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MGS Portable Ops: the testing ground for MGS4
Kojima fans were shocked to find that Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops not only successfully emulates the console MGS experience on the handheld, but brings new things to the table. The folks of High Dynamic Range Lying detail how MGS:PO may actually be testing new ideas for MGS4, heading to the PS3. The new recruitment system, where Snake must capture enemies and convert them into allies might be a crucial aspect of the next-gen sequel:"In MGS4, there's no telling if Solid Snake himself will try to form his own fighting force. Otacon is heard in the E3 trailer, saying that Snake cannot do it alone, adding that he never had a chance. Could this be the catalyst that forces Snake to create a team capable of taking down the patriots, and stopping Liquid Ocelot? With MGS4 still in development for another year, the story of an old Snake single handedly silencing an entire army of mechs and soldiers seeming ridiculous, and little to none of the new allegiance system revealed, it seems more than likely that MPO may be more than a Snake Eater sequel."Sounds reasonable to me. For those of you that remember the original trailers for the game, there's "no place to hide" for Snake. With his body aging, and massive armored mechs walking around everywhere, Snake's going to need a lot of help.[Via digg]
Portable Ops crucial to Metal Gear Solid 4 story
Everything's connected. At least, according to Kevin Bacon JJ Abrams Hideo Kojima. And, in order to fully understand the events of the amazing-looking Metal Gear Solid 4 on the PS3, you'll have to buy yourself a PSP. The two upcoming PSP-exclusive Metal Gear titles (Digital Comic 2, Portable Ops) will establish the story for the next-gen sequel. "We'd like you to definitely play it [the PSP games]," Kojima was quoted saying. "If you change the Ops story, you have to change 4. If you change 4, it also becomes necessary to change Ops. Until Ops is finished, 4's story can't be finalized." We'll all get a taste of the Guns of the Patriots' storyline when Portable Ops hits the system in December.[Via IGN]
TGS 'best of' video roundup, yeehaw!
Our must-see-Tokyo Game Show list of videos delivers a jab straight to your optic core. This year's standouts are embedded after the jump. Click the links for larger and downloadable versions.Tell us what your favorites were from the show and we'll add 'em to the lineup.
Yeah... this is the last Metal Gear Solid game...
It's sad, but series creator Hideo Kojima seems adamant about this being the last MGS title before he retires from the series (but that means there's another Metal Gear series, right?! No? Ah, well...). Here's a couple of things to expect from the game, aside from sheer awesomeness: The Octacamo -- Snake's new sneaking suit that allows him to blend into any surrounding so long as he remains motionless. You know, some people don't even need a camo suit to remain "unseen". Oh, sorry, was that too emo? Anyway, even pressing against a wall riddled with bullet holes, Snake will also appear to have such holes. Neato. Your enemies and allies will be determined by how you play the game, it has been noted. Liquid Ocelot is, of course, your ultimate villain, but normal soldiers are give or take. Factions within the soldiers' ranks may prove a useful tool to exploit... You can scare enemies (a la Batman in Batman Begins, maybe) to the point they actually submit to your will and, yes, pee their pants like they mean it. So many characters making an appearance! Will they all get enough screen time? Will their individual stories reach a satisfying conclusion? Let's hope so. Essentially, this game is going to be fun. It just is. Even though this blogger's record with the Metal Gear franchise has been rough (oddly enough, after purchasing the game, they're barely touched until exactly one year later, when they're completed in a mad rush of "ohmigosh I gots to plays this games it's so cool"... yeah, it makes no sense, but it's practically tradition), it's still a very, uh, solid looking game and we can't wait to get our hands on it!
New MGS4 trailer is up for your pleasure
What can we say? Every time a new video of Metal Gear Solid 4 pops up, our mouths get all watery with anticipation for this game. This latest trailer captured from the show floor at Leipzig is no different.Check out the video for yourself and prepare to dissect every detail. Even though it's only three minutes this time, it's a delicious three minutes. What's funny, though, is that you can hear some Sonic ring collecting in the background.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops previewed
The first canonical Metal Gear Solid portable game was unveiled at E3 earlier this year. The idea of a real non-Acid non-graphic novel Metal Gear has made it one of the most-wanted games for the system, even without too much information to work with. The unofficial Metal Gear Solid site has a new preview, with a few new screenshots. The game takes place six years after Snake Eater, and has Big Boss arrested after FOX Unit begins a revolt in South America. With the help of his comrades in the FOXHOUND Unit, it will be their responsibility to stop the bad guys from using their "ultimate weapon." This game will be a crucial part of the Metal Gear series' storyline, as it'll explain how Big Boss went from good guy to bad guy in Metal Gear. With cutscenes in the same style of the Digital Graphic Novel, Portable Ops seems like it'll be an interesting ride, to say the least.Portable Ops will feature a more distant camera so that players have a better view of their surroundings. Interestingly, it won't be a one-man sneaking mission anymore: you'll recruit and command other soldiers to help you take on your missions. Not only will you have generic soldiers at your disposal, but you'll also get more familiar faces, like Ocelot to join you. But be careful, in Fire Emblem style, if a character dies, they're dead for the rest of the game. There's also multiplayer, in which you can trade your partners ala Pokemon. According to the unofficial site, new trailers for Metal Gear Solid 4 and Portable Ops will be shown at Leipzig Games Convention, so expect more info very soon.[Via 1UP Boards]
Famitsu's most wanted and most ignored
Respected Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu recently published the results of a poll to find the games most wanted by the public. Look at the top five. Aside from the #1 spot, Sony dominates. 9 Nintendo titles, 11 Sony titles and 1 Microsoft title. What's an XBox, Japanese gamers wonder. An interesting aside is that many of the Sony games are in fact for the PS2 and still generate as much if not more desire than the next-gen Wii and 360. Combined.So what, you ask? So that. It's just a list of what's anticipated in Japan. Take it for what it's worth, but the fact of the matter is, in Japan at least, Sony is still jumping out of everyone's mouth. Final Fantasy XIII, Resident Evil 5, Metal Gear Solid 4, Dawn of Mana, Final Fantasy XIII Versus... sure, sequels, but anticipated ones. If they weren't desired, sequels wouldn't necessarily be made. Basically, hooray Sony! At least there are some hot PS2 titles on the way, along with the buzzworthy PS3 titles.
