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MGS4 soundtrack now available from European Konami store
Click for higher resolution Lots of Euro news today, which is unsurprising, considering the entire North American continent is on holiday. Konami's European PR rep has contacted us to let us know that the Metal Gear Solid 4 soundtrack is now available for purchase on the Official Konami Store. Check out the gallery below for the front cover, back cover and a view of the innards (which can also be seen above). The soundtrack costs £9.99 or €12.95 and includes free shipping.Unfortunately, while the cover art is very pretty, we're going to suggest that you don't go ahead and buy it. A quick glance at the track list shows only 16 tunes - a far cry short of the 47 on the two-disc Japanese soundtrack. In fact, this is just the Limited Edition soundtrack "taster" disc repackaged for sale separately. Bit sneaky, if you ask us. Pony up the extra cash and get the full soundtrack -- you won't be disappointed.%Gallery-26855%
Deal of the Day (for Midwesterners): Metal Gear Solid 4 $40 at Meijer
Here's an incredible deal on an incredible game: Metal Gear Solid 4 for $39.99. Unfortunately, it has two major restrictions. First, this must be purchased in-store so you must be in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, or Ohio and close to a Meijer. Secondly, this deal only lasts up till tomorrow, the 5th. Considering today is July 4th, the only chance you'll be able to get this deal is July 5th. Fortunately, if you live in these states you are most likely not far from a Meijer and some of them are open 24 hours. At this price, Midwesterners now have zero excuse for not having this certified triple-A title.[Via FatWallet]
Care for some Metal Gear Solid wine?
If auctioning a life-sized Snake yesterday wasn't enough for all you collectors, then here's one more Metal Gear Solid item that might be of interest. Pictured is a bottle of Andiera Cabernet Sauvignon which is specially labeled for the Metal Gear Solid launch way back in 1998. It was given only to the game's designers and business partners.The bottle is being auctioned on eBay with a starting bid at around $250. Whether the actual beverage contained inside is actually quality wine, we don't know -- this blogger isn't a wine drinker. So make sure you know what you're getting into. Perhaps, on a light note, it might be a good time to pick it up; drink some slightly more aged wine and celebrate the end of Solid Snake's story. We couldn't think of a finer time for a toast.[Via Gamesniped]
Life-sized Solid Snake for sale
Size matters folks. Those puny six inch Solid Snakes that came with Euro Limited Ed. MGS4s are not enough to satisfy. You need something big -- real big. Like, how about a six foot Solid Snake? That's sure to please.This retail promotional statue comes all the way from Italy and has a starting bid on eBay at around €1,990. It's a pretty steep price to pay, but that's what happens when you call yourself a collector. Even if you're not planning on bidding, check out the auction for more pics of this immortalization of one of the greatest videogame heroes.[Via GameSniped]
PSN Thursday: Still sifting through MGS4 database edition
The PSN update this week is nothing special, but we're still too busy sifting through the MGS4 Database added in last week's update to really care. Beyond the surprising amount of depth the database gets into, it's interesting to see some flat-out confirmations of some arguable points in the MGS canon -- like the whole Raikov being gay thing. The other additions this week include the normal rhythm game additions and Medievel Resurrection for PSP. The full PSN update can be found after the break. The MGS4 Database is the big deal this week on the European PSN update, get the full details on the update over at PS3 Fanboy.
The Boss Extreme, beaten in under three hours [!]
The most hardcore MGS4 players are going to go for the Big Boss achievement trophy emblem, which requires masterful play with no deaths, no alerts, no kills, no recovery items, no stealth suit and no special items. To get the emblem, the entire game must be completed in 5 hours, but Tyndis from YouTube has managed to do it in less than three hours.Obviously, because the entire game can be seen in these videos, it should be obviously that this is one giant spoiler. If you haven't beaten the game yet, come back to watch it later. But for those that want to see Metal Gear greatness, enjoy.[Via Joystiq]
OMGS4: Watch someone earn Big Boss emblem in under 3 hours
We think it goes without saying that the above video is spoilerific, but just to be clear, we're putting that word in bold so your eyes quickly dart to it. Clocking in at just over 152 minutes, here's a video demonstration of how you earn the Big Boss emblem in Metal Gear Solid 4, which involves beating the game on the highest difficulty with no deaths, no alerts, no kills, no recovery items, no stealth suit and no special items ... all in under 5 hours. Prepare your mind to be utterly blown.
MGS4 shipped three million
Figures for total worldwide sales of Metal Gear Solid 4 are not out yet, but the total shipping numbers are in. IGN via Famitsu, says that total worldwide shipped units for MGS4 have topped over three million. This news comes from Sony's corporate strategy meeting where Kaz Hirai also noted that the game has helped move hardware.With previous reports of sales in Europe hitting one million in less than two weeks and Japan's first week creeping out with little under 500,000, we're sure interested to hear what the North American numbers will turn out to be. Will we see a significant cut out of those three million shipped units from North America?
