Metal Gear Solid 4: Not Playing Ball

GameSpot talk about the MGS4 review controversy and whether or not, they'll have their MGS4 review up on time.

[LenHart]

we dont want your reviews

KONAMI please dont send your review copies to GS and 1up ---MS dicriders

[Euphrate]

Amen

[3sexty rulzzz]

you got that writing from someone in gamespots thread. y do you take other peoples sh!t and use it as your own.noob

[zapass]

they really think people still care about their reviews...
gamespot.old.fart

[Euphrate]

wat.

Gamespot= Even more FAILURE.

@ below

You're right, luckily they won't review it.

[LeSouteneur]

100% agreed

[sonarus]

lol these reviewers are made of trash. In 99% of PS3 reviews, install length isn't mentioned but all of a sudden its pivotal information to a game...sigh.

Why didn't they tell me the amount of boring cut scenes were in GTA4?

Gamespot are such hypocrites, the same reviewers who fired a reviewer for giving an advertised game a bad score now telling me they refused konami invite to play MGS4 early...what a bunch of hoes

[TheHater]

@sonarus
Maybe Kojima never invited them in the first place. I wouldn't be surprise if he didn't even invite them at all, knowing their track record

[lsujester]

"We flatly refused this request, because we believe that this puts journalists in an unethical and awkward position."

-I had to quit reading after that. LOLOLOLOLOLOL

[sonarus]

That is the biggest load of crap i have ever heard...like seriously

[colonel179]

"It has also been widely reported that Konami blatantly asked the press not to mention two pieces of pertinent information in their reviews: how long the cutscenes are, and how long the installation process is"... "However, cutscene length and installation length are pertinent subjects within the context of a review, and speaking on a personal level, I believe it is flat-out wrong for any publisher to request that pertinent information be left out of a review. The journalist decides what information is most important for the review--not the developer or its publisher."

This is BS!! It's like judging if a movie is good or bad by the time you spend in line to enter the theater, or the line to buy the ticket.

People just want to find a reason to degrade the game because they can't stand that a game this great is on the ps3. I really hate all the ps3 hate, and not because is the ps3, but because is childish.

[ISA_Scum]

...you're proclaiming that it's your duty NOT to review and try to underhype the PS3's biggest game ever. Yet you have reviews for Gears of War, Halo 3, Mass Effect ,etc the midnight of the day they launch.

Gamespot....*sigh*...unbiased and ethical huh? Integrity my a$$. Man, Gamespot is pathetic!

[barom]

lmao GameSpot acting like they care. That is quite funny. I guess Konami didn't give them a paycheck. Go Konami!

It's almost a given that GameSpot's review will be biased now. No doubt.

[godofthunder10]

how can people diaagree with this.when microsoft said that Ninja Gaiden II code provided to American review outlets was not final ps3 fans said that microsoft was hideing something but it's alright for sony to do worse then that.

sony said that they can't talk about certain things about the game to give a review,and there is no way that any one can give an honest review with out talking about technical issues of a game.

some people are compareing the cut scenes in gta4 to mgs4.the truth is that the cutscenes in gta4 isn't close to the time that mgs4 has.the worse part is that sony told them that they can't talk about loading time and that's ridiculious.

if microsoft would have told reviewers that they couldn't mention the same thing on a 360 game,the same people that's saying it's fine for sony to do this would say that microsoft is hideing something and as a matter of fact,ps3 fans said that microsoft was hideing something with ng2 and microsoft only said that the code wasn't final.
if a game of the 360 had a long loading time and almost 2 hrs of cut scenes ps3 fans would be trashing it.

i'm not saying that the game shouldn't have a high score but you can't give a honest review of a game without talking about technical issues of a game and that's a fact.

[Cynical-Gamerzus]

Gamespot once again!! Who cares about Game Spot!They suck ass!
They are now trying to make them selves look good and change spotlight on Konami? all the time taking paid commercial cash from MS and Rockstar Games etc..Which no where deserved a perfect score$$$$$$!!!
At least Konami Offered them to get off their fat lazy Asses and go some where to do a review!=D
Instead of sitting around stuffing their faces while playing free games and under the counter gifts and cash bonuses for their reviews!!!!!!!!
Arrogant fat nasty wannabe gangster,wannabe hardcore Extreme sports(with a controller that weighs 1 pound)Losers.

Cough gamspot is BS!!!!
Stay away from Gamespot !!!!
It is worthless in every way for an Honest review..
!!!!
GAMEPRO RULES for now!!!

[Lyan]

I hope all these lopsided opinions on ethics from the people who've posted above are retained when Microsoft asks a reviewer to overlook "minimal" factors that are within a game they publish. Sadly I know that won't happen.

I'm not trying to defend gamespot individually, however I think the stated opinions above are rather bias.

It's not like gamespot is the most ethical of journalistic sites; http://kotaku.com/gaming/ru...

