May 12, 2006 - The Metal Gear Solid series is featured in the latest issue of Famitsu, with producer Hideo Kojima discussing Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (PSP), Metal Gear Solid Bande Dessinee (PSP) and, of course, Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS2).
Kojima's juiciest comments concerned MGS4. "Until now," said Kojima, "we've released two entries of the MSX2 Metal Gear series, and three entries in the Metal Gear Solid series. Add to this Portable Ops, and you get a total of six titles. All mysteries will be cleared up in Metal Gear Solid 4."
Kojima was very clear about the finality of MGS4. Everything will be cleared up in MGS4 -- and Snake may even suffer the very fate that's hinted at in the new E3 trailer. Said Kojima, "We'll clear up all mysteries in 4 and, in the end, after this, will Snake die!?".
And, just to make sure we're clear on the matter, when asked if the story will come to a true end, Kojima responded without the slightest bit of vagueness, "It will come to an end."
Snake is an old timer in Metal Gear Solid 4. We're not sure if this was just a convenience that was stumbled upon by someone at Kojima Productions recently, but Kojima pointed out to the magazine that if you remove the I and S from "SOLID," you get "IS." Once "IS," a word for existence (Kojima's explanation is directed at Japanese readers who may not know what "Is" means), has been removed from "SOLID," you're left with "O." Or, according to Kojima, a Snake that doesn't exist is an old Snake.
We'll let you digest that for just a bit.
The MGS4 E3 trailer showed a number of characters that have had their moment in Metal Gear and Metal Gear Solid history so far. "Nearly all the characters from the Metal Gear Solid series will make an appearance," Kojima confirmed with the magazine.
In addition to a return of classic Metal Gear Solid characters, we can also expect a return of gameplay systems from part 3. The camouflage system from part 3 will make it into 4. In addition, the game will include "Octacamo." This name appears to be formed from the words "octopus" and "camouflage." An octopus can change its color to match its surroundings, Kojima explained. "With the PlayStation 3, we can replicate this change, so we decided to include it."
As an example of the new Octacamo mechanics, Kojima suggested that if Snake is standing next to a wall worn out with holes, he too will appear to have holes.
Kojima also revealed to the magazine that MGS4 will have Online play. "The Online in subsistence was just the preparation for 4," Kojima revealed, without going into specifics on what we can expect.
Finally, Kojima made some comments on the game's visuals. MGS4 is widely regarded as the finest representation of console graphics at E3, but Kojima states, "It will get even better."
Start counting the days until the Tokyo Game Show, where we expect to get our next look at MGS4.
IGN
ortable Ops