@symeon6: Ummm...eww?

symeon6

This sounds like a great reference guide for the uninitiated.

@McWhertor: Could this be the surprise that one of the producers was talking about prior to launch?

symeon6

(!)

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques

I bought this in written form @ borders when I went to visit my friend. it was by OPM @ $9.95 this seems like an added bonus via digital form. Nice!

Null-Python

It's good to have an official explanation of everything, instead of trying to make sense of things through forum fanboys like myself.

Inhert

"What's included? Complete storylines, character profiles, relationship diagrams(!), plus "much more." The best part? Spoiler protection, as sensitive information that might ruin your MGS4 experience is "blacked out" until you've completed the game."

Although I finished the game, I have to say, pretty fucking thoughtful. I'm almost ready to forgive Kojima for not basing MGO on the MGS:PO mp (where it was about stealth, not about the remaining life and the happy triggers), and Konami for milking it: they raised the bar (this game does just that) by making you pay for sentences. Fucking sentences!

slomo788

@Vabor: films? They're call "cut scenes".

dadeisvenm

very useful. thanks konami

resetbutton

It makes me sad that so many people started their dive into MGS with 4. Not because 4 isn't awesome, but because it's so much more awesome if you've been there from the start. Doing it retroactively must take away from the magic... but I can't ever really know that.

dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased

I guess this is the surprise they were talking about? Sounds great.

futurebiblehero

dude this is freaking awesome...I am honestly stoked.

Seiven

as good as downloaded.

dadeisvenm

@cable83: I went through countless dogs, stabbing with the fork, hoping my stamina would go up.

Kanik

Pretty Awesome! I'm a fan of encyclopedias of information on people and places that mostly don't exist. Seriously.

AsauPrime

Cool beans. It's good to have stuff like this to refresh your memory every once in a while.

supershavin

Thank GOD for this! I just beat the game last night and although I pretty much "get" all of it, it'd still be nice to see a big relationship diagram among all of the characters. I still feel like there's a couple odd bits left out (mostly "why the hell did person X take action Y?") so hopefully this DB will help out!

DaveKap

@ Arsenicberyllium:
think that's what the database is for so you can learn about the stuff...doi

@ eigokyoukan:
sorry, didn't mean you...damn lack of edit button XD

Hearts_Are_1

what a nice gift from kojima.. but i would rather be ranking up in MGO than spend my time reading what i already know.. do you guys have a kotaku clan for MGO yet?

the_answer

@Kanik: I just tranq'd the pooches. I'm more upset that you couldn't eat them. Dog is a great meal!

cable83

Can I get a 'hell yeah!'?

Morpork

@ eigokyoukan:

I think that's what the database is for so you can learn about the stuff...doi

Hearts_Are_1

@Arsenicberyllium: it's the polar opposite of a liquid snake :P

kathartik

There's only one thing I need to know.

Why don't they use dogs in the future? They were amazing villains in MGS3...they could smell the twinkies in my pocket.

Kanik

Is Metal Gear the Paradise Lost of video games? I think so. Christ, I wish Kojima just made films.

Vabor

Sweet!

Love seeing free ... one think I am impressed with the PS-Store ... is how much things are free.

EnigmaNemesis

EDIT... its free... I can read I swear....

eigokyoukan

If it is a free thing, then it would be an excellent idea. The MGS plot can be hard enough to keep tabs on at times even for an avid player.

The only problem I would have is if this is something they are going to charge for... and how much.

The more I think about it... a google search will most likely be a better option. I believe most people hardcore enough to buy this (if its going to cost) wouldn't mind seeing the occasional spoiler thru a forum.

If its free... well hot damn, that would be a most awesome thing of them to do.

eigokyoukan

Okay. First explain to me what a Solid Snake is.

Then we can move on from there...

Arsenicberyllium

This could be quite good.
It'll be interesting to see how they do this.

I'd just sent the tip in a minute or so before you posted this.

NickyJ

Great news for me since MGS4 is the first MGS game I've played. This will be an interesting download.