However, their point that imposing limitations on even being able to mention a key component of the game(cutscenes) is unethical to them. Like it or not, their asking them to hold back information on the game that may influence its overall value. I don't think anyone who has actually played a Metal Gear Solid game can argue that cutscenes are not a key part of the experience of the franchise. Complaining about install times is kind of retarded at this point in the industry's evolution, but eh whatever I look past it if anyone mentions it.

Overall its not like it matters anyway since the game is going to be released on the 12th, which is basically right around the corner. They can review it then without limitations.

[Chad Warden]

We don't want your review, LameSpot. Konami shouldn't let biased websites like this review their games. 1up too.

[kingOVsticks]

that'll do chad that'll do :)

[Silogon]

I could care less about this site and I'm pretty sure no one is going to be upset if they miss the dance, either.

[Euphrate]

.

[rucky]

Just give your 7.5 MGS4 review and be done with losers

[Euphrate]

..

[Ashton]

they ll give it 7.5-8.5

but they are the true meaning of garbage in gaming industry

[Bladestar]

not so fast... I am sorry to say this.. but I am ok with they giving a low score to metal Gear... but if giving a bad score to this game becomes a trend like it happened to Haze... I will not be too happy... I am buying a PS3 just to play this game... and this game better be worth the almost $500 I am about to spend...

I understand that reviews are just opinion... but for the most parts the opinion people had about many games... like iron man, superman, and many others weren't that far from my own opinion about them...

I rather a game I want to get 9-10/10 by most reviewers... and me endup liking it... then to buy a game full of bad reviews.. and me spending $500 on it.. and not liking it...

I don't have doubts about Metal Gears... but if it starts getting 7-8.... I probably save myself the $500...

I expect metal gear to blow me away!... to be best metal gear ever made... and be worth $500... nothing less. if not... I look for my YouTube video of the dead and destruction of the PS3... with a chainsaw.

[LenHart]

It will get higher as more reviews are in.

It will get 9 /9.5/10 from most websites

Why is Bladestar commenting in the game zone?

@Bladestar

Two worlds/Vampire rain and Hour of victory are worse than both Haze and LAIR and they are 360 exclusives too

NG2 didnt do too well either --82% average and ran at 585P

[Bonsai1214]

you probably wouldn't buy it anyways bladestar :-p

this game won't be getting 7 and 8s unless the reviewers are just stupid and have no idea whats going on with the game.

anyways, gamespot is clearly doing this to try and clear their name after their own little problems earlier. "journalistic integrity" really gamespot? of every online publication, you have the LEAST.

[XBOX 360]

lol Bladestar says he'll get a PS3 now, but when MicroSpot's review comes out (7.5). He'll say, "it's not worth it."

While ignoring 9-10/10's from IGN/Famitsu/etc's reviews.

[Bladestar]

ohh no... I am getting a PS3.. and I will have nice pictures to prove it... but you have to understand... I am buying a PS3 only to play metal gear... only game I care and I am interested on... so I am sorry if a 7/10 to me is not acceptable... and trust me.. I will not go by 1 reviewer... I go by metal critics... I don't think that will ever happen... but if metal gear average less than 8/10... I may skip it until the PS3 drops in price.... even if this site give metal gear a 3/10.. and the rest of all mejor site give it a 80%+ I would be happy...

Keyword: metalcritics... that's what counts.. I don't go by 1 site... that's how I know that Haze and Lair suck... and COD4, Bioshock are good.

[okcomputer]

If gamespot giving mgs4 a 7 is all it takes to keep bladestar from buying a ps3 and staying out of ps3 forums with his fanboy crap, then i hope it gets a 6.

[Ri0tSquad]

There are a lot of good exclusives on PS3 other then MGS4 that are worth playing.

This isn't just at Bladestar but others that bring up the same argument. Ninja Gaiden 2 has a 82% average or something like that but I see the majority of you guys don't have a problem buying the game. PS3 has tons nice amount of exclusives that score over 82%. I don't see why anyone who owns the console wouldn't want to buy those games if they were easily persuaded into buying a game that got an 82%. Unless there a fanboy. But if your a real gamer you'll see the PS3 has a nice amount of exclusives (about 20 that score over 80%) to buy the console to play them.

[Xakep]

Then you aren't really a Metal Gear fan then are you Bladestar? They could give it a 1/10 and while I'm sure a lot of us would be calling for their respective publications brought down in effigy, it wouldn't hamper any fan's purchase decision on the game.

I'm already counting on a few outlets giving it low scores just because. There's already a known bias towards the game from reviewers it seems. Come on 3 outlets posting the SAME review with differing scores? Wtf is that, how often does that happen? Cutscene length keeps coming up, it's f*cking Metal Gear, do you want a storyline or not? Besides why is it even an issue when *gasp* you can skip the cutscenes if you want? Wait for one to come up, skip, and you've not lost any time, no harm no foul. You probably missed something important/awesome but that's your fault.

