Metal Gear needs better writing, not graphics

Don Reisinger from CNET writes:

"We don't need better graphics from Hideo Kojima and his team; we need better writing.

After playing through Metal Gear Solid 4, I was deeply disturbed by what it offered. Was it a good game? Sure. But after completing it, I won't consider playing through it again because of the convoluted storyline and the amount of cut scenes."

[Hellsvacancy]

Thats as far as i read

[n4g-gamer]

He is right though, MGS 4 is about as convulsed and retarded as a story will get, so its probably a good thing that kojima isnt working on mgs raiden. Its gonna have all the great gameplay elements from kojimas team but non of his retarded writing.

[Hellsvacancy]

Or perhaps YOUR just 2 retarded 2 understand it

[n4g-gamer]

No It is perfectly understandable , this does not take away from its sheer stupidity.

[callahan09]

Of course it's written by Don Reisinger. Does he write anything that isn't a veiled attack at something PS3-related?

[The_Darkest_Red]

The story in MGS is as wonderfully crafted as any in the entertainment industry. The amount of depth and character development present in each game is a testament to just how good the writing actually is.

This is ridiculous. Attacking the game that is best at something for what it is best at? I mean I understand that there aren't many angles you can attack a series like MGS from but this is just pathetic.

*** By the way in case anyone cares, this is my new account. My old name was PistolPumptMonk. ***

EDIT: At n4g-gamer: Please, explain to us the entire MGS story in detail so that we may understand it as fully as yourself.

[edgeofblade]

Maybe some people like convoluted stories.

I'm not one of them, but I recognize the right of Konami and Kojima to seek a market of people who will buy any Japanese-written piece of comic book plot garbage.

But there are people who like that stuff and i respect their right to like it. So, a disagree here means you disagree with peoples right to like whatever they like...

[Willio]

4-5 million purchases later says this author is retarded.

[Lifendz]

Cnet strikes again!

[The_Darkest_Red]

No, a disagree means you don't know WTF you're talking about. Seriously, if the story is so stupid why do so many mature older people appreciate it so much? I am willing to bet that NO ONE who understands the story thinks it is stupid or convoluted.

So please, edgeofblade, explain the story to me. Then you have the right to a valid opinion. Otherwise, I'm poppin that disagree button like I pop scrubs in COD.

EDIT: At guy below me who thinks he is the king of the world: I just ate one of your bubbles and they taste like chicken. Yum!

[PrimordialSoupBase]

@Hellsvacancy

Since you can't even spell, I suggest you avoid contributing to a conversation about writing. Same goes for most of the idiots on this website.

Metal Gear is overwrought trash. The end.

[Silellak]

How are you even still allowed in the Open Zone?

I stopped caring about Metal Gear Solid's plot around the time of MGS2. MGS1 was silly in some ways, sure, but it was an entertaining story that was told fairly well.

I'm not going to pretend I've played MGS3 or 4, so I won't comment on those specific stories (beyond what I've read on Wikipeda), but it seems to me like MGS fanboys mistake confusing, convoluted plotlines as being "deep". If you don't like the story, it must be because you're too stupid to "get it" - and that's just absurd. People may enjoy the story, but the fact is, the often wince-inducing writing that delivers the story simply isn't very good.

There's nothing particularly wrong with that. I enjoy plenty of movies and TV shows that often have sub-par writing. But don't pretend Metal Gear Solid is some glorious, flawless piece of art that's beyond criticism - because it isn't.

[DragonWarrior_4]

This is the most milked franchise next to Mario, but at least the Mario games keep evolving. Kojima needs to let Snake die already and make another Zone of the Enders game or just quit making games period. MGS4 is the most overrated game next to Halo. I cant stand it when you noobs keep hyping up these mediocre games. Sure its pretty, but graphics dont make a game great.

[Kain81]

--

[iHEARTboobs]

In honor of that "convoluted trash" of a story, i'm going to pop it in again and have a great time playing it......again.

[bunbun777]

We all play to have fun, and that level of fun is constantly being qualified through what makes us the gamers, have a fun time. The writing is solid, maybe too much for some, but thats the thing-- if we strip away from what is there then we go back to common denominators...

I couldnt help but thinking of Idiocracy and the movie of the Year, ASS or whatever it was called, an ass that farted on screen, everyone loved it. (except the dude from the past)

Look, the world is a hard thing to fully understand, with the politics, the power, the belief systems that have been held over for thousands and thousands of years (ancient mystery schools) but I will say this-- Hideo is one of the few to either get away with explaining, howbeit in a very sensational manner, some of the core elements in play with a new world order, a military state, technology supplanting free will, the human spirit through perseverance finding meaning through survival--- or he is possibly propagating the things that either he is mandated to tell or that he feels are coming. At the very least he is using real world topics for a frame of the stories. And yes I'm talking of things of a conspiritual nature.

The ID tagged guns thing--its real but its not mandated-- some people in power are trying to do exactly what is being explained in the game. Sorry if you guys think I'm a "loopy sci-fi fanboy" but its true, so dont trash what you dont get, and if you dont get it, its ok. But if Hideo's games feel a little too complicated, how complicated do you think the real thing is?

-edit 1-13 beyond criticism? of course it isnt-- but it is beyond your level of criticism, unless you think there's a wiki out there that will help you actually explain yourself-

[FlamingTP]

Overwrought trash? Care to back up that statement with examples and logic buddy? I mean seriously most of us are open minded here. We may give you credit for some truth if it exists and you can prove it but otherwise the open zone is for you.

[Rigmaster]

Overwrought trash ==> Not on the Xbox 360. Ever.

QED

[gintoki777]

convoluted or not it makes a kick ass game too bad Don Reisinger will never be as successful as a single metal gear solid game and kojima

edit* to that guy with the king slime avatar metal gear has not been milked until this year when xbox 360 wants to get its nose into things -_- thats why now it sounds like such a milked series. But really there have been alot more mario games and sonic games than mgs games

[Defectiv3_Detectiv3]

Because games are known for their well written storylines. Compared to most games, MGS4 is frickin' shakespeare. Who cares if its convoluted, it still gives you enough emotional investment to want to keep playing through and see what happens.

MGS is one of the few series where I actually don't want to skip the cutscenes. I would agree that they were a little long winded at times, and sometimes they went off on a tangent, but overall, it puts most games stories to shame.

[Amplitude]

Greetings. I've come to remind you that - before adding to this conversation - you should realize that there are people in here who are saying that MGS4 has a bad story, and making fun of the MGS series for it.
If you were intelligent, you would realize that these people are either massive fanboys, or just naturally retarded.

Thanks! Proceed with the comments.

[Tony P]

That's just some guy's opinion.

At least MGS is trying to do something beyond 'aliens have invaded! saddle up!" Most games can't move beyond rampant clichés and even when they do, can't craft a genuinely interesting story like MGS.

I confess the story can get far too complicated for my personal tastes (I preferred everything before MGS2 because it was grounded more in reality) but it's far from bad. So you won't find me calling Kojima a genius or MGS the best series ever. It is not the only game with a decent story. But it's good and gamers should take pride in mentioning this jewel of a series amongst a sea less audacious titles.

[SaberEdge]

Hey, I love MGS4, but if you're honest with yourself you do have to admit that the story is a little convoluted and maybe even a little bit silly. There is no way you are going to convince me that the narrative is as well crafted as Uncharted's or Mass Effect's.

It's not like this is a new idea, lots of reviewers had similar things to say about it after it was released. Go back and read some of those reviews, some thought the story was great, but some thought it was convoluted and poorly written.

That doesn't mean that the story isn't enjoyable in its own way or that the game isn't great, because it is. But don't act like everybody has to agree that the narrative was the greatest thing ever.

[ExgamerLegends2]

I was never into mgs until MGS4. I asked a friend who's a mgs fan to explain the story to me and he just laughed, so i figured it was either long or too convoluted. When i looked it up online i saw it was both lol. But it was really interesting. I loved it. I've played through MGS4 7 times and I'm considering playing through the first three to understand the story better.

[Silellak]

Oops, I forgot one of the N4G Commandments:

1. Thou shalt not state thine own personal opinion of a game, if that opinion doth differ from those of the Fanboy Armies. If thou doth challenge them, thine bubbles shall they take.

Amen.

[cmrbe]

Convoluted != Complex.

MGS story is complex. Its kinda like Lost with many characters all having important roles to play in the bigger scheme of things. If you don't follow them closely you will get confused.

The MGS story requires the player to invest time in it. If not, you will not fully understand it and normally those people will say its convoluted which is not. They joust don't understand the story.

In terms of writing MGS3 has the best writing. MGS4 is second only because it had the herculean task of tieing up all the plot in the Story of a franchise that spanned 20 years i.e Kojima couldn't really edited MGS4.

I am most certain that those that are saying MGS story is convoluted in this thread haven't even played all 4 main MGS games. Word of advice. Don't just take what others say about the story and take it as fact. Play the game yourself then make your own mind up.