OMGS4: Three million copies shipped worldwide
Solid Snake's swan song seems destined to be heard by many a PlayStation 3 owner, with Famitsu (translated by IGN) confirming that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has shipped three million copies to various destinations worldwide. Speaking at a recent Sony investor meeting in Tokyo, SCE president Kaz Hirai reportedly noted that Hideo Kojima's opus has had a beneficial effect on PS3 hardware sales. Though its effects have been quite clear in Japan, the UK's Chart-Track group has previously stated that MGS4, despite being a top seller, only managed to have "minimal impact" on the PS3's selling rate. Konami has made no announcement regarding US sales yet, though we expect to see plenty of Metal Gear sold action on next month's NPD report.
Joystiq Podcast Extend Extra: Metal Gear Squabbling
Now that Solid Snake's story has come to an end, some of us are still having a hard time dealing with the loss. James has begun living on the New York City streets in his cardboard box costume and Chris just screams "SSNNNAAAKKKUUU!" at the stars every night. But some members of the Joystiq family have gotten proactive, talking out their thoughts on the series instead of bottling them up inside. So, join Joystiq's Ludwig Kietzmann and Ross Miller, and Nintendo Wii Fanboy's David Hinkle as they discuss their final thoughts on MGS 4, their hopes for the future of the series and just generally take an hour-long trip to Nerdtown. (Oh, they're also going to Lower Spoilersburg, so if that's a locale you want to avoid, you should spend your eartime elsewhere.) Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [Digg] Like the show? Digg it. [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: David Hinkle, Ludwig Kietzmann and Ross Miller Music: "Metal Gear Saga" by Harry Gregson-Williams
Yahtzee takes on Solid Snake and loses
Sometimes you have to wonder whether Yahtzee enjoys playing any games. This week he predictably lays into Metal Gear Solid 4 for exactly the reasons we expected. He dislikes the amount and length of the cutscenes , which are fair points. We know a lot of people can't get passed the heavy story. He goes on to label the gameplay cluttered and says that the entire series is badly written. Strong words. Obviously we don't agree with what Yahtzee says, but the video is still hilarious -- and in the end, that's what Zero Punctuation is all about. Ignore the complaints for what they are, vehicles for his unique brand of humor. Our favorite part of this week's episode has to be the insinuation that Snake and Otacon are more than just good friends. We must say, it crossed our mind at times while we were playing through the game, too.[Thanks Outinthedark & konungr]
OMGS4: Sales exceed 1 million in Europe during first week
Senior stealth citizen news now, with European Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots sales exceeding one million units in its first week. Konami has called the demand for the game "exceptional," noting that the final chapter in Solid Snake's spiraling saga has seen high sales in all European territories. The 25,000 Limited Edition copies made available to the continent were "almost immediately" sold out. Figures. The PlayStation 3 sneak-em-up has seen similar success in Japan, outselling its closest competitor by a factor of 12. If you're among the million Metal Gears Sold and don't know your Gekkos from your Frogs, be sure to download the free MGS4 Database from the Euro PlayStation Network this Thursday.
Metal Gear Solid 4 hits a million units sold in Europe
Konami has revealed today that Metal Gear Solid 4 has sold tremendously in Europe since its launch. In less than two weeks a million units of the game have been sold, with strong demand coming from all corners of the continent. A large number has been shipped out to retailers in order to meet the high demand. Meanwhile, only 25,000 limited edition SKUs were made available, all of which barely touched the shelves before being snapped up by eager fans.Ryan Payton may have been misquoted saying that MGS4 needed to sell a million copies on launch day, but it got us thinking. To be honest we weren't convinced the game would sell that fast, and we certainly never expected to see a million units sell in Europe alone in less than two weeks. Kojima Productions should be proud -- if any game deserves it, it's Metal Gear Solid 4.
Metal Gear Solid 4 Database to educate Europe this Thursday
We've gotten into the bad habit of using the word "convoluted" every single time we write something about Metal Gear Solid 4, so we've gone ahead and opened up the thesaurus for this one. According to MCV, the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database, an interactive encyclopedia meant to guide players through Hideo Kojima's byzantine saga, will become available on the European PSN this Thursday, June 26th. It's filled with facts, it's free and it'll check your MGS4 progress before spoiling the part where Meryl is eaten alive by robot marmosets (from the future).So, what did you think of "byzantine?" Personally, we think that sounds too much like one of those effervescent energy pills. How about "labyrinthine?" "Daedalian?" There's also "knotty." These thesaurus things are quite convoluted, you know.
