The official PlayStation blog reports~

+ Posted by Brandon Laurino // Konami Online

"Hi all – Firstly, we’d like to thank you for helping us make the launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots a tremendous success, with a special thanks to the many of you who attended our midnight launches to support it. It was great to meet so many of you in person, and the some of the MGS related costumes were truly spectacular. We had a lot of fun, and we hope you did too.

Of course, the launch of MGS4 is just the beginning – with it now in your hands, surely you are finding that there is much to discover within the game itself. It’s packed with so much, in fact, that there is bound to be new revelations, strategies, and details in the coming months as everyone makes their way through every nook and cranny. Add in Metal Gear Online, with its endless and deep multiplayer game play, as well as new downloadable content forthcoming - there is truly so much more to come, with our continued support of MGS, that will extend well through this year.

With that, we are happy to reveal a very special surprise, upon the PLAYSTATION Store update tomorrow (Thursday June 19th) we will be releasing the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Database!

Metal Gear Solid 4 Database

The MGS4 Database is a free, downloadable interactive application that contains the official knowledge base of everything that is Metal Gear, reaching all the way back to the very beginning of the franchise. Including complete storylines, character profiles, relationship diagrams, and much more! The MGS4 database is a great way to catch up for someone new to Metal Gear, as well as a useful resource for any veteran of the series, with complete official details on every aspect of the intricate Metal gear lore.

The MGS4 Database also contains a special feature – if you want to make use of the database, but have not yet fully played through MGS4 yet and are worried about spoilers – all MGS4 spoilers are “blacked out” until you’ve beaten MGS4. Give it a try!

But that’s not all, within MGS4, check out the EXTRAS option of the main menu (if you haven’t already). There’s already new, free downloadable content available for the game - with new camouflage and a new music track for the in game iPod. There will be more forthcoming, so be sure to check this often!"

(source: PS Blog)

Kotaku reports~

"Isn’t she lovely? This lovely Limited Edition Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots timepiece, now up for preorder at UK online retailer Gamestation, has been lovingly crafted using the finest stainless steel, engraved and numbered, and packed in a lovely black box with a silver MGS4 logo stamped on top along with a certificate of authenticity from Konami. Approved by Kojima himself, only 500 of these babies are being released on October 31st of this year, and they’re only going to be available through Gamestation…who only ships to the UK, making me sad.

One of the team responsible for creating the limited edition dropped us a line to let us know that Gamestation accidentally put it up for order before the big announcement, so this would be an excellent time to order one before the rush. At £99.99 it makes an excellent gift for any member of the American gaming press sitting at their computer desk drooling over a watch."

(source: Kotaku)

Back in July 12, 1987 Metal Gear was originally released on the MSX2 home computer system in Japan. July 12, 1987 something special happened, a legendary series was born. Now, 21 years later that statement couldn’t possibly be more underscored.

To put into words, the prowess this game has above any game that’s been released in the same genre to date; Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is without a doubt a bestowment of sheer perfection second to none. It is a technical achievement of unbridled attention to detail, scope and design. That coupled with masterful narrative and game play seamless into a cinematic performance that will draw you in for an experience once thought only found in the pages of books and the hearts and minds of movie makers.
 

Old Snake, now suffering the affects from aging is called back into action by his close friend Otacon and commander Roy Campbell. Liquid Ocelot has finally been located in the middle east and his plans must be stopped. This is to be Snakes’ final mission and it is ever more apparent this time around that his deteriorating body is taking a toll upon every action and situation that is presented to him throughout the game. The game play has been streamlined in comparison to MGS3 with the close-quarters-combat(CQC) and gunplay being ever more forgiving and congenial. The gunplay feels much improved and every weapon feels incredibly distinctive of each other inherit of any situation you are immersed in.