[Homicide]

The story is awful, and not only that, it is told in a bad way. Using hours and hours of cutscenes is not good storytelling.

Complex? The answer to pretty much everything was -*spoilers*
-
-
-
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nanomachines. Kojima should be a doctor.

[edgeofblade]

Ahem.... Mr. The_Darkest_Red, here is the plot I remember from playing MGS4.

An armless, legless, former president with similar generic code to Snake and Liquid kept alive and shrink wrapped to a machine... and that genetic code is a backdoor access code to a global control network controlling all the nanomachine soldiers in the world to keep them from sh*tting themselves when they drink the water.

Meanwhile, a "targeted" super virus designed to kill only certain people breaks down its ability to distinguish one target from another and could become a global pandemic... but doesn't because it's replaced with a better virus to kill the old virus.

You call that a good story? I call that some middle schooler's half-baked creative writing assignment. I call it a bunch of nerdy elementary kids playing at recess. Creative... but wild and unruly... and entirely unbelievable. Clone this, nuke that, biomort over here, nanomachines over there. It's just so out there, it's one step away from having an alien abduction, time travel, or dimensional tear.

Don't give me "mature rational adults" when you know damn well they are mostly children with an asianophile complex.

@cmrbe: I did take your advice by reading EVERYTHING in the MGS database before playing MGS4... and I enjoyed it as a game... but I would NOT consume it in any way other than a game. Not as a book or as a movie, which is about the most damning thing I can say about any video game plot.

[DragonWarrior_4]

MGS4 is an OK game, it really doesn't do anything well. Even the stealth mechanics aren't as smooth as MGS1 and 2. I really dont know why you guys like this game? I hope that someday you people play some old school games and find out what great games actually are. This is not one of them.

BTW, the story was fine until Snake Eater came. The series has went down hill since then. Its gotten crazier each and every time.

[Jaces]

And yet fanboys rejoiced at getting a MGS game?

Whatever happened to convoluted story and to many cutscenes? Sure we don't know how Rising is going to be but it'd still be the same with MGS4 if that was ever ported over.

Fanboys are always finding something to complain about.

@Edge of Blade: Dude...it's a game, not a freaking biography. Who cares how unrealistic and over the top it sounds, the game is supposed to keep you guessing and it still is even after it was beat. I'd rather have that than a boring, predictable plot.

[RememberThe357]

Cnet claiming that something else needs better writing... These guys are less helpful then UGO...

@PrimordialSoupBase: Here we go with your arrogant bullshit. You didn't even realize that he's talking about the over all story of MGS, not the quality of sentence structure or spelling. Maybe instead of making yourself look like an idiot for calling someone out in a comment section about spelling (wtf? Who doesn't misspell in the comment section?), you could have added a witty or thoughtful response. In fact, please point out where he misspelled?

Your comment was and is not "the end", and nothing you say to try and evoke some type of power feeling will effect anything. People have opinions, and for you to claim that your opinion is fact proves how much you need to stay in the Open Zone.

[Daver]

I never really followed MGS serie but i bought MGS4 and i must say it was one of the best game i have ever play

The story is awesome, sure it is complex but thats what it makes the game so good in a way

[HDgamer]

Funny of the fanboys to say it doesn't have a good story. Funny how can a game series be around for nearly 20 years, sold more copies than most games, get guiness book of world records, GOTY awards, fans around the world and continue to be the best stealth game for their niche crowd also delivering an amazing story with long and lengthy cutscenes that make real movies seem like child's play?

[edgeofblade]

@Jaces:

You haven't seen "too seriously" until you hear an MGS fanboy talk about how Solid Snake is better than Master Chief... because he's more refined and kills with stealth... and therefore an MGS gamer is more refined than a Halo gamer. It's just sick all the crap people with inferiority complex use as leverage to make themselves better than someone else.

Here I am saying people can play whatever they want and enjoy it, and everyone else is criticizing me for not appreciating a story so ridiculous and fourth-wall breaking. Sure, like it all you want, but everyone's compelling need to make me like it too is....unhealthy.

[bnaked]

LOL WTF?????

MGS has the best written story in the history of videogames!

This guy must be unintelligent..

[JoySticksFTW]

The stories are amazing. Even Kojima admits that MGS2 was too convoluted, so he stream-lined 3&4's stories

The gameplay was stream-lined too and made much more player-friendly

[Jaces]

Same thing could be said with Halo or Gears if someone bashed the story. It's the circle of hate, lol. Still though, everyone has their opinions and that's fine.

But it's hard to not ignore when people are complaining that it's not realistic enough....last time I checked it was'nt Metal Gear Realistic. It's just a game with an insane, confusing, and IMO great story. Same thing could be said about Splinter Cell, no way he could take out all those bad guys by himself, no way he could take that many bullets and not die. No bashing, big fan...just making a point.

Anyway, what's so off the wall about the story when everything is in fact possible now or at least in the not to distant future. Just curious.

I didn't buy the game for a grounded, realistic, can only happen in 2008 game. I bought it for a great time...and wanted to find out how it all ended.

[Why dis]

Very true not only writing but a gameplay mechanics overhaul. No more hiding in boxes, stupid AI, no more Beeps & boops indicating alert status, no more over the head visual alert status indicators like (!) (?) (Z). Needs more solid control and animations.

This isn't the early 90's you know. no more PS1 type ideas.

[cmrbe]

OK. Regarding your points. Foxdie the virus that you refer to is a genetic bio weapon that targets specific target to eliminate. If you had play MGS1 you would have known that Snake was injected with foxide to kill specific targets he came across in MGS1 without snakes knowledge. In time the virus broke down in his system which would eventually target everyone else which we found out in MGS4. This is not school grade writing imo. This is Tom Clancy level of writing.

Regarding Solidus. No it wasn't solidus. Rather a clone so you are wrong there. The SOP, Sons of the patriot system was a system of military control through nano machines which actually was derived from the foxdie virus that Naomi created. The SOP is a system to help enhance solider combat skills as well as eliminating fear, pain and other emotions determent to their performance. I have no idea where you got the idea that the SOP was a system to stop them from sh1ting their pants from drinking water. Again this is nothing far fetch.In fact i am sure most militiaries in the world are researching ways to improve the combat abilities of their soliders. We have seen people talk about implanting mico chips into people and the whole one world order. In terminator and Matrix we have seen writers write about machines taking over. Again this is nothing far fetched or school grade and i complete disagree with you.

However thankyou, at least you did provide some points unlike others however you still could never understand the whole story until you play MGS1,MGS2 and especially MGS3.

Reading them is completely different from experiencing it.

[gaffyh]

Stupid people complaining about pointless things as usual. Why Dis is retarded, the game doesn't need to change anymore than it already has. If you change all the stuff you mention, it becomes another dumb shooter, which only dumb fanboys like you want.

Gamers don't want to play the same generic gameplay, at least MGS is different. Also the writing in MGS is fantastic, and if you're complaining about MGS4 writing you're retarded, because it is the part of the story that makes the most sense and is much more westernised than the other parts.

[GarandShooter]

@EdgeofBlade

'Here I am saying people can play whatever they want and enjoy it, and everyone else is criticizing me for not appreciating a story so ridiculous and fourth-wall breaking. Sure, like it all you want, but everyone's compelling need to make me like it too is....unhealthy.'

Didn't quite get that feeling from this:

'I'm not one of them, but I recognize the right of Konami and Kojima to seek a market of people who will buy any Japanese-written piece of comic book plot garbage.'

So this is just your way of telling everyone they can enjoy what they want? You don't see how this could seem demeaning to people?
You know, that market of garbage lovers that are clearly beneath you as you have declared yourself as 'not one of them', you have no clue as to how they could find these words offensive?

You poor victim.

[Daver]

lol shut up, you are an idiot

You didnt even play MGS4, go troll somewhere else

Everything you said in your reply is what make MGS serie what it is.. We dont want it to change to look similar to every other games out there

[RumbleFish]

It's simply impossible to argue about MGS with people that don't love Kojimas style. I can't get enough of that game played it 9 times and playing MGO as often as possible. I like the cut scenes and i appreciate the break from gaming just watching blockbuster movie quality cut scenes. MGS 3 and 4 are my favorite games over all but I can understand that people don't like Kojimas style. For us fans it's embarassing when they complain about the cut scenes, but that's just their personal taste.

But when somebody states, that the writing isn't good, he simply didn't understand the story and the moral of Kojimas work!

[gamesR4fun]

"The content of the story was too preachy. I realize that there is the possibility of a "military-industrial complex" that could, I don't know, ruin the world. I also know that war is a real problem. But I don't need a video game to focus on that while painting a story. And I don't need it to do that over a 30-minute span for every 30 minutes of gameplay"

Story sucks eh?! Dudes stuffs prophetic its real and its now. Cooperate run news like u heck cooperate run government dude spells it out n u dont like it imagine that.

