Should I play the first three Metal Gear Solid games before playing the fourth?

SMALL WALL OF TEXT EXPLAINING BACK STORY(Skip and just answer if you don't want to read)

I, even though having a PS2 and PS3, have missed out on the MGS series entirely and wanted to start playing the series being a fan of stealth and shooter games. I decided to start with MGS4, it supposedly being one of the best of the series but I started having second thoughts when I saw that it was heavily story based. Not because of game play issues but because I was thinking I should instead play the first three games to get to know the characters and plot better.

So my question is should I play the first three games before I play MGS4 or will I be fine and should just go play 4 then go back?

if you want to know whats going on in it then yes you definitely have to play the first 3. In order too, play snake eater then metal gear 1 and 2. This way you'll understand the story a lot better. Otherwise you won't have a clue who half the people are or why they're doing certain things.

Doesn't really matter, the story is too slow in number 4 anyway.

Okay so I get I should play the full Solid series, but what about the original 2 Metal Gears? And what about stuff like Peace Walker and Portable Ops?

I havent played any of the old mgs games but i ve played mgs4 and i had no problem keeping up with the story although sometimes i got confused.Play the old MGS if you want to completely understand i4.If you just want to play a great game but sometime getting confused,play it before the others.(Snake is the SH*T.)

Yes you have too. and by the way MGS1 is the best game of all you should play it not just for sake of story but the greatest game of all time...

If it's possible for you... YES!

I would advise purchasing MGS1 off the playstation store. Play it, see what you think of it and whether you like or dislike the characters and story narratives. Then If you liked MGS1 you should try looking for 2 and 3 on ebay for cheap and then play them two. Then play MGS4 and be prepared for possibly THE best game this gen!

Its always best to play the game yourself rather than watching walkthroughs or reading the story off a website. You lose that immersion which is key to your enjoyment and it will make you feel more as if you know the characters because you're experiencing the story through them

You don't have to. The stories from the previous games are great but the gameplay is very dated. MGS4 provides enough backstory through its downloadable database as well as internet sites that can sum it up for you. However, you'll probably have a better appreciation for the game having played the previous ones.JKnaperek

It's not mandatory or anything, but if you can play the first 3 then do so. MGS 4 does give you insight as to what happened in the first 3 games, but it's very shallow and brief. Trust me, the Metal Gear series is known for having a terrific story, don't rob yourself of a great experience by skipping the first 3 and playing the fourth only because you didn't feel like playing them.

if you want to know whats going on in it then yes you definitely have to play the first 3. In order too, play snake eater then metal gear 1 and 2. This way you'll understand the story a lot better. Otherwise you won't have a clue who half the people are or why they're doing certain things.

seanmcloughlin

I agree with mack, play the first three and play them in order of release definitely. I'm just finishing MGS (PSOne) which i got off of PSN a while ago and I re-purchased the other three recently. MGS2 can be obtained for $2.99us at GameStop, but the other two are holding tough at $20 or so (which is certainly no problem to pay for MGS4). When you buy MGS3, make sure you get the SUBSITENCE version of Snake Eater as it has a great camera system option which the first issue of MGS3 doesn't. They're both excellent, but the second issue of MGS3 will be the most flexible for any possible play style.

I only played 1 and 2, then 4 and I seemed to understand the majority of what was going on.

doesnt really matter. its not that big of a deal if you miss those first 3.

hardcore gamers might find it cool that there are references throughout the 4th installment but its defintely not a must.

now that i consider it, i would only play the 4th as the gameplay is great and graphics are killer

Wow, anyone who says it doesnt matter is just plain wrong (assuming you care about the story). It matters a lot and will make 4 way more enjoyable as a result of doing so. Besides the first three are amazing anyway.

Wow, anyone who says it doesnt matter is just plain wrong (assuming you care about the story). It matters a lot and will make 4 way more enjoyable as a result of doing so. Besides the first three are amazing anyway.

NaveedLife

i agree that the first 3 were amazing, but putting MGS history aside, the gameplay through the 4th does not necessarily require knowledge of the first 3. I completely forgot what happened and played through MGS4 avidly.

If needed, you can always get a quick lesson from our good friends at Wikipedia about it :)

I played 4 first and while the story was very confusing at times it still is one of my favorite games of all time. there is also a free spoiler free database on the PSN store with you can't get the first 2. I have since played 1 and 3 and playing one would have made four better, but 3 is almost better to be played after 4

You don't have to. The stories from the previous games are great but the gameplay is very dated. MGS4 provides enough backstory through its downloadable database as well as internet sites that can sum it up for you. However, you'll probably have a better appreciation for the game having played the previous ones.JKnaperek

I think it's important to go through the games in order and not to miss any of them because of the over-arching message and what Kojima & Co. are addressing socially and politically in these games... the gun-play and all might be awesome, yes... but not getting the story and the emotions behind the game is like reading the Bible as a SciFi or horror novel. Yes, there are people returning from the dead and levitating and turning water to wine, murder, incest, patricide, and other cruelty... but that's not the actual point for including those themes.

doesnt really matter. its not that big of a deal if you miss those first 3.

hardcore gamers might find it cool that there are references throughout the 4th installment but its defintely not a must.

now that i consider it, i would only play the 4th as the gameplay is great and graphics are killer

LubiBaby

[QUOTE="LubiBaby"]

doesnt really matter. its not that big of a deal if you miss those first 3.

hardcore gamers might find it cool that there are references throughout the 4th installment but its defintely not a must.

now that i consider it, i would only play the 4th as the gameplay is great and graphics are killer

mack10

yup, logically continuing storylines are my favorite. alongside taking into account other aspects of a game including gameplay, graphics, value, response and other issues. but i can see how single minded myopic views would differ to mine.

[QUOTE="mack10"][QUOTE="LubiBaby"]

doesnt really matter. its not that big of a deal if you miss those first 3.

hardcore gamers might find it cool that there are references throughout the 4th installment but its defintely not a must.

now that i consider it, i would only play the 4th as the gameplay is great and graphics are killer

LubiBaby

yup, logically continuing storylines are my favorite. alongside taking into account other aspects of a game including gameplay, graphics, value, response and other issues. but i can see how single minded myopic views would differ to mine.

[QUOTE="LubiBaby"]

[QUOTE="mack10"] yea hardcore gamers and anyone with any sense of logic that tells you its a continuing story.mack10

yup, logically continuing storylines are my favorite. alongside taking into account other aspects of a game including gameplay, graphics, value, response and other issues. but i can see how single minded myopic views would differ to mine.

this is a courteous "no response" to your message.

if you want the whole story play MSG1-3, if you dont find a long storyline to be a necessity then go for MSG4 and enjoy it's awesomeness

It's very recommended that you play the previous three games before playing MGS4.

It's a story continuation.

4 is A LOT better when you know what is going on, so definitely yes

Not a big deal but if you did, 4's overall experience will be more epic for you.