WeView Verdict: Metal Gear Solid 4

For the last few weeks I’ve talked about wanting to see a difference of opinion in these WeView verdicts. This week that’s pretty much gone out the window, I wasn’t exactly expecting a lot of discord with this title. I’m not a huge fan of what I’ve seen of the game, but I think I’m in a pretty tiny minority. And anyway I haven’t actually played MGS4 so I can’t really pass judgement on it.

Whilst there wasn’t much of a split in opinion this week, we did have a few voices that went against the consensus, some rebels who didn’t agree with what everyone else was saying. One of these was Pritchie101, who had this to say about Snake’s adventure:

I thought MGS 4 didn’t include enough gameplay, and the small amounts of gameplay you got, was boring. I love all the others, and I see why critics adore this one, but it is an AVOID from me. I’m the only person on Earth who thought it was pretty dull. So, that’s it.

Next it’s time to do a 180 and look at those of you who were more positive about that game. That’s not to say that disliking the game is bad, just that Pritchie101 was almost the only one who did. So onto stueee‘s comments on the game, in which he looks at the game’s variety.

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a fantastic experience. Even if you take away everything about it being Metal Gear Solid, the actual gameplay is brilliant. Theres so many ways to get through each area, and interact with the game. The different teams of enemies are a great addition as it gives you different ways to approach each situation. But as it is a Metal Gear game, the average fan would expect lots of story and a rollcoaster ride through the game.

Now I feel we’ve been far too normal so far, so let’s take a small dip into insanity by turning things over to solidsteven. You don’t get much crazier than that without being held for observation, although he’s surprisingly normal when sharing his thoughts on Snake’s final adventure.

The player will feel what the characters are feeling. I can’t go too deep into the story due to possible spoilers but there is one scene which sees Snake suffer and the player will feel his pain as well. The story is perfect. It ties up all loose ends and is filled with a fair bit of plot twists. It is cutscene heavy but that is what is expected from MGS.

The cutscenes are obviously worthy of note in MGS4, but it can hardly of come as a shock to anyone. Although they weren’t huge in Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2 was almost overflowing with them.

Finally, let’s turn to someone I don’t think I’ve featured before; it’s always nice to show appreciation for those who haven’t taken part before. Not only that but MadBoJangles manages to sum everything up quite nicely here:

It can be frustrating, I got caught a lot at first. But you can just run and gun if you like, though that kinda misses the point (for me at least) of the game. Epic boss battles, a story that’s enough to scramble anybodies head-eggs and it can be picked up for cheap these days… what’s to think about?

I’m fairly sure you all know what comes next, the verdict. There was never going to be much doubt over this, but we did have two votes out of ten for Avoid It. However they stand unheeded, with the remaining eight of you who took part giving it a rating of Buy It. So there you have it, a little disagreement but still an overwhelming decision.