Meh like he played it...

[Sylar]

Even though metal gear has a great story i have to admit that mgs4 did try to add on as much fan service as possible, like unnecessary twists and turns that made the story convoluted.

P.S. I hate all those people that say you have to understand the story to like it. There are plenty of people who perfectly understand the story but don't find it that interesting. Everyone has different tastes. Acting like Metal Gear Solid has the perfect storyline that everyone can love is completely ignorant.

[Highwayman]

@1.2
Oh, the irony.

As for MGS4, I think its one of the best games of this gen. Sure the story may seem strange to those who haven't followed the series, but oh well. To each his own.

[morganfell]

What took so long? Just look down the main page of N4G. Here we go again with the attacks on everything Sony. From games to the PSP Go. It's another relentless round of what Sony isn't.

The competition can't brag on what they are...they have nothing that will keep up with the big black onslaught - so they are reduced to the same sort of moronic attacks we witnessed last Christmas.

When you start to attack the writing in MGS4 then you are really grasping at straws. The very fact that Kojima wove a story that not only tied up all the loose ends but also took the entire Metal Gear universe and reversed everything we thought is nothing short of genius. The fact this idiot from cnet misses that is a statement about his low brow mentality and proof how the anti-PS3 crowd will attack anything out of desperation.

[PrimordialSoupBase]

Ahem, fine, it's not The End.

To answer the whiners who can't see where Metal Gear is overwrought, each of its lengthy scenes that purport to be emotionally poignant (like when Otacon is crying, those many, many times) come across as pure comedy (the little merit they contain is ironic and unintended).

Kojima's MGS4 is hysterical in how heavy handed it moves through drama, banging viewers (not players) over the head with its ambition to be powerfully affecting yet executing it with all the grace of a Korean soap opera.

[morganfell]

Don R is crying because he is one of these Neanderthals that requires minimum dialogue and even that must be monosyllabic. What is the matter Don, a little complexity too much for you? There is always Army of Two.

[evrfighter]

"If you had play MGS1 you would have known that Snake was injected with foxide to kill specific targets he came across in MGS1 without snakes knowledge. In time the virus broke down in his system which would eventually target everyone else which we found out in MGS4. This is not school grade writing imo. This is Tom Clancy level of writing."

dont care about metal gear. Played it when I was a kid got over it. never touched it again. yet these kinds of articles are great for killing time.

But that sounds like something I probably could have come up with in high school when I was gettin stoned.

[Immortal Kaim]

Well I was going to say "this is an interested conversation", but looking at the comments, any difference of opinion from the norm is criticised and berated. You get the usual fanboy moron's who complain about anything on the other system, but there are some people with some valid points being shot down...

I will only say this, as much as I enjoy the story in the MGS series, Hideo seriously needs to leave some stuff on the cutting room floor. If it was only a little more edited, maybe the plot wouldn't be so 'heavy handed', which is a shame given the thought provoking and often controversial topics.

[LastDance]

poor fanboys hate anything they dont understand

[Flipgeneral]

I find that the story is well done. The problem lies in the dialogue interactions between the characters, and the scenarios.

I mean, come on, did anyone find the scene with Meryl and Johny in ACT-5 (you know, the one where they're blasting away hordes of enemies while having a heart to heart conversation) to be good writing???

People need to wake up and realise that MGS4 had some serious issues with the writing

[ultimolu]

Just lol.

MGS' story is one of the best storylines in the history of gaming. I'm just stunned by the work Kojima and his team put into this.

CNET needs to stick with industry news/political news instead of judging a storyline like MGS.

[Tarasque]

Boohoo, here come's the tears. But tears of laughter from me, fanboys at it's greatest.....

[xwabbit]

The same guys who said blu ray was a dead format? They must know their stuff lol, but rlly lol, that was 2 much.

[JHUX]

Did I play a different MGS4 as the haters? Or are you guys just lying trying to trash a game you've never, and will never play? I think more along the lines of the 2nd part.

[ThanatosDMC]

Wow! This is the first time in N4G i've ever seen somebody get more than 100 disagrees!

[BattleAxe]

Is this article some kind of joke or prank.......palease!!!

[GameGambits]

If MGS4 has a bad story I want to know what you Gaming Gods of Mount Olympus think is a better story line? Let me guess Halo 3 IS T3H EPIC CUZ MASTER CHIEF CANNOT RUN BUT HE CAN JUMP 4000 FEET WTFBBQ!?!??!111?!!?

The subject of MGS' writing in any of them is NOT open for discussion. They are god dam perfect. If you want to argue that or say "in my opinion" then just do the world of NON retarded people a favor: Buy a loaded gun, put it into your mouth, and pull the trigger until you are dead.

People with their brains attached to their spinal cords KNOW that MGS games are at the TOP of the food chain when it comes to story.

Now you dumb dumbs go back to reading Cat in the Hat so that you may one day comprehend intelligent stories when they are told to you.

[dantheman1515]

It is well documented that MGS4 wasnt my favorite game of all time, but it wasnt bad either. The game had some good elements, but the story just held me back from embracing the game.AND DONT TELL ME ITS BECAUSE I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND IT. Playing the game turned into a chore. I ended up playing more on my DS during the cutscenes, then MGS4 during the gameplay.

[Syronicus]

I love the story and writing Kojima puts into the MGS series. If he did not add what he has already done so, it would not be the same game. It would be just another shooter with little story told and that is not what Kojima is all about. If you played MGS4 and thought the story was too much then you are not a fan of the series and should have picked up something else.

[vickers500]

"The story in MGS is as wonderfully crafted as any in the entertainment industry."

You don't watch a lot of movies do you?

[NickIni]

This is like saying "I'm not readying that book as it's story was far too complex."

And MGS4 is almost like a book in terms of it's complicated and deep plot, at least far more so than any other game. Some people are so shallow.

[f789790]

The story isn't the best because it is confusing and complex for those who haven't played the previous games. Good writing is enjoyable and easy to understand. Even the people who have played every metal gear game have trouble explaining everything. The fact they released a database on the series is a tribute to how difficult the story is.

I liked the story but seriously, it was supposed to be a game not a movie.

[thesummerofgeorge]

in gaming history. Convoluted means complex and difficult to follow, complex? yes, difficult to follow? yeah for a kid, an adult with average intelligence shouldn't have a problem.

Buddy go play your Wii if you can't follow a complex storyline, some of us are intelligent enough to play games like MGS 4 and comprehend them. What a clown. So by better story, he means a dumbed down version. I'll bet this guy can't sit through the Godfather movies either, probly thinks they're to convoluted too. You can't tell me it's not good enough writing just because YOU COULDN'T UNDERSTAND THE STORY you simpleton.

And to the guy who said " don't tell me i just didn't understand" WELL YOU DIDN'T!! I fully understood the story, and it was an amazing experience, and I ate up every minute of the cutscenes, so obviously it's not too complicated, you just don't have the attention span, drive or smarts to sit through it and understand, you played your DS crap during the cutscenes, and expect to understand what's going on??? That is as retarded as it sounds. Don't blame a great game for your lack of attention span and intelligence... Stick to the DS, so you won't be burdened with the task of trying to think.

[Scrooge McDuck]

lol but yet halo and gears has the best writing according to them

[PLAYSTATIONGENRATION]

Their stories are predictable and boring

[edgeofblade]

Gears plot... sucks. Halo plot... sufficient, but not great.

I maintain a game doesn't need a good plot to succeed as a game. I think people care WAY too much about plot. If some story is the compelling reason you are playing a game, you could very easily be playing a crappy game and not even know it. Or worse... you could be willingly playing a bad game for the plot.

[Vertius]

"Or worse... you could be willingly playing a bad game for the plot."

I have done this numerous times, and find no folly in it. Just how a bad plot can be overcome by great gameplay, poor gameplay can be overcome by an interesting plot. As long as enjoyment can be gleaned from it, does it matter?

[CaptainHowdy]

You're confusing them with Gametrailers, who, if i'm not mistaken, ALSO has Macrosoft in their left pocket(let's not forget what they rated Halo 3's Story Vs. MGS4's). In either case, I must say it's disheartening that the remainder of the game medium's stories/plots and themes have not yet evolved to the complexity and depth that has become synonymous with Metal Gear Solid. Granted the "M" rating, like the "R" rating for movies has more to do with violence, sex and language than it actually does with maturity of subject matter or level of difficulty therin; if THAT were the case Gears of War, Halo, and God of War, on a intelligent level, would be rated "E" or "G".
Metal Gear Forever.

[rucky]

Oh it's the PS3 nazi Don Reisinger and he's back spreading fud again. The Metal Gear writing is one of the best in gaming history. I think if it's anything it needs better editing but not writing otherwise you're better off sticking to Pokemon games.

[edgeofblade]

Here we go with that "best" label again.

Let's go back to middle school where I declared the credits music from Chrono Trigger to be the best piece of music ever. I feel kinda stupid about it now.

