Showing posts with label metal gear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metal gear. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

35 years of Metal Gear

July 13, 2022, marks the 35th anniversary of the Metal Gear franchise. Although the iconic stealth-action franchise is now presumed dead after the release of Metal Gear Survive back in February 2018, the video game community is silently honoring the franchise's 35th year by all means necessary. In honor of the Metal Gear franchise's 35th anniversary, it's time for a quick history lesson on the Metal Gear saga.

Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear (MSX2/1987) - The saga that started it all, Metal Gear was launched in the MSX2 in July 1987 and players assume the role of FOXHOUND agent Solid Snake as he infiltrates Outer Heaven to put a stop to a deadly nuclear weapon known as Metal Gear.

Metal Gear 2 SOLID SNAKE (MSX2/1990) - Three years after the first game became a hit, a sequel to the first one, titled METAL GEAR 2 SOLID SNAKE, was launched and in this game, Solid Snake infiltrates Zanzibar Land as he's on a mission to rescue a scientist named Dr. Kio Marv and put a stop to a new Metal Gear.

Metal Gear Solid (PSX/1998) - This is the installment that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history when it was launched on the PlayStation in 1998. It marks the series' jump into 3D graphics and true stealth-action gaming. Solid Snake was summoned to infiltrate a nuclear weapons base known as Shadow Moses island that was under the control of the terrorists and as he races against time, he will learn the truth about what's going on in Shadow Moses. A year after it became a success, a definitive "INTEGRAL" edition was launched featuring VR Missions and special extras.

METAL GEAR Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color/2000) - Spinoff to the hit franchise, Ghost Babel is Metal Gear's foray into the Game Boy Advance and as the gameplay is similar to the first two games, it features an all-original storyline you won't find in this saga.

Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty (PS2/2001) - Sons of Liberty is one of the most dramatic installments of the Metal Gear franchise when it was first launched on the PlayStation 2 in the autumn of 2001 (although it was delayed following the 9.11 attack in America). Aside from Solid Snake, Sons of Liberty introduces a new playable character named Raiden as he infiltrates the Big Shell, controlled by the terrorists, and rescues the hostages including the US President. However, as the story progresses, everything you know about Big Shell and why will soon be changed and all that suspense makes Sons of Liberty one of the most enjoyable games in the last decade. So enjoyable, it even has a definitive SUBSTANCE version launched a year later with added extras and became part of the METAL GEAR SOLID HD EDITION alongside the Snake Eater prequel in late 2011 on the PS3 and XBOX 360.

Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes (GameCube/2004) - The installment that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history has been remade exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube since 2004. Combining MGS1 storytelling with MGS2-inspired gameplay, The Twin Snakes allows players, new and returning, to revisit the Shadow Moses incident in a whole new perspective as well as the memorable friends and foes Snake encountered during his mission.

Metal Gear AC!D (PSP/2004) - One of the first games of the PSP system when it was first launched in 2004, Metal Gear AC!D is a strategy-based action card game where players assume the role of Snake and Teliko as they infiltrate enemy territory with a collectible arsenal of cards, each with their own abilities to turn the tide of the battle.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater (PS2/2004) - The forgotten tale of Big Boss has been told in this prequel of the Metal Gear saga launched on the PS4 in late 2004. When Naked Snake's mission to rescue a Russian scientist ended in disaster, the US Government needs to prove its innocence to the world by sending Snake on a mission to kill his mentor, The Boss, who is now defected to the Soviet Union. Because it's set in the era of the Cold War, players rely on some old-school tactics to survive enemy territory such as collecting camouflage uniforms, hunting animals for food, searching for an arsenal of weapons, and more importantly, CQC. The definitive SUBSISTENCE edition launched a year later, features additional content such as the first-ever METAL GEAR ONLINE multiplayer and two classic Metal Gear games included, making it the perfect METAL GEAR experience for veterans and newcomers alike. It was part of the HD Edition alongside MGS2 since late 2011 on the PS3 and XBOX 360. Also, in Spring 2012, a 3DS version of the said game, titled METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D, was launched, using the full capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS while revisiting the forgotten tale of Big Boss.

Metal Gear AC!D2 (PSP/2005) - Sequel to the 2004 spinoff, AC!D2 pits players assuming the role of either Snake or new agent Venus as they infiltrate a research lab while taking on numerous enemies using a wide array of collectible cards as well as new ones inspired from past installments and other works. Some cards can even trigger 3D clips from either Snake Eater or from one of the gravure models.

Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (PSP/2006) - Metal Gear Solid meets PSP for the first time as Portable Ops brings the same stealth-action fans to love in portable gaming. Set moments after Operation Snake Eater, Snake was captured by his former comrades at the San Hieronymo Peninsula and with the help of the young Roy Campbell, Snake needs to form a team to end FOX's reign of terror in the San Hieronymo Peninsula. This game introduces a Comrade System which allows players to play as a soldier they've captured and there are different kinds of soldiers to collect and play. They can even recruit one via password or Wi-Fi and with a well-trained army, they can take on multiplayer battles online or ad-hoc. A year later, a standalone game called MGS Portable Ops + was launched featuring additional soldiers to capture as well as new multiplayer modes to play.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots (PS3/2008) - When MGS4 was launched on the PS3 on the 12th of June, 2008, fans have been waiting for years to play the most definitive installment of the Metal Gear Saga, and when they said "definitive" it really is because in the not-too-distant future when war means business and the rise of private military corporations (PMCs), Old Snake, and with the help of some old friends from the past, are on a globe-trotting mission to stop Liquid's plot for world domination. Featuring a wide range of customizable weapons, helpful gadgets, and a storyline to end all storylines, it's the ultimate Metal Gear experience also, Metal Gear Online returns as a standalone game mode on MGS4 where players take on other players through different multiplayer modes.

Metal Gear Solid Touch (iPhone/iPod Touch/2009) - Metal Gear Solid goes mobile with the launch of Metal Gear Solid Touch on the iPhone and iPod Touch in Spring 2009. Based on the hit Guns of the Patriots game, players need to shoot their way through five chapters inspired by the said installment and use points for extra content.

Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker (PSP/2010) - The MGS prequel saga continues in Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker. Launched in the Playstation Portable in the spring of 2010, Peace Walker sees the continuing story of Big Boss as he's in Costa Rica with the help of his new ally, Kaz Miller, taking on a new mission from a mysterious visitor to stop a powerful new threat. Peace Walker introduces players to Mother Base as every time they captured a new soldier, it will become part of the crew and it is essential to develop new weapons and equipment that will be proven useful in harder missions. It is the first to introduce co-op gameplay where players work together to complete goals and take on tougher bosses. Life is great when you're cooperating with others as a team and thanks to the Transfarring feature provided in the HD Edition, launched on the PS3 in late 2011, players can continue where they left off everyone or play online either cooperatively or against others in multiplayer battles.

Metal Gear Solid Social Ops (Android/iPhone/2012) - In cooperation with Gree, Social Ops is an app-based game where players collect different cards ranging from characters and mech, based on the rarity of course, that will help them turn the tide against a wave of opponents in different missions.

Metal Gear Rising REVENGEANCE (PS3/2013) - Launched exclusively on the PS3 in the winter of early 2013, this spinoff is a collaboration between Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, developers of mentally insane games such as Bayonetta and Vanquish. This is the first time a Metal Gear game lets players kill everyone on sight and it's definitely the most BRUTAL hack-and-slash game ever made. As Raiden, he lives by the mantra of protecting the innocent right until a terrible incident leads him fueled with the soul of revenge. Armed with the HF Blade, Raiden slashes his way through the villages of Eastern Europe, the sewers of Mexico, the streets of Denver, Colorado, the underbelly of World Marshal HQ, and all roads lead to the climactic battle in Pakistan, all for revenge.

Metal Gear Solid V GROUND ZEROES (PS3/PS4/XBOX One/XBOX 360/2014) - Served as the prologue for The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss on a mission to infiltrate a US military base in Cuba while rescuing Chico and Paz following the dramatic conclusion in Peace Walker. After meeting certain conditions in the Ground Zeroes mission, players can take on additional missions as well as special Deja Vu and Jamais Vu missions.

Metal Gear Solid V THE PHANTOM PAIN (PS3/PS4/XBOX One/XBOX 360/PC/2015) - The Phantom Pain is the gripping conclusion to the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga where it centers on the legendary Big Boss awakened from a coma nine years after the destruction of Mother Base as seen on Ground Zeroes. Desperate for revenge, Venom Snake was accompanied by his trusted partner Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller, his former rival Revolver "Shalashaska" Ocelot, and his men from Diamond Dogs, as he vows to put an end to Cipher's dark conspiracy. Spanning from Afghanistan to Central Africa, the game gives players unprecedented stealth freedom in the form of open-world gaming as well as treats in store from this game and the inevitable plot twists that will keep them guessing for more.