It should be no surprise to any MG fan of the linear level design, but at the same time the size and multiple variations of the tactical approach isn’t at all restrained yet you are given to choice of stealth fully navigating you way through a battlefield with the help of items such as your octo camo, and self controlling MK II which can temporarily immobilize enemy combatants’ or be used to scout ahead. With that said the A.I. is remarkably intuitive and will still inspect and expose areas that have been disturbed. If you decide to take the guns blazing approach the enemy A.I. will flank you in combat and use cover and other opportunities depending on the environment which amazingly will at times blind you with the tapestry of foliage and depth. Some of the new enemy’s such as the Gecko’s, frog units and the unmanned units really bring MGS4 into its own and bring a new challenge than the regular enemy soldier which can be PMC or Militia organizations depending on your actions in the game. Not new but very enjoyable are a few chase scenes you experience in various parts of the game all while fighting enemy’s trying to escape and survive. The boss battles in MGS4 are incredibly fun and in tradition not always straightforward and require you to not only fight the boss but other additional units whilst trying to figure out the weakness or event trigger to down your foe.
 

Kojima productions have definitively raised and set the bar as far as next gen graphics is concerned. The level of detail from weapons, characters, environment and design is abundant as well as ambitious in its delivery. MGS4 is quite possibly one of the most stunning games ever to be released on any system. Ok, I think you get the point now. Not to minimize the other very important part of this masterpiece is the sound department and MGS4 delivers in superb sound which just makes the whole mood and experience that much more advantageous. Voice acting and soundtrack are as good as you will see in any video game or movie for that matter and never pull you out of the experience but exactly the opposite to set the canvas for an epic venture.
 

All of this contributes to the amazing plot of MGS4. New and old characters are brought back to the Metal Gear universe with undaunting manifest. Without giving away any spoilers MGS4 does a good job of tying story lines up and brings a couple new ones to the forefront. You will not play another game with this much depth and dramatic storytelling that satisfies even the hardcore fan and still manages to please any gamer.

I haven’t really even scratched the surface with the all of the features and aspects within MGS4 but I hope you will share the emotional, powerful, and engaging experience I had playing through this game.

I can remember vividly the feeling I had when I beat Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation for the first time having stayed up all night while the sun rise which to this day I can hardly put into words or explain. I have not ever felt that again…

..until now.
 

IGN~

"Twenty-one years ago, the gaming world was introduced to a hero: a soldier that fought alone against impossible odds to save the world. Over time, the hero grew into a legend that changed the gaming landscape and redefined stealth action games with his epic battles. After more than two decades of service, Solid Snake is finally receiving an honorable discharge in the latest chapter in the Metal Gear Solid franchise. While this is Snake’s final mission, he isn’t going quietly into that good night, nor is he being constrained by previous titles. Indeed, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots shatters the proverbial bar, becoming a technical, cinematic and gaming standard that future action and stealth titles will be judged by. It’s been a long time coming, but this game is a true classic and a masterpiece from Hideo Kojima, Kojima Productions and Konami…"

Click ahead for the full review - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Review

Maybe GameTrailers could take some notes on how to actually review a game….

(source: IGN)

MGN has new domain! Actually we have two with the other not working at the moment but soon it will. Start pointing your bookmarks to http://www.metalgearnet.com or ( coming soon - .net)

Nows the best time to register an account on the MGN BBS! Ever since we launched the new boards we have had a flood of topics as well as allot of the old community. Come in, talk Metal Gear and join one of the best Metal Gear communities on the net!

You want complete coverage? Plus all the media/details on Metal Gear Solid 4 or any game in the Metal Gear Series. Look no further. MGN plans on having one of the most complete and in depth Series section you will ever see on Metal Gear. The attention to detail and coverage here will be second to none and will always be continually updated in the coming weeks. Get a sneak peak and check out the already live Metal Gear Solid 4 section and prepare to make MGN your source for Metal Gear, period.

As always there is more to come. In the coming days/weeks/months prepared to be bombarded with constant updates content wise to MGN. I would also at this time like to thank all of you who have supported MGN in it’s comeback since the re-launch a few weeks ago. So far the response has been overwhelming to say the least. I am very pleased with where the site is going and cant wait to bring you whats in store for the future. Be sure to spread the work about MGN and hope you continue to support MGN and its efforts.

