Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Does Kojima Productions shine on PSP too?

	Version PSP	Developer Konami	Publisher Konami	Genre Action

Page: 1  2 

By Dominick Hardy

It is seemingly an unwritten rule of the Metal Gear Solid series that with each subsequent iteration the plot must get more complex, convoluted and intertwined. As a consequence, so do the games themselves, both in storyline and in gameplay - from the relatively simple stealth action of MGS1 to the Close Quarters Combat (CQC) and body injuries of MGS3, to the squad based mechanics of the PSP's latest instalment, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

So in order to help untangle this web of intrigue let's step back in time for a brief recap, back to 1964, the year of the Virtuous Mission and this game's chronological prequel, Snake Eater.

In fact, Snake Eater is not only the prequel to Portable Ops but is also the scene-setter for the entire MGS series. Based on the premise of rescuing a defecting Russian scientist, it pits the player as Naked Snake in the jungle regions of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The game however soon descends into a tale of double-crossing and espionage, as Snake learns of a group called The Philosophers - an Illuminati-like organisation with members in all the major world governments and institutions. The Philosopher's have amassed $100 billion for their nefarious needs which they have divided up amongst various bank accounts around the world. At the end of MGS3, despite apparently being claimed by the CIA, half of this so-called Philosopher's Legacy has disappeared, setting the scene for Portable Ops.

Distancing itself from the previous turn-based card battle PSP outings, Portable Ops reprises the role of Naked Snake as opposed to the more recent Solid Snake. Retired from Fox Unit, Snake is abducted six years after the Virtuous Mission, and wakes to find himself being tortured in a makeshift prison on suspicion of knowing the whereabouts of the other half of the Philosopher's Legacy. It is not long though before he can make his escape, thanks in part to another MGS old-timer - Roy Campbell.

P L E A S E   V I S I T   O U R   S P O N S O R :

"The cut-scenes are told in a style reminiscent of the MGS Digital Graphic Novel, which will no doubt delight die-hard MGS fans."

These cut-scenes are told in a style reminiscent of the MGS Digital Graphic Novel rather than anything relating to AC!D or other MGS instalments, which will no doubt delight die-hard MGS fans. The rest of the game though borders on the bland and monotonous, with murky green and muddy browns taking up most of the colour palette. As is expected, many of the series' staples have made it over to this portable outing - the stealth action, the radio communications, the cardboard box, the need to make-do with whatever equipment you find on the battlefield. There is one big and new addition to the gameplay though: the squad-based teamwork achieved by converting and recruiting enemy soldiers.

Page: 1  2 

NEXT PAGE >>