Portable Ops is a Chimera of stealth action, pokemon, and socom. And it pulls it off flawlessly.
Starting from the top, the graphics. Jaw dropping. I literally was speachless for the first minute of play, looking at Snake run around in a circle, just amazed at the full on MGS3 graphics on my handheld. This game shows how powerful the PSP is graphically, and I was astounded by it, and still am.
Gameplay is what you expect, which doesn't mean it's any less fun. With the fully moveable camera from MGS3: Subsistence present, spying enemies is a bit easier, but it does take some getting use to for camera control. The controls themselves are a bit awkward at first, but after about a half hour it's second nature. Then there's the team play. In this installment, you recruit soldiers by tranquilizing them or knocking them out, then dragging them to your truck. Almost like pokemon, each soldier has different stats, and you quickly become addicted to 'catching' more soldiers for your team. When you do get them, you can equip weapons and put them on a team (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, or Delta team), and then send that team in to an area, usually of your choice. Your in-game menu is changed to a more simplified system of 4 items. You equip items and weapons before you begin a mission, and then you access it as a pop up interface. Only 4 items, but hey what are you going to do?
Storywise, this game is on par with MGS3. It continues the story of Big Boss, AKA Naked Snake, and his founding of FOXHOUND. No spoilers, the story is about Snake trying to prove his innocence when his old FOX unit goes rogue and takes over a Russian military base in South America.
You play out most of the story, like most Metal Gears, and the rest is told through cutscenes. In this game, the cutscenes are graphic novel style ones drawn by Ashley Wood, the artist behind the Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel. While not as big and pretty as MGS2 or 3's FMVs, they are cool in their own right, and feel perfect for the game.
Sound is what you've come to expect from MGS in the past : More than just background noise, but not quite a concert while you play. Harry Gregson-William's tracks are absent, but the team who does it fills in nicely. You've also got your typical weapon noises, as well as footsteps, coughing, etc. The sound helps make this a great game because of the level of engrossment you get with it. You hear guards softly stepping in the dirt, you hear birds flying above you, and you hear yourself slowly creeping up behind a guard, then choke-holding him until he's unconscious.
Speaking of sound, the in corner radar is back in a sense. This time, as a sound detector, you see 2 circles, one big, one little. The little one inside the bigger one is you. That's the noise you make. The big circle is the enemy. When they get close, the circle changes to a blue color, then to a purple, then finally red when they're right on top of you. Being quiet keeps you hidden, and thus increases the stealth aspect of the game.
The only problems I had with it were...Well, none. I got used to the controls quickly, and other than the radio chats not being voiced, nothing bugged me. Nothing. This is one of very few games I can say are perfect. Honestly, I'd give it a 20 if I could. If you're a fan of MGS and have a PSP, don't hesitate to pick this game up. I'd encourage you to sell other games if need be to buy it. If you're a casual PSP owner, and you have $30 or so to spend (It's cheaper used, and just as good), buy it, and enjoy entering the world of Metal Gear.