I was originally going to post this in the "other games" section, but the post was so big and I didn't really want to derail the thread so I decided to make a new one. Anyway, just expressing my thought's on the Zero Punctuation review of Metal Gear Solid 4:

 

Well firstly I don't think there's ever been a game that has pleased that guy unless it's an 8-bit puzzle platformer.

 

AI: He brings up several points about the game that would lead me to believe he was playing on the easiest difficulty, i.e his spiel about the incompetent AI. MGS unlike most other games, doesn't do take the cheap method out of just increasing enemy damage or health, instead each difficulty level has different levels of AI ability and smartness. On the easiest difficulty the AI is essentially walking targets completely void of any ability to stop you. On the hardest difficulty, they are very efficient on their patrols and are very capable combatants, flanking , throwing grenades, suppressing, moving in teams. Normal is probably the best level, offering capable challenging AI without being too overbearing.

 

Combat mechanics:

Once again I have no idea where he pulled this crap from. He claims you have to press the left trigger while simultaneously pressing another trigger and holding down the triangle button? What? The aiming and shooting mechanics are quite simple in MGS4, especially compared to the series previous outings: press left trigger to shoulder/ready weapon, Right trigger to fire. The only time triangle is involved is when you want to use optics/ironsights and even then it's just a tap of the triangle button while your weapon is in the ready position.

 

Stealth mechanics:

Once again he leads me to believe he was playing on the easiest difficulty, although that said he is right about having a crapload of tools you'll never HAVE to use. However, he says the tranquilzer pistol is the thing at fault since it instantly knocks out enemies and never runs out of ammo. Not true, only on the easiest difficulty do instant knockouts occur and you never have to worry about ammo. Likewise to what I previously said about AI and difficulty levels, you'll find yourself more and more having to rely on tools on harder difficulty as the AI is more thorough in their searching and their senses more sharp.

 

Confusing and messy storyline:

Here, although I may be biased being a MGS fan, I would also have to disagree. Yes there is a lot of crap in MGS4 that could use axing or editing, however for the most part the MGS series actually has a very easy to follow storyline providing you aren't a toddler and it does help alot having played the previous games in the series. Regardless MGS is one of the few series of games that remains original and fresh with interesting characters that I can connect with rather then just a ****ty rehash of the same old latest and greatest MP candy pop game. Furthermore, compared to MGS2, MGS4's storyline is a blessing.

 

He also doesn't seem to recognise some of the key tech stuff that makes MGS4 so great. MGS4 has something like 60gbs of uncompressed sound, making auido quality EXCELLENT. But this is the reason for the installation periods at several points in the game. Overall MGS4 was one of most epic gaming experiences I've ever had and I don't regret a single cent of the $100 i spent on it at all, which is ALOT more then I can say for most games I've bought.

 

Actually why am I trying to defend this so hard? Yahtzee hates pretty much everything.

To be fair though, I'd say the majority of gamers start up on Easy or sometimes normal... I've very rarely seen people go into hard-mode, especially their first time around. I do lately, but that's just because gaming no longer is fun when I'm just running over the objective, I like to earn my wins .

 

I'm not a huge fan of the MGS storyline, it is a bit out there... he has a point Yahtzee is there to make entertaining jabs at popular games... that's what he does, don't let it get your knickers in a twist.

Actually why am I trying to defend this so hard? Yahtzee hates pretty much everything.

 

I don't know to this date I know of only two games he truly loves that is Portal and the Prince Of Persia series which started with Sands Of Times I think. I find his facetious dry attitude to be hilarious but I have disagreed with him as well. However when I sit back and think I go well he is right on pretty much 90% of his points although I have let them slide because I enjoyed the experience more than him. So I don't really care what he bags out most of the time or what he says because he is a game critic and no one has every said you had to be nice to do that. :sweat:

I didn't like MGS4 at all. I sold my copy to one of the boys from work.

It was very well made though.