Metal Gear SURVIVE (PS4/XBOX One/PC/2018) - As the first Metal Gear made without Hideo Kojima following his departure from Konami, MG SURVIVE is a combination of stealth and survival game that takes a lot of wits to survive in a horrifying new world you set foot. Players assume the role of a soldier caught up in the fall of Mother Base as seen at the end of Ground Zeroes. Under the hands of a top-secret organization, the unknown soldier is sent out to a distorted world full of creatures known as Wanderers to find the cure for this infection. In this game, players can personalize their soldier, craft necessities, fend off Wanderer hordes, rescue survivors, and survive at all costs. Solo play is fun but nothing's more fun than co-op play.

Happy 35th anniversary to the Metal Gear franchise. Although gone, this franchise is never forgotten especially in the midst of the current affairs the world's facing. From story-driven installments to spinoffs, the Metal Gear franchise rocked the globe with its unique way of gameplay as this game invented the genre of "stealth action" in the first place as well as memorable characters known to many.

SNAAAAAAAAAAAAKEEEEEE!!!

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

METAL GEAR SURVIVE

Let's begin with the Metal Gear series because, for over three decades, this stealth action game franchise became the hallmark of Konami history as well as the man behind it, Sir Hideo Kojima himself. When Mr. Kojima left Konami for good to start his own development team from scratch, fans are wondering what will the future of the Metal Gear franchise be without him, and turns out, despite Mr. Kojima's departure, the franchise still survives, and as demonstrated by its latest installment.

Metal Gear Survive

This is what they come up with. It's called METAL GEAR SURVIVE and true to its name, the franchise does survive despite Mr. Kojima's departure from Konami, but for the wrong reason because as it implies, MG SURVIVE is a combination of stealth and survival game that takes a lot of wits to survive in a horrifying new world you set foot.

Using the game mechanics from THE PHANTOM PAIN, MG Survive works in both ways, you can either go on a solo campaign to delve deeper into the story of the game or play cooperatively with mates online. Whichever game style you go for, the game gets tougher and tougher but the rewards will get better for your next exploration. 

In solo play, you are assuming the role of a soldier caught up in the fall of Mother Base as seen at the end of Ground Zeroes. Under the hands of a top-secret organization, you've been sent out to a distorted world full of creatures known as Wanderers to find the cure for this infection. 

Before setting off, you can personalize what soldier will you be and when setting off, you need to be familiar with the survival elements you come across. Because this is a survival game, you need to collect items to craft items and weapons. Later on, you will encounter survivors that will be proven to benefit you in your home base. At your home base, you can craft items, check your staff, produce necessities such as food, water, and medicine (of course), fortify with defenses, can customize whatever you want to make your home base unique as long as it is battle-ready in case of a swarm of Wanderers lurking your way.  Oh yeah, as you explore the treacherous environment, you may run into the mist world and because you're equipped with the oxygen tank, surviving the mist world is harsh indeed because battling enemies will deplete your oxygen level so best to be careful while you're out there.

Playing co-op with other players is a great way to experience MG Survive at its best and in this kind of co-op, players need to defend the Wormhole Digger from a wave of creatures. Defend it long enough, the mission is a success and you can keep the rewards such as materials needed for crafting items and equipment as well as other stuff. Goof this off, the mission is a failure. It's important to cooperate with other players and come prepared with the strongest equipment available to make sure missions can go smoothly as planned and if you are enjoying it, it can be very rewarding and addictive.

How to sum this game up? Well, the franchise did survive but in the wrong direction because it's different from the Metal Gear games we're familiar with, and blending stealth action with survival gameplay sounds like a new challenge for seasoned Metal Gear fanatics but since this is a Metal Gear game, it's worth a shot trying it. It can be very unpleasant at first but the more you play MG Survive, the more you're getting the hang of this new kind of Metal Gear gameplay and that is the bottom line. Of course, the Metal Gear saga has been with us for three decades and while the franchise managed to survive without Mr. Kojima, it feels kind of tragic knowing that the franchise shriveled itself to the wrong way around and as demonstrated with MG Survive, it leaves players in a sea of disappointing faces knowing that a Metal Gear game is not a Metal Gear game without Mr. Kojima but since what's done is done, there's no turning back to it so enjoy playing this new Metal Gear game while you can.

Friday, July 14, 2017

30 best moments in Metal Gear history

Even with creator Hideo Kojima no longer working with the franchise, leaving its future in doubt, the world still celebrates 30 years of Metal Gear like they always do and as the world honors three decades of the hit stealth action game Konami has ever made, let's take time to jot down the best 30 moments in Metal Gear history.

Metal Gear Solid

From fistfights, man against machines, wild west shootouts, sword duels, every moment in Metal Gear is memorable in every tangible way and as the series reaches its 30th anniversary, time to remember some of the best moments that shaped the Metal Gear saga into the franchise we loved for. BE WARNED though that this stuff contains spoilers so play the rest of the saga first before coming back for this list.

1) After getting the Card8 from Coward Duck and going through pitfall-infested areas and electric floors that that led him to the Metal Gear, Snake comes face to face against the ultimate weapon of mass destruction he must destroy. After several plastique bombs that is recommended against Metal Gear, Solid Snake successfully destroyed but the timer is set and Outer Heaven's wired to blow. Still, could be worse, Solid Snake engages on a one-on-one battle against Big Boss. After defeating Big Boss, Solid Snake has escaped from Outer Heaven once and for all.

2) Solid Snake faces off against his comrade, Gray Fox, who pilots the Metal Gear. After throwing grenades on its legs, which is its weak point, Metal Gear has been blown away but most of his equipment went in flames. After throwing away his equipment, Snake engages on a fistfight against Fox and after winning the fight, Snake heard a mysterious voice which led him to a rematch against Big Boss. After getting through the locked doors and some oil spills to get the lighter and a aerosol spray, Snake sets Big Boss in flames. After defeating Big Boss, Snake reunites with Holly as they are getting away from Zanzibar Land from reinforcements.

3) Upon Snake's encounter with Hal Emmerich, he was caught off-guard by the Cyborg Ninja by surprise and the two adversaries engaged in a fistfight, the more Snake fought the Cyborg Ninja. After a bloodless fistfight, Cyborg Ninja's starting to lose control while Snake found out that the Ninja's actually Gray Fox, back from the dead. With the Cyborg Ninja retreated, Snake meets up with Hal and learned about Metal Gear. Learning the truth, Hal will help Snake to deal with the Metal Gear via codec contact under the Otacon name.

4) The battle against Psycho Mantis is by no means one the most memorable fights in Metal Gear history and who can forget his signature blackout trick that renders the screen black? What's even cool is that because Mantis knows your controls, the only trick is to use the second controller to defeat Mantis. No battle is cooler than the Mantis fight.

5) With Snake and Meryl being caught by the guards as well as Sniper Wolf, Snake is transferred to the torture chamber where he will either submit himself to Ocelot's torture. This torture involves Snake getting electrocuted and he has to survive through the torture or else it's game over. After the torture, Snake is locked in to the cell with a guard on sight before he's getting tortured again. Meanwhile, Otacon appeared out of nowhere via stealth camouflage and gave Snake nothing but a bottle of ketchup. Doesn't know why but it works as fake blood to fool the guard and it did. With Snake got his equipment, the mission continues.

6) After Snake pinned down a Hind D helicopter with Liquid in it, Snake managed to the ambush at the elevator against stealth-equipped Genome soldiers to reach through the building where MG-REX is housed. However, his race against time hits a snag with another sniper battle against Sniper Wolf. After Snake defeated Sniper Wolf once and for all, Otacon appeared as he mourn on the death of his lover while Wolf told him the truth about how she feels for him. With Wolf died, Snake placed the handkerchief on her face, attracting the wolves howling for the fallen sniper.

7) After the fall of Vulcan Raven, Snake has reached through the REX Hangar and he obtained a special key to override REX's protocols. However, there is a problem; there's only one key and REX requires three sequences with patterns matching temperatures. Fortunately, this key can change its properties when exposed to hot and cold temperatures, allowing Snake to venture back to the place where he defeated Raven and the blast furnace to change the key card's properties before inserting it on one of the computers. However, as he activated all three, he received a codec message from Miller. Turns out that it's a trap; MG-REX's now active and the Master Miller he contacted is none other than, you guessed it, Liquid. Thanks to Snake, Liquid's plot to use this nuclear weapon against the government is thriving, and he has to take it down. Out of nowhere, Gray Fox emerged and while he successfully weaken REX's functionalities, he was later killed by Liquid and Snake avenged Fox by destroying REX once and for all. 

