embittered by the changes in the world around him; a man at the end of his rope, both physically and emotionally.
Set several years in the future, the world economy has changed, with war now the primary driver of big business. Proxy wars are being fought all over the globe, with Private Military Companies now providing the bulk of the manpower for this seemingly endless conflict. As if this wasn't bad enough, it turns out that the several largest PMC's are all run by one parent company - Outer Heaven. A sinister face from the past (and Snake's former nemesis) is planning to unite these scattered armies and launch an armed invasion of the United States. Added to this, a shadowy group called the Patriots appear to be pulling strings from behind the scenes. As Snake delves deeper into what exactly is going on, his adventures take him from the Middle East to South America, Eastern Europe and Alaska.
That's about as concisely as I can describe the plot while still keeping this review of tolerable length. Needless to say, nothing and no-one is quite what they seem, and by the end most players will be scratching their heads more than a school child suffering from a rampant lice infection. Characters change sides and switch loyalties so often that it often becomes difficult to remember who you're actually fighting against, or why.
This being a Kojima game, the graphics and cut scenes are a grade above anything you'll have seen before. Like most people, I don't know what the PS3 is really capable of graphically, but MGS4 certainly goes some way towards proving that it's not just an insanely expensive doorstop. Character models are masterfully detailed and expressive, and the voice cast as always is top notch. David Hayter works his usual gravel-voiced magic as Snake - portraying him not just as a legendary soldier, but as a flesh and blood man facing the end of his life. It's a stirring performance, but by no means the only one.
Speaking of characters, fans of the series will be pleased to know that just about everyone who isn't dead (and a few who are) make a comeback in this final instalment, helping to tie up just about all the loose ends. Indeed, despite its best efforts to recap the story up to this point, a decent knowledge of the series will yield a far more enjoyable gaming experience. MGS4 is littered with in-jokes and references to previous games, and some later stages evoke genuine feelings of nostalgia.
But how does it actually play? Well, this is where a few of my gripes are going to creep in. As Snake said, war has indeed changed - at least for MGS players. Previous games have placed great emphasis on stealth, favouring avoidance and infiltration over pitched battles. This approach was necessitated by the player's limited arsenal of weapons. Not so here - Snake practically trips over weapons, equipment and ammunition everywhere he goes, and he's encouraged to use them frequently. Unfortunately this eliminates much of the tension inherent to the stealth genre - never will you find yourself crouched behind a crate with only a half-empty pistol to defend yourself, wondering whether to take on a passing guard or try to sneak by. The Drebin Points system, while initially satisfying, only really serves to exacerbate the problem - often you'll find yourself running around after firefights like some kind of battlefield vacuum cleaner.
It's not just the weapons that suffer from overkill, either. By the end, you'll be staggering under the mountains of useless equipment and items that Snake gradually amasses. A good example of this is the Metal Gear Mark II - a small remote controlled drone that allows Snake to stay in touch with his buddies back at base, but which you can also take control of to perform recon missions. At least, that's the idea. Never in the entire game was I able to use this feature successfully, making me wonder why it was even included. Introducing new features to a gameplay formula that is already close to perfect is admirable, I suppose, but then so is jumping into an empty swimming pool.
Still, in most other respects, the gameplay is pretty competent. The controls are tight and intuitive, if a little fiddly at times. More than once you'll find yourself backing against a wall when what you really wanted to do was climb a nearby ladder. The weapon and equipment management screens are rather cumbersome as well. And despite the greater emphasis on action, the trusty tranquiliser pistol is still around for those preferring the classic stealth approach.
But despite a few niggling complaints, I really can't mark MGS4 down. The sheer love and dedication that's gone into making it shines through from the action-packed opening to the poignant and moving finale. MGS4 is the crowning achievement in a series that has always strived to be more than it is, and if you are in any way passionate about computer games as a story-telling medium, buy this one. You won't regret it.
Pushing boundries in videogaming June 16, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Snake is back in the latest Kojima installment of the metal gear solid franchise. Kojima, made famous for his abillity to combine movies and games hits a new peak in his talents. MGS4 truly is the way forward for the next generation in videogames. A spectical that has to be seen to be believed. At the moment Iam around halfway through the story and i can easily say this is the best installment in the series. A magnificent achivement visualy and gameplay wise.
Graphically and detail wise the game NEVER lets up. Surely a benchmark for other developers to follow on next gen consoles. Musically it is an absolute triumph this is the best example of how music should be used in a videogame ever.
The one flaw in the game is perhaps that Kojima doesn't give the player enough control over the gameplay. Some cutscenes should have been contolable. Kojima likes to dictate his story but you are often wishing for contol in a certain situation regardless of its outcome.
The characterisation is as always over the top but at times heartwarming and truly outstanding. Subtle touches such as smirks from a character when they think they have the upper hand in a battle is an excelent example of detail.
I can't stress enough...get this game it truly is a masterpiece.
Will this be the last in the series? Its hard to think that Kojima would abandon his cash cow and one of the most famous videogame franchises ever. Mind you if these plot twists keep springing up we will end up back at the start.
So all in all If you have a PS3 you should have this game already....all be it rendering this review pointless.
