Playing Metal Gear Solid 4 without other MGS games

I only played the original MGS and I loved it. How is MGS4 without playing MGS2 and MGS3? Are you really lost in the story? I am getting 3DS with remake of MGS3 so I can still wait for that. But I cant play MGS2 and I am not getting PS2 just for one game. Are there any chances that we will get MGS Collection for PS3?

I already played MGS1 and I am definitely buying 3DS with MGS3. What option do you think is the best?

1. Spend 100$ on PS2 and buy MGS Collection for it.

2. Miss on MGS2 and play MGS4, maybe play MGS2 sometime later if a remake comes out.

3. Miss on MGS2 and check its story on the internet and then play MGS4.

5. Wait for MGS Collection for PS3 or a remake of MGS2.

you know i played mgs4 without playing the first 3 i enjoyed it alot but i feel like im missing alot on the story so i will some day buy them and play them

use the metal gear wiki

http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Metal_Gear_Wiki

I only played the original MGS and I loved it. How is MGS4 without playing MGS2 and MGS3? Are you really lost in the story? I am getting 3DS with remake of MGS3 so I can still wait for that. But I cant play MGS2 and I am not getting PS2 just for one game. Are there any chances that we will get MGS Collection for PS3?

swguy123

I'm actually strongly against playing MGS4 without playing the first 3 games beforehand. Kojima made 4 as a tribute to fans, it's full of fan-service and moments where I honestly got teary eyed.

The database add-on and Wiki would help for the story but I believe you're missing out on alot. Get the MGS collection bundle, beat all 3 again, and then play 4. Though it's only my opinion.

Playing MGS4 without the previous games is like eating a BLT sandwich without the bacon, lettuce, or tomato.

Sure, it's one of the most delicious breads you'll ever eat on its own, but without the bacon, lettuce, and tomato inside, you never get the full sandwich experience. In fact, you wouldn't even call it a sandwich at that point, let alone a BLT sandwich.

• Maybe you put bacon and lettuce in it, but missed out on the tomato. I mean, yeah - it tastes a lot better, but damn - the juicy flavor is just missing.
• Maybe you put lettuce and tomato in it, but missed out on the bacon. I mean, yeah - it tastes a lot better, but damn - the actual meaty flavor is gone.
• Maybe you put bacon and tomato in it, but missed out on the lettuce. I mean, yeah - it tastes a lot better, but damn - the wonderful crunchiness is gone.

So in conclusion, you can eat whatever you want and leave whatever you want out of the sandwich. However, you may end up consuming that sandwich and wondering what part of the meal has failed to assuage your craving for an actual BLT delight.

/stupid analogy

I only played the original MGS and I loved it. How is MGS4 without playing MGS2 and MGS3? Are you really lost in the story? I am getting 3DS with remake of MGS3 so I can still wait for that. But I cant play MGS2 and I am not getting PS2 just for one game. Are there any chances that we will get MGS Collection for PS3?

swguy123

I already played MGS1 and I am definitely buying 3DS so I can:

1. Spend 100$ on PS2 and buy MGS Collection for it.

2. Miss on MGS2 and play MGS4, maybe play MGS2 sometime later if a remake comes out.

3. Miss on MGS2 and check its story on the internet and then play MGS4.

5. Wait for MGS Collection for PS3 or a remake of MGS2.

I played 4 without any of the others. I read the wikipedia articles for a basic understanding of what happened, and 4 didn't confuse me that much. after beating it the first time, I re-read the wikipedia pages and it made even more sense since I knew who everone was this time. and after the 2nd playthrough, I understood everything.

I only played the original MGS and I loved it. How is MGS4 without playing MGS2 and MGS3? Are you really lost in the story? I am getting 3DS with remake of MGS3 so I can still wait for that. But I cant play MGS2 and I am not getting PS2 just for one game. Are there any chances that we will get MGS Collection for PS3?

swguy123

The game is heavily related to those 2 games so yes I'd play them both before playing MGS4. You could just read wiki or some other MGS website but that wouldn't be any fun now would it?

Option 3 looks the best.

I'd say go ahead and play it. Sure, the nuances and dynamics of relationships may not ring as heavy as they would if you were steeped in the history, but the game is captivating and engaging as it is. And with the wide availability of all the releases for the series worldwide that should enable you to go through them again at will anyway...so I guess have at it however you will.

But to me, it's as if you are about to eat a delicious looking steak - cooked just how you like it. And you've got your knife and fork in hand, but before you dig in you hesitate and say: "Wait, wait, wait! I really need to see the cow that this slab of meat came from. Otherwise, I won't be able to enjoy it at all!"

yeah

Thanks for all the answers :)

You don't have to miss them and you don't have to spend money. Just watch the full playthoughs (with cutscenes and important codec) for free on youtube. It will take a long time , but it should be worth it.

$100 for a PS2? I pretty sure you can find one used for $30 and it'd probably work just as fine. The MGS Collection is only $30 and at that price is basically a steal.

Haha, MGS4 was the first one I played, and I was confused as hell.

I watched playthroughs on Youtube and that helped me and I was still lost abit.

I'm actually strongly against playing MGS4 without playing the first 3 games beforehand. Kojima made 4 as a tribute to fans, it's full of fan-service and moments where I honestly got teary eyed.

The database add-on and Wiki would help for the story but I believe you're missing out on alot. Get the MGS collection bundle, beat all 3 again, and then play 4. Though it's only my opinion.

Aero5555

You should really play the entire series before going to the fourth becuse the story is the most important aspect of all. Certain things will lack the impact you would otherwise have with the complete knowledge and Kojima as someone else already said, made the fourth as a complete fan service. You will still enjoy the game regardless, but the experience won't be as strong. Not to mention that they were both good games. The second was probably the worst in the series IMO, but the third is amazing. MGS4 is epic.

Buy a Ps2 and get MGS:EC. You must!

Option 3 looks the best.

virus1000

Gosh, I just noticed that many are saying 2 is the weakest in the series. I strongly disagree, Portable Ops is.

Ok, OK lets exclude PO.... MGS 2 and 4 are my favs, then 1=3. All awesome nevertheless.

I KNOW that people just say 2 is the weakest just because you play as Raiden.... Sigh

MGS4 is definitely at its best when you have played the previous three.

Although i would imagine the game would still be very entertaining without having played them. I mean even if you skip every cutscene the combat/stealth elements are still the best out there imo.

MGS4 is definitely at its best when you have played the previous three.

Although i would imagine the game would still be very entertaining without having played them. I mean even if you skip every cutscene the combat/stealth elements are still the best out there imo.

XrossJoiint

^This times infinity.