8) With REX destroyed, both Snake and Liquid woke up from unconsciousness and with Liquid told Snake the truth behind the Genome Soldiers and how did they emerged from their own genes, Snake tried to contact Colonel Campbell, only later he was cut off by Secretary of Defense Jim Houseman, who plots to bomb the whole Shadow Moses with the nukes along with it. With time running out, Snake engages on a final fistfight against Liquid with Meryl's life at stake whether how did she survived following Snake's torture earlier. With Snake defeated Liquid after that intense fistfight, he rescued Meryl and escape using a jeep. During their getaway, Liquid emerged and the two adversaries fight themselves to the finish and upon the escape, Liquid tries to kill Snake but the FOXDIE virus killed Liquid. Snake contacted the Colonel and he was relieved that the air strike was averted following Secretary Houseman's arrest. Snake told the Colonel about Otacon's whereabouts and the two finally got away from Shadow Moses safely.

9) Snake managed to get through the Marines' presentation of a new Metal Gear prototype lurking under the tanker in New York City to collect photographic evidence. After obtaining photographic evidence, the presentation ended until the appearance of Ocelot and the Gurlukovich soldiers, led by Sergei Gurlukovich, Olga's father. Ocelot killed Sergei and the Marine sergeant and threatened the Marines that he'll blow this tanker off, prompting a quick getaway using Metal Gear Ray. With the tanker blown, Snake rushed to Ocelot until Liquid's re-emergence through Ocelot's right arm made Snake panicked in despair. Ocelot got away with the RAY while Snake is caught in the sinking of the tanker.

10) Raiden encountered a person who thinks he's from the NYPD until Pliskin comes in and the man in question is known as Peter Stillman, the bomb disposal expert. Peter told the men about the bombs planted around the Big Shell are the work of Fatman from the terrorist group, Dead Cell. Fatman is the self-proclaimed Emperor of Explosives and he always leaves some sort of fragrance on the bombs he planted. To find and disarm those explosives, they will need some kind of special sensor to find one and disarm using a coolant. As they keep disarming more and more explosives, word from Stillman is that there are some bombs Fatman never left his scent on, so Raiden needs to go back to the mess hall to pickup a special sensor. After disarming bombs, Raiden was contacted by Peter until he was caught in the blast at the Shell 2 Core. As Raiden rushes through the heliport, he was blocked by a sudden encounter of a railgun-wielding female named Fortune. Raiden tries shooting her but bullets won't harm her because of some sort of force, leaving him no choice but survive until the lift has arrived. With the lift arrived, Raiden's got the chance to shoot her but instead, he shot Vamp. As Raiden reached the heliport, he encounters Fatman and engages on a duel while trying to disarm some explosives. After killing Fatman, he triggered his biggest party piece; a bomb that would blow up half of the Shell and it's hidden...at his dead body. Raiden successfully disarmed the last bomb ever planted and his mission to rescue the President continues.

11) Using the uniform he obtained from a mysterious ninja called Mr. X, and the AKS-74U he found in the storage, Raiden managed to get through Shell 1 Core unnoticed while finding a certain hostage, who revealed to be Richard Ames, a Secret Service agent. Upon their encounter, Ames told Raiden the terrorists' plot to use the President's launch code to engage the nuclear weapon. Raiden managed to eavesdrop a conversation between Ocelot and a mysterious adversary using a directional microphone. As Ocelot comes out, Raiden obtains the card from Ames and returns to his disguise. Following Ames' sudden heart attack after his rage against Ocelot, Raiden's disguise was busted by the troops and with Mr. X emerged, Raiden tries to getaway from Shell 1 and heads to Shell 2 Core.

12) As Raiden tries to reach Shell 2 Core, he encounters a mysterious caped adversary who claimed to be Solid Snake but Pliskin protested he's not Solid Snake. The caped adversary revealed to be Solidus Snake, the third of the Les Enfants Terribles project, and with Raiden discovered Snake's real identity, he tries to fend Solidus off, until he's inside a Harrier with Vamp along with it. Snake tosses Raiden some Stinger missiles as the Kasatka he's on can't stand up with the Harrier. Using the Stinger missiles, Raiden tries to fend off the Harrier until that moment when they witnessed that Metal Gear's already active! After the shocking revelation, Raiden continues to rush to Shell 2 Core to rescue the President. During the rescue, the President told Raiden the truth about Big Shell and the cover story that fooled everyone regarding the Tanker incident two years ago. He also mentioned Solidus' true identity as a former US President who became the leader of the Dead Cell terrorists as well as the Metal Gear that houses Metal Gear known as Arsenal Gear. Only a woman named Emma Emmerich, Otacon's stepsister, can disrupt Arsenal with the virus and he lends Raiden a keycard that will take her to Emma and the code against Arsenal. After the President revealed the truth, he wanted Raiden to kill him to prevent a nuclear strike until Ocelot emerged out of nowhere and shot the President by surprise.

13) After defeating Vamp, Raiden managed to rescue Emma, who has a serious childhood trauma regarding bodies of water, and he will do whatever he can to reunite Emma with her stepbrother by all means necessary. As they reached the rendezvous point with Snake on the other side, the two men are using sniper rifles to keep Emma safe from incoming threats, be it a soldier or a Cypher UAV, until when Emma's going to reach Snake, Vamp jumps out and Raiden shot him, but Emma was fatally stabbed by Vamp. As the countdown before Arsenal Gear gets off, Raiden rushes back to the Shell 1 Core and with Emma passed away from Otacon's eyes, the virus was implanted on the mainframe but it will take moments before it goes into effect. In the meantime, Snake told Otacon to evacuate the hostages while he and Raiden have unfinished business to do, which involves using Raiden as bait to get into Arsenal.

14) As the naked Raiden sneaks his way through Arsenal, he keeps receiving eerie messages from the Colonel until Rose contacted him to tell the truth about how the two feel. After a shocking conversation, Raiden was reunited with Snake and got his equipment back. Also, Snake gave Raiden a weapon from the ninja, who revealed as Olga all along, an HF Blade that Raiden would love to use it. As the two fend off an army of Tengu troops, Raiden gets on the top of Arsenal Gear until Solidus emerged and an army of mass-produced MG Rays attacked him. Raiden was outnumbered by those mass produced Rays until the virus went in effect, causing them to go haywire. After the mess, Ocelot steps in along with Fortune, who got Snake during Raiden's ascend to the top of Arsenal. Ocelot shots her but Fortune's railgun couldn't hit Ocelot because of some sort of electromagnetic device he's using. However, the strain in Ocelot's right arm caused Liquid to take over Ocelot's body and he gets inside Ray to finish the job once and for all. However, as the Ray fired its missiles on everyone, Fortune, using her last strength of her energy, managed to deflect the missiles using nothing but a miracle. As Snake pursues Liquid, Raiden and Solidus emerged at New York City's Federal Hall for a denouement and following such revelations between them, the sword fight between father and son emerges. In the heat of the battle, Raiden defeated Solidus once and for all and after the battle, Raiden's starting to wonder who he really is until Snake gave him a little pep talk on his future.

15) Following Snake's rescue mission on a Russian scientist named Sokolov, they were caught in a battle between the KGB troops and the GRU's Ocelot unit, led by a young Ocelot. As Snake fended them off with CQC, he escorts Sokolov to safety until his encounter with The Boss changes everything. The Boss told Snake he's defecting to the Soviets and following her shocking move, she and her Cobras took Sokolov and throw Snake out into the falls. Following Snake's injury, he witnessed a devastating nuclear attack on Russian soil using an American-made Davy Crockett portable nuclear warhead. Following the Virtuous Mission incident, the Russians are blaming the US Government and they're going on an all-out war with the Americans unless they sent someone to assassinate The Boss and that someone none other than Naked Snake. This is the start of Operation Snake Eater.

16) During Operation Snake Eater, Snake faces off against a ragtag group of super soldiers known as The Cobras. There is The Pain, who uses insects as his weapon, The Fear who can fall victim using crossbows loaded with pipe bombs and venoms as well as invisibility to blend himself through the jungle, The End who is a ancient sniper hidden through the forests, and The Fury who shoots flames all over.

17) When Snake's Major Raikov disguise was caught off guard by Volgin, Volgin shot Sokolov in the legs while Snake trying to fend off Volgin until The Boss steps in to knock Snake unconscious. Moments later, Snake was tortured by Volgin and after the torture, Snake sees Ocelot doing Russian Roulette to intimidate Tatiana, who is actually EVA in disguise, until the bullet hit Snake's right eye. Ocelot lodged him with a transmitter while The Boss shot him with a revolver before lending the empty gun to him and said "Run." Tatiana whispered to Snake that she has her equipment and she set up a rendezvous point. Snake tries to fool the prison guard by any means necessary and escape from the Groznyj Grad to the rendezvous point while the Ocelot units tailing him. Snake jumps out from the sewers to get away from Ocelot until one moment, he woke up with the sudden encounter with a Cobra member known as The Sorrow. After woken up from such a nightmare, Snake ventured to the rendezvous point and uncovered Tatiana's real identity, who happens to be EVA. After getting his gear back, EVA lends Snake some C3 explosives to plant on the fuel tanks at the Shagohod's hangar.

