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Podtoid EX-2 Gaiden Plus Alpha records tonight, about Metal Gear Solid 4!

4:03 PM on 06.19.2008, Anthony Burch 65 comments

     Podcasts

wewew

Yep -- we're recording an extra episode of Podtoid this week (in addition to the sexism episode, which you should be listening to as we speak). In this special EX-2 Gaiden Plus Alpha edition of Podtoid, we'll be talking exclusively about Metal Gear Solid 4

Brad Rice, Chad Concelmo, Aaron Linde and I (sorry, but Sir Sterling still hasn't gotten his hands on it) will be discussing as many aspects of the game as we can, and we'd like to be helped along with a few reader questions. We can't pay $25 to the best question, unfortunately, but we'll still ask your question on the air and that'll be sort of cool. I guess.

Either way, we're gonna talk about MGS4. What would you like us to talk about?


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Bricfa's Avatar
Bricfa at 06/19/2008 16:14
In the documentary, he says that he thinks there will be more Metal Gear games, but he wants to take a step back and let a new director create the new games(s).
Arttemis's Avatar
Arttemis at 06/19/2008 16:19
First off, let me say that I loved MGS4. Even with my complaints, I still think it's one of the greatest experiences to be had through a digital medium.

------------------------

*Spoilers?*

I'd like to hear your opinions on the length of gameplay.

The only problems I had with cutscenes were the major importance put on a certain unremarkable character (Akiba/Johnny). The events of the ending sequence regarding his relationship were almost cringe-worthy.
Aside from that, the redundant exposition could have been improved or shortened for conciseness with better translators and editors.

Personally, I thought Act 1 and 2 were nearly flawless.

Act 3 could have been much more interesting if we could actually have witnessed the resistance fighting after following the member.

What were your takes on Act 4's design?
Personally, I was wholly disappointed in that it was filled with the worst designed enemy of the entire series. The nostalgia was impeccable but the almost soldier-less design of the act missed its potential.

How about your thoughts on Act 5?
Aside from the cutscenes, it consisted of a bridge, a boss, hallways, and the final fight. I seriously was hoping for some MGS2 Tanker action once inside Outer Haven.

-------------------

Will there be a similar gameplay experience coming out focusing on the mid-action stealth, but without the infusion of the heavy storyline?
greeneggsnsam's Avatar
greeneggsnsam at 06/19/2008 16:24
On MGS4 launch day, did Dtoid get a noticeable drop in traffic? Do any big games have this effect? I, for one, was too busy playing the game to come on the internet.

On a more game-related note, did you relish the gameplay the first time round, or just rush ahead with the story? Personally, I'm treating myself to a slow playthrough now that I've seen (and been very moved by) the ending.
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 06/19/2008 16:24
Simple question which I would genuinely love to know your answers too:

Why do you care?
KamikazeTutor's Avatar
KamikazeTutor at 06/19/2008 16:24
Awww man... it's too soon! :(
Won't listen for the sake of losing the surprise of the experience...
eternalplayer2345's Avatar
eternalplayer2345 at 06/19/2008 16:27
How do you guys feel about the article over at kotaku, that basically claimed the game had a second meaning behind the obvious war is becoming to controlled, etc. and that is actually an allegory on the state of video games like mgs4. They said that the opening in a call of duty 4 -esque locale, starting with an actual gun as opposed to just a knife, and the ferquant pun "no place for Hideo" tells a story how games are becoming to identical in this case military shooters.

Also, please tell me I wasn't the only one who cringed when Otacon made the joke about changing discs in act 3 and then says more or less good thing we have blu-ray!1! it was the only codec scene, I was forced to skip.

What was the worst( I.E most disturbing)backstory of the beast corp beauties?

Maybe it was just me but were the guns a little bit too accessable? after all just pull up the menu and buy some stuff off of Drebin.
Bricfa's Avatar
Bricfa at 06/19/2008 16:32
Did anyone else think Meryl's shoulders were massive?
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 06/19/2008 16:33
Postpone that shit till Jim can get a playthrough.
3r0t1c n3rd's Avatar
3r0t1c n3rd at 06/19/2008 16:35
What role do you think, should Snake take in the next game? Main character again, or what i would prefer, the mentor for a new guy, with just a few quick cameos?

Ok, that would be like in the plant section of MGS2, but I think that role fits him.
Crunshii's Avatar
Crunshii at 06/19/2008 16:37
I will watch it, but with my eyes and ears closed :)
Spartacus's Avatar
Spartacus at 06/19/2008 16:45
Hah, I'm going to be listening to this in several months after I manage to play MGS4 somehow.
SirRigby's Avatar
SirRigby at 06/19/2008 16:45
What did you think about Snake really coming out as a three- dimensional character and how did you notice it coming out the most? Do you think this is revealed to the player better with Snake's continual deterioration?
TheRemedy's Avatar
TheRemedy at 06/19/2008 16:46
Is it polite that we put spoilers in our comments even though they are probably all spoiler filled? Anywho,



-SPOILERS-


Anyone else feel Meryl is a dirty tramp? I mean, she pretty much falls out of love with Snake cause he's old now, then falls in love with a guy who looks like Snake when he was young! Personally, I hope she dies in a fire.

