We all know the gaming clichés. Jump onto this box here, get from point A to B there, shoot bad guy after bad guy
From the creators of the AC!D series and the console versions of Metal Gear Solid comes one of the, if not the best PSP games of the year. In fact this game is better than almost every other highly rated game the PSP has ever received. The story continues several years after the events of Virtuous Mission in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater with Snake locked up in prison on a peninsula in South America. After he escapes from the cell he rescues Roy Campbell; the two then team up to save the world from destruction; cliché, I know. At first you will notice something completely different from the console versions; the cut scenes are entirely made up of comic book style pictures. It’s completely AWESOME. The art style is really great; it’s of the same artist of Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel 1 and 2[COMING SOON]. Codec conversations are still carried out in the same fashion but during these there is no voice acting. There is voice acting during the cut scenes though, from the same crew of Snake Eater.
CLICK: CODEC Conversations
+++Recruiting A Soldier+++
The main part of the game is the best part. In order to pass the game you will need to assemble a group of mercenaries if you will. They will in turn do everything from produce weapons, ammo, detectors, to develop rations, spy on local areas in your map, produce medicine, and capture soldiers. Recruiting a soldier is very easy and kind of fun; it’s a sort of mini game. First you knock out an enemy; which can include Lt., Majors, Grunts, Technicians, Medics, and Boss'. Then you carry the KOed soldier to your truck or you can assign another soldier of yours to carry him to the truck. After capturing the enemy you interrogate them in your prison until they switch sides; no torture involved. After they switch sides you can assign them to develop the aforementioned items, form teams to perform missions, and spy on local areas. Recruiting soldiers is very important because they give you an upper hand, give you Intel, and find weapons, other prisoners, and such. CLICK:Menu ScreenShot
Another way of recruiting soldiers is through TRADING, WiFi Signals, and PASSWORDS; you can also use the GPS Add on for the PSP.
CLICK:Using WiFi HotSpots To Recruit Soldiers.
Recruited characters can also be used online; even the Boss’. Boss' can also be used during single player mode, they have special abilities and make playing off and online fun and fresh. Be sure to note all the different abilities of your soldiers. Knowing this can truly help you put some strategy in to your game. CLICK: Recruiting A Soldier
+++Get Outta My World, Live In Your Own+++
First Mode
Just like in any game you have your basic online modes. They include DEATHMATCH, TEAM DEATHMATCH, CAPTURE, SNEAKING, and that’s it. The online is not varied as much as console online games but for a portable it’s a lot to mess around with. If you played Subsistence online then you already know what to expect but if you haven’t here’s what you need to know:
1) Its fun.
2) There’s hardly any lag.
3) You can require a Buddy List and Ban List.
4) In certain modes you may lose your characters when they die.
5) You can surrender before you die so you don’t lose your character. 6) Chat is limited but works out okay.
7) Creating games can be a challenge depending on your Router.
8) You can play ranked games.
Second Mode
In MGS: PO there are two modes of online play. The first is above but the second shall be explained now. CYBERSURVIVAL is the name of the second mode and it is confusing, at first. What you do is select a team from your choices of recruited soldiers and place them in a game in which their rankings in the game decide their fate. In this mode you don’t really play but you can win, win characters. You can also lose characters if you lose. That’s pretty much all I have to say on that mode.
+++I’m Like A Puppet+++
If you’ve ever played a MGS game you know what I’m going to say. The controls are not spectacular but they make due. You have a choice of set controls but none of them succeed in all parts. The default set works best. CLICK:Try Using The Controls To Do This
The only problem is that the camera is controlled by the directional pad and movement with the nub. Weapon selection is controlled through the CIRCLE button. You hold it then select a weapon with the D-Pad. Actions are controlled with the TRIANGLE Button and firing with the SQUARE Button. X controls the crawling and jumping.
CLICK: Weapon Selection
+++Other Modes You May Not Have Known OF+++
Did I say this was the best PSP Game of the Year? I thought so. This game not only has stellar PS2-esque graphics, quick load times, easy menus, fun mini games, and awesome game play, it also has many features that take full advantage of the PSP, PLAYSTATION Portable System. CLICK:Trailor, pretty much shows all modes.
It has GAMESHARING to send a multiplayer demo to your friends. This is a neat feature as well. With this demo your friends can play a game with you from the main menu. It’s called FREE Vs. From the main menu you can select this and play Ad-Hoc multiplayer. The mode is exactly like the online multiplayer. Conclusion
If there was ever a game to buy a PSP for it would have to be this one. The best selling game in Japan and quite possibly the US and PAL regions is really that great. With great online, ad-hoc, gameplay, graphics, story, and just plain old development whose to argue with the above facts. This game is the best game I’ve ever played on the PSP and the best “Tactical Espionage Shooter” as well; even though it’s the only one. CLICK:Great Graphics
This game warrants it self a sequel.
Graphics 9/10
Gameplay 10/10
Controls 8/10
Story 10/10
Multiplayer 9/10
Features 10/10
You’ve scored your self a 93 % Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and a place in my HALL OF INCREDIBLY GREAT GAMES. Congratulations. Now all of you get out there and BUY THIS GAME.