This Summer, Courage is SOLID

May 15, 2008 | 17 Comments

I have a mix feeling about this final installment of Metal Gear Solid. On the one hand, I'm glad that I'll finally be able to play the latest and final chapter of the series. On the other hand, it's a bit sad to know that this will be the series' final swan song. I've been a big fan of the series ever since Playstation came out and the series have been one of the most entertaining games I've had the pleasure to play. Anyway, the official site for the game is now open with all sorts of movie from the latest press conference. The game is finally completed and is set to be released on June the 12th. The official trailer feels a tad cheesy (complete with a cheese-tastic "Evil is Powerful but Courage is SOLID" tagline) but I think that's Kojima's intended aim. The press conference also released several adverts featuring Snake and other characters promoting game-related merchandise such as a W62S Sony Ericsson phone, Regain drink, t-shirts by UNIQLO, and even an alarm watch. Note: if you're not interested to play the flash game on the website but still want to get the extra items (wallpapers, mp3s), there's someone who's played the flash game and posted the freebies that you get if you played it.

All MGS 4 website bonus content (all credit goes to MGS TUS board poster, Dema)

Evil is Powerful but Courage is SOLID

A fantastic trailer which outlines the basic plot of the game. Basically Liquid Ocelot is back and intends on gaining a device which can be used to control other armies (because all armies are now equipped with nanomachines). Poor old Snake has the not-so-enviable task of stopping Liquid. This means facing off against a set of new enemies which includes Screaming Mantis, Laughing Octopus, Raging Raven, and Crying Wolf among others. The game will also see appearances from characters like Meryl, Otacon, Raiden, and Naomi for nostalgia's sake.

Download trailer (16.5MB, WMV format)

REGAIN the energy drink

This is a rather tongue-in-cheek ad featuring an exhausted snake being given an energy drink by Metal Gear Mk2 mini robot. I have no idea why he alternates between his young self and his old self and since I'm on a spoiler blackout, I have no intention on finding out until I play the game myself. If you do feel like you have to spoil it, please put it in spoiler tag. At any rate, despite the obvious selling out of the franchise to promote an energy drink, I think this is a funny and creative way of doing it. I am even more surprised to see companies interested in this kind of cross-advertising effort with Konami.

Download trailer (3.65MB, WMV format)

Poll

1. Are you a big fan of Metal Gear Solid series?
2. Are you anticipating this last game?
3. Do you already have a PS3 or are you going to buy one soon so you can play the game?
4. Do you mind the in-game advertising?
5. Who should play Snake in MGS movie (apparently Paul Thomas Anderson is interested to be the director)?

Posted by Garten

Comments

May 15, 2008 | Marina wrote:

LOL that second trailer is so cheesy.

May 15, 2008 | Marina wrote:

Sorry for posting twice but I didn't notice the questions.

1. Yes since the 2nd one, actually.
2. Kind of but I don't have PS3 yet.
3. Maybe if I have enough money by then.
4. Not really.
5. Christian Bale!!!

May 15, 2008 | Henekken wrote:

I'm pumped for this game. I already have my PS3 all ready (bought for GTAIV) when the game is out this June. This trailer simply makes me even more impatient. Kojima is a genius. Here's hoping PS3 gets ZOE3 too.

May 15, 2008 | Hige wrote:

I'm a so-so fan of MGS. I love the oft-batshit insane story and amazing characters, but the gameplay drags a bit for me. I find it hard to be restrained with video games.

Probably not going to get a PS3 until I'm rich enough to afford one, which may be some time.

I don't know enough about in-game advertising to have a firm opinion, but superficially it rubs me the wrong way. You pay a premium for videos as it is. Also, won't artistic vision be compromised when advertisers start throwing their weight around? It's not the kind of best marketing to have brains spattered across your company's logo, for instance. I'm worried about the direct effects in-game advertisement might have on the end product If the costs of games get so intense that it becomes a necessity.

No idea who should play Snake, but it's some rumour that PT Anderson is interested. Very surprising if true.

May 15, 2008 | Aeldt wrote:

1. Are you a big fan of Metal Gear Solid series? Very big
2. Are you anticipating this last game? Since it was hinted at
3. Do you already have a PS3 or are you going to buy one soon so you can play the game? I'm gonna buy one together with the game
4. Do you mind the in-game advertising? not at all
5. Who should play Snake in MGS movie (apparently Paul Thomas Anderson is interested to be the director)? not a big movie buff to figure this =O

May 15, 2008 | Deranged wrote:

1. Are you a big fan of Metal Gear Solid series?
Hell Yeah...

2. Are you anticipating this last game?
I've been waiting for it desperately.

3. Do you already have a PS3 or are you going to buy one soon so you can play the game?
Only reason I am getting the PS3...