RickyTV

O.O - I already know all the storylines (don't hurt me) but it'd be nice to flick through it all again and have a gander. This is actually a very nice idea considering how much critisicm is going towards the game for the lengthy cutscenes (hey, I love 'em!).

Looking forward to it.

Acklan

I hate to sound like a soundbite from Sony but the next gen really did start with the PS3 - in the form of MGS4. Truly the most nex geny than any so far.

formerlurker

@symeon6: You, uh, really need this guide, huh?

~xoaks~

Hallelujah! I have literally drawn my own flowcharts to keep track of all this stuff.

humorbot

After playing MGS4 I want to go back and play the other 3 because everything will make more sense and hopefully I'll gain some more knowledge.

Sollus

Woot! MGS4 deserves it, it's the single greatest game created by man.

Volgin

dude, tell them that they need not play mgs series to understand the storyline. MGS4 is all youd ever need.

Leepox

@Kiriphii: Woot! Double post.
I must agree with you Kiriphii... that would make the most sense. Also... I completely forgot about that!

Handbanana37

Very awesome! I'm glad to know that it's also free.

Handbanana37

@dunetiger reads kotaku, seems pleased: Agreed.

I feel sorry for the people who started with this one and didn't have a violent nerdgasm at the beginning of Act 4.

KainReborn

Hooray! This sounds pretty awesome... but what I want most of all is still Document of MGS4! The Document of MGS2 disc was an awesome treat for fans, and having that with MGS4's assets would be mind-numbingly amazing.

Grave

dude just got to the ending, truely epic ending, i teared up ok? oh like you haven't. ;_;

Dakobah

Methinks this is the 'big surprise' Ryan Payton was discussing before the release of MGS4. The database being downloaded through the network would mean that people wth early copies wouldn't be able to get hold of it, hence his comment on people with early copies 'not being able to spoil this'.

Kiriphii

@symeon6: @Grimmjow Jeagerjaques:

Sorry for the multiple posts. That las t one was aimed at Grimmjow. Is that an ass? Sorry if I'm wrong, I am not up on all things internets.

symeon6

I wonder If it requires the game to download? or if it is stand alone? If it was stand alone it could convince a couple people who have ps3's but are put off by not knowing anything about the previous games. After reading through all the information they may find that they are interested by the plot and purchase the game so that they can finish it.

Also, is this the surprise project that Ryan Payton was working on? I mean, it is a great idea, but it's not too handy for the fans who are already obsessed with the story and know it all.

Ian342

@Ian342:

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't Payton say that those who "bought" the game would get a surprise that early adopters couldn't spoil?

Sparx

@Hearts_Are_1: Your sarcasm meter is broked.

Arsenicberyllium

@formerlurker: Lies! It was Genji 2 with its giant enemy crabs and real time weapon switching that only PS3's Cell(tm) processors can pull!

Old joke. I know. I'm so sorry :)

Fishballs

@formerlurker:

yeah ok it was awesome but lets not get overboard.

Dakobah

This sounds pretty cool.

I played Metal Gear 1 and 2 way back in the day and Metal Gear Solid more times than I can count (both the PSX and GC versions). I forced myself to play through MGS 2 up to about half-way through the Raiden-escorts-Emma part where I finally got disgusted with the game. I also made it through The End boss fight in MGS 3 on a one-night rental. I've read through the Wikipedia articles but there's only so much Wikipedia can do for you.

I'm tempted to download this thing and read through it completely before I start playing MGS 4 again (currently at the beginning of Act 2).

PissedPS3Fan

I'm loving my PS3 right now - almost thinking about selling my 360, but I wouldn't do that just yet. I'm happy Sony is putting a lot more emphasis on online content, that's a huge deal for me. I just home there in game XMB will allow us to chat and invite others into a game.

B1ooDshOt

@Edge of Blade:
is it really necessary for a halo game? i mean think about it. (not implying halo players arn't intellegent)

@TheIrishNinja:

im having troubles tieing the ending to MGS4 after the creds to MGS3. may have to watch again, or find someone to explain it.