And how hot was Naomi?
TheRemedy's Avatar
TheRemedy at 06/19/2008 16:51
Secondly, what are your thoughts on Metal Gear Online?
Bricfa's Avatar
Bricfa at 06/19/2008 16:51
Ooh yes, Naomi. What a confusing character, what did you guys think of her and her role in the story?
swarmreaper's Avatar
swarmreaper at 06/19/2008 16:53
What are your thoughts on the B&B's - as boss fights, sure, but also as characters? And, in giving them the backstories that he did, and making their appearance one of beauty rather than the typical child soldiers shown in the media on the news, documentaries, etc, do you think Kojima trying to send about the effect of war on the people who live and grow up in the conflict-filled regions of Africa, South America, etc. where the sorts of events that occurred to these four take place?
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 06/19/2008 16:54
I have only ever watched somebody play a Metal Gear Solid game, and I feel like I ought to see what everybody is spooging over. So, since I want to start back at the first Solid game, I just have a simple question as to how to do it.

Should I get the recently released Essential Collection for $30 which has (I think) the games released in their original forms, or should I spend significantly more to get Twin Snakes, Substance, and Subsistence?
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 06/19/2008 16:55
So here's the thing

I've come to terms with the fact that, as this growing up adult, I'm not gonna get my own PS3 anytime soon. And further, MG4 for 360 isn't coming out until SpaceCat finishes the fight.

So two questions: If I watch the story/gameplay on some streaming video site, am I realyl cheating myself, or is that a reasonable "its better than nothing" for this experience.

Also, given that, I'm assuming this podcast is cool kids only and if I plan to experience MGS4 in anyway, I should just hold off from listening to PEX-2GPA, right?
twister1988's Avatar
twister1988 at 06/19/2008 16:55
Who was your favorite Beauty and the Beast unit? I think I liked Screaming Mantis the best.
Anthony Burch's Avatar
Anthony Burch at 06/19/2008 16:56
I can say pretty confidently that you oughtta get Essential. Twin Snakes sucks from a story point of view, Substance is included with the collection, and Subsistence, while nice, isn't totally necessary. You can buy that one separately if you end up really liking the Essential Collection.
Elitechief27's Avatar
Elitechief27 at 06/19/2008 16:59
I'm assuming that there will be spoilers?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:00
i didn't think tiwn snakes was that bad!


a few things:


- of course, they are going to release a special edition of MGS4 in the same vein of substance and subsistence.

what extra bonuses would you want?

boss rush mode? VR missions? extra online modes? the whole game cut into a movie? an-in game podcast with jim sterling doing impressions?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:01
now that the snake story is complete, where do you feel the series should go? (because it sure as hell isn't over completely) prequels? side stories? remakes of the first two original metal gear games for psp?
swarmreaper's Avatar
swarmreaper at 06/19/2008 17:01
I'd also be interested in hearing thoughts on the hallway in Act V. I found it to be one of the most emotionally powerful parts of the game, and one of my favorites.
Brian Keljore's Avatar
Brian Keljore at 06/19/2008 17:01
In this edition, did they update it so Rev is no longer invincible during his verbal uppercut? Did they give Aaron Linde a way to counter projectiles? Will Chad be given a gimpy dolphin ball? Will anyone understand these references?

Anyways, onto the topic at hand. METAL GEAR.

Not having the game myself, or a even a PS3, I feel that a small portion of me died so I went and looked for as much as I could about the game so I didn't feel left out. My research has left me with the following questions. And yes they contain SPOILERS, but anyone posting here should know better than to get butt hurt about it.

So, here we go.

Does anyone feel that the whole Psycho Mantis connection in the game seem a little forced? I've only read about it so I can't experience it as Kojima intended, but to me it seems a little flimsy.

When did nanomachines become the answer to all life's problems?

How does one die from being violated by a beautiful woman?

Is Big Boss Frankenstien?

When will Otakon ever have success with a woman?

After all is said and done, why do I still hate Raiden?

A gun that shoots tornado's? When did Snake become Mega Man?

That's all I can think of. I suppose I would have better questions if I had sold my soul for a PS3 and been able to play this game, but for now I will continue to rely on the internet until I get an actual job with benefits and all that stuff. Have fun, because I have a feeling in a few years Destructoid will remake this podcast will better sound quality so they can milk it for more hits.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:02
ok, we all love the game. (i know i do) but not every game is perfect.

any problems you'd like to talk about?

(like the fact that the game DEMANDS you to play a certain way, despite the fact that they claimed you can play any way you want)
Anthony Burch's Avatar
Anthony Burch at 06/19/2008 17:03
Tubatic:
I believe we're gonna do as much spoiler-free commentary as humanly possible at the beginning, for people in a position like yours.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:03
the game was clearly more cutscene that gameplay. was this a problem for anyone, or was it perfect the way it was?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:05
do you feel that MGS4 was a tiny comment on all the recent "four-quel" movies that have been released and will be released (indiana jones 4, die hard 4, rambo 4, and beverly hills cop 4) , where they beloved main character is old and everyone knows it?
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 06/19/2008 17:06
Thanks Anthony. And I didn't even have to wait for you guys to record to get my answer.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:06
do you think that trailers to the game gave too much away?
DynamicSheep's Avatar
DynamicSheep at 06/19/2008 17:07
Careful, thar be SPOILERS ahead!