Kojima creates more PS3 analogies
A recent panel interview was held at IGN between Metal Gear guru Hideo Kojima, MGS4 art director Yoji Shinkawa and Square-Enix's own Tetsuya Nomura (pictured right) regarding their take on the PS3. Having likened it to many things before, Kojima had a lot to say about Sony's new box o' tricks, saying "If you think about the future of the industry and game creators, I get the feeling that the winner had better be the movie theater -- or, the PS3. No one will say that the price is cheap." He adds later on that his optimal choice of gadgetry would have been "a PS3 with controls like the Wii."How about Nomura's take? Final Fantasy games were a huge selling point on the PSX and the PS2, not to mention other fantastic Square-Enix RPG's, so his opinion will carry a lot of weight in the Japanese RPGamer crowd. He felt that "as a game machine, it's too expensive." But he softened this typical argument with "Thinking two to three years from now, the PS3 will be the most appropriate."The three also joked about another Zone of Enders title. Maybe they weren't joking -- those were some pretty good games. Either way, it seems the big names at Konami and Square-Enix are voicing their support of the PS3. Whether it hits big right at launch or creeps its way to the summit of the mountain in a few years, they seem to feel the PS3 is going to be it.[Edit: added a reference for the picture, clarifying that it is Tetsuya Nomura -- Should have made that more clear.]
Calling all Metal Gear fanboys: Kojima Productions wants you!
If you're interested in developing the online gameplay of Metal Gear Solid 4 or Metal Gear: Portable Ops, and not getting paid isn't a concern*, now's your chance -- join the 'improvemgsonline' club at 1up.com. You'll be able to vote in polls and post your gameplay ideas, which theoretically, could be chosen by Kojima Productions. There's already a plethora of suggestions blossoming on the forum, so you best get those 'gears' in motion!*Technically, you could receive exclusive Metal Gear Solid wallpapers.
Metal Gear Solid movie confirmed definitively
Metal Gear Solid creator, Hideo Kojima, has already ruled out Uwe Boll ("it's impossible") as a directorial candidate of a possible cinematic adaptation of the celebrated series, without confirming that such a project was even under way ... until now, that is. Gamespot reports that the Kojima Productions spoof of the E3 Show Daily, dubbed "Show Maybe," teases, "In a late-breaking surprise announcement, director Hideo Kojima revealed that his most famous creation -- Metal Gear Solid -- is getting the live-action treatment."On the back page Kojima writes, "I have received many offers to adapt Metal Gear Solid. It has taken a long time, but we have finally settled on an arrangement ... False facts aside, a movie project is underway. I have finalized a Class-A contract with a party in Hollywood." Now that the cat's out of the bag, expect periodic updates leading up to the 2007 release of Metal Gear Solid 4. Who's directing? Whose starring? For once, fans can't complain about lengthy cut scenes!
Super Smash Bros. Brawl video
Featuring more farting, fireballs, pink balls, elite soldiers, mythological boys, portly plumbers and space bounty hunters than you can shake a motion-sensing stick at, this video footage of Super Smash Bros. Brawl demands to be watched immediately. It's strange that Nintendo didn't blow the audience away with this during their initial press conference, but trite old sayings tell us that getting it now is much better than not getting it at all. Thank goodness for those.[Via Nintendo Gal]
Extended 15-minute MGS4 trailer on the hour
We've finally gotten into the show floor and begun to process the sensory assault of sound, images, and booth babes. The shroud is lifting though, and we're finally able to make sense of what we're seeing. One of the highlights thus far: the extended 15-minute trailer of Metal Gear Solid 4. Sure, it was shown off last night at Konami's (very) exclusive press conference, but now they're showing it off on the show floor at their booth, every hour on the hour. The first showing was understandably underpacked, but we expect the future showings to attract legions of fanboys. Kojima's next masterpiece looks incredible, if completely devoid of gameplay footage.[Thanks for the tip to the direct-feed LaughingMan]
Konami to blogs: How does that work again?