18) After his clash with Volgin, the C3 explosives set off and the hangar's destroyed. Snake and EVA tries to get away while reaching to the point where he'll face with The Boss. However, the Shagohod's already active and the intense sidecar getaway sequence begins as they are racing their way to the rail bridge, where EVA planted a bomb on the struts for Snake to shoot it when the timing's right. The bridge's destroyed but the Shagohod jumps out, prompting Snake for an epic do-or-die match against this monster machine. With Volgin and the Shagohod defeated, the pursuit continues until they've reached through the woods when the bike got shot and jumped out from the bike. After Snake treating EVA's wounds and gave her the revolver, the two are working their way out from the woods and as they reached the escape point, Snake comes back to face against The Boss for a final showdown. With The Boss falls, she gave Snake the remnants of the Philosophers' Legacy as well as her signature Patriot assault gun and then took her life with her own gun.

19) As Snake reached the missile silo in the pursuit of Gene, he faces off against Cunningham for the last time and explained about how the war unfolds into greater heights and his true intentions, prompting Snake to finish off Cunningham once and for all. After defeating Cunningham, he's going to use the nuke on themselves but failed when his hoverjet blown into smithereens. As he reached Gene, he told Snake everything about this conspiracy. As Gene's about to launch the nuke, Ursula (Elisa) appears out of nowhere and used every ounce of her psychic power to fend him off until Gene killed her. As Gene tries to carry on with the plan, Snake vowed Elisa to avenge her while Ursula witnessed his future. With Gene triggered the nuclear launch, Snake engages Gene on a climactic battle to decide the fate of the world. As Snake outsmarted Gene's psychic powers and defeated him, Gene lend him a film that contains information on his planned world domination but didn't lend him how to stop the nuke. Listening in to Sokolov, Snake used by whatever means necessary to stop the launch but despite efforts from him and the group of soldiers helping him, the nuke was launched. However, the nuke witnessed a malfunction and exploded into many pieces. Snake and his men succeeded from destroying a nuclear weapon.

20) During Old Snake's pursuit on Liquid Ocelot in the Middle East, he was reunited by his old ally Meryl and after all the bickering over personal interests, she introduced him to the her team called RAT PT 01 consisting of her, Akiba, Ed, and Jonathan. After their little introduction, their rendezvous point was raided by Liquid's personal army, the Haven Troopers. As Snake, Meryl, and the gang fends against those heavily armed personnel, Snake continues to pursue Liquid in the war-torn Middle East until his first encounter of the BB Corps that wiped out the militias. After the encounter, Snake managed to infiltrate the enemy camp and encountered Liquid until he became lured into his trap.

21) After defeating Laughing Octopus, Old Snake heads to the forest to follow a trail that will lead him to Naomi. After leading him to Naomi's, he saw her being taken by soldiers and Vamp. As Snake shot Vamp in the head, Liquid unleash the abnormalities on the soldiers' nanomachines, acting them like zombies. After rescuing Naomi, Snake hitched a ride from Drebin and fight his way to the extraction point at a village, with puppet soldiers and Gekkos tailing on their backs.

22) As the Resistance escorting the remains of Big Boss to an extraction point, the Raven Sword soldiers, Gekkos, as well as Haven Troopers, are gunning the resistance down while Snake and Big Mama making a quick getaway from enemy fire while keeping the remains safe. After the chase, Snake and Big Mama got cornered by the attacks of the Sliders and Snake goes to the tower to attack Raging Raven. After defeating Raging Raven, he escorted Big Mama to safety, only to found out that Liquid destroyed the remains of Big Boss. Worse, he now has full control of the nanomachines because of Guns of the Patriots, killing everyone on sight. After that traumatic event, Snake's left face was burnt while Liquid and his troops getting away with Otacon's MG Mk.II leapt through Liquid's ship.

23) After Old Snake and Otacon reached REX's hangar to find the remains of MG REX before Liquid get his hands on it, Otacon found out that Liquid wanted REX's railgun rather than the whole unit. As the plot thickens, Vamp appears and Snake faces off against the immortal adversary until he injected him with the syringe to nullify his immortality. With Vamp now being mortal, self-destructing Gekkos appeared and as Raiden appears to finish Vamp off, Snake readies the railgun he obtained from defeating Crying Wolf. With Vamp killed, Naomi tries to end her suffering and with the loss of Naomi, Snake and his allies are in control of MG REX while pursuing against Liquid. As he faces off against Liquid in a Metal Gear Ray, the party really starts. It's a battle between REX and Ray until one stand out from the top.

24) After the virus wiped out all the existence of the Patriots, Snake faces Liquid for one final fistfight at the top of Outer Haven. It became the fistfight to end all fistfights until the winner is named. As Snake defeated Liquid, he says his last words to him before his death.

25) As Big Boss races through the Soviet base in Nicaragua to rescue Paz from Coldman's clutches, Snake realised that he's too late as Coldman inputted a false data on Peace Walker. As Coldman's plot thickens, Galvez emerged and revealed his true identity as Vladimir Zadornov as he manipulates his plan to attack Cuba. He even forced Paz to kill Coldman as well. After Coldman was shot dead, Zadornov's going to dispose Big Boss once and for all until Amanda, Chico, Miller, and his men arrived to save Snake. Just when they thought everything is over, Dr. Strangelove told Snake about The Boss as she sends him to Peace Walker until Coldman activated the nuke to carry out the false nuclear attack as his memento. Snake has to attack Peace Walker before it launches the nuke and after several rockets, bullets, and explosions later to ward Peace Walker off, the false nuclear data still remains just as when the persuasion with the government officials wasn't enough, the Mammal Pod's opened for him to empty it but the false nuclear data still remains. Snake thrown in everything he got until Peace Walker awakens to commit its ultimate sacrifice.

26) After numerous escape attempts, Big Boss neutralized Zadornov once and for all. However, all's not well in Mother Base when his Metal Gear Zeke went active and it was the work of Paz, who was revealed that she's a spy who works from a shadowy organization known as Cipher. When Snake rejected Paz's offer to join Cipher, Paz initiates a nuclear strike and it's up to Snake to destroy his creation cannibalized by a spy. After Paz bailed out from Zeke, things are back to the way things were and the real ending is when Miller told Snake the truth and why it matters for MSF.

27) Following the dramatic conclusion of Peace Walker, Big Boss infiltrates a US military base in Cuba to rescue Chico and Paz while the Mother Base staff prepares for a surprise inspection from the IAEA. After rescuing Chico and Paz, Snake witnessed the fall of Mother Base and almost most of his men while being attacked by some mysterious group of soldiers.

28) Snake and the Diamond Dogs are facing off against Sahelanthropus and they give in everything they got to stop this atrocity and claim their vengeance against Skull Face. After Sahelanthropus was fallen, Snake and Miller finally got the chance to extract revenge against the man behind Cipher. If Snake didn't shoot Skull Face, Miller did but he decapitated Skull Face instead and let him live in agony until Huey killed him. Upon returning to Mother Base, they brought the downed Sahelanthropus with them, proof that they have successfully extracted revenge against Cipher but the road to vengeance is far from over. Moments after Sahelanthropus under Mother Base hands, however, Eli and the child soldiers got away with it, raising questions on its whereabouts.

29) After Big Boss found Quiet held captive by the Soviet troops at the Lamar Khaate Palace, he witnessed Quiet violently attacked the captors and later reunited with Snake as they face off reinforcements storming through an abandoned Afghan palace. Snake needs to fend off the reinforcements while protecting the silent assassin. As they successfully rid the reinforcements, Snake tries to bring Quiet to the designated rendezvous point in the dead of a sandstorm. However, Snake was bitten by a snake and Quiet tries to rescue him while summoning the chopper for pickup. This is the part where we see Quiet literally broke her silence and after the rescue, Snake woke up with Quiet nowhere to be found and all that's left from her is a cassette tape of her testimony with Snake.

30) The real ending of The Phantom Pain is the biggest plot twist no one ever saw it coming. While revisiting the beginning of the story, the one where Cipher's XOF raided a hospital in Dhekelia while Snake is escaping the hospital with the help of someone known as Ishmael. After witnessing the beginning, here's the real kicker; the Ishmael who helped Snake escaped from the hospital is actually Big Boss after all and the Big Boss in question is actually a regular Mother Base soldier now bearing Snake's identity.

And there you have it. My 30 best moments in Metal Gear history and if you have anything else to say, don't be afraid because the celebration of 30 years of Metal Gear continues and with the upcoming orchestral performance featuring the best songs from the history of the Metal Gear saga from Operation Snake Eater to Guns of the Patriots, looks like there's more icing on top of the cake as the world celebrates 30 years of Metal Gear and in preparation for next year's Metal Gear Survive.