The fact is if you sat a non-gamer down in front of MG's plot, they would say things like "Big Boss? Zero? Beauty and the Beast Corps? Who the hell thought those would be good names?" If you want to say something has a good plot, it should be a good plot regardless of it being in a game. But if you want to say "best", you better be able to back it.

[rucky]

"...one of the best"

Here just to help you with your reading problems

[The_Darkest_Red]

Attacking character names? Grasping for straws I see...

Do you consider movies to have the best plots in entertainment? I guess generally that is true. But according to *some* people around here, MGS is just a movie anyway right?

[Tarasque]

Monkeys addicted to cig's, enough said.

[TheColbertinator]

LMAO What an idiot

[Trebius]

And we see this article. No coincidence. For months 360 owners were envious of MGS4 and wanted it so bad...now theyre trying to say it sucks...cause they realize they'll never get it.

This is almost as bad as the argument they made about Ratchet and clank, TOO much variety! It sucks!

This story is so well refined and executed...that it boggles me someone would say it's anything but great. It's confusing if you dont know the MGS series...but there are 5mil+ people that can keep up with the storyline, if you're one of the people that cant understand it, i guess it's just too advanced for you.

I dont know about you, but i'm an adult, and I like the fact that MGS series of games are games that a child cannot fully grasp. It's one of the few games that an adult can enjoy, while the kids complain that it's too much storyline.

Don sounds like one of those kids. He's pathetic...he needs to act like an adult. As you grow older, you realize that even your taste in games evolve because simple games just arent fun anymore.

If you think MGS' storyline is terrible, then I'm guessing he doesnt play any RPG games...because I've seen plenty of RPG games with storylines more "convoluted" or confusing, than MGS4's.

May God have mercy on your soul Don...your brain definitely doesnt function like the rest of ours...go back to playing pokemon.

[lociefer]

bots havin panic attacks

[Why dis]

Sure thats why there is nothing but PS3 fanboys in here all ass hurt because their favorite franchise is fully multi platform now and all hot and bothered because people and even the devs know the game needs to evolve for the bulk of the western masses if to be successful. No so called bots are even in here lol they know the game is coming and will most likely get the best version.

[LiL T]

I was saving this for a patcher article but its about time you hang a roll of toilet paper from your chin for all the sh!t that comes out of your mouth. Seriously there are fanboys and then theres you, a misguided teen with no life and a case of verbal diarrhea.

[BubbleSystemSuck]

OMG

EPIC FAIL!!!

The MGS story is the BEST i ever see in a video game...

[n4g-gamer]

Ignore the presentation which is indeed very nice, now look at the story, look at how it starts and how it ends. Notice how towards the end its so twisted it seizes to make sense. The story itself is very bad, but the presentation the games are amazing.

The story itself is really bad, Greatest soldier ever, clones, nano machines, nano machine vampires , really cheesy story.

[rucky]

Not all of us here are retards like you

[moparful99]

For someone trying to pass themselves off as a literary expert your really have no idea what makes a great story... Narrative "hooks" are devices used by the author in order to draw the reader into the story... Plot twists are some of the most effective uses of a hook... These devices keep you on your toes, just when you think you know what is going on here comes that curveball from left field... Mgs4 has some of the best storytelling in video game history... The subtle nuances of human nature and the "napolean complex". Most men of power feel this in some shape or form... Some act upon this impulse and their decisions are derived from the need to fulfill this desire... Just like liquid... He was so bent on world domination that his entire existence was in pursuit of this goal... Also the human struggle element, Look at naomis dedication to vamp even though she deeply cared for snake, or snakes struggle to break free from his predetermined fate... These are all strong emotional chords that resonate within us as humans. We all struggle with mortality and the decisions we are forced to make and mgs as a franchise calls upon these forces to be the engine that drives the storyline of every single mgs game.... The complexity of the mgs saga is the element that causes it to transcend the "game" label and into cultural iconic status.... I and the millions of other gamers who have experienced mgs4 dont need justification from some obscure tech blogger who cant draw upon the storytelling of kojima and his team..

[n4g-gamer]

A good friend once told me "A good story is one you can remember", Well I played and beat all 4 metal gear solid games loved them for their gameplay their mix of action and stealth. But the story well I cant remember it well thats how laughable the story is.

If you want good story in video games, look at bioshock, It is an impressive story that could hold its own in other forms of entertainment, Bioshocks story would make an easy transition into a novel, or a motion picture. Metal Gear Solids story however would not translate well into a good novel or a movie, if there is indeed a Metal gear Solid movie you will come to see that much of the video games story has been cut off and alot of it has been changed. Metal Gear Solid just isnt good story telling, people would laugh at it if they made a movie with the story the way it is now. Now take a second and notice how I said people not gamers.

Gamers are too blinded by their nostalgia and enjoyment of a "game" that they fail to see how crappy of a story was.

[Amplitude]

All "four" Metal Gear games? XD XD XD
Do you have any idea how many MGS games there are?

And, as for Bioshock...

Actually, im just gonna stop talking. lmao... wow.

[BlackTar187]

Ill say it lol Plasmids and Big Daddys and little sisters LOL underwater freek show lol. You really are in a class of your own.

Sure people will think that finding littl epower ups in a city that come ut of your hand is believeable LOL your good man your good.

I love bioshock so im not trashing it liek you pretend to have played all the MG and didnt liek the story you played becasue what again? LOL

Your fricken good man BioShock LOL. YOUr fricken priceless i mean it.

[moparful99]

For someone who cant seem to remember the metal gear storyline very well you sure are opinionated on how well it would translate into movie or book form... You seem so determined to prove your point that you ignore everything I said. What does metal gear being a great story have to do with becoming a movie? There are alot of movies out there that have abhorable stories.. Movies are not the defacto standard in storytelling, neither are video games for that matter. My entire point was that a great story is one that resonates with us as humans, calls upon our own struggles in life, and maintains our vested interest.. Metal gear transcends the barrier of mindless fun and brings a deep emotional element into gaming, which most games lack... I completely agree with you that bioshock had an outstanding plot with great storytelling elements, but it used the same literarly devices that makes metal gear so memorable... Plot twists, human desire to attain ultimate power, moral descisions, etc... They were all present in the metal gears and bioshock... So again I say to you I dont need to justify my emotional connection with metal gear by your's or anyone else's opinion...

[punisher99]

Are you kidding? MGS4 probably has the best writing of all time in any videogame. And its a perfect example of what a game turns out to be when a developer literally puts his blood sweat and tears in his work.

[truegamer4life]

Of course it has the best writing...Its a f*ckin movie for crying out loud!

[Myst]

I thought the game was pretty good, enough for me to go back and play the titles that I missed. Even makes me want to buy Peace Walker as well..

[xjoshbx]

MGS4 had a SUPERB story. He must have the attention span of a gnat to not understand wtf is going on.

[Gun_Senshi]

that their brain cannot process the complex story of Metal Gear Universe.

that their brain can only process stories like Gears1, which to them its the best story ever, even saying having a good story is too much for Gears :P.

[Shade360]

It's all very well having amazing graphics, but if theres not a story line to match.. it's just like watching a movie..

[Mr Fancy Pants]

Was MGS4 your first MGS game? Cuz it is just like all the others from the franchise... Every game has its own style. That's why I find strange all this arguing about MGS4 being like a movie.

[rucky]

I don't get this post. You're saying a game would be like a watching movie if it has good graphics but with no story line?

[PirateThom]

It's a shame Rising isn't going to touch the story and gameplay of the main series. Alas, life goes on.

[randomwiz]

MGS4's cutscenes were nice to watch, but the cutscenes that really annoyed me were the ones explaining stuff... like the one that went into how the nanomachines work. that was boring so i skipped them

the story in MGS4 was one of the best if not the best story in a game... no matter how much you try, when you replay a game, its the same story.

[xabmol]

Those were some of my favorite parts...

[Marcelles25]

fallout3 or fable or infamous (couldn't think of Any more)

[OGharryjoysticks]

More Snake less shake

[360usetobegood]

And wtf was wrong with the writing? Just STFU stupid gaming media just STFU.

[Etseix]

its not the *gaming media* its the *troll media* CNET is a MS site, everything they post about ps3 they do it in a stupid/fanboy/patetic/ way.
=/

[Parapraxis]

"We don't need better graphics from Hideo Kojima and his team; we need better writing. "
Well you won't be getting much of anything from Hideo when it comes to MGS Rising, since him and his A-team are going to be working on Peace Walker and not Rising.

EDIT:
Disagreers, care to elaborate?

[Marcelles25]

he produces so of course he's gonna look over the game

he wants only the best to come out of HIS studio

and he always says hes not gonna work on a certain MGS title and ALWAYS ends up becoming the mastermind behind it

its multi-platform who cares mgs:3 was still epic

i mean i was pissed to when they annouced it but anything kojima productions makes is worth trying

and i know everyone is excited for castlevania right

[Socomer 1979]

i played mgs since it was born and im happy they got rid of all the codec dialog. MGS was fine with the codec and even better on BLURAY !

get lost microsoft you said it yourselves it was the 1 game that made you jealous.