"The best is yet to come…"

- Leo

Happy Metal Gear Solid 4 Day!!! Today marks a very special day in the Metal Gear series as the fourth installment of Hideo Kojima’s masterpiece is finally released worldwide. Congratulations to Hideo-san and the entire Kojima production staff on this monumental achievement. If you think the mission is about to end, you are greatly mistaken. MGN is still bring you the latest all that is Metal Gear so check back after you’ve played this epic mission and enjoy because the best is yet to come.

1up interview’s the man behind the music of the Metal Gear Solid series.

"There’s no question the Metal Gear Solid series has continuously set new standards for cinematic and storytelling qualities in gaming, and a large part of that is due to the uniformly fantastic musical scores each game has received. Composer Harry Gregson-Williams has been responsible for the scores to each game since Metal Gear Solid 2. Even if his name isn’t immediately familiar, you’ve surely heard his work in a movie theater at some point — Gregson-Williams wrote or contributed to the scores for such films as both Chronicles of Narnia movies, Gone Baby Gone, Kingdom of Heaven, and Team America: World Police, among many others.

On the eve of the launch of the latest (and, for Solid Snake, possibly last) game in the series, we had a chance to chat with Gregson-Williams on a wide variety of topics regarding his work on the series, including how he hooked up with Hideo Kojima, how the process of writing the music has evolved over the years, and even — gasp! — a few rumblings about the Metal Gear Solid film adaptation. Read on, stalwart fans, and take comfort in knowing Metal Gear Solid 4 is almost in your hands… "

Click ahead for the full interview - A Chat with MGS Composer Harry Gregson-Williams

(source: 1up)

GamerTell has an cool writeup on remembering the many years of solid snake. by Lucy Newman.

I can’t wait for my copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots but I don’t want to say goodbye to elite agent Solid Snake, whom we’ve grown to love while following his adventures.

We pray that rumors of an end are not true and continue to pose theories about why the series could never end.  Even so, as a preemptive memorial to help cope with the denial that this may be the absolute last game for Snake, here is a look at the MGS franchise…."

Metal Gear Memorial: Remembering the many years of the Snake

(source: GamerTell)

PunchJump reports~

Advanced orders for Sony Corp.’s Metal Gear Solid 4 Playstation 3 80GB Bundle held an instant sell-out upon availability at retailers. Amazon.com on Fri. sold out of an initial batch of orders for the $499 SKU by morning. Additionally, Frys.com on Mon. sold out of pre-orders for the product. The MGS4 PS3 80GB SKU includes a copy of the game and a Dualshock 3 controller for $499.99. Konami in May began orders for a limited edition Gun Metal Gray 40GB PS3 bundle that includes a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition. The Limited Edition Metal Gear Solid 4 game includes Metal Gear Online, an exclusive behind-the-scenes Blu-ray disc, and CD Soundtrack. Metal Gear Solid 4 on Wed. ranked as the No. 3 video game title at Amazon.com on high demand.

The title will be released at U.S. retailers on July 12.

(srouce: PunchJump)

When will IGN USA review it, and why haven’t we done it yet?

IGN reports~

June 10, 2008 - It’s one of the biggest PS3 games of the year — THE biggest for diehard stealth-action fans that have been following IGN’s coverage over the last several weeks, and now it’s almost here. Yes friends, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots releases on June 12, and given the number of treatments that our PlayStation and overseas teams have given the game recently, the question we get more than any other lately is, "When is IGN US going to review MGS4?"

The short answer is, "not until the game comes out or possibly after." While we have already completed the game (Jeff has played through it twice, and Greg and Chris are playing through to the end as I write this), we’ve decided to hold off so that we can play the Metal Gear Online segment with real people on real servers when it comes out on Thursday (on June 12).

MGO, you can’t get here soon enough.

The reason being that, with MGO being such a significant part of the package (and IGN USA’s experience with that feature being rather narrow compared to our counterparts pre-release), we want to make sure that we play the networked portion of the game as much as possible before posting our review.

So there you go — the reason why you’ll have to wait a few more days before we review Metal Gear Solid 4. I hope this clears things up for readers in search of our opinion before it comes out, or those trying to figure out why we have UK and AU reviews, but not a domestic article. We’d rather be right than be first.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Dunham
Games Editorial Manager
IGN.com

(source: IGN)