Friday, July 7, 2017

30 years of Metal Gear

The year 2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Konami's flagship stealth action game series but since that Hideo Kojima's no longer with the franchise anymore since The Phantom Pain and is now busy working with his first project since he left Konami, titled Death Straddling. It's sad to see how the future of Metal Gear saga will be without its creator but still, while Konami remains mum on its uncertain future, let's take a trip back memory lane to celebrate thirty years of Metal Gear.

Metal Gear Solid

From story-driven installments to spinoffs, the Metal Gear franchise rocked the globe with its unique way of gameplay as this game invented the genre of "stealth action" in the first place as well as memorable characters known to many. To date, over 51 million copies sold and it became the most successful franchise in video game history. So successful, everyone's fighting to get their products on a Metal Gear game.

Now though, the future of this franchise is now in doubt even though they've announced a new installment to the series despite Hideo Kojima's departure from the franchise and while we are wistfully look through the history of this great video game franchise, let's list down the installments from the past, present, and the future.

Metal Gear (MSX2/1987) - The saga that started it all, Metal Gear was launched in the MSX2 in July 1987 and players assume the role of FOXHOUND agent Solid Snake as he infiltrates Outer Heaven to put a stop of a deadly nuclear weapon known as Metal Gear.

Metal Gear 2 SOLID SNAKE (MSX2/1990) - Three years after the first game became a hit, a sequel to the first one, titled METAL GEAR 2 SOLID SNAKE, was launched and in this game, Solid Snake infiltrates Zanzibar Land as he's on a mission to rescue a scientist named Dr. Kio Marv and put a stop to a new Metal Gear.

Metal Gear Solid (PSX/1998) - This is the installment that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history when it was launched on the PlayStation in 1998. It marks the series' jump into 3D graphics and true stealth action gaming. Solid Snake was summoned to infiltrate a nuclear weapons base known as Shadow Moses island that was under the control of the terrorists and as he races against time, he will learn the truth about what's going on in Shadow Moses. A year after it became success, a definitive "INTEGRAL" edition was launched featuring VR Missions and special extras.

METAL GEAR Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color/2000) - Spinoff to the hit franchise, Ghost Babel is Metal Gear's foray to the Game Boy Advance and as the gameplay is similar to the first two games, it features an all-original storyline you won't find in this saga.

Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty (PS2/2001) - Sons of Liberty is one of the most dramatic installment of the Metal Gear franchise when it was first launched in the PlayStation 2 on the autumn of 2001 (although it was delayed following the 9.11 attack in America). Aside from Solid Snake, Sons of Liberty introduces a new playable character named Raiden as he infiltrates the Big Shell, controlled by the terrorists, and rescue the hostages including the US President. However, as the story progresses, everything you know about Big Shell and why will soon be changed and all that suspense makes Sons of Liberty one of the most enjoyable games in the last decade. So enjoyable, it even has a definitive SUBSTANCE version launched a year later with added extras and became part of the METAL GEAR SOLID HD EDITION alongside the Snake Eater prequel since late 2011 on the PS3 and XBOX 360.

Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes (GameCube/2004) - The installment that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history has been remade exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube since 2004. Combining MGS1 storytelling with MGS2-inspired gameplay, The Twin Snakes allows players, new and returning, revisiting the Shadow Moses incident in a whole new perspective as well as the memorable friends and foes Snake encountered during his mission.

Metal Gear AC!D (PSP/2004) - One of the first games of the PSP system when it was first launched in 2004, Metal Gear AC!D is a strategy-based action card game where players assume the role of Snake and Teliko as they infiltrate enemy territory with a collectible arsenal of cards, each with their own abilities to turn the tide of the battle.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater (PS2/2004) - The forgotten tale of Big Boss has been told in this prequel of the Metal Gear saga launched on the PS4 in late 2004. When Naked Snake's mission to rescue a Russian scientist ended in disaster, the US Government needs to prove its innocence to the world by sending Snake on a mission to kill his mentor, The Boss, who is now defected to the Soviet Union. Because it's set in the era of the Cold War, players rely on some old-school tactics to survive enemy territory such as collecting camouflage uniforms, hunt animals for food, search for arsenal of weapons, and more importantly, CQC. The definitive SUBSISTENCE edition, launched a year later, features additional content such as the first ever METAL GEAR ONLINE multiplayer and two classic Metal Gear games included, making it the perfect METAL GEAR experience for veterans and newcomers alike. It was part of the HD Edition alongside MGS2 since late 2011 on the PS3 and XBOX 360. Also, in Spring 2012, a 3DS version of the said game, titled METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D, was launched, using the full capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS while revisiting the forgotten tale of Big Boss.

Metal Gear AC!D2 (PSP/2005) - Sequel to the 2004 spinoff, AC!D2 pits players assuming the role of either Snake or new agent Venus as they infiltrate on a research lab while taking on numerous enemies using a wide array of collectible cards as well as new ones inspired from past installments and other works. Some cards can even trigger 3D clips from either Snake Eater or from one of the gravure models.

Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (PSP/2006) - Metal Gear Solid meets PSP for the first time as Portable Ops brings the same stealth action fans love in portable gaming. Set moments after Operation Snake Eater, Snake was captured by his former comrades at the San Hieronymo Peninsula and with the help of the young Roy Campbell, Snake needs to form a team to end FOX's reign of terror in the San Hieronymo Peninsula. This game introduces a Comrade System which allows players to play as a soldier they've captured and there are different kinds of soldiers to collect and play. They can even recruit one via password or Wi-Fi and with a well-trained army, they can take on multiplayer battles online or ad-hoc. A year later, a standalone game called MGS Portable Ops + was launched featuring additional soldiers to capture as well as new multiplayer modes to play.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots (PS3/2008) - When MGS4 was launched in the PS3 in the 12th of June, 2008, fans have been waited for years to play the most definitive installment of the Metal Gear Saga and whey they said "definitive" it really is because in the not-to-distant future when war means business and the rise of private military corporations (PMCs), Old Snake, and with the help of some old friends from the past, are on a globe-trotting mission to stop Liquid's plot for world domination. Featuring a wide range of customizable weapons, helpful gadgets, and a storyline to end all storylines, it's the ultimate Metal Gear experience and also, Metal Gear Online returns as a standalone game mode on MGS4 where players take on other players through different multiplayer modes.

Metal Gear Solid Touch (iPhone/iPod Touch/2009) - Metal Gear Solid goes mobile with the launch of Metal Gear Solid Touch on the iPhone and iPod Touch since Spring 2009. Based on the hit Guns of the Patriots game, players need to shoot their way through five chapters inspired from the said installment and use points for extra contents.

Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker (PSP/2010) - The MGS prequel saga continues in Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker. Launched in the Playstation Portable in the spring of 2010, Peace Walker sees the continuing story of Big Boss as he's on Costa Rica with the help of his new ally, Kaz Miller, taking on a new mission from a mysterious visitor to stop a powerful new threat. Peace Walker introduces players to Mother Base as for every time they captured a new soldier, it will became part of the crew and it is essential to develop new weapons and equipment that will be proven useful in harder missions. It is the first to introduce co-op gameplay where players work together to complete goals and take on tougher bosses. Life is great when you're cooperating with others as a team and thanks to the Transfarring feature provided in the HD Edition, launched on the PS3 in late 2011, players can continue where they left off everyone or play online either cooperatively or against others in multiplayer battles.

Metal Gear Solid Social Ops (Android/iPhone/2012) - In cooperation with Gree, Social Ops is an app-based game where players collect different cards ranging from characters and mech, based on rarity of course, that will help them turn the tide against a wave of opponents in different missions.

Metal Gear Rising REVENGEANCE (PS3/2013) - Launched exclusively on the PS3 in the winter of early 2013, this spinoff is a collaboration between Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, developers of mentally insane games such as Bayonetta and Vanquish. This is the first time a Metal Gear game that lets players kill everyone on sight and it's definitely the most BRUTAL hack-and-slash game ever made. As Raiden, he lives by the mantra of protecting the innocent right until a terrible incident that lead him fueled with the soul of revenge. Armed with the HF Blade, Raiden slashes his way through the villages of Eastern Europe, the sewers of Mexico, the streets of Denver, Colorado, the underbelly of World Marshal HQ, and all roads lead to the climactic battle in Pakistan, all for revenge.

Metal Gear Solid V GROUND ZEROES (PS3/PS4/XBOX One/XBOX 360/2014) - Served as the prologue for The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss on a mission to infiltrate a US military base in Cuba while rescuing Chico and Paz following the dramatic conclusion in Peace Walker. After meeting certain conditions in the Ground Zeroes mission, players can take on additional missions as well as special Deja Vu and Jamais Vu missions.

