Last year Konami teased us with the idea of another new Metal Gear Solid game. We all thought that Snake and Friends would be coming to the Xbox 360 and PS3. We were right, sort of. Metal Gear Rising will be coming to the Xbox 360 and PS3, but the aforementioned surprise was a MGS title designed specifically for the PSP. What we got is by far the most complete, engaging, and fun title that has ever graced the PSP. It’s not even close.
We could have a Congressional hearing on MGS:PW. With James ”The Rajun’ Cajun” Carville. The game is that deep. What you get is about a 20 hour single player campaign. Expect the story to be insanely intriguing as well as confusing. It wouldn’t be Metal Gear if it made a whole lot of sense. On top of that, there are over 100 Extra Ops missions which will test your gaming mettle. I have tried these alone. I failed. A lot. You will need a co-op player to assist you. Graphically, the game looks like it could be a console title. The voice acting? The best I have heard in a game since possibly the original Bioshock.
The only downfall of MGS:PW is that the game can be almost too engaging. I know that makes next to zero sense, but there is so much to do here. So. Much. I have never complained about a game offering too much gameplay, and I am splitting hairs here, but sometimes I felt lost. The campaign is a monster and the Extra Ops missions could literally be a game all unto itself. How this all fit on a UMD disc, I’ll never know. Also, the Extra Ops are insanely hard and without a friend, you don’t stand a chance. The saving grace here is that, a ton of PSP users will have this game. Make a friend. Link up. Kick some ass.
Despite the super hard level of play, a single player campaign that is longer than most RPGs, and a somewhat tacked on multiplayer (see Metal Gear Online), this game just kicks serious ass. I have been waiting for a real reason to fire up my PSP. Patapon is fun, and God of War: Chains of Olypus was excellent, but both did not offer a huge challenge. MGS:PW is that challenge. All Metal Gear games are not easy and they require you to think before you act and this game is no different. If you have a PSP, you should pick this up. You won’t find more game for $40 on a handheld or a console anywhere. Just find a friend too.
[A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes.]
The one thing I disagree with you is the issue of difficulty. I completed the entire game and many of the Extra Ops by myself. Yes, some levels are tough, but to say that you MUST have a co-op partner is misleading.
Great review otherwise. PW is one of the best games I’ve played in the past two years.
Hey can you lend me a hand, I'm having problem on my save game files. Keep on hanging on the part after I destroyed the Cocoon.. Is it alright if you can lend me your save game? If yes, please send it to my email address @ james.venz@yahoo.com. Thanks alot!!!
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