Is it fair to Kojima Prod and Konami for their hard work being shunned while other (arguably inferior) games garner higher "scores" because of some stupid grudge? Hardly, but I'm still spending $90 bucks on it (LE baby) because I know it's going to be very much worth my time. They have a track record of delivering on every game with me and that's what matters more than what Gamespot, IGN, Edge, and whoever else says.

It's quite unfortunate that you follow reviews so closely to the point of missing out on something you actually wanted, but hell guy it isn't my money.

[MikeGdaGod]

in MGS Online of course

[Bolts]

Let me get this straight...He's buying a PS3 to play MGS4, yet if it doesn't review well he can't justify his purchase.

Thats like saying I cant' enjoy the movie Bladerunner because it did not review well.

Is it possible for someone to be this stupid and still breath without assistance?

[gololo]

@Bladestar - I won't believe until you post your PSN id and pictures of a PS3 with a piece of paper with your handwriting saying "I am Bladestar from NG4"....even then I still have my doubts, cuz I don't think that there is any bigger MS fanboy in the site....

[LJWooly]

The PS3 no longer costs $500, but nice to see you're taking the plunge :)

[Ri0tSquad]

Party anyone? Seriously. Their history has destroyed their reputation and credibility. But who doesn't know that?

[LeSouteneur]

I agree with you, but if you read the comments on the blog, the comments are filled with: "Go Kevin! I fully support your journalistic integrity!" "I'm glad gamespot is accurate and fully unbiased"

I feel sorry for them. Poor souls.

Update:
And forgot to mention: Someone called Kevin V. (the NGII reviewer) out because it turns out that he DIDN'T even FINISH NGII. Talk about hypocrisy.

[Condoleezza Rice]

No GameSpot MGS4 review?

[Euphrate]

I just wuv kittonZz

[Ashton]

Konami should have done what MS always does to gamespot ,,,pay the checks in advance so that they would shut it and praise the game.

gamespot give it your 7.5 score and be done with it losers,,,don't try to justify the nonsense that you are about to do.

By the way,the long and boring cut-scenes of GTAIV with no mention in your review says hi gamespot.

^^^^^can some one please post this in their website?I don't wanna register there

[LeSouteneur]

More bubbles for you my friend. Will do once I setup a gamespot account.

So GTA and Assassin's Creed is allowed to have boring cutscenes and an install, while MGS4 cannot? BS. Journalistic integrity has gone down the drain

[Ashton]

bubbled you back ;)

It seems everyone is hating on them over there,,,,which made a bit happy lol

[gunnerforlife]

nice one ill post it as soon as i get home bro,cant log on gamespot from college servers,avent been on dat site for nearly a year lol

[Bladestar]

"The more recent mind-boggling publisher requests have come from Konami regarding Metal Gear Solid 4--requests that we believe cross the line. The first involved an event that we wanted no part of. The majority of the American press was flown to Japan for a so-called "boot camp," where journalists spent two and a half days playing Metal Gear Solid 4 under the watchful eyes of the development team, socialized and dined with them, and then provided focus group-type feedback on the final day."... damn... I love metal gear.. but that sounds like brain washing to me... how can you give a bad review after going through that?

Edit:
----------------
@LenHart - if you read the article or the source.. you will notice that I quoted... so how can I be trolling if they are the ones who say that... I guess the whole article should be on the open zone... and no this is not about the PS3 only... they even took a byte about NG... Also, I didn't say anything about the PS3... if anything Konami is to be blamed and not Sony...

[junk56]

they got reviewers cuz reviewers know whats wrong with the game and stuff rather than just a group of random people. Plus, the influence ALL the reviewers they mustve gotten like 200 journalists to go there, which they only got like 15

its called beta-testing and ironing all the problems cant be better without the help of professionals like the reviewers.

[v1c1ous]

it burns

[Whoooop]

:)

[crck]

How are reviewers suppose to fairly review Halo 3. When MS asked every major media outlet for the name of one person and one person only who would review Halo 3. Then proceeded to send everyone on the list they compiled a personalized dufflebag with about $800 worth of merchandise inside it? 95% of them kept the stuff and never mentioned a word about it.

And remember GameSpot could have sent one person to the camp and have someone else do the review on it. Unlike MS who specifically targeted the reviewers to get the $800 worth of sh1t.

[Mr_Showtime1]

1up Sent Shane Bettenhausen(a Metal Gear fan) to Japan, but stated that he will not be the one reviewing the game.

[bisonplayer17]

Irony, meet Gamespot, Gamespot, meet irony. I believe you two have met before...

[juuken]

Gamespot can go to hell for all I care.
I cannot stand that site.

[Breakfast]

If i remember correctly...they cant stand you either.

:)

[juuken]

Cute Breakfast...but no.

[Breakfast]

lol

[Eromu]

"Famitsu 40/40"

Don't think we need to hear anymore reviews after that.