Metal Gear Solid V THE PHANTOM PAIN (PS3/PS4/XBOX One/XBOX 360/PC/2015) - The Phantom Pain is the gripping conclusion to the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga where it centers on the legendary Big Boss awakened from a coma nine years after the destruction of Mother Base as seen on Ground Zeroes. Desperate for revenge, Venom Snake was accompanied by his trusted partner Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller, his former rival Revolver "Shalashaska" Ocelot, and his men from Diamond Dogs, as he vows to put an end to Cipher's dark conspiracy. Spanning from Afghanistan to Central Africa, the game gives players unprecedented stealth freedom in the form of open world gaming as well as treats in store from this game and the inevitable plot twists that will keep them guessing for more.

Metal Gear SURVIVE (PS4/XBOX One/PC/2018) - This will be the first ever Metal Gear game to be made following Kojima's departure from the Metal Gear franchise and in this upcoming multiplayer-focused co-op game, players will pit the role of one of the Mother Base soldiers who are ended up on a distorted dimension and they will need to work together as a group to survive a nightmare-filled landscape.

Kept you waiting, huh? Anyway, happy 30th anniversary to the Metal Gear saga and let's raise a cigar and some cardboard boxes to one of the greatest video game franchises in history. Here's hoping that even without its creator, the franchise will survive in the hearts of fans because the end is where they'll start from.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

METAL GEAR SOLID V ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

METAL GEAR SOLID V
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the gripping conclusion to the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga where it centers on the legendary Big Boss awakened from a coma nine years after the destruction of Mother Base as seen on Ground Zeroes. Desperate for revenge, he was accompanied by his trusted partner Benedict "Kazuhira" Miller, his former rival Revolver "Shalashaska" Ocelot, and his men from Diamond Dogs, Punished "Venom" Snake vows to put an end to Cipher's dark conspiracy. Spanning from Afghanistan to Central Africa, the game gives players unprecedented stealth freedom in the form of open world gaming as well as treats in store from this game and the inevitable plot twists that will keep them guessing for more.

In honor of The Phantom Pain's launch, here comes the soundtrack which covers both the Ground Zeroes prologue and The Phantom Pain main story. Handcrafted by the veterans behind the background musics heard from the Metal Gear saga, this two disc album features not just the scores heard from both MGSV games but also licensed songs such as The Man Who Sold The World, Here's To You, Not Your Kind of People, and Nuclear. It even comes with The Phantom Pain's theme song, Sins of the Father by Donna Burke, who once provided her vocals from Peace Walker's Heavens Divide five years ago.

This two-disc compilation is a sure thing that will keep your Phantom Cigars smoking on while listening on the songs and scores heard in the most dramatic chapter in the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain


Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
(PS3)

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
(PS4)

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
(XBOX One)


The so-called final chapter of the Metal Gear Solid prequel saga has arrived and it's definitely worth the wait for those who want to jump out from their cardboard boxes just to try the latest installment of one of the most influential video game franchises ever. The Phantom Pain pushes the Metal Gear formula to greater heights because, for the first time, MGS goes open world. Because it's now open-world, players have been given the freedom to unleash their stealth tactics or whatever means necessary to complete series of missions as well as gaining items to build their own Mother Base and defend against rival players worldwide.

Set years after the tragic events in Ground Zeroes, Snake was left in a coma by a mysterious intelligence network known as Cipher. Aided by his old enemy, Ocelot, Snake sets on a trail to Afghanistan to rescue his partner, Kaz Miller, who was held by Soviet troops. As the search for Miller progresses, the conspiracy behind Cipher lurks and who's the enemy is Snake facing on now?

With lessons learned from Ground Zeroes, the newest bits in the world of Metal Gear has been implemented in The Phantom Pain such as taking advantage of means of transportation, CQC takedowns, and so much more. That's just the beginning because while this game is best played with next-gen consoles such as XBOX One and the PS4 (we'd recommend playing that game on that one), The Phantom Pain feels more realistic than ever thanks to realistic passage time and realtime weather. That looks realistic but further stealth measures need to be implemented while harnessing the elements thrown at you.

In some missions, you are never alone because thanks to the Buddy System, you can seek help from elsewhere to finish the mission with efficiency and cleverness. You can summon help from wolves, have several uses with a horse, and get a little help from a character named Quiet.

Gaining resources as learned from Peace Walker is now more than ever because apart from using Fulton Recovery (which is time-efficient than dragging them to your ally chopper called Morpho, amidst their limited quantities) on your enemies and vehicles, you can even use it on animals and other objects. As you get more, you can use them to build your own Mother Base and, for an added bite, defend against other players trying to steal your valuables from your Mother Base. If you had the urge to steal other players' stuff from the Mother Base, feel free to do so.

If you had enough fun with the innovative solo gameplay, you can turn over to multiplayer gameplay via the return of Metal Gear Online but you have to wait till next month to do so. With MGO's return in TPP, gamers must work together to defeat opposing teams in series of multiplayer matches and win.

With The Phantom Pain now out on both Playstation and XBOX consoles as well as for PC users via Steam, players can witness the end of the prequel saga that tells the secret origins of the legendary mercenary known as Big Boss. It's kinda shame that despite the marvelous work poured in by the Metal Gear people, this is nothing more of a parting gift from the man behind the franchise, Sir Hideo Kojima himself. But let's not get to wistful about it because even though this is the parting gift from Kojima-san himself, this is by no means the best Metal Gear played ever and, for once, you can't really put a cardboard box-related joke on it.

For those who have it, as always, best of luck!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Latest episode of Kojima Station showcased some Ground Zeroes world records





In the fourth episode of the Kojima Productions' KOJIMA STATION (English version) webcast, our experts showcased some unbelievable records set by players who played the prologue to Metal Gear Solid V, titled Ground Zeroes. As of April 10, 2014, players from all over the world spent a grand total of 3650446:04:36 hours of gameplay, that's an equivalent of 416.71 years!

There are some impossible world records set by the most expert of players and that gave them a scratch in the head how in the world did they set such a record like this. 456.89m of the longest range headshot, longest two-wheel driving time is an unbelievable 34:338:41.990, farthest distance enemy sent flying is a whopping 290.38m and the most impossible of all...Longest Range Headshot (tranq.) is an impossible 301.10m! 

It's impossible to perform a longest range headshot using a tranquilizer gun in Ground Zeroes but is it?

Watch the latest at: http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/station/en/

Oh, and be sure to grab a copy of Ground Zeroes now and see if you can set some records...

Thursday, February 21, 2013

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE

Over two and a half decades, the Metal Gear saga is a hallmark of Konami history. With over a billion copies sold worldwide, it become one of Konami's flagship titles and in case you missed last year's 25th anniversary party, there's a movie in the works. As a trendsetter of pop culture, I always love how the saga evolves into new and exciting ways to sneak your way through redemption and now, there's a new game that changes the way Metal Gear has played...forever.

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE
Welcome to METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE, the latest chapter of the Metal Gear saga with a vengeful twist and when I said "twist", it really is because RISING marks the departure of the stealth action genre that coveted the saga for decades with the birth of a new high speed action game that lets you...well, as the saying goes, CUT WHAT YOU WILL. (キレる体験。)

This is the first time a Metal Gear game that lets players kill everyone on sight and it's definitely the most BRUTAL hack-and-slash game ever made. If you think that's surprising, this game is, for the first time ever, a collaboration between Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames. If you don't know what PlatinumGames was, it's a Japanese game developer behind the sanely bonkers games such as Bayonetta (which was directed by the man behind Devil May Cry series), Vanquish (directed by the creator of Biohazard/Resident Evil franchise), Max Anarchy/Anarchy Reigns, Mad World, Infinite Space, and others. In the spirit of PlatinumGames, games like Bayonetta or Vanquish were really really HARDCORE and gamers were so impressed on how those games were developed because of its uniqueness.

Here's a little story, when you caught the trailer from the VGA 2011, you might be noticed why it was titled REVENGEANCE. Apart from being a combination of the words "REVENGE" or "VENGEANCE", the blokes from Kojima Production found out that making this next chapter is a bit challenging. They did well on the storyboard but in the terms of quality assesements, that's a different story. Hideo Kojima could have killed this project until he joined forces with PlatinumGames. With PlatinumGames doing the bits of Metal Gear Rising, Hideo Kojima was very impressed and they're really back in business. Thing is though, what the folks from PlatinumGames said "Uh, Kojima-san, you do the storyboard, we do the action". Which means, with an epic storytelling courtesy of Kojima Productions and the hardcore gameplay feel courtesy of the same blokes that brought you Bayonetta and Vanquish, REVENGEANCE really turned skeptics into believers and fans really drooled over Raiden's unique hack-and-slash action that defies all odds.