Dakobah

wooho!!! I hope the character-profiles also include the sketches of the characters (hand-drawn images), I love that art style.

somarix

Damn. I've never seen Bungie do something like that...

Edge of Blade

quite excited!
im apparently alone in the feeling that the ending could've used a bit more brevity, and that...events mean replaying 3 will make the characters feel pretty different. overall, game delivered, cant wait to read more into the patriots.

TheIrishNinja

That's really cool, and the spoiler protection is just so thoughtful of them.

artofwar420

yay. konami never let me down!!

stargateheaven

YES! This is how you use the PSN Sony. Konami is awesome.

I just beat the game so this will come in handy.

Amuro1X

@Dakobah: Id say youd be beter off looking at after the end credits of MG Portable Ops for a better way of tying it in...

Tom Clancy's Samuraidino

This is fantastic. Especially since it's free. Although it would be cool if there was a some voice that would read everything to you as i imagine this is going to be a LOT of text to sift through.

ArmyofJuan

Holy crap!

This is perfect.

sascha23

Oh, happy day, I just beat MGS4 too so it'll all be unlocked from the start :D

read my thoughts:

[v-f-h.blogspot.com]

JDWRudy25

Awesome and add to that, it's free? Hell yah. This is especially important because MGS4 is my first MG game.

goldwings

And now I'm excited for tomorrow.

AwShucks

This looks very promising! I wonder if the interface will be like a high-definition, well-oiled, and well-refined version of the Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel database thang...

icegoat

Best game of the year IMO. I'm playing through it the 2nd time now and will definitely check out this database.

Barbara

I think I'v seen the relationship diagram and I know most of the profiles and background, but it's nice to have it all in one place.

To those who want to collect all things metal gear, there are things you can download from the offical metal gear website by playing games to earn drebin points and then using that to purchase the downloads.

karateka

Knowing all the stuff you get for purchasing MGS4, kinda makes other 60 dollar purchases seem like a waste lol.

KrsJin

Isn't the internet an interactive database with all this information?

Talleh

Oh that's just great, when I played my first MGS game I was 12 or so and my English was pretty bad so I couldn't really grasp much of the story.
I didn't really want to get MGS4 because I was afraid it was going to be too much to grasp and I'll be running between my PS3 and my PC running Wikipedia so that I can at least somewhat get the story.

Hopefully this does a good job of explaining it because all of the summaries so far have been pretty boring imo.

tehFluffz

This means that tomorrow's update will be the best PSN update ever!

Zwei Voltage

@KrsJin: A waste? No. A rip off? Well, maybe. Hideo Kojima and gang definitely delivered!

The bar on what a game should look, play, feel, like as well as cost has been elevated to all new heights. Game programmers the world over are assuredly cursing Kojima Productions right now. We are going to Bi**ch when we feel we aren't getting our moneys worth from now on.

For someone who's very first game in the series was Metal Gear Solid 2, this is a much needed treat!

Thanks for the good times Mr. Kojima, my hat goes off to you.

American_N_Japan

@American_N_Japan: "The bar on what a game should look, play, feel, like as well as cost has been elevated to all new heights. Game programmers the world over are assuredly cursing Kojima Productions right now."

Game programmers the world over cursing Kojima Productions? Is the industry that generalized?

Actually a few of my game dev buddies in the bay area think MGS4 is a fun cinematic experience, but it isn't raising any gameplay bar at all. More like further proving that games are becoming $60 movies (compared to a film ticket or DVD) with gameplay taking a backseat to cutscene narrative. We all know this is Kojima's swan song and ties all loose ends, but a ton of those cutscenes were long winded and incredibly redundant compared to the time we can recall interacting with the controller. My buddies and I have taken our MGS4 hype goggles off to notice if Snake and its great storyline were removed... the game is pretty much Dirge of Cerberus. Like Dirge with its overly long convoluted cutscenes that redundantly repeat information (albeit with MGS4 props are given to the action sequences that involved Raiden/Vamp at times) and could use a little tightening up in editing all while the gameplay feels like pointless fluff. They agree that MGS4, just like in Dirge, the gameplay component has become undermined by the narrative. Especially when that undermined gameplay is fleshed out well in terms of player control, but what little time you have to work with it feels wasted.