[Bonsai1214]

LeLouch Vi Britannia commands you!!

[v1c1ous]

i blame the internets

while i take reviews with a grain of salt, i still trust EGM more than anyone since they are the closest and have the most consistency with my own perceptions. IGN i get hazy about, they have a bad track record with me. gamespot i always found iffy, even before gerstman. famitsu i only trust their reviews for jrpgs and japan centric games. they tend to grade based on hype lately, even if they are the "most respected" medium, so i get a weird feeling when they give FPS scores and such.

Gamepro? lol
Game Informer? the only reason i don't wipe with it is because toilet paper does a better job.

[kornbeaner]

This game is truly that big, that many sites are butt-hurt at not being able to review it on time. But just like Halo for the 360, this is one of those games that doesn't need to be reviewed.

Quick question, How many 360 owners would've still purchased Halo3 if Gamespot, ign and 1up game that game a 7.5 or lower? or GTA4 for that manner? Reviews now a days are so overrated because there is to much special interest in these games to think that they are all truly unbiased reviews.

Knowing the track record and quality of product of Kojima and his crew I could care less if IGN, Gamespot, or Gameinformer (who I hold in high regard) gave this game a 2. I'm still gonna buy it and be the judge of what entertainment the game gave me.

[okcomputer]

Guess Konami didn't shell out enough advertising money huh? I'm sure all they would have had to do is just buy a few banners and a background like kane and lynch and mgs4 would have gotten a glowing 9.5 from gamespot. Funny how "journalistic integrity" works in the gaming world.

[pwnsause]

i wonder what the guys at Giant Bomb thinks of this

[Breakfast]

Who the hell is Giant Bomb...and why are you posting in the Fun Zone, again?

[pwnsause]

1. Giant Bomb, owned by Jeff Gerstmann, the man who got fired from gamespot for posting an honest review of Kane and Lynch Dead Men, the game was so garbage, he gave it a low score, eidos, the publisher payed money to gamespot to give the review a high score, plus advertising. they threatened Gamespot because of the review, and they fired Jeff for that. because of this, a mass exodus of gamespot reviewers quit the job because Jeff left,some went on to follow Jeff and work with him on creating his Giantbomb website, his website is www.giantbomb.com

2.I got banned again, rofl.

[Kleptic]

^^sort of...but not exactly...

it wasn't GS...it was CNET...CNET owns GS, among a lot of other sites, and handles the advertising (as in collecting royalties for displaying them on their sites,)...

Eidos paid CNET a huge sum of money for displaying big ads for Kane and Lynch, as well having GS run a 'launch center' feature for the game...they also gave GS an early review copy, of which Gerstmann handled...

the game sucked...and Gerstmann told everyone...and Eidos contacted CNET claiming to not use their site for future ad space in light of that review...

what is unclear is exactly what happened...the review was up when Eidos blew up, leaving GS no option to pull the review, edit it, and get away of (of which was demanded, and tried, and immediately obvious)...but Eidos execs apparently got even more upset when the internet caught on fire with this whole issue, and basically moved for Gerstmann to get canned...He was pretty high up at GS, so it most likely was not internally...CNET probably came down on him because of Eidos' ad threats...

he was by far the best guy over there...his reviews always seemed well justified...but without him, that site is a complete pile...and is going from bad to worse pretty quickly...

[kingOVsticks]

One less bias website to try and slow down the legend that is MGS4. Honestly if they had given MGS4 less then an 8 they would will have -1000 in credibility points.

BTW F U gamespot I hope you can see this middle finger from the moon you jackasses

[leeger]

Gamespot is a piece of $hit!
I dont give a damn if they give mgs4 a -1000/1000

[pwnsause]

i copypasted your comment at gamespot, so far, people over there are agreeing

[Millah]

Shame on GS for using this currently hot topic with a lot of attention, in order to gain attention for themselves and try to maintain their image of journalistic integrity that is completely non existent. No other Ps3 game ever has been fussed over install times, yet all of a sudden becomes a problem with MGS4.

Whats the big deal about not being specific? Why can't they just say that they exist, perhaps say there are long cutscenes without getting too specific, and still be able to factor it into your review without getting specific?? Why?? Because its garnering themselves attention right now and they try and capitalize off it. Gaming journalism has become a joke.

[mistertwoturbo]

Wait wait wait wait. They are trying to have journalistic integrity now? So lemme get this straight. When Microsoft sent a free Halo 3 Xbox360 with a bunch of swag to every reviewing outlet, it's OK? When Konami just "requests" not to put information they feel could be spoilers for fans reading, all these stupid websites are attacking them? This industry is as corrupt as it can be. If MGS4 was a 360 exclusive, bet your candy @sses that it would receive 12/10s everywhere.