After the fall of the Patriots four years ago, Private Military Corporations or PMC's that were controlled by the Patriots were collapsed and spawning rogue entities that origins traced back to criminal organizations. As PMCs are employing cyborg technology, the balance of global power has gone out of control. You are Raiden, a child soldier bearing the namesake "Jack the Ripper" who became a cyborg ninja whose origins are connected from Sons of Liberty and Guns of the Patriots. Raiden is a member of a PMC called Maverick Security, with the support of Boris, Kevin, Doktor, and Courtney, he lives by the mantra of protecting the innocent right until a terrible incident that lead him fueled with the soul of revenge.

This new game though showcases a new style of gameplay with a new main character and as Raiden, armed with the HF Blade, you can hack-and-slash your way against cyborgs as your quest for revenge leads you from the villages of Eastern Europe, the sewers of Mexico, the streets of Denver, Colorado, the underbelly of World Marshal HQ, and all roads lead to the climactic battle in Pakistan. What surprised gamers is the system called Blade Mode and ZANDATSU. In Blade Mode, players are free to "CUT WHAT YOU WILL" and with the right timing and the right target, you might be able to initiate ZANDATSU. ZANDATSU restores your life and electrolytes, giving you an exciting edge on your gameplay.

Apart from this hack-and-slash action, there are subweapons that changes the course of your gameplay such as an RPG, heat-seeking missile  grenades, electromagnetic grenades that paralyze cyborgs, chaff grenades that is effective against surveillance machinery, red phosphorous grenades that clouds the place in smoke, or distract your enemies with a 3D hologram. How you use it is all up to you.

As you progress through the game, you'll get some new weapons that can make up with the strong attacks and combine it with some deadly combos to thrash down your foes such as Mistral's Pole-Arm "L'étranger" that is my kind of favorite because it poses a well balanced attack against surrounding enemies, Monsoon's Ninja Sai "Dystopia" that can paralyze cyborgs at the right time or useful for breaking down a heavy cyborg's armor, Sundowner's pincer swords "Bloodlust" that is slow but powerful enough to crush your foes, and the HF Murasama Blade used by baddie Samuel Rodrigues. As you play, you'll earn Battle Points and you'll spend it for upgrades and new skills that might be useful enough on a more intense gameplay, especially boss battles.

If you want to polish your skills, there are VR missions offered in Rising but if you want to unlock some VR missions, you have to find computers that scattered throughout this game. Find one and you've unlocked a new VR mission that tests your stealth, subweapon, Blade Mode, and other skills. This is how worthy you are being a true "Jack The Ripper" in Rising but that's just the half of battle because on early April 2013, there are some special VR Missions available as a DLC on the PlaystationStore. It will be priced at 300 Yen and these VR Missions involve on mastering the Dwarf Gekko, just like what you did in the Mexico mission. Yeah, good luck mastering this pesky little critter...

It maybe a twist to the franchise but Metal Gear Rising Revengeance combines the best of both worlds. With the storyline provided by Kojima Productions and the high-speed lightning bolt action provided by PlatinumGames, it is, by far means, the most remarkable hack-and-slash game I like. Sometimes, even though it was a great game made by the best people in Japan, there are so many things that went wrong with it. Yep, many things are wrong with it BUT IT'S STILL...

...THE BEST GAME I'VE EVER PLAYED. Best game ever played...end of discussion.

LIMITED EDITON:

With Metal Gear Rising Revengeance available exclusively on the PS3 for 6,980 Yen, your fandom thinks it's not quite enough because if you're a hardcore fan, you'll need to speed 9,980 Yen for the Premium Package. Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Premium Package not only includes the game but also an art book with works by Yoji Shinkawa, a soundtrack CD, and 2 Dwarf Gekko figures that can be split into half or reaatachable thanks to some magnets from each half of it. The Konamistyle special, which costs 12,980 Yen and availabe exclusively at Konamistyle.jp, features the same content from the Premium Package with the addition of a special Square Enix Playarts Kai Raiden White Armor version.

The Zandatsu Package gives you a headstart on Rising if you didn't have a PS3 yet. Not only you'll have a specially designed 250GB Playstation3 but also you have the Metal Gear Rising game and a downloadable code for a special theme on your PS3's XMB.

Those who pre-ordered it will be on a wild ride because they'll have a code to access a special body for Raiden and it's a special Cyborg Ninja body that resembles Gray Fox from the original MGS game. For Amazon.jp customers, they'll get an MGS4 version body of Raiden. For Konamistyle or Loppi, customers get the White Armor for Raiden. Tsutaya customers get the Inferno Armor for Raiden plus a special card on Metal Gear Solid Social Ops. GEO customer get the Commando Armor for Raiden and a card for Metal Gear Solid Social Ops. Joshin and Edion customers will receive special Raiden cards on Social Ops and most will give you a special Raiden (Mariachi version) card in Social Ops mobile game. Well, you get the idea.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE Vocal Tracks

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE
Vocal Tracks

In anticipation for tomorrow's Japan release of the upcoming Metal Gear Rising Revengeance, a Playstation3 exclusive title in collaboration with Kojima Productions and Platinum Games, here comes the music inspired by the newest hack-and-slash addition to the Metal Gear saga. That's right, this Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Vocal Tracks offer 29 rocking heavy metal music tracks that were inspired from Raiden's most intense mission that seeks revenge against a PMC known as Desperado Enforcement and how intense was it? You'll find that out tomorrow when this comes out exclusively on the PS3 gaming console.

Anyway, those hard-bashing soundtrack compilation really sticks true to the "Cut What You Will" concept. Once you listened to all of these vocal tracks, rest assured that your earbuds had been disintegrated into chunks thanks to Raiden's Blade Mode that shows some devastation to Rising's mantra. Your audio can't keep up with the razor edge soundtrack inspired from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance! Pretty soon, your audio will get sliced into chunks! He he he....

If you're itching to have one of these, the Vocal Tracks is available for just 2940 Yen and for that, you have a razor-sharp audio CD filled with 29 razor sharp heavy metal rock musics inspired from the game that will "Cut What You Will" at the comfort of your own home!

TRACK LISTINGS:


01. Rules of Nature (Platinum Mix)
02. The Only Thing I Know For Real (Maniac Agenda Mix)
03. Dark Skies (Platinum Mix)
04. I'm My Own Master Now (Platinum Mix)
05. A Stranger I Remain (Maniac Agenda Mix)
06. Return to Ashes (Platinum Mix)
07. The Stains of Time (Maniac Agenda Mix)
08. Red Sun (Maniac Agenda Mix)
09. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix)
10. Collective Consciousness (Maniac Agenda Mix)
11. It Has To Be This Way (Platinum Mix)
12. The War Still Rages Within
13. The Hot Wind Blowing featuring Ferry Corsten (Platinum Mix)
14. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix - DLC Version)
15. Dark Skies (Platinum Mix - Low Key Version)
16. Return to Ashes (Platinum Mix - Low Key Version)
17. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix - Low Key Version)
18. Rules of Nature (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
19. The Only Thing I Know For Real (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
20. Dark Skies (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
21. I'm My Own Master Now (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
22. A Stranger I Remain (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
23. Return to Ashes (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
24. The Stains of Time (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
25. Red Sun (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
26. A Soul Can't Be Cut (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
27. Collective Consciousness (Maniac Agenda Mix - Instrumental)
28. It Has To Be This Way (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)
29. The Hot Wind Blowing featuring Ferry Corsten (Platinum Mix - Instrumental)

Thursday, August 23, 2012

METAL GEAR 25th ANNIVERSARY METAL GEAR MUSIC COLLECTION

METAL GEAR 25th ANNIVERSARY
METAL GEAR MUSIC COLLECTION

It's the 25th anniversary of Konami's flagship stealth action video game that became a global phenomenon so for a treat, Konami's back for some serious compilation of the best Metal Gear songs for 25 years. This is the Metal Gear 25th Anniversary Metal Gear Music Collection. Back in 2007, when it celebrated its 20th year, Konami made a compilation album featuring the best from the MGS series. This year's going to be a different feast because with just 9 very long tracks of tribute for MGS4 and MGSPW, you'll be sure that we'll never left behind. The orchestral tracks were curated by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra so those tracks have a powerful feel, remembering Old Snake's final mission to Big Boss' founding of Outer Heaven. Even though they have nine tracks; they're very long and I understand that because that glorious medleys, orchestral versions, and some we are familiar with is just the best thing yet to come and this is how they say thank you for their loyalty in 25 years.


