Kevin Caseyasks: is the game up for overstuffed titles?
In Metal Gear Solid 4, the central character's face tells the story. Super trooper Solid Snake is suffering from a mysterious illness that causes premature aging. Grey and wrinkled, the decrepit warrior is summoned for a final, fateful mission to save the world.
It boils down to pretty much the same plot that Japan's Konami have used since first publishing Metal Gear Solidin 1998. (Then, as now, they use Gweedore-native Aoife Ní Fhearraigh's wistful theme, The Best Is Yet to Come, at the closing credits.) The franchise has had highs and lows along the way, but MGS4is the most complete ever and the crowning achievement of its Japanese creator, Hideo Miyamoto.
Just as well, because Miyamato has stated that this is the final instalment in his opus as he seeks pastures new. Perhaps he might like to go to film school: MGS4is dominated by up to four hours of "cut scenes", or short dramatic movies sandwiched between game levels. Some of these interludes last up to 40 minutes at a time. They are often tiresome diatribes about the perils of evil science.
Usually I skip straight to the next game screen. Occasionally though, the cut scenes are worth watching. It may not be the Royal Shakespeare Company, but Miyamoto's teases a performance from his cast of digital actors that is at least convincing. For example, some of the death scenes are actually quite moving ("War is hell", don't you know). Miyamoto's quirky humour is a constant theme throughout and there's the feeling of a consistent world.
The showdowns between Solid Snake and arch-enemy Liquid Ocelot erupt furiously on screen like something out of a Sam Peckinpah western. Our hero Snake is a charismatic elder killer with a troubled past, battling for salvation like a character Clint Eastwood might have played.
Aside from console theatrics, Miyamato injects a fresh arcade element to the tired old shooter format. Matching up with players all over the world, the online play is excellent also.
The story is beefed up with topical political content. In Snake's world, war has been completely privatised and is the basis of the world economy. Without war, there is recession.
Let's hope not, for Sony's sake. The Japanese giant recently revealed losses of more than $3 billion on Playstation 3 since its launch. Although things are now looking up, Sony may never make the money back. In any case, they're in it for the long haul.
That's why signature titles such as MGS4and Grand Theft Auto IVare vital. Yet, after carrying an audience along for a decade, game studios may find that adult gamers are no longer inclined to support the epic titles. MGS4cost $100 million and took 200 people several years to make. Most fans won't have time to see most of the effort they put into cut scenes.
In future, gamers may well want to pay less for a game and get less content. Then, if they fancy it, they can download extra maps and features. The current crop of blockbusters may be the beginning of the end for the 100-hour, $100 million game.