[N2NOther]

It's been reportedly, widely, that the request isn't about spoilers...But about cut scene length and install times. Two things, that obviously Konami feel might hurt sales of the game. If these thinngs may POSSIBLY affect a reviewers score then it should be included in the review. Period. I find it hilarious that everyone is so against this merely because it's MGS 4. Personally, I'm all for them waiting to review the game they paid for because they will be allowed to include EVERY issue in the game. I couldn't care less about the review because I'm buying the game day and date (hopefully I have off that day), but the reality is that asking a reviewer not to mention cut scene length is pretty ridiculous and quite telling.

[ATLRoAcH]

They're not suppose to talk about some things that could spoil something (certainly understandable) and installs. Well P:ToM's review may be excluded from (at least some of) that. That may be what they meant by world exclusive. I don't know. They did mention something about installs. Not much but I'll read and quote for you:

"Surprises begin right from the moment the game starts (after the install process, which also happens before the start of each new act). Just flick around the "channels" and enjoy!".

Thats word for word. It doesn't talk about the "channels" or installs after that, thats it. I don't know if I'm comprehending this right but it seems like it progressively installs the game data as you get further in the game. So if like you're only on act one it won't use as much space as when you get to act two. On the other hand maybe it deletes act one's data and replaces it with act two's. I'm not sure. I'm not saying that this means the data size will be huge or anything. This could be a good thing if it only installs the data you need depending how far in the the game you are. It would just slowly reach the full amount of space the data takes up. I'm sure each act is really long and these installs will be short. Maybe the game only uses a little bit of space at a time so people with really low space don't have to delete things to be able to play the game. Maybe I'm wrong on this altogether. I don't know.

What do you guys think? It doesn't matter to me. This just seemed interesting thats all. I can't wait to play MGS4.

[Michael Jackson]

Here goes GaySpot again.

[s8anicslayer]

i think gamespot should be charged with mutiny,then executed..how could people pay to be a member of that site?

[Wildarmsjecht]

the same gamespot that withheld their review of NG2 cuz MS asked them 2? yea.. Fuc off

[TheHater]

Wait, the actually did that?

[pwnsause]

yes the very same gamespot did this for M$ now do you see our hate?! 4 years ago, the only site i used to trust was gamespot. their reviews were top tier, with the best of the industry reviewing an unbiased manner. but fast foward to today, we corruption within the gaming industry, and it all starts there. they fired one of their own men because he reviewed a game that was not supposed to get a bad score cause the higher ups at gamespot were paid with a big fat check in exchange with a positive review so that the company who was selling the game would get millions on a game that played like S**t. they were even payed like crazy by microsoft so that they can continue the viral Marketing program against the PS3, dont think so, just go to gamespot right now.

[TheHater]

Then why did they write his article? This site has gone way down hill. I hope people just stop going there, and they just disappear for good.

I got banned from that site for call them out two year ago when the was talking trash about the PS3

[pwnsause]

these guys obviously didnt went to Konami's "boot camp" they werent invited, just tells me that Konami knows whats going on, they know what sites have been on Damaage control against the PS3 lately.they've specifically put these rules on specific sites. 1up/EGM/GS, etc you get it, every site that has a hate for the PS3. Eurogamer was required to do the same i think, but ignored it

[Obama]

Wtf? They didn't complain when reviewing halo3, in which MS gave every reviewer a bag of goodies worth 800 bucks. This is lame seriously.

[klashawnd]

Since when did Gamespot start caring about "integrity"? These are the same folks who got rid of Jeff Gertsmann over his Kane and Lynch review after bowing to advertiser pressure. So please, stop with the holier than though bit.

[Dark General]

"Too much fun, cutscenes are too good as well. The game doesn't know if it wasn't to be a great game or transcend into gaming history."

Final Score - 7.5

Joking aside though i honestly don't have any problemo's with Gamespot delaying their review for MGS4 by a few days. Either way i like the approach they are taking with this situation by at least trying to make it seem like they'll give a unbiased, fair and credible review for Metal Gear Solid 4. That's all you really could ask from a reviewing publication that's had it's integrity stripped away from it thanks to them firing someone for telling the truth.

[Solid_Snake]

GameSpot is just trying to get attention that EGM gained by not reviewing MGS4 (eventhough the EGM situation may be all about gaining attention for themselves and nothing about the game or KONAMI whats so ever). It's sad that these reviewers have to come down to this complaining. Im wouldn't be on too much of a limb to say that GameSpot probably was not even invited.

To come down on the game's install is stupid. It would be better if there wasn't an install, just because we wouldn't have to use that space. But it has nothing to do with the game AT ALL; they should just shut up, play the game, and write what they think about the game/gameplay/story/graphics for the people who go by them

[Obama]

Also I suspect that GS lied about being invited to the boot-camp. According to ign, only 14 people were present. Who would invite lamespot anyways? Those idiots are just trying to find excuse to give mgs4 a 7.