TRACK LISTINGS:

  1. OVERTURE ~ METAL GEAR SAGA from METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS
  2. LOVE THEME 25th Anniversary Ver.- from METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS
  3. METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS MEDLEY (Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
  4. HERE’S TO YOU from METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS
  5. GEM IMPACT TRACKS from METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS
  6. METAL GEAR ONLINE TRIBUTE MEDLEY
  7. METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER MEDLEY (Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
  8. HEAVENS DIVIDE from METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER
  9. ALERTS AND CAUTIONS from METAL GEAR SOLID PEACE WALKER

MGS4's Trophy Support

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Box Front
Metal Gear Solid 4 - Guns of the Patriots

It's hard to imagine what MGS fans do in the 25th anniversary of Konami's flagship stealth action series. The genes, memes, scenes, the 25th year of the Metal Gear franchise pays tribute to the legendary stealth action game that became a global phenomenon. As for those who has a PS3, there's a bit more to that...

One such thing was Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. That game was launched globally on June 12, 2008. About four years ago, we believe. However, when Sony introduced the Trophy System to the PS3 in the mid-2008, it was too late to implement Trophy Support on MGS4.

With Metal Gear Online ended two months ago, I thought I may think that the greatest Metal Gear chapter of all time rot itself but because it is the franchise's 25th year, Konami decided to bring MGS4 back to life and give it a Version 2.00 patch which includes a feature that hasn't been done before; TROPHY SUPPORT!

Wow, I'd never realize I am so pleased to play it again. This brings me all back; the thrills, the chills, the tense, all and all and all....Oh gosh....

No matter, Konami told us the primary trophies to collect are these;


BRONZE TROPHIES
1) You enjoy all the killing, that's why - killed many enemies in one area and vomited.
2) Divine Wind - Caused a "divine wind" using the Tanegashima
3) Hands Up! - Held an enemy soldier at gunpoint and performed a body check
4) Emotion Control - Controlled an enemy soldier's emotions using an Emotive Magazine
5) Hurt me more! - Shocked an enemy soldier using Mk.II/Mk.III (that's Metal Gear Mk.II or Mk.III to you)
6. Drum Can Addict - Knocked an enemy soldier flying using a Drum Can
7. That Tune Is His Mind Control Music - Played Oishii Two-han Seikatsu and made one of the BB Corps dance.
8. Overhead view-just like old times... - Used overhead view on Shadow Moses Island.

SILVER TROPHIES
1) SUNLIGHT! - Obtained the Solar Gun
2) I Just Don’t Fear Death - Caused ALERT status while wearing the Corpse Camo.
3) Where I Can See Ya - Located enemy soldiers using the Scanning Plug.
4) Ghost Photography Addict - Snapped at least 5 shots of ghosts on Shadow Moses Island.
5) FaceCamo Addict - Obtained 10 or more types of FaceCamo (excluding types obtained via password).
6) Can you feel my power now!!!? - Took control of an enemy soldier’s body using the Mantis Doll or Sorrow Doll.
7) Are you an Otaku too? - Viewed all model posters.
8) You’re pretty good. - Got kissed by Ocelot during the final battle.

GOLD TROPHIES
1) Flashback Mania - Viewed all flashbacks
2) Sounds of the Battlefield - Obtained all iPod Tracks (excluding tracks obtained via password)
3) I am THE expert of weapons, equipment and cutting-edge technology - Obtained all weapons (excluding weapons obtained via password.

PLATINUM TROPHY - The Legendary Hero - Obtained all trophies.

Scoop:  http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/03/metal-gear-solid-4-ps3-trophies-revealed/

Konami said that there are hidden trophies didn't mentioned and the only way to get these hidden trophies is up to you. Think of um...collecting BB Corps figures or find a crop circle on ACT 2 or finished an ACT, or whatever you want. Be sure to hunt down all 34 trophies! With those, you now have the recognition you deserved!

Metal Gear Solid 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS PLAYSTATION3 the BEST costs 3,990 Japanese Yen and for the 25th Anniversary offer, trophy support was included. For Japanese customers, order one at http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/71890

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Metal Gear Solid HD Edition (PSVita)

Metal Gear Solid HD Edition
(PSVita)


Now if you remember back in November 23, 2011, when Metal Gear Solid HD Edition went on sale and it featured two all-time classics such as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. On the PS3 edition, there was something that told us about TRANSFARRING and it has to do with the PSVita. Well, nobody told us about it until now. If you still have the PS3 edition of the Metal Gear Solid HD Edition, be sure to download the update because now, the PSVita edition of MGS HD Edition has arrived and if you want to continue either your Sons of Liberty or Snake Eater progress on the go, TRANSFARRING OUT is the way you want. The progress you had on the PS3, you can continue it with your PSVita on the go. But if you're back home and want it back to your PS3, TRANSFARRING IN. This whole TRANSFARRING idea from Hideo Kojima was GENIUS, I was amazed that there is a simple thing that why we can predict the future when we can make one. The future is now then....

Anyway, on the PSVita version of the MGS HD Edition, you'll have a very different experience because of the dual analog stick and the touch screen. Surely it might be getting a bit twitchy and hard to master but if you get a hang of it, no problem.

About Sons Of Liberty, this was launched on late 2001 on the PS2 and since its launch, over 7,000,000 copies were sold worldwide. It even achieved a Guinness World Record Gamer's Edition 2008 recognition for being the best selling video game for the PS2. Snake Eater though, this game served as the secret origin of Big Boss when it was set during the Cold War era. It was launched on the PS2 since late 2004. Both of these games are award-winning and when you played these HD Editions, we feel like that we kinda lost our youth, lost our hair, and lost our minds but hey, that's brilliant! Both of these were remastered courtesy of Bluepoint Games.

LIMITED EDITION:
For a limited time, a copy of MGS HD Edition PSVita game will give you a special PSVita with a skin remodeled after the MGS HD Edition PSVita game. For the Konamistyle exclusive, you could still have the special PSVita bundled with the PSVita version of MGS HD Edition but this will have a specially designed cleaner cloth. Also for a limited time, you can expect an original MGS HD Edition shopping bag as a present if you bought the special PSVita bundled with the PSVita version of MGS HD Edition. This is a wonderful treat for the Japanese customers who want to lost their youth, their hair, and their mind with these classics.



Friday, March 9, 2012

METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D

METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D


As 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the Metal Gear franchise, the story that started it all returns and for the first time, it's on the Nintendo 3DS.

METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D has the same old stuff you've experienced from the hit 2004 PS2 game (or also from the MGS HD Edition from the PS3 and XBoX 360 if you're playing one), but it has been redefined for the 3DS. The story that started it all goes stereoscopic. So what you should expect. At first, it does feel the same but it you flicker the 3D Depth Slider, you will see that most of your favorite Snake Eater memories come to life in stunning, glasses-free 3D. It's like you're in part of the Operation Snake Eater as "Naked Snake", a soldier who's on a mission to stop a nuclear attack and overall, eliminate The Boss, who defected to the Soviet Union.

Unlike the original which you can pause the game to initiate Survival Viewer, Snake Eater 3D offers some easy access for the players. The top part of your 3DS is showing your gameplay while the bottom part of your 3DS served as your Survival Viewer. You can check the map, change weapons, check the food and animals you've captured, change camouflage and facepaint, and also heal injuries with a series of medicines. The user can also initiate FPS view, TPS view, or Auto Aim feature, for some effective strategies in the battlefield.

The new feature you can find on the Snake Eater 3D is using your photos as camouflage! Use the camera feature on your 3DS to take photos and use them as a camouflage, which sounds original but I wonder that if those worked as cover against your enemies. As remember, camouflage is highly essential in stealth mission.

For an added surprise, Yoshi from the Super Mario series appears on MGS SE 3D! Instead of a Kerotan that once you shoot it, triggers a Kerotan sound, there are several Yoshis around this game. Shoot them all and you'll be rewarded with a Stealth Camouflage at the end. Be warned, finding hidden Yoshis are gonna be tough.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

MGO services to be discontinued this June 12

Now this is somewhat bad news for those who are playing Metal Gear Online, the online multiplayer game included on Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, when it was launched in June 12, 2008, worldwide. Announced by Konami, services for Metal Gear Online will be closed on June 12, 2012, after four years of multiplayer mayhem. According to the schedule, March 21, 2012 marks the closure of MGO Online Shop. By April 24, 2012, you'll gonna love this. Expansion packs (GENE, MEME, SCENE) and Preset Codec Message Appeal Packs will be available for free download, and reward shop equipment will be available for free with the exception of non-sale items. Take note that on this date, registration for new player characters will not be available during this time.

So, if you're a vet on this game, time for the best send-off you can get before the MGO comes to a farewell this June 12.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Mark your name in the Metal Gear Solid history!

Konami launched the new Metal Gear Solid official website for MG fans to share their Metal Gear memories and of course, fans will mark their names on the Metal Gear history that span over 2 centuries.

Not only that, you can also catch up the Metal Gear Rising: Revengance trailer as seen on the 2011 Spike TV Video Game Awards as well as other Metal Gear-related clips!

This new official site is the great way to share the fondest Metal Gear memories! Loving your work, Mr. Kojima!