How does the game control? Is there a way to change the control sequence to what it used to be in previous games?
Controls for Metal Gear Solid 4 work extremely well, providing responsive gameplay. If you have played Snake Eater or Subsistence, you're pretty well accustomed to some basic controls, such as using L1 to aim, L2 and R2 to select items and weapons, and X to change your stances between standing, crouching and crawling. However, most of the complex button presses have been eliminated, making actions much more intuitive. For example, it's much easier to aim and fire a guns. Smaller movements are tied to analog sticks, so light pushes forward on the Left analog stick will make Snake inchworm forward if he's crawling. Pushing to the left or the right will make him rolls along the ground, and the number of times is tied directly to how long you hold the stick in that direction. Controls do appear to be customizable, however, so you should be able to find a scheme that works for you.
I remember reading some articles in the past where Kojima stated you could play the entire game like an FPS. Did you attempt that?
It is possible to play entire sections (and ostensibly the entire game) solely within the first person viewpoint. This is much easier to do once you receive the Solid Eye item from Otacon and the Mark II, which allows you to easily pick out threats and allies from a distance. It's doubtful that you would want to do so, because there's a lot of detail you'd miss, along with it making stealth much more difficult.
How's the weapon variety? Was the statement in another preview about 70+ weapons correct? If so, did that stretch to modifications like underbarrel grenade launchers and underbarrel shotguns?
First, as stated in the hands-on article, weapon variety is quite large, with Snake having access to a variety of handguns, rifles, automatic weapons and explosives like grenades. Each weapon is rated in one of six categories that affect items such as its damage, range and power. There are easily more than 70 weapons and items that are included in MGS4. Accessories that can be added, such as laser sights, flashlights, or underbarrel shotguns, grenade launchers and pistol grips that expand the amount of customization that you can experience in the game.
How are the visuals? Are there any screen tearing or frame rate drop issues? What about the animation -- did everything seem fluid?
Animation of everything, from Snake to the actions of the PMCs to the evasion of Gekkos and FROG soldiers are incredibly fluid and slick. For the most part, what we've seen ran at a stable 60 frames a second. There were only a few instances in which the framerate dipped for a second or two, but that was typically caused by large onscreen explosions coupled with screen effects (such as dirt being kicked up on the camera lens).
As for visual fidelity, the trailers that have been released for the game are just a brief indication of what the game truly looks like. The title looks much sharper than trailers or screenshots show.
Any CGI cutscenes? Or are they all in-engine?
All cutscenes are in-engine presentations of story points. However, they are interactive because of the L1 and X button presses that will crop up here and there during a plot point that allows you to trigger new angles or flashbacks on previous scenes from the Metal Gear franchise. As previously stated, these will also add to your Drebin Point total.
Is the grey-abstract Middle Eastern area the only color scheme we can expect or will the game be more vibrant?
There is definitely a vibrant set of colors based on the environment you find yourself in. Even the Middle Eastern section has much more color than the gray abstract areas seen in images and trailers.
Is MGS4 action focused or does it still retain an emphasis on stealth tactics like the previous games? Is it now a run and gun fest or is a certain amount of skill required to evade troops in order to clear each area?
Metal Gear Solid 4 emphasizes both action and stealth equally. Players have the ability to decide just how they want to play the game, just as they always have in previous Metal Gear games. If they choose, they can run through, slaughtering any guards and PMC troops that cross their path. Players can try to melt into the shadows, skillfully evading detection as best as possible. Or players can perform a combination of the two. The choice is truly up to the individual controlling Snake.
How big do the battles between the PMC and Militia get?
Battles between the PMC and Militia soldiers can range from a few militia men trying to take back an entrenched position to a large battlefield where both sides are calling in reinforcements, sniping enemies out in the open and tossing grenades at rival squads. Because the battlefield will change based on how accurate both sides are, players can go to the same location twice and see completely different field conditions based on how the battle's going at that moment.
How deep is CQC? MGS3 has about five moves. How many more does MGS4 have?
There are more than five CQC moves in MGS3, but MGS4 adds a few new moves as well. The first is the ability to automatically incapacitate and disarm a soldier. Another is a chokehold, which Snake can apply to a soldier on the ground to silently knock him out. A third move is patting down a soldier after you've held him up, allowing you to get equipment from the scared soldier. Players can also grab an enemy soldier's testicles, knocking him out from the pain.