[Peekay]

first and foremost, why the hell would Konami want to put restrictions on this game in the first place. The game is a masterpiece in it's own right, and doesn't need restrictions to make it that. Non of this would have blown out of proportion if this had not happened. Second, if gamespot haven't received their review copy, then it makes no difference. They'll be reviewing a retail copy like everyone else - and can say whatever they want. Thirdly, i cant take gp's self righteous rant seriously enough. We all know the questionable practices they've engaged in before.

[leeger]

I hope Gamespot will give MGS4 a pretty low score.Maybe by doing so every GS editor/writer/whatever would get assassinated.

[Aclay]

Ahhhhh!!! What the heck is the big deal about talking about how long the cutscenes and installation process? Why is that such an important thing to mention in a review?!! I don't care if the Installation process takes 30 minutes for MGS4, it's not like die hard fans are going to be turned away from the game because of long cutscenes. Just review the game you Gamespot bastards and give MGS4 the 9/10- 10/10 that you know it deserves. Whether GameSpot reviews the game or not, I could care less because there's already been tons of reviews.

[N2NOther]

How do you know it deserves that score when you haven't even played it? How old are you, seriously?

[Charlie2688]

Hold on a sec does this sound like a pre justification/damage control over an almost guaranteed polemical score?

btw MASSIVE LOL @ GS for using "journalistic integrity" that will have me laughing for weeks XD

[Obama]

Gamespot is like Fox News of gaming industry.

[Alcohog]

There are so many things I find hilarious about this article. Gamespot really is the worst out there. I mean really, can we just vote them off the Internet?

[ISA_Scum]

Gamespot is hilariously pathetic. Seriously, they'll probably have the same guy who reviewed Ratchet and Clank review this game.

His complaints:

Too much story
Too many cutscenes
Too much action
Not enough Sports
Too good animations
Too long

7.5/10

Gamespot is just doing damage control for what will be the biggest flop they'll ever give, with 60% less traffic than they had at this time last year before they low-balled Sony every chance they got and started firing the masses that worked for them.

[klashawnd]

It's called make your own Gamespot MGS4 review! I'll go first:

"Let me start of by saying without a doubt, MGS4 is the best game ever made for the PS3. It's transcendent. It's epic. It's everything any gamer, 360 and PS3 fanboys alike, could hope for. It's also very, very flawed."

"First off, you would think after 10 years, the folks over at Konami would quit with the exploitation and endorsement of cigarette smoking in its games. Too many kids are playing this game and Konami should recognize their responsibility to curb lung cancer and underage smoking. Snake should put the cigarette down an chew on some Nicorette instead. Guns and violence? Good. Cigarettes? Bad."

"Second, Metal Gear Solid 4 comes with a required 1 GB install. While this drastically improves the frame rate and load times, we wish Konami would have come up with a better solution. In the 3 minutes it takes to install the data, I could be taking a piss, beating off or playing hide and go seek with my pet gerbil. HDD installs? Bad."

"And let's not even mention the 90 minute cutscenes. If I wanted to watch a movie, my excellent XBOX 360 Elite console (provided to us for free from Microsoft, don't you just love that company!) can watch movies and more using the world-class XBOX Live service. Guys if you don't have a 360, make sure to pick one up, it's the best investment you will ever make!"

"Back to MGS4... make no mistake - this is easily the game of the year, easily the best game you will play this generation and easily the best game on any console. Yes, it's better than COD4 and Halo and Bioshock.

Pros: everything you could ask for in a video game
Graphics are amazing
Sound is the best you will hear in a game
Action is intense and rewarding

Cons: You can't actually spank the monkey in the game
You can't use Sixaxis controls to control every polygon
Explicit endorsement of cigarette smoking
Not for XBOX 360, no achievements or XBOX Live (bummer :-( )
3 Minute HDD install
Lengthy cutscenes
Too much variety, can stealth, play as a FPS or in 3rd person
Not girl friendly
Bland box art

Our score: 7.5

[nix]

Being a true game reviewers, we continue to update so that our readers
don't miss out on anything.

Cons: (continue)

Isn't purple enough.
made by a Japanese.
20 Years (WTF!)
MGS "4" (how uncool... we like the number "3", Halo 3 is a great example)

[360 OWNS]

Because all the PS3 wants to do is rip people off

[THE TERMINATOR]

"Because all the PS3 wants to do is rip people off"
Dont you feel ripped of that MS sold you a console with crappy hardware that RRODS every 6 months.

[pwnsause]

you have been TERMINATED...

[Zool 08]

Sony ripping us off? LOL

A bit rich coming from you. M$ giving us RROD, charging $50 for online, paying for wifi, rechargeable batteries for wireless control e.t.c. So whos ripping who off?

[360 OWNS]

They Could've easily said lets go back to the drawing board

[CertifiedGamer]

They are like bouncers infront of clubs they will not let anyone in unless you shake there hand and slip them a 20

[Asurastrike]

They were going to give it a 6/10 anyway.