Am I the only person in the world that thought that the fight between Liquid Ocelot and Snake at the end was very cliche?

I felt the same way about the fight at the end of the original MGS, and wasn't exactly thrilled to see it return at the end of this game.

What I flipped shit for was the part where you fought the Metal Gear Ray inside Metal Gear Rex. Do you guys think that this section could've or should've been longer?

Finally, how about that end segment in the corridor!! My wrists were as broken as Snake's old man face after that ordeal. Why couldn't Otacon just go through in the Mk. III?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:08
metal gear solid: the movie

i know you've talked about it briefly, and i agree that metal gear solid, being the cinematic game it is, doesn't NEED a movie, but it's going to happen regardless.

but what would you want out of a movie adaptation? with the rumors that christian bale would play solid snake, do you think that's a good choice?
Cosades's Avatar
Cosades at 06/19/2008 17:09
Repost from before, since that cast wasn't about MGS:

Because MGS4 was just released, I've been thinking lately about player agency in game stories and how much interactivity we each require to justify a game's validity as a game. I'm not a fan of the series, which may make my opinion unpopular on this podcast, but I have played MGS 1-3, so I've given the series a fair chance. Kojima wears his cinematic aspirations on his sleeve, but it seems to me that the MGS series offers so little interactivity that it's a wonder he doesn't just make movies instead.

I'm not intending to bash the games here, I'd just like to know what the cast thinks is the minimum level of interactivity we should expect from a game, and whether the MGS series gains anything for being video games instead of just movies. Did Kojima miss his calling?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:09
by the way, i think the corridor scene was one of the greatest moments in video game history.

it makes a tribute of the torture scene from the first game, while providing a HUGE dramatic effect on the player, as the world crumbles around snake and the player.
pedrovay2003's Avatar
pedrovay2003 at 06/19/2008 17:10
@iwontusemyname

I think it was absolutely perfect the way it was, and I thought there was quite an equal balance between cutscene viewing and gameplay.

Besides, if anyone went into the game NOT thinking that there would be long cutscenes, that's their own fault. This game had to tie THE ENTIRE SERIES TOGETHER. It was a given, even if there weren't any reports all over the internet about the cutscene lengths. But I loved every second of it, and I don't think it should have been done any other way.

As far as questions and stuff to talk about, how about your predictions for a possible 360 version? I know people are probably sick of hearing the rumor, but I'm curious as to what you guys personally think.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:11
@pedrovay2003

i feel the same way completely.

and speaking of a 360 version, i heard rumors that MGS might even make an appearance on the wii. thoughts on that?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:12
the in game advertisements:

did you think that it was not tasteful? did you think it made the game seem even more like a blockbuster movie?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:13
did any moment make you cry?

do you think we've reached a point in the medium that could make players feel as emotionally connected as novels, movies, and so on?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:15
how do you feel about EGM's refusal to review the game?

you guys, being notorious for honest opinions, review the game differently than others because it's such a huge hyped release with an insanely devoted fanbase.
Aaron Linde's Avatar
Aaron Linde at 06/19/2008 17:16
MGS4 on the Wii may be the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life.

Now, a port of MGS1-3 or maybe a MG1/2 remake, on the other hand..
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:18
@ aaron

i agree completely. the rumor i heard never said it was going to be MGS4, per-say, but a "Metal Gear Solid" game.


i'd think MGS2, because of all the MGS2 references in smash bros. brawl (the suit, the cypher, ray, and so forth.)

but possibly it might be a side story, similar to acid that hones on the strength of the system.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:19
let's talk music:

how was it for the latest game?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:20
man, i ask a lot of questions.

thanks for giving me the time, if any! and i mean that quite sincerely.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:22
shigeru miyamoto has made a lot of great original games, but he will probably be remembered arguably for specifically mario and zelda.

do you think kojima will ever be able to top himself with another series?
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:25
by the way, this next question is for anyone else:

i bought the first two solid games when they first came out, but skipped the 3rd. and now i bought the essential collection recently, but MGS3 doesn't have the 2nd disc with the original MG titles.

my question is, as a mac user, is there a way or a place where i can NOT download them to NOT play on my computer?
boxmyth's Avatar
boxmyth at 06/19/2008 17:26
I'm curious if you think Konami will double-dip like they did with Substance and Substanance.
I'm pretty sure I'd buy MGS4 again, even if all they added to the box were used needles.
iwontusemyname's Avatar
iwontusemyname at 06/19/2008 17:27
how do you feel about the fact that the game was, every-time it could, showing all the tits and ass of nearly every female character (specifically naomi and the beauties)?
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