Metal Gear Solid 4 info

I just bought a PS3 last week, and I'm interested in buying MGS4, but I was wondering if it's a good idea even though I've never played any other game in the series before? Does the game fill you in and assume that there will be gamers new to the franchise? Thanks.

Ugh. The most commonly asked Metal Gear Solid question. There should be a sticky just for this. For the last time, no. You don't need to but you will enjoy and understand the story a lot more if you do.

You'll enjoy the game, but 10% of it will make sense.

To answer your question directly, the game DOESN'T assume you're new to the series. It wraps up all of the other games. You'll understand why you're going from point a to b, but you won't understand all of the background information. It would be like watching only the last 20 minutes of a movie.

And relying on the database isn't a good idea, I mean it reads like an encyclopedia, I don't think it you'll get much from it (plus it's massive)

I was in the same situation as you. I downloaded the database on the PS3 and found it minimal use but i fell for the hype and bought it. I do not understand the story at all or how the characters came to be. So i would not recommend it stroy wise but other than that its a great game.

MGS4 is Kojima's "Thank You" to the fans of the Metal Gear series, it's full of fan-service and answers to tons of questions fans have been asking/speculating for years. So IMO unless you've played all the previous three games you will never be able to fully appreciate the game for what it is. So basically it's a must.

Fans cried or atleast felt very emotional (maybe I'm only speaking about myself?) during the game, it is also a nostalgic trip through memory lane at some point, it is THAT big of a "Thank You" card.

Bottomline, buy the MGS collection and beat that first then play MGS4, you won't regret it.

I just bought a PS3 last week, and I'm interested in buying MGS4, but I was wondering if it's a good idea even though I've never played any other game in the series before? Does the game fill you in and assume that there will be gamers new to the franchise? Thanks.

Alain12345

you will probably be lost in the story abit. but seriously dont skip this game.

I only played MGS3 and the first mission of MGS1. You kinda figure out whos who and the cutscenes do a decent job of filling you in. You will definitely enjoy the game even though you havent played the previous ones.

That was my first question when i was thinking about buying this game. What i did - but back then i couldn't be bothered with finding the old games but now you may want to download the first from PSN store- i went to Wikipedia. You get a nice 3-4 page summary for each game so you can appreciate why going after someone, and looking out for someone else is more important than just an objective. It's what Resident Evil 5 did as well. For someone who knows the story, the ending was blood-sizzling, otherwise you would say "oh well i just rescued a bimbo"!

Yes, MGS4 does a good job of bringing you up to date! Besides, it's a MUST BUY for anyone with a PlayStation 3.

I'd personally check out the GameTrailers Metal Gear Retrospective: http://www.gametrailers.com/game/metal-gear-retrospective/6748
Gives a great overview of the franchise.