-The Cutscenes were too long
-The story is too confusing for people that skip the first 6 Metal Gear Games

[Ikanago]

Making a big deal about the things they weren't allowed to mention. Guess what, if they wait a week, every outlet can review the game and say whatever they want.

These restrictions were placed for reviewing the game early. Therefore, these sites felt they'd rather review the game and not mention certain things if they got to do it early.

[KILLA J]

lately, many games like GTA4, SUPER SMASH BROS., MARIO GALAXY, ASSASINS CREED and few others heve been getting close to perfect scores if not perfect without questions. but when great games for the PS3 like UNCHARTED, RACHET & CLANK, RESISTANCE and MGS4 are reviewed, they get beef for any little thing; especially from a site like GAMESPOT. so what is going on nowadays? Why is everyone now hating on SONY?.......... i mean GTA4 was dissapointing, but yet, everyone gave it a perfect score, smash bros was retarded and Mario Galaxy was G@Y, but they were almost GOTY, ASSASINS CREED was very repetitive. HOWEVER, UNCHARTED was just AMAZING and RACHET was awesome, RESISTANCE had great physics, nice graphics and great story line, but these games were not given a fair score. so my question is, why is the gaming industry not beign fair to PLAYSTATION 3?

[bigjclassic]

SMG and SSBB are sick games. grow up.

[Figboy]

now that i've gotten THAT out of the way, i have a question for a few of you:

imagine if there was an internet back in 1980 when The Empire Strikes Back was released.

imagine if the many reviewers out there on the net right now were covering the story.

i guarantee that MONTHS before release, the reveal that Vader is Luke's father would have been known by MILLIONS.

in the spoiler-laden internet infrastructure we live in today, it doesn't surprise me when a creator of work wants to keep it underwraps, not to be an ogre, but to give the true fans of the product a chance to enjoy it unsullied.

and no, it's not as easy as simply avoiding news labeled "SPOILERS!"

i remember when the last Harry Potter book released, jack@sses would post in rather innocent forums (example Topic: What do you think of Ron and Hermione? Discuss) HUGE SPOILERS concerning the story and it's conclusion.

that sucks, and is unfair to the people that have been following the series (whether Star Wars or Harry Potter, and of course, Metal Gear Solid) since the beginning, and want to enjoy it's conclusion in peace, without some internet a-holes ruining it.

considering how MAJORLY the web-based media blow out of proportion whenever a Playstation 3 title has an install (well, that's kind of what the hard drive is for. if 360's had standard HDDs, believe me, it would have installs also), and it's already widely known about the length of Metal Gear Solid cutscenes, so, for fans, this comes as no surprise, but the media LOVES to paint it as a negative, therefore, those that are new to the series could take on the media's view, and have a preconceived notion of those cutscenes before they even experience them.

i view MGS as a mix between an action game, and a sort of RPG, where there is a lot of meaty story to go through, but instead of simply reading walls and walls of text, like i do in most RPGs, it's played out for me like a movie. i LIKE that approach, and it helps to draw me into the game more.

MGS is a series that is NOT for everyone, but the game has been getting almost universally praise for it's GAMEPLAY, but the only thing these whiny, b*tchy, jaded, and bitter "reviewers" latch onto are installs and cutscenes? REALLY??

personally, i don't WANT to know about any surprise gameplay elements.

SPOILERS:

i'm already pissed that i unintentionally stumbled upon news about the interactive flashbacks to previous Metal Gear games that are scattered throughout the game to enhance the story. i REALLY would have liked to have been surprised by that on June 12th.

END SPOILERS

i already know all i need to know about MGS4:

it's Solid Snake's last hurrah.

it's Hideo Kojima's "last" Metal Gear Solid in which he is the head honcho.

it's only on the PS3.

it's pretty.

it brings in all the big and small players from previous Metal Gears, and wraps up the series.

and after being in the MGO beta, i've been able to answer a few of my own questions:

controls are EXCELLENT.
graphics are EXCELLENT (beautiful on my HDTV, and the whole game was anti-aliased; not a jaggy in sight).
overall gameplay: VERY fun.

i forced myself to stop playing the beta before it was up, because i didn't want "Warhawk Beta syndrome," which happened after the Warhawk Beta ended, and i went into withdrawals for those three months until it released. lol. GTAIV and Haze have kept me plenty busy while i wait for Snake to land on my console.

personally, i couldn't give a rats @ss about Gamespot and their inevitable 7/10 or 8/10 for MGS4, citing "too much variety," or "not groundbreaking in every conceivable way" excuses. the only opinion of MGS4 that matters to me is MY OWN.