Anyone who is a game designer will tell you that the purpose of cutscenes are to "reward" the player for overcoming challenges. However, when the game has you quite literally under a disposal of tighter gameplay controls, but instead doesn't really force the player into situations that require you to utilize them. Quite literally in most of the levels you can just gun Snake straight through the level design to the end zone triggering the next cutscene. It upstages the point of having solid gameplay if you don't really have to use any of it thus reducing it to just flashy fluff. It just feels unbalanced the gameplay vs. cutscene narrative and shows what the priorities were on this project. If that was the case, why release a game.. just make it an interactive blu-ray film.

Don't get me wrong MGS4 was great as a piece of entertainment, but if it set ANY bar as a "game"... it just further proved that game designers are wishing to play as filmmakers who will compromise gameplay in a second in order to live out their Steven Spielberg fantasies.

TC

Oh hell yes. I was thinking about replaying MGS3, MG1 then 2 from subsistence, all the way up to 4 again to refresh my memory. I think this might just do the trick very nicely!

DELICIOUS BUNNY

Why do so many people hate on MGS2? It was great. In fact, I think it was better than MGS1. The gameplay mechanics were much better, and it felt more cinematic than MGS1. The story was very convoluted in the end, and Raiden was a little gay, but overall it was a great game.

kadaj24

If it turns out as good as it sounds, excellent. Needless to say the excitement is there. I suppose it's great we'll have it tomorrow then.

Replica23

@Vabor: Have you ever played Elder Scrolls?

Nets_Fan

@TC:
"If that was the case, why release a game.. just make it an interactive blu-ray film."
Sounds like you're just hatin for the sake of hatin.
Did you Play the same game I played?
I think they kept a great balance between the game play and the cut scenes. It was certainly much more than just an interactive movie. Even if you were to remove the cut scenes, the game itself was a complete package. The cut scenes were just icing(delicious icing) on the cake.
The whole experience could never be put into some stupid movie.

VishusBurn

@TC:

I guess what @American_N_Japan: wanted to say is that game designers will curse Kojima for being financially succesfull with an (like you would say) "expensive interactive movie" whilst they have failed with their "game design 123 with reasonable budget" games.

Garo

@dadeisvenm: Cut scenes are cut scenes; a film is a bunch of cut scenes. Kojima treats the cut scenes like a film, which can be very cool, or very pretentious and overbearing. He tends to the latter. I was saying that I wish Kojima would simply make films and not to shoehorn medicore, boring action gameplay into what was a very good (albeit tedious to me) stealth game. Also, he could use an editor or seven for his stories.

@Nets_Fan: Yes. RPG fan's dream, not my very engaging to me.

Vabor

HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT. :O

y2kenjination

This is awesome. I think it should have shipped with the game though. I'm positive a good portion of MGS4 owners don't have a clue about the previous 3

LittleBigPlaneteer

If its anything to do with Metal Gear count me in.

TheSpiller

@Garo: Very true. :)

@VishusBurn: Did you read my post? I stated that I found it a great piece of entertainment, but as a "game" articulated by someone else. Not really. Not "hatin on the sake of hatin". That's a silly defense mechanism argument made towards anyone who has the courage to stand up and express a civil disagreement over something... not because it goes against the grain or breaks the cliché cycle of comments that brand worship, agree, and love something because of a dellusion that everyone else does. If I was hating I would've made some juvnile post without any evidence to back up my claims, which I didn't. If your capable of agreeing to disagree as a matter of personal taste you will see that the "hatin'" argument is an unfair generalization to make. Just leave it at that we both feel different in regards to our perspective on the overall MGS4 experience. :)

TC

@TC:
As a long time fan of the series I can see what your saying.

The series HAS over time evolved from a top down shooter with some codec convos to something mostly cinematic with little gameplay. Which hasn't bothered me so much since the story is so well conceived and considering this was the grand finale, but I see your whole point towards what American_N_Japan stated as it setting the bar for a game...... it does not.