At this very moment, Konami is holding a mysterious press conference in the depths of LA, presumably revealing details on their flagship title, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, as well as several new titles that will be available on the E3 show floor. Sadly, Konami decided earlier today to unceremoniously lock Joystiq out of the conference due to a heinous act that was committed yesterday. It seems that Konami is still trying to wrap their heads idea around the blogosphere, struggling to come to grips with the concept of us providing readers with information on forthcoming games. Konami requested us to remove the offending snaps of their booth on the show floor, snaps which revealed some games that were not due to be announced until, well, now most likely. Since we believe that to be an unreasonable request that will disadvantage our readers, the post will not be coming down. We apologize for not being able to provide more excellent liveblogging from their conference.We'll still be providing normal coverage of Konami's many titles on the show floor and will not let their rampant blog-o-phobia affect our writing. C'mon, how could we not be excited about more Solid Snake?
Metal Gear Solid 4 -- final logo
After leaping over a fence, running frantically from security guards and dodging an intricate series of traps, the Joystiq team infiltrated the hallowed walls that house E3. Mysterious barriers and surly men barred us from progressing much farther, but we were able to sneakily snap some pictures of the banners and signs hanging about. Hovering over the Konami booth was this Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots logo, which demonstrates a departure from the previous design and a strange obsession with upside-down sevens. With Kojima having his hands on this title, we can only assume that there's a deeper meaning to be found here.Our guess: Snake will be battling an elite and mostly psychotic team of soldiers called the Seven Deadly Sims. They'll be post-modern virtual entities meant to illustrate how life has become a neo-classical pastiche and how technology is....yeah. We have no idea what it means. Expect Kojima to reveal the truth at the Konami press conference on Tuesday.
Call of Duty 3 announced; leak confirmed [update 1]
Call of Duty 3's just been confirmed, and it looks like we were right on the money with our early leak of the WWII-related game.Back in early March, we printed the following information (and a whole lot more) on the focus of an upcoming sequel: "'CoD 3' ... is being produced by Big Red One dev Treyarch. ... The next Call of Duty World War II-based title will return gamers to the battlefields of Normandy as the Allies take on Nazi Germany to drive them out of France once and for all. This time around, American and British forces are joined by Canadian troops, Polish tanks, and French freedom fighters in a reenactment of the bloody Normandy Breakout campaign spearheaded during the summer of 1944. In the push to Paris, you'll get to choose how you approach each mission, free of menu screens and jarring non-interactive cut-scenes."Here's what IGN quoted from Activision for the announcement yesterday: "Through the eyes of four Allied soldiers, Call of Duty 3 brings players closer to the fury of combat as they fight through the Normandy Breakout, the harrowing offensive that liberated Paris and changed the fate of the world. Developed by Treyarch, Call of Duty 3 is the follow up to the #1 next-generation game and is scheduled for a 2006 release." Fingering the developer and the setting? Not too shabby -- while Joystiq pats itself on the back.Check out the IGN trailer below for a first-person look somewhat reminiscent of the FPS sequence in the Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer from TGS. At the end of the "official E3 teaser" trailer, a number of platforms are listed, with the major manufacturers (including a small "Nintendo Revolution" in text) and publisher/developer combo listed. We suspect that versions for the PC and possibly the current-gen consoles will be covered with ports as well. Now all we have to do is wait for the word on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. (Infinity Ward, we're looking at you!) More info obviously hitting at E3.[Thanks, icemorebutts, jason, & Hiro Protagonist][Update 1: Had to fix a verb. Thanks, Hiro Protagonist, John Q, & Jiiiiihad!]See also: Official E3 teaser trailer for Call of Duty 3 Next Call of Duty leaked: Modern Warfare tackles terrorists Rumor: Call of Duty joining the Revolution Kojima interacts in real-time with MGS4 trailer at TGS
Audio-only peek at the MGS4 E3 trailer
As promised, the Kojima Productions Report podcast has "pirated" the first 90-seconds of the Metal Gear Solid 4 E3 trailer's audio. The bad news: it's all in Japanese. The good news: there's an English translation of the audio (.mp3) at their website!Since we can't see what's happening, let's use our ears to tell us what's going on. Mostly, for non-Japanese speakers, not much. Just don't expect Snake to be cutting any throats in the first 90 seconds. Alright, so the audio isn't really telling us anything besides there are two dudes talking (go figure, in MGS?). Let's move onto the transcript.Alright, those two guys are none other than Snake (Solid we presume) and Campbell (still a Colonel?). Standard MGS dialog ensues but then ... what's that? Who runs the dummy corporation that controls the five largest private military corporations (PMCs, natch) that have become a serious threat to the world and the US military hegemony following the Manhattan incident?!Who else? This is gonna be good![Thanks, David and Mike]