[ifhd]

I miss all the codec

[xabmol]

That was my biggest disappointment. =[

[Theoneneo81]

hmm typical cnet MS Butt kissers now dissing the Greatness of how well written MGS 4 was.

[The Peoples ARMPIT]

Uncharted2 > Gears of war2

Killzone2, Resistance2 (soon MAG) > Halo franchise

GOW3 > Ninja Blade lol

GT5:P (better yet GTPSP) > Forza3

Heavy Rain > Alan Waits

inFAMOUS > Crackdown (and soon to be crackdown2)

Undersiege > Halo Wars

Demons Soul > all rpg's on the turdfixme to date

White Knight Chronicles applys the finishing blow to the rpg genre.

Left for Dead1&2 = 2002 graphics, physics Turd

The Last Guardian > whole 360 library to date

LOL no matter what games the turdfixme has, the ps3 will always have a better quality title that embarrasses it. The toosh!ty really is the epitome of an outdated turd.

SPREAD THE NEWS. EDUCATE THE NOOBS!!!

The whole turdfixme knob squad are the bums of this console gen. No games to call your own on the poor mans console. I guess it's true when they say "you get what you pay for" lol. Epic fail on your behalf.

[Gue1]

man change the crappy avatar and nickname. Both suck ass.

[The Peoples ARMPIT]

Just showing how the average dirty 360 owner looks like while living in their grandma's basement.

[terrandragon]

Get some new material.

[Man_of_the_year]

PS3 Droids get the new material once a week. Just wait for their mandatory weekly firmware update....

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Whoa, you are stinking up the Open Zone more than usual with that giant pile of horse sh*t.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Nah, that's just your breath blowing back in your face.

:)

[saint_john_paul_ii]

Don Reisinger, spoken like a true Microsoft Fanboy.

[Spike47]

Out of all of the games I've played, only a few did I care about when it came to the storyline, and with the MGS franchise I always payed attention to the storyline.

I wish I could have a word with Don, he's a shame to the human race.

[Divine-Sniper]

The MGS franchise has the best storyline I've seen in a while.

[Kain81]

Nice avatar you have there "Sniper Wolf"

[lordgodalming]

Thanks, Don. *yawn*

[mirroredderorrim]

I would like to grow to the size of Galactus and open my planet- annihilating-rectum, right over the main offices of Cnet.

Their molecules would not exist after such events.

[JonnyBigBoss]

So there's what, only 1 series that has a complicated story in all of gaming? Is it really that hard to let 1 series not have the typical "man goes on revenge hunt to kill wives killer"? I mean really. The Metal Gear story was a lot of fun trying to solve, and has so many great elements. The person who wrote this article obviously prefers a Killzone 2 story where you just run around killing millions of people to pursue revenge. Seriously, I disagree with the notion that the complexity of the Metal Gear story is a negative aspect of the game. If you don't want a complicated story, play any other game on the market. For those of us who do like it, there is really only 1 game to get, and that's Metal Gear.

[PirateThom]

No offense, but that isn't Killzone 2's story at all.

[kalebgray92]

msg4's writing was superb and i never played 1 through 3 so people are stupid if they cant figure out what is going on

[rhood022]

Hmm..to anyone who's played ALL the Metal Gear games (both original and the "Solid" series), the story in MGS 4 made absolute sense. In fact, it was a perfect book end to the entire saga of Solid Snake.

If MGS 4 was your first MG game, I can see how you'd be lost because ALL of the concepts in the game stem from the earlier titles. But Kojima DID release the MGS Database to catch people up to speed.

[DragonWarrior_4]

MGS1 and 2 are ten times better then 4. Anyone who says different is a noob to gaming.

[PirateThom]

One, yes. Two is my least favourite in the entire series.

[BlackTar187]

LOL

1.1
2.4
3.3
4.2

only people who found the series on 2 think its the best the ones who were playing it 10yrs before that know it is not the case.

This is my opnion though and thats all it is see how i can let you have yours with out putting you down

[2FootYard]

I guessing Metal Gear Rising isn't going to have very long scenes or that great of a story and I'm going to be sad. The long scenes are part of Metal Gear and I enjoy them.

[resistance022]

It's CNET, nuff siad. However, I think people just like the story because they are clever enough to understand it. To be honest, I wasn't fond of the story, I understood, but I thoink the only reason people like it is because they like complex things

[FlamingTP]

the whole liquid's arm thing bothered me until I found out it was all just a ruse by Ocelot, I was happy with the entirety of the story after that. I'm not so sure about Raiden though, I don't mind him but I really don't like the character either.

[FlamingTP]

it must be pretty powerful stuff because MGS 4 made perfect sense out of the previous entries that confused me (MGS2). MGS 4 tied everything together very well and if you play a metal gear NOT expecting to run into a mountain of cut-scene what the hell are you doing playing the game in the first place?

[2FootYard]

That list doesn't have much to do with Metal Gear, f**kface.

[NegativeCreep427]

"Was it a good game? Sure. But after completing it, I won't consider playing through it again because of the convoluted storyline and the amount of cut scenes."

Convoluted storyline? Did this a$$ pirate even play through ANY of the other MGS games to get a universal idea of what the MGS universe is made of and how its characters are not single-entry entities like Super Mario?

If MGS4 was multi-platform and on the Xbox 360, would these concerns still be publicized??? I highly F*cking doubt it!

Let the Bullsh*t PS3-library disparaging continue, because apparently that is what gets "professional" MS Butt-Buddies like Don Reisinger off!

[saint_john_paul_ii]

well I guess thats the consequence for MS not getting the best game of our generation.

[Soldierone]

I put down 5 bucks, if MGS4 was announced for 360 instead of Rising and this article wouldnt exist....Completely stupid. Why? Not because he is bashing MGS4 (any anti fanboy will) but because he is a YEAR LATE in doing so. Which ironically happens to come just after 360 gets RAIDEN! The most interesting character and back story in the world!(Sarcasm) Then not only that but couldnt he have at least come up something more original? Its like Halo arguments now, "duh...the cutscenes were long...and ah...i gots confused with da story...dis game sucks!"

Plus i dont get why he says "I was a MGS fan from the begining" then he goes on to complain and rant about the story? And the setting? HELLO! The story has always been this confusing, thats why we love it, and hello again! The story has always involved war and politics, and has always focused on it....If you really did play and pay attention to the other games, instead of playing halo, then maybe you would understand that MGS4 was answering these open ended questions very well.

Again this is just to set up for Raidens game. The game WONT be as deep and WONT be as intriguing, and since Kojima isnt making it, Wont be anything like MGS4. So when Rising comes around this guy could feel smart. Then again it does say CNET on the top of the site.

[Veneno]

is one of the main reasons there are so many obsessed fans of the series.

[Crystallis]

LMFAO.....bubbles up.

[chidori666]

kojima is the god of storyline, stfu please idiot.

[MysticStrummer]

I guess some of you get a headache when playing a game with an actual plot. It's too bad that all games don't have the same plot over and over with slightly different graphics... wait... most do, so congrats to you. The Metal Gear series has arguably the best story in gaming, and MGS4 is arguably the best of the series. Go play your generic games if you want, but don't stifle the few developers who show some creativity and care for their product.

[Kain81]

agreed nothing more to say
thx to kojima production for this masterpiece^^

[ifhd]

Thanks kojima

[TheTruth89]

Jealous of MGS4..... it's normal =)

[Dante43]

MGS4 wasn't bad written, it was amazing, all the cut scenes made it like a blockbuster movie/game, it was frikking awesome.

'nuff said.

CNET is Microsoft's pet dog.

[Batzi]

I love Kojima's work and let the man do whatever he likes. He has given us masterpieces for the past 21 years. Kojima and Metal Gear FTW!

[ifhd]

we need more people like kojima

[joevfx]

japanese storytelling is different from american story telling. Metal gear is a japanese game. deal with it. Sorry your not spoon fed like american storytelling.

[Obama]

"As a gamer, I expect a few things from a good game: a solid storyline, good graphics, and fun. Dating back to Metal Gear Solid 3, we've been getting confusing, long-winded storylines, outstanding graphics, and not enough chances to have fun."

It is so OBVIOUS that Don hasn't planed mgs3 since it has one of the best storyline ever in video game history. To me mgs3 is the best mgs that offers both excellent story and gameplay.

Also isn't it also obvious by now that Don is a big MS fanboy?

[skip2mylou]

yeah it was confirmed that he was an ms fanboy ever since ms went into the gaming console industry after releasing the first xbox

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

CUN... Oh i better not type it!!! Might get banned!!! ;-D

[silverchode]

cunt?