Europeans get the Metal Gear Solid Database this week
Don't panic, Europe! Konami hasn't forgotten about you, they're just being slow. The Metal Gear Solid Database, which was released in America and Asia last week, will be available on the EU PSN Store this coming Thursday. That's it, you can all breathe a sigh of relief. As you might have noticed if you grabbed the Database early from another account, your PAL save file won't be compatible. So if you're confused by any of the events of MGS4, you'll have all your questions answered later this week.
MGS4 becomes a hot topic (t-shirt)
UNIQLO isn't the only place to pick up Metal Gear Solid 4 tees. Hot Topic has not just one, but two, t-shirts for your perusal. The first (pictured, right) proudly displays the dissolving Snake used in the game's various promotions. The image is supposed to represent Snake at the end of his journey ... going back to the DNA that created him. Powerful stuff.The second features Shinkawa's art of Old Snake's old mug. Both shirts are available for $19 each (unless you need a super-extra large size. Then you pay more!).[Thanks, Daniel C.!]
New York Times looks under cardboard box over MGS storyline
A New York Times article in the Week in Review section published today discusses the latent meanings within the Metal Gear series' epic storyline and attempts to answer the bigger question of whether video games can be a capable medium, on par with films and literature, in conveying a narrative. NYT's Dave Itzkoff delves into the world of MGS by exploring the hidden messages from every MGS game; for example, MGS is a statement about atomic weapons, the Patriots of MGS2 portrayed as an Illuminati-like secret society suggests a worldwide conspiracy, MGS3 hints at how a "military-industrial complex" changed the world and MGS4 has Itzkoff describing Solid Snake as a "James Bond meets Rambo" who blur the line between hero and villain. Finally, Snake's endless mission is seen a parable of modern war and invokes the philosophical debate of "determinism and free will." The article also debates the validity and effectiveness of the cinematic cut scenes -- according to Itzkoff's interviews, 1UP's Shawn Elliott equates this methodology as "kind of cheating" and accuses the game of using "a language that isn't native to its own medium." On the other hand, Leigh Alexander of Kotaku argues the cut scenes are embedded into the game and essential. She even takes a jab at Halo, describing the Xbox series as mindless action that is only popular because "you shoot people." Just as films have evolved into an acceptable means of telling a full, gratifying story, it won't be long before video games achieve the same distinction.
Payton: Metal Gear Solid 5 could be a prequel
According to a preview of an interview with 1UP, assistant producer Ryan Payton said in regards to the possibility of Metal Gear Solid 5: "there are some misunderstandings that this is the final Metal Gear game. But it's really the final chapter of the Solid Snake story." He further states that if Snake's story continues past MGS4, "we'll get to the point where the game has absolutely no basis in reality." Payton also hinted at who might be the future star of the next MGS game: there is "still a lot of room for filling in the gaps as far as Big Boss is concerned." 1UP's Philip Kollar interprets all of this as Konami having nowhere to go with the series except for prequels to "continue fleshing out that same epic narrative." Payton also talks about Metal Gear Online; they are "working on a handful of new maps, skills, and rules that we're bug checking at the moment ... It's not going to be too long before people are going to start seeing screenshots of the new stages ... By the time you're tired of the maps that come in the game, it'll probably be around the time we'll be bringing out the new ones." More details will be revealed as the full interview is published on 1UP later today.Update: The full interview has been posted here. In response to rumors in Famitsu about Kojima already thinking about MGS5, Payton confirms that it is true. This also confirms Kojima's involvement, at least to some degree, in the next installment.
Metal Gear Solid 40GB PS3 bundles with free tote bag ... in Japan, of course
Sony just loves 'em colors over in Japan, huh? For these limited edition 40GB MGS4 bundles, not only do the PS3s come in different colors, the tops of the boxes comes in different corresponding colors; the Ceramic White model comes with a light blue top, the Satin Silver model comes with a black top, while the Clear Black model comes with a red top. There are also limited quantities of MGS4 tote bags to be given away at participating retailers with the purchase of these bundles... all of this in Japan, of course.What we don't understand is, why doesn't the black PS3 go into the black box? Wouldn't that make sense? Wouldn't it also make sense to them to bring these to the US or Europe? Would it be in good fashion sense to use that bag? Would ... okay, we'll shut up now.
PS Nation Podcast 066 - Metal Gear Molecule
Torgo prepared this special episode of the PS Nation podcast early. Why? Because it features the complete 40 minute interview with Media Molecule's Mark Healey. But that's not all! There's not just one ... but two discussions on Metal Gear Solid 4. The latter (featured at the end of the episode) is for those of you that finished the game. Yep, a spoiler-rific discussion about the game. Geek out.[iTunes] Subscribe to the PS Nation Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the PS Nation Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directlyVisit the VGEvo.com forums to chat with other podcast fans.