I found it fun overall, but the game parts do feel too little and dumbed down in order to get the player into the next long cutscene. Comparing it to the convolutions of Dirge and that it should be considered an interactive BD film instead was right on the money as opposed to it setting a bar for actual gameplay.

Honestly MGS4 is what those crappy Sega CD movie games from Digital Pictures should have been as THAT is the bar that it has set in terms of interactive storytelling. Perhaps Kojima is onto something that will change a part of the face of gaming into a new subfilm genre itself.

In the end the game is truly unique for what it is and I hope to see more of it from developers.

Zalora

I never played any of the MGS games before but I understood everything. History, charictors and all. Its not that hard people.

hk458

@Handbanana37:
Today some time. Probably around 6-ish.
It's already up on the JP store.

VishusBurn

@TC: "Just leave it at that we both feel different in regards to our perspective on the overall MGS4 experience."
I shall do no such thing after being condescended to so thoroughly.

I guess I should have clarified better, but I was at work and didn't have much time to type.
I read and perfectly well understood your perspective, and even agree somewhat.
It's just that when you go as far as to imply that he was simply pretending to be Spielberg and should have just made a movie, you kinda come off as exaggerating your criticism for no point other that to be disagreeable with the mainstream.

The narrative may have been epic on the scale of a full length movie, but the game play was there and it was as solid as I expected.
What more did you want in the gameplay that you didn't get?

VishusBurn

So when -is- this supposed to be up?

Handbanana37

Free MGS anything is good in my book.

boots555

You can do all this now, basically. It's called Wikipedia. :)

That being said, still a pretty cool offering that I'll get anyway. I assume that for those of us who have beat the game that it will check our save and unlock everything since there wouldn't be any spoilers.

ビッグ ボス

Er, if the goal of the cutscenes was to get you invested in the story and give meaning to the interactive points, for me, they succeeded in a major way.

hagedesu

@TC:

Eh, I think you're off base on this one. There have been cutscene heavy games in the past, even from western developers! THAT is where it sets the bar to a new high. I, personally, will never look at another cutscene the same way. If the goal of the cutscenes was to get you invested in the story and give meaning to the interactive points,

After listening to some of the justification from the KojiPro team, I was even more impressed, since they had the opportunity to drag out the gameplay out in the end frame, but with stuff like the segment where you pilot Rex, they decided that it worked better if it was just thrown at you, given you a really cool experience, and then had it be over. Once the story was really moving after act 3, diluting the game with a bunch of filler missions like so many games do would have taken me out of the experience, personally.

And then, I don't think it's a coincidence that the four coolest gameplay segments of the game (the Snake/Ocelot fight, the microwave crawl, the Screaming Mantis fight, and the Rex vs. Ray fight) all came in those last two acts. If they had been watered down with more gameplay for the sake of gameplay it would have probably not been nearly as big of a rush.

hagedesu

My brother just finished MGS4. Maybe it'll all be unlocked if I download the database...

Frank

Wow this is wayyy cool. I'm pumped to download this tonight! I don't need any help with the Metal Gear canon but it'll still be awesome to check out.

gils0n

@Arsenicberyllium: It's that thing you secretly got in your pants whenever Big Mama came on screen but would never admit it to anyone.

...Maybe that's just me... >.>

YUYU

@NickyJ:You Stole my avatar. "Cry's" and i though it was an original. On topic though I'll be sure to get this when I get mgs4. It's really a great idea.

Barf#1

@Arsenicberyllium: Why dont you just download it and find out? If you cant, then Internet is your next best friend...look it up on WIKIPEDIA!!

kingme

This'll be great for me. I love MGS4, but since I never owned a PS console before my PS3, I only ever played MGS2 on the Xbox. So this should really help fill in some of the blanks.

QualityJeverage

@VishusBurn: Unfortunately I don't agree. Sorry. :)

TC

I wonder if it will work such that you can access it while in game? This would make a great use of the 2.40 update and in game XMB possibly?

n99y99r99