[NegativeCreep427]

Its apart of the female anatomy and is a beautiful thing. Then again, some moderators here probably are afraid of it and wouldn't want it mentioned.

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

CUN...NING... ;-D

i.e 'Cleverness in Deceiving' ;)

CNET like Deceiving people on the internet!!!(WOW!!! I like the way i got out of that 1 er i think er erm...) ;-D

[Pootangpie]

I don't know what the big appeal MGS4 visuals were anyway it fell way behind compared to games like DMC4 and GTA4 last year as for the story how many stupid plot twists and how many 1 hour cutscenes can you put in a dam video game heck it takes 20 damn minutes before you can start playing the damn game I can think of a lot of better story focused games that has shorter cutscenes then this POS MGS is nothing special the sony fanboys can keep it for all I care as for MGS rising I still don't plan on getting it regardless of it being multiplatform

[Seraphemz]

Did you just say that GTA 4 had better graphics than MGS4?

WOW!

[KillerPwned]

What is really pathetic is for people to lieterly come on here just to start stuff about hateing MGS. Hate MGS all you want but be mature and dont come here preaching out it no one cares. All you do is show what a waste of human life you are to the human race.

And if anyone wants to use the term "Fanboy" guess what "little boy" I own alot of consoles of all different companys and love them all.

Grow up and get a life its really sad.

Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts on stuff but just respect others to for their thoughts. This is to anyone bashing on this stuff and not everyone because i use a little thing called respect......learn it

[2FootYard]

CNET isn't a porn site so I'm pretty sure it doesn't stand for cunt.

[SlaughterMeister]

"I won't consider playing through it again because of the convoluted storyline..."

I've played every MGS console game, and I have yet to have been confused by the story. It has twists and turns, and can seem convuluted at times, but only until you reach the point where all the questions are answered.

My question is this: How stupid are these people that can't figure out what's going on? The complexity is the POINT, it doesn't take away from the point. Metal Gear is easy to figure out if you pay attention.

[KillerPwned]

I don`t understand how its confusing at all...

[read disc error]

I understand the story. I just think it's bad. Kojima is a hack who covers up his lack of ability with obscurity.

[read disc error]

I agree with this article. the story for MGS4 was weaksauce. Kojima basically took every sci-fi cliche (secret organization running the world, robots, ninjas, robot-ninjas, cyborg enhancements, big brother-eque control, etc) and crammed them all in one long pretentious game.

And don't even get me started on the dialogue...awkward!

I will not be buying MGS: Rising unless someone else writes it and it's a good game.

[MysticStrummer]

DragonWarrior_4, your ranking of the Metal Gear games is suspect. You say it's a mediocre series, yet you evidently have played them all. There was a poll not too long ago on PSU.com that asked everyone what their favorite MG game was, including the ones before the "Solid" got added into the title. The majority said MGS4, with MGS1 a fairly close second, MGS3 was third, and MGS2 was fourth. Personally I agree with this ranking list. That doesn't mean you have to agree, but your statement that MGS1 and 2 are ten times better than 4, and that anyone who disagrees is a gaming noob, is about as ridiculous as the CNET article. MGS2 is fourth by a comfortable margin in my book, and I've been gaming since before the Atari 2600 so I'm pretty sure the term "noob" (what a stupid term, no wonder gamers get no respect... noob, pwn,... but I digress) doesn't apply to me.

[Omega Archetype]

Well it's obvious. This article is just to pull in hits.

MGS doesn't need better visuals or better writing. It's in the top of its class in both categories (and I think it's safe to say that that is pretty much the general consensus.)

This is just a bait article that hopes to bring in page hits. That's the way I see it anyways.

[bunbun777]

he was going to say.....

cunnilingus?

except this article seemed more like a salad toss then a clam slurp.

[SnakeforPresident]

I am amazed by just how stupid some of the ppl who write on the internet really are.

[beavis4play]

they just need BETTER writers.

i hate to be judgemental but:

don reisinger SUCKS.

[FlamingTP]

If you're going to be hating, please please, use Logic, examples, and put out some evidence you know, proof that substantiates your claims. but since I'm here and I see a few of you have dropped MGS after 2 came out let me shed some easy light on the subject. Yes by itself MGS2 was all over the place, but MGS2 was part 2 of the Snake trilogy, its the middle! the middle of a trilogy is intended to bring climax and intensity to a story. MGS4 was the conclusion of that trilogy, and was ment to explain everything that didn't make sense about the previous game in the time line. It did so flawlessly. try reading the middle of the Lord of the Rings if you've never read it and stop at the two towers, or the illiad or anything simmilar but only read the middle. Of course you'll have no clue what's going on, that's the whole damn point.

[belal]

this game is known for the story lol, thats why it became famous lol! stupid cnet !

[ifhd]

MGS have one of the best story.But it needs an IQ higher than a shoe size.

[S1nnerman]

I for one am sick and tired of second rate authors criticising what is, quite frankly, one of the best and well written and well thoughtout gaming stories I have played. It speaks about war economies - something that can't be ignored in the current times. He says he was 'deeply disturbed' - what can I make of this comment? He also says he has a problem with the "obsession with eloquence" in the game. Seriously ... you're playing a game with great graphics, solid voice acting and a topical (and yes, complex but good) story line. What more do you want dude? Don Reisinger ... if you're so flaming good - go make a game yourself!!

I'm off to smoke a ciggy to calm down.

[A LIVING LEGEND]

Of one of the most memorable gaming experiences in years and we are subjected to this? like it for what it was not what it wasn't.
Shoot,kill,repeat,it wasn't and therein lies the problem.No problem for a vast majority of people,myself included.=)
@above ^,Exactly,maybe Don should pen a masterpiece.agree completely.bubs

[gamejediben]

OMG the fail!

Epic freakin facepalm!

This guy needs to find a different line of work.

I've never seen a journalist be so wrong. So much fail in one article...

[Homicide]

Wah wah wah! Cnet is biased against PS3. wah!

[KillerPwned]

This is why cnet is ment for pcs, cameras, pda`s, etc.......

[Omega Zues]

Don Reisinger aka tool.

cnet really is the toilet water of the web these days.

[cmrbe]

hope that MGSR will not have the same depth in story writing as previous MGS games with much less cutsceens.

As a long time MGS fan this was my main fear of MGS going to the x360. The x360 fanbase will want more shoot and less talk like this guy Don. Yeah lets dumb it down to Gears level.

[LinuxGuru]

I would happily tell Don Reisinger to kiss my ass, but it's not even worth it.

He's just plain retarded. You're not supposed to be mean to retarded individuals, they can't help / control the way they're acting or what they're saying.

[ifhd]

Don Reisinger needs better brain, not mouth

[Seraphemz]

CNet also needs better writing..or writers for that matter..

[Perkel]

I just don't get it when people say i want more game than watching a movie.

I say make 1000000 more games like MGS series , Heavy rain, fahrenheit. Those are real pieces of art to play and watch !

Dabid sell your PS3/X360 and go buy Wii.

[MetalGearBear]

if u want MGS4 really bad!!!!
BUY PS3!!!! LOL

[Mr Face Creamer]

But see, nobody wants MGS4! Raiden will do good enough for us and so will MGS5.

[Dead_Cell]

Complex,odd and over the top but people love it.
It kinda reminds me of the biggest niche game in the world.

[foxtheory]

Let me first just say that I love the MGS storyline. I find it a lot more unique than other games, and for me the story-heavy focus is the kind of game for me.
Now for the people that do not prefer this kind of video game, I completely see your point. I will admit, I am some type of MGS fanboy, but not to the point where I think the non-MGS lovers are "too stupid" to understand it. Lots of people just want to sit down and enjoy a great game, not to get completely involved in a convoluted storyline. I myself love both, and MGS4 delivers that long, deep, confusing plot.
As far as this article goes, I have mixed opinions. I would like to see a storyline like MGS4 come out of Rising, but that is from a personal view. I think for other people, though, a simpler story would be better. Xbox fans probably don't know to much of the MGS storyline, considering the only game they ever got was an MGS2 port for the original Xbox. To drop a typical confusing plot into their hands would make them...well...confused. To simplify the game would mean more enjoyment for not only Xbox fans, but for the people that just couldn't get into MGS4.
Like I said before, I would love another game like MGS4, but for the rest of the gaming community, I think it would be better to tone down the complexity a bit.

[Dead_Cell]

That thinking right there is the reason alot of MGS fans don't want another Metal Gear.

[foxtheory]

Do you mean that MGS fans don't want a new game because it won't be complex? I'm sorry, I just need a little more clarification to understand what you're saying.

[NotSoSilentBob]

Its sad that this guy can't accept the fact that MSG4 takes more then the ability to most halo players to play properly and understand. This guy just doesn't know when to shut up and find a new job.

[kewlkat007]

Righttt.....

