killed on 16/3/2006 at 10:11
So the critics are raving. The forums are raving. Everyone seems to love this game. I never did get to play through this game and I own the previous two, already. I really loved the first game, but was extremely disappointed by the 2nd. In fact, I remember it put me in a bad mood for a day or so. So, I heard this new version has multiplayer. Sounded interesting enough, so I went into GameStop and picked it up. It's about 30 bucks, so it's not a bad deal.
I'm about six hours into the single player now. And I really have mixed feelings. If you don't know, it takes place during the Cold War. So, it has quite a lot of potential to work with. But the scenes so far have been pretty half and half as far as quality. On the one hand, you have these scenes like[SPOILER] "The World's First HALO Jump"[/SPOILER] in the beginning of the game, which is an amazing scene. Sure, it's pretty overly dramatic, but still a lot of fun to watch. Now put in some references to JFK, some interesting philosophical discussion and plot twists early on and you have an idea for the context of this game. But then on the other hand, you get to scenes like [SPOILER]"Girl shows up on motor-cycle and unzips her top while saxophone sound track sets the mood"[/SPOILER] This is supposed to be funny, right? I can't tell when they have it lined up with the next scene where [SPOILER]she literally drives her motorcycle UP Ocelot's face which somehow propels her high enough in the air to do a back flip with her bike[/SPOILER] Is this supposed to be funny? I don't seem to get it.
Add to that, the first boss which is [SPOILER]a deranged man who is somehow able to control swarms of killer bees. Ok, so it's far fetched, I can live with that. But how about when he shouts "Tommy Gun!" and the bees seem to magically form a gun in his hand?[/SPOILER] Again, I can't tell if this is supposed to be funny.
It makes me think back to the days when I played the original MGS. Sure, there were bosses like Psycho Mantis, but that had more of an X-Files feel to it rather than a comic book feel. But what about the Russian Sniper? She was a fairly interesting character. Cliche, but still tolerable. She still had these silly sexual not so subtle hints about her character too. Why was it so easy to look past that compared to this game? Was it the blocky graphics? Or was it just that I was a teenager at the time and that sort of thing didn't bother me? Why has this series not seemed to improve on the realism aspect of the story telling? Why has the voice acting actually gotten worse? Was it really this bad back then?
As you can tell, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing. I keep thinking I must be missing some large piece that would fit this whole thing together.
Here's to hoping the multiplayer will be worth the purchase.
Fig455 on 16/3/2006 at 10:22
It's anime inspired. It's like a comic book. It's entertainment. Just have fun and enjoy the ride it takes you on. You're taking it WAY too seriously, and sounds like you're missing the whole point.
Uglyhead on 16/3/2006 at 11:48
It's over-the-top. I personally got a good chuckle out of Eva's shenanigans, though. What really disappointed me is that
[spoiler]most of the bosses didn't get much chance for exposition, like in MGS. Sniper Wolf's the best example, but all of the bosses got a word in, making them feel a bit more human. The Pain, The Fear, even The End, they didn't really say much, they weren't sympathetic. Tough bosses, reduced to goons placed to slow my progress? Hmph.[/spoiler]
NeoPendragon on 16/3/2006 at 11:58
R-Trigger in Eva's scenes. Am I right?
ignatios on 16/3/2006 at 12:32
Quote Posted by killed
As you can tell, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing. I keep thinking I must be missing some large piece that would fit this whole thing together.
A SENSE OF HUMOUR
But seriously, there's a kitsch quality to the MGS games that you have to at least
accept if you want to get through them. However, if it
appeals to you, you're going to have a great time. Fig455 is bang-on; just enjoy it!
I agree that the bosses are a bit shit, but that doesn't change the fact that this is still a great fucking game.
scumble on 16/3/2006 at 12:52
I thought there was another reason for having a PS2. Really must get one one of these days...
Jackablade on 16/3/2006 at 16:46
That MGS4 video really makes me respect Hideo Kojima. I love people who don't take themselves seriously, or rather their work.
killed on 16/3/2006 at 20:31
Well, I take it seriously because it presents itself seriously. At least at first. I don't have anything against humor. Infact, I think humor is extremely important and I have a pretty wide view of what I think is funny. It wasn't that I was saying the above things aren't funny. I just can't tell if they're supposed to be.
Things like sneaking around in cardboard boxes, comments about how food tastes, and even some of the conversations about 007 are all pretty amusing. Things like that add to the game rather than subtract.
I'm usually very good in picking up the world that a book, movie, game, etc is based in. Infact, I like to immerse myself in it. It's just hard for me to melt these really comic bookish elements with the gritty military based elements.
I guess it's just me. Actually, I was kinda hoping thats what it was. Hopefully I'll be able to re-evaluate the world I thought I originally knew. Thanks for the replies.
Aja on 17/3/2006 at 00:21
Subsistence is a great idea, if only for the third-person camera. It would've made all the difference... in fact it was my main complaint with the game.
But I already paid $60 for MGS3.