The definitive MGS June 17, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I don't know where to begin with this review. I wanted to wait until I completed it before making up my opinion, and displaying it on Amazon. Suffice to say, that this is perhaps the greatest game I have ever played, bar none. It is the last, and greatest, of the already thoroughly superb MGS series. The main problem is in trying to pin this game down. It works on so many levels, that to simply call it an `action game' would be doing it a profound injustice.
The opening section is quite disappointing, looking more like another generic next gen title, based in the Middle East. But it very quickly sheds off the initial slow start and blossoms into a mosaic of cinematic wonders. The superlative dialogue, voice acting and characterization is second to none, beating pretty much every Hollywood blockbuster in history. The gameplay is pristine, as one would expect from the granddaddy of the stealth genre. It is the culmination of 10 years of developmental progression within Konami, and the pinnacle of Hideo Kojima's career. If anything, we should give the great man a standing ovation, for leading us down a path filled with a richly arrayed casket of wonders, and for the sheer emotional bond we have with Solid Snake, the gaming icon that inspired a generation of gamers. He has created a beautiful poignant masterpiece that deserves to be revered for decades to come. It's both avant-garde and nostalgic, and therein lies Kojima's genius.
I could talk about the characters themselves, or the myriad interwoven plot dynamics, but I won't. Instead I would encourage everyone to discover this game for themselves, for it deserves no less. In short, a masterpiece.
Much better than GTA IV June 13, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
Ok so I feel bad comparing them as they are very different games. But as all the gaming critics hailed GTA IV as the greatest game ever I feel there is a worthy enough reason to contest that. This game is without a doubt THE most amazing, engrossing, thought-provoking title I have played since well the release of Metal Gear Solid for the PSone. Its a great step away from the overly fussy stealth based gameplay of the third game.
Stayed up all night finishing the single player, maybe I'll post one tomorrow after I've stayed up all night playing Metal Gear Online.
Oh and my god the graphics are incredible!
The greatest end to the greatest game series ever. June 13, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
Metal Gear Solid is quiet possible the greatest saga ever made. Who would have ever thought that a little unknown game on a console that was only ever released in Japan would have all the ingredients to become the greatest saga ever? Firstly this game has raised the bar for all other games on all consoles, after playing this game and then going to another is going to be a step down.
I would recommend taking at least two too three days of work, because one you have started this game you will not want to put it down. The game can take between 15 and 20 hours, but first time maybe longer.
Anyone who is think of buying this game without playing any other MGS game should think again. This game is purely answering questions that have already been asking. So an in-depth knowledge to the first three MGS's are imperative as you will not have a clue as to what is going on. There are some references to Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, but it is not as essential as the others.
Game play is bar far the most superior to any other MGS game, and as a sequel there are more moves that Snake can do. There are two ways to play this game, for the die hard MGS fan there is the stealth way, and for the not so die hard fan the Rambo way. For MGS is all about sneaking and kill as least enemies as possible. The Octocamo is a nice addition. This is for all the fans of MGS3, to change camo is so much eaiser than MGS3. You had to go the menu so many time as the terrain changed so you could slip by enemy soldiers unnoticed. All that is required now is to press up on the D pad.
If you are the killing type then this is easy and this was the only negative draw back in this game. All enemy soldiers are one hit kills, where ever you hit them. There are also a nice array of weapons to chose from and the new feature of customizing you weapons to suit you environment is a welcome joy.
Storyline wise this up there with anything out there on any medium. As said earlier this game answers the questions that kept us talking for years. There are no copouts here, every single story arc is finished, no question left unanswered. MGS4 has the emotion of MGS3 and the complexity of MGS 2, so for the true Metal Gear gamer this is the ultimate story. MGS4 left me with a tear in my eye and felling happy, this is a brilliantly told story and probably the best game in the series.
Another negative draw back was after you defeat members of the Beauty and the Beast you get a Codec call from Drebin. He then begins to give you their whole back story, for me this weak story telling and is classic exposition. It is a weak way to get plot points across easily, but there is only four of them but after the first one you do get board as you don't really care about them.
After completing this game I was left felling happy, the journey has come to an end. Even though I was happy at the outcome of the I didn't feel like I wanted more, I was totally satisfied. But I was left with withdrawal symptoms, reliving the game over and over in my head and wanting to play it again. I honestly believe that this could be one of the greatest game of all time and it is an instant favorite of mine. MGS4 moved me in such away that any film could, if not more.
With Harry Gregson-Williams leading the OST with Nobuko Toda who did the Metal Gear Acid games. This is one of the most emotional, moving soundtracks to any MGS game. With the classic MGS theme no more an Old Snake theme is introduced. Even though the MGS classic theme is absent I didn't miss it.
|
|
|
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2008 PS3 Games, Consoles and PS3 Accessories - a MrCrip site
All rights reserved. Information about prices, products, services and merchants is provided by third parties and is for informational purposes only. Sony PS3 Games Consoles does not represent or warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information, and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.
PS3 Games, Consoles and PS3 Accessories: Home - PS3 Games - PS3 Consoles - PS3 Accessories - Blu Ray DVD
Other MrCrip sites: Nintendo Wii Games & Accessories - LCD TV, Plasma TV - Singstar Games - Grubby Little Web Man | |