[Dawn_Of_Ashes]

i guess that since the game is multiplat we will say bye bye to the 30 minutes cut scenes. So in that optic i guess the new mgs will have more "plot-hole" than the 4.

[silvacrest]

MGS has a better story then ALOT of hollywood blockbusters so i say this,

if you are coming into the MGS universe and you start with MGS4 you NEED to go back if you give a damn about the story and if you have and you still agree with cnet? then seek help for retardation

also regarding the long cutscenes, kojima clearly stated he wanted to rap up the characters loose ends so i think the cut scenes are justified
so again, if you were just coming into MGS this would seem like to much

you wont hear any true MGS fans complain because they understand what kojima was trying to achieve but this is cnet afterall so nothing is surprising me here

[patterson]

Blah this guy again.

Anyways, Don, if you don't like MGS series, fine don't buy it. Around 5 million people bought the last one because they know what they're getting. A heavy story driven game. But no, Kojima should cater to your tastes and disregard what's been a successful recipe up to this point. Riiiight that makes a lot of sense.

[Whitefox789]

MGS 4 is a good game but me and several friends of mine at our MGS Union at Gamespot "Metal Gear Solid Veterans Union" we polled that MGS 3 had the best story in the entire series next to the first game personally the story in MGS 4 could of been a little bit more fantasy since just about every answer to every question in MGS 4 was nanomachines, I thought that it was a little weak such as for example the question of Vamp's Immortality they had a perfect thing going from MGS 2 with the water but they instead switched nanomachines.

I am highly looking forward to MGS: Peace Walker, and Rising

But other then that this article is nothing more then opinion probably from a casual gamer.

[Unicron]

HAH. Don Reisinger "article." What a tool.

I love MGS, but I'm the first to admit it's a love or hate affair. I wouldn't want it to change for a second. I love how its so over the top and doesn't take itself too seriously, yet has strong commentary on many things in society/history.

"Dating back to Metal Gear Solid 3, we've been getting confusing, long-winded storylines, outstanding graphics, and not enough chances to have fun."

Idiot. This proves he's played nothing. MGS2 was far more complex/convoluted than the simple (but loved) MGS3. What a tool. Piss off Don, go back to humping your Xbox, it's all your good for.

[swinesucker]

It's totally true. I almost skipped some of the cutscenes because it was just getting dumb. I mean I come from a literary background I don't expect Nabakov quality in games but Kojima needs to tighten things up.

I am just not sure where he is going. I don't want more metal gear I want a new IP. Didn't even read the article I am just saying this is from my own experience. MGS 3 had a pretty decent storyline. MGS4 had some great scenes and some that were just totally ridiculous and childishly written.

[Shadowstar]

Okay, the dude had trouble understanding MGS3.

WTF? Is he brain dead? MGS3 was pretty damned accessible. It didn't introduce too many concepts from previous games (MGS4 had a lot of references to older games that I could understand a newbie not getting, and MGS2 was strange enough at the end that I can get why someone would find it a bit difficult... hahaha, I can't call things a "bit" "challenging" on this site, bad swear filter!). The plot was fairly standard (well presented, but not exactly artificial intelligences controlling everything zomg! either). I mean... what's not to understand?

[Da l33t Monkey]

If you thought MGS4, or any MGS game's story sucked?, it was simply because your brain werent big enough to comprehend it:) it's a masterpiece, for us not mentally challenged to enjoy.

[MechSamus]

this guy is the dumbest reporter ive ever heard of- your a bag full of douche Don

[Sylar]

Metal Gear Solid really needs to end. It's story was well done but it needs to end before they start putting to much random crap in it. And I agree with whoever said that MGS fans are blinded by the nostalgia of the game, you could probably find the same storytelling enjoyment in a novel. There are a ton of more great stories like Metal Gear, maybe not in games but they're out there.

[SYSTEMS-at-WAR]

I for one love MGS, one of the best games I've ever played, but this comment is true. Many game series are great however, I find that they tend to end up killing it after awhile. They get caught up in all the good reviews and money that they tend to just throw out knockoffs for a quick buck knowing that most fanboys of the series will buy it. It's happening to Final Fantasy and even beginning to show with Halo (aka Halo Wars) Sure some developers can keep it up for awhile and some will disagree with me on this whole thing, but in time they will crash and burn.

[Guitardr85]

If the author didn't like the "preachyness", then go play gears of war or god of war. MGS is meant to be deep and philosophical, not gory and a lot of "actiony" things. Leave these kinds of games to the people that have the intelligence and wisdom to understand their message and impact

[Tacki]

I can think of some games that would fit the title much better.

[Thoreau]

the story line is too deep for most people to understand, but MGS4 tackles these issues.......

the magic negro stereotype
miltary privatization
one world government
personal self conflicts and doubts
nanotechnology influence
the battle between faith and reality
the biblical point of view of carrying on the sins of the fathers onto their sons

i love the story line and kojima is too deep for most simple minded people. i read all of the time so the story line does not seem convoluted to me but that is my opinion.

[swinesucker]

Never mention naomachines 14000 times in a script. It got to be frankly just absurd. To anyone who reads decent novels or decent screenplays Kojima has a lot to learn with all due respect.

[swinesucker]

Didn't read the article don't care fanboys will defend this stuff endlessly.

The point is for what Kojima writes he is no Philip K. D or even someone of lesser stature. His words are unconvincing and his philosophy is half baked rehash from real men of the age like Kant and Krishnamurti, or maybe more of Schopenhauer or something like Foucault. Anyway, he will grow as a writer I am sure but to say his stuff is cannon is just nonsense. Yukio Mishima is a beautiful writer. I don't really see any of this high art writing in Kojima yet.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

the POPE DISAGREES.

[ArcticWolfUK]

mgs is known for its cut scenes and amazing story over gameplay.

if he played mgs1,2,3 before he wouldnt write such a load of bollox.

[Pintheshadows]

Normally I would never do this.

If you don't like MGS story go shove a pitchfork in your arse until it comes out of your nose.

Bunch of irritating sh!ts who have nothing to do but downplay the best game i've played since Deus Ex.

Cvnts.

[Raoh]

Better writing to whom?

the metal gear series has been popular for gameplay but for people looking for the next stage in the story

it's like watching LOST, they could give you everything in one season or tell a great long tale

although there are some misteps in teh writing but missteps are not worthy of saying better writing..

you can tell who the real fans are with dumb comments like that

[Henry Cain]

BS

[SYSTEMS-at-WAR]

The the story of MGS is really so convoluted then why are all the X-BOTS so happy that MGS is now on the 360 and leveled the third-party playing field?

If the story of the game was so confusing why would Microsoft even bother with "any Japanese-written piece of comic book plot garbage." (edgeofblade 1.6)

Hideo is nothing shy of a perfectionist and certainly wouldn't put up with a bad game. Those who actually played the series to its fullest can appreciate what I'm saying...

[LiL T]

Rising is gonna be a dumbed down version of MG with crapier graphics and no storyline. sweet where do I sign up. If you dont get the storyline maybe you haven't played the previous games or your just a idiot. The whole point of MGS is storyline and its sneaking gameplay.

[Pintheshadows]

I see where your coming from systems.

1. Xbox Fanboy: haha MGS4 is an interactive movie haha.

2. Same Xbox fanboy: haha MG on 360. Take that SDF. Best thing evaaaaaar.

There are so many blind idiots on this site that don't have a clue. As you can tell from my above post i'm a MGS fanboy so it grinds my gears when I see stuff like that.

[Ps_alm3k]

to the amazing mgs!!!
some people just skip to 4 and expect to understand everything!! LOL
and tell me another game writer who is better then kojima and i'll give you credit. Hah!!

[swinesucker]

There were no doubt some amazing moments in the story. But I want something new and something fresh DAMMMIT!

[saint_john_paul_ii]

The Pope Disagrees, again.

[Allowen]

Me 2, I also thought that MGS4's story is way too boring and exagerated even for japonese game .

I disliked MGS4, it was a game made for ppl for 7 years old, it is too childish game, I was extreemely disappointed when I played it.

Great graphics and a super comedy game and that is it my thoughts from this game.

[Rob0g0rilla]

This game was made with the fans in mind, not 7 year old kids who want to kill aliens and save the world. All that mindless shooting and cliche story elements. You won't find it in Metal Gear.

[HubbaBubba]

what ever happened to the good old metal gear with SOLID SNAKE

[Rob0g0rilla]

But the world doesn't revolve around your big ass head and neither does this game. Kojima said MGS4 was for the fans. I doubt they have even played the rest of them. Out of the 4 million people who brought MGS4, just about everyone loved the game. I doubt the review scores this game has got or the positive feedback from owners will make them think they need "better writing". Besides, with the game being created with 360 in mind, I doubt there will be any of the cutscenes that contributed to making this an incredible game. It's going to be a different game. It's just too early to complain now.

[Henry Cain]

And Splinter Cell story line is so captivating. They killed his daughter so now he's going to do what? He's going to go find out who killed his daughter. Why? because he wants revenge for killing his daughter. I didn't see this coming.