4. Do you mind the in-game advertising?
Kinda cheesy but oh well. Game is still going to be good...

5. Who should play Snake in MGS movie (apparently Paul Thomas Anderson is interested to be the director)?
What does David Hayter actually look like? lol. Without his voice, I don't think I could believe it really.

May 16, 2008 | Shelly wrote:

David Hayter is going to Anime Expo! XD

May 16, 2008 | Kureejii wrote:

Yah! I'm so excited for this game. Though I don't have a ps3...-.-'

But the phone looks REALLY good ^^

May 16, 2008 | karen wrote:

1. Yes!!
2. Yes!
3. Don't own one, and not planning to buy anytime soon. My best friend has it, and he's gonna buy MGS4, so I might play using his.
4. Nope
5. No idea.. Jason Statham has the correct voice of Snake though, not sure about the looks.

May 16, 2008 | Akiraman wrote:

1. I love metal Gear a huge fan since the PS1
2. Been anticipating this game ever since the announcememnt
3. Yes Bought the 60GB PS3 just before it was phased out
4. In Game ads sound fine if they mix it with the game
5. they should do a CG animated movie just like the game no actor out there can portray snake.

May 16, 2008 | beaner2k6 wrote:

1. Fan since I played the MGS demo that came with my PS1
2. Been anticipating it ever since it was announced.
3. Yes, I bought a 40Gb to pass the time with GTA4, but when MGS3 comes out I'm buying the 80Gb PS# bundle, or if I get lucky the Gunmetal 40Gb bundle.
4. MGS2 started the advertising and ever since, some sort of ads have appeared on the game, its fine as long as it doesn't stand out to make the story its own
5. I think the movie is a bad idea, year after year we see proposals for movies based on video-games, and the ones that do make it, don't do a good job of taking the game to the big screen, Silent Hill is the only exception.

May 16, 2008 | SinRaven wrote:

1.Since MGS1 (PS)
2. Yes, even though I don't own a PS3
3. No, Leeching from a friend, until I know for sure its not coming to 360.
4. No, as longs as its not blatant.
5. Don't care, as long as he looks like snake, then just voice him w/ David Hayter (english voice of Snake)

May 17, 2008 | newsweek wrote:

I LOVE MGS. I pre-ordered my especial edition from EBgames in Toronto.

There is so much I want to talk about Metal gear. But first and foremost I do NOT want to see a MGS movie. The game is what made it what it is; the brilliant story, unique gameplay and above all your role in controlling the character gave life to the game. Why ruining it all by making a movie? We all know how they end up.

About advertising, I don't mind them at all. I surely don't want them to go crazy with this idea but as long as it doesn't ruing the gameplay, I’m ok with it.

May 17, 2008 | Jyun wrote:

Hi Garten - if I could digress just a little while we're on the topic of games... do you own any of the MSG franchise that have been ported for the PSP, and what do you think of them in comparison?

I'm never played any MSG before, so I'm sorry I can't participate in your poll; but I ask because I'm about to buy a mint-green PSP from Japan as a post-exam reward for myself, and after reading your posts, I'll definitely be getting Patapon and Crisis Core... any other recommendations?

Cheers!

May 17, 2008 | Garten wrote:

Hi Jyun, unfortunately no, I haven't purchased any Metal Gear titles on PSP. Although I've heard from some that Metal Gear: Portable Ops (not Portable Ops Plus, which is just an extension) is pretty good.

As for other PSP games recommendation, try: Lumines, Silent Hill: Origins, Jean d'Arc, and Castlevania.

May 18, 2008 | Jyun wrote:

Hi Garten,

Thanks for your reply re: PSP games. To be honest, I absolutely suck at games... but seeing your review for Patapon and the new Mint Green PSP have given me ?delusions (but if they are, I'm happy enough to be drawn in by them) that I'll enjoy gaming. I'm justifying it on the basis that playing a game on my PowerBook is just not the same as using a purpose-built gaming console. After all, the last time I handled a gaming console (= once, a PS1 in 1999) I DID enjoy it!

Now, let's pass that exam and then see if FFVII lives up to all the hype...

Thanks again

June 23, 2008 | merry wrote:

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