[xionpunk]

He's talking about changing what makes Metal Gear unique. It's the crazy story and presentation that make it my favorite game series. I know that without those elements I wouldn't be as big of a fan.

I find it strange though, that he says the story got convoluted starting at MGS3. Really? I mean it was probably the most straightforward in my opinion. Especially coming out after MGS2, which was, as much as I love it, notoriously confusing.

I wonder exactly what he thinks is a a good example of a good game story. Something tells me it's something pretty generic overly westernized.

[JHUX]

It's amazing all the people trashing the game, when put on spot about the story have no idea WTF there talking about rofl! And to think I thought sony fanboys ran this site? Look at all the mindless 360fanboys who came out of the woodworks to trash a game they have clearly never played...hahaha gotta love it.

[FXPatriot_01]

so I have to get it off my chest!

1) The individual story of MGS3 is by far the best in the series. If you disagree, you are blind, def, and dumb. Next to MGS1, the story is the most straight forward but has enough twists and revelations to keep it from being predictable. While the love story between Eva and Big Boss is not as powerful and "emotionally investing-worthy" as the love story between Solid Snake and Meryl, Big Boss' connection to The Boss and the final twist at the end is awesome and cannot be topped. PERIOD.

AND

2) The story of the entire series is GREAT...on paper. Think of it like you would Star Wars Episodes 1-6; awesome awesome story and characters when you think about it, but the presentation of that story was lackluster to say the least in episodes 1-3. The same is true about MGS4 - on paper, the story makes sense and is a great way to tie everything together, but it never gets across to the player when he or she plays the game.

Another analogy would be the "Fifth Element." Really good STORY, but a shi*y shi*y movie overall.

Here is the ultimate flaw in MGS4 - Most players, if not all, will have to go online, read information in the database, or have someone else explain the story of MGS4 to them AFTER completing the game. At the very very least, the game must be played through twice to understand EVERYTHING. And that's the flaw - its impossible for the story to come across to the player in the actual playing of the game. It's too murky/confusing to be understood without some outside help. And that is the only failing on Kojima and his team in MGS4 as far as story is concerned.

[jarhead906]

If you don't understand what is going on in MGS 4, then you obviously need to go back and start with MGS 1. The point of the MGS Database was for those people who had never gotten into he series or are long time fans trying to brush up on the MGS universe.

Also, if you don't understand the plot after one play through, go ahead and pick up your sticks for round two. God forbid that you play a game more than once.

I'm just going to straight up disagree with the "it's better on paper" statement but agree with you on MGS 3 being the best in the series.

[onanie]

Not surprised that Don would write something like this, and the timing of it is just to be expected. It wouldn't be hard to imagine him in his mom's basement, frothing at the mouth in front of the computer as he watched E3 and realised he wasn't getting MGS4 on 360 like he was led to believe. Isn't this just so like him when he declared he had been supporting digital downloads all along, after all the cheerleading he did for HD DVD?

It seems I don't need to convince the majority of the posters here about MGS4's storyline. Its sci-fi elements are detailed and consistent, and the story does well to be molded by those elements while pushing the boundaries of believability. I have not played a game like his before.

[MakgSnake]

Seriously, he has no idea what he is talking about
FuHFING ass

[saint_john_paul_ii]

<------------He needs God and the Pope actually.

[jarhead906]

Here's the deal. If you haven't played every Metal Gear Solid game, understood the entirety of the plotline(s), then you have no business in criticizing the writing, much less the game(s).

I am a huge MGS fan and have loved the deep and thought provoking plot that has been crafted for such a classic video game series. However...

Even I have to admit that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots should have toned down the cut scenes and raised the amount of gameplay. This is difficult for me to say because I love absorbing plot information as I play games to delve deeper into a game's universe. Also, I thought the game itself could have been a little more difficult. Even on the hardest difficulty setting, I had a MEGA_SHIT_TON of ammunition and weapons at my disposal, making the game not so hard to get through.

Criticisms aside, I loved this game as much as I did MGS 3: Snake Eater. You're welcome to disagree, but I'd give this game a 10/10 every time.

[Mr_Luke]

The guy doesn't know what he's talking about. And M$ fanboys are very sad, i've never read so stupid comments.
Really, sometimes i'd like to find another site with ppl that use their brains without being fanboys all the time.
I like N4G for the content, always updated and good news, but when it's about the "community" an exorcist is needed...

[saint_john_paul_ii]

its ok, Im here to cleanse its soul.

if you want we can raid his page, its the equivalent of a Holy war LOLZ.

[onanie]

LOL, pope, i love you.

[redsquad]

"Metal Gear needs better writing, not graphics"
Which of course he thinks RISING will have as it's the first METAL GEAR game on his precious favourite platform.

[The_Truth_Itself]

You would think that Sony defense force fanboys just got a huge vat of hot boiling acid tripped and dumped all over them, but he is correct about what he's saying and makes a very valid point.

Most of the criticisms leveled at MGS are realistic and well thought out, after all Halo is one of the most amazing stories out there. But it's not trying to go for the same feel as MGS, however it is more appealing that's all I'm saying.

It's not being totally wrong and unreasonable to expect more. Hideo Kojima is not an unreasonable guy. I'm sure he tears apart his own work more than anyone else!

And it's true, Metal Gear Solid <b>4s</b> storyline is very sloppy in many areas and all over the place.

Obviously parts of it are real, there is a military industrial complex doing all sorts of nonsense, the world has had to own up to this fact and start getting rid of this trash.

But all I'm saying is, the world is not also filled with psycho homosexual cyborgs, dancing tanks, and nanomachines everywhere doing completely over the top crazy stuff like you find during these games.

There isn't really super soldiers who are breaking off liquid metal arms off of their body, and attaching it to a host of a man named Ocelot, or some other commander, to do for the "betterment of mankind" or something crazy like that.

Kojima's fascination with the supernatural and surreal REALLY pushed the boundaries of his soap opera story in MGS2-4, by REALLY making it difficult to follow and not just start laughing about the kind of crazy nonsense packed in there.

I mean good lord : -

"The world is all an S3 simulation. You are an S3 simulation of the Patriots, and they, the Patriots and Military Industrial Complex control everything you say from this point on.

Raiden....HAHAHAHAHAHA LOL HAHAHAHAHAHA RAIDEN you can't stop us, because you can't see us!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

Come on, that and the incest PACKED INTO THE GAME even you die hard sony fanboys have to admit, this was completely retarded.

And having him come back to fight Solid Snake who is now an old man, where in the first place, somehow that guy became a human arm, got dismembered from his body and then attached himself to Snake's rival to make Liquid Snake......I'm sorry but GOOD GOD!!!!!

Folks this stuff is WAAAAAAAY way far out there for most audiences. I bet they thought the movie-game was going to be about lots of real world wars and things. Not insane robots and nanomachines trying to take over the world, completely graft themselves to super soldiers aka make men into mutated beasts. This stuff was crazy!!!

METAL GEAR SOLID has been going crazy!

[Monk3y]

MGS needs better writing? ha ha ha

The story was awesome, anyone who played MGS1-4 can agree with that, Kojima is a god.

[Ninjamonkey]

Its fine to have an opinion...

But I hope kojima takes no notice of this. There were a couple scenes that could have been shorter but did they NEED to be? No. I enjoyed every second of the cutscenes, the writing, and the story.

If you dont like it fine, but thats what MGS is and personally i wouldnt want it any other way...

[oldsnayke]

What I never understood is why the amount of cutscenes bothered people so much. Really, Metal Gear Solid was never intended to be designed for the casual gamer, but for the gamer who enjoyed a deep and complex storyline that made you think. I thoroughly enjoyed the game - it had a brilliant plot, excellent cutscenes and the story was explained very well at the end of the game.

People who cry about the cutscenes shouldn't be playing MGS at all, because it's not about the gameplay... it's about the story. It's basically a movie designed as a game.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

So basically:

"I just fell with parachute in this game, the gameplay is great but I don't know what's going on story-wise! I don't care to pay attention or correlate cutscenes and I know this is a ending game on a story long franchise which I don't even care to understand past story, but I'm still going to complain... just for kicks."

[RoguE]

Wow...just wow...there is absolutely retarded, and then there is this. I feel sorry for this guy, really, such a blind fanboy.

[jemmo]

The sad thing is if the game had bad graphics then opinionated people would be criticizing and comparing. The main goal of video games is to make players feel like they are part of the experience. MGS4 can be a fan service because of how Kojima was trying to give Snake a ending that the series deserve.
So I guess it took C-Net a whole year to make that remarks. So I guess it will take year to say DMC4 the main protagonist was not Dante.

[devilhunterx]

hey M$ hear that? Time to take back your cheque.

Xbots' collective IQ cant even handle a simple story.

[skip2mylou]

FUK U. MGS4 had perfect writing for the story