[360 OWNS]

Just Like I Intended Gates Breaks Bread With Yours Truly By The Way We Never Heard Of The Flopstation3 Coming Where Im From Check My Pedigree

[bigcheda]

if it wasn't for n4g i would never visit that site and read their garbage

fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me

[360 OWNS]

I Bet All The Celebrities Are Playing 360 Jadakiss Trickdaddy Brad Pitt Bad Boy Deathrow Tupac & Biggie Are Probably Playing From 6FT But You Cant Convince Me Pac Is Dead R. Kelly From My City Gon Be Playing From Stateville The Archbishop Don Juan Off Madison Knows Whats Up Given Snoop GWF My Kinfolks Tyrese Is Already Is Validated With GWF I Mean Everybody Plays The Generic Brand Name For Video Games 360 Even My Therapist Dr.Egan He Says Im Schizo But I Call It Microscopic Vision

[360 OWNS]

Some People Are Too Shallow To Take A Closer Look And See I Dont really care Im Just Saying

[muddygamesite]

chill out man

[Maverick_]

Well this sucks

[dburt]

Come on GameSpot, do not affraid to tell the truth about the MGS4. Eurogamer says it worth 8/10, what will you say?

[peksi]

big game rollouts usually involve catering the game in a fancy setting where game reviewers are fed with food and drinks in order to get better reviews. It's the name of the game and reviewers are quite used to it. That's one thing that is considered as a big plus in game critics' career.

I don't believe GameSpot crew skips all the game rollouts because they would simply miss out on the news material that produces their salaries.

[nix]

FVCK OFF!

[Infinite-Ammo]

Just give it a 10/10 you know its gonna be that good lol.

[1stKnighT]

Wow, just wow!!! Konami : "Please review our game without all the flaws and technical issues.....please! *puppy face*"

[DARK WITNESS]

well i am one of those people that has bought my ps3 just for this game. i don't care what they say or think or what picture they try to paint of Konami.. i will own this game, even if i never buy another ps3 game ever... i think i will be happy just owning this game.

its that simple.

[Britjadg]

with respect, GS can go suck a nut. thry want to publish things that konami dont want mentioned then all they need do is wait till 12th when konami have no power over reviews.

until then its intellectual property and konami can throw in as many clauses sub-clauses and smallprint as they see fit.

i'm all for journalistic integrity, but it generally implies that you dont go b1tching about the very thing you've shown integrity for in the first place.

[Ninja-Sama]

I rly dont care much for your reviews neway.

[PirateThom]

Gamespot are a complete joke.

Who are they to talk about unadulterated reviews and integrity?

[Salta_nelas]

Thank you, but no need for tainted reviews from sites that get money and fire employees due to review scores badly done.

[xionpunk]

Dammit Gamespot... do they have to be A$$holes about everything?

[omni_atlas]

Gamespot getting a little preachy here huh.

A little too late IMHO.

[RAM MAGNUMS]

You made yourselves obvious in 2006-2007.
Do you know what credibility means?

i mean i thought Adam Sessler from X-play was obvious but at least he hides his bias pretty well for being on a show that has stock in microsoft.
Gamespot is just outright "Show me the Money" website. Konami & Kojima are the only ones trying to put a stop on this corruption and these guys are all of a sudden calling on their freedom of speech cards.
Great strategy by Konami & all the ps3 esclusives should follow this trend with the bias reviewers & companies.
Its like Professional boxing now where developers sign contracts & in the contracts they negotiate what referees or judges will be at the fight. Sony only wants the Fair, honest & Ctritically brutal reviewers. while xbox 360 buys there referees & judges by looking for the weakest links.

[CertifiedGamer]

Go take your medicine because them voices in your head are getting to you

[hiphopisdead]

Gamespot, sure you can talk about the cut-scenes, but do you really have to mention the actual length of them? Sure you can mention there was an install time, but do you have to mention the length of the install? What if they said "you are not allowed to talk about the cover art of the manual we provide."... is that also important in your review?

And, is any of the above really relevant?

Gamespot is reminding me that they do not focus on the most important aspects of a review: Gameplay, Story, Presentation, Graphics, Audio, Lasting Appeal, etc...

All other MULTIPAGE reviews are giving MGS4 9.9+/10. And their reviews sound like any other game review.

In the end, I am glad that gamespot is not reviewing the game.

I agree 100% with kingOVsticks (post above).

[ReBurn]

The length of cutscenes is very important to the overall asthetic of the game. The story should progress by the action as well as the underlying story. 90 minute pauses in gameplay to further the story are important to people like me, because I rarely have 90 consecutive minutes to play a game.

Install times are important, too. Once the game is installed it doesn't detract from the action, but having to wait for an installation for a console game is a leap that many people haven't made yet. If it takes 20 minutes to install that's 20 minutes less time I have to play the game. When your schedule is as busy as mine that's important.

Don't minimize the importance of these things to other people. You can't speak for everyone based on your own experiences.

[ScottEFresh]

Gamespot sucks minus their forums.

[LTC]

I think GS will give MGS4 an 8.9, although it deserves an 95+ score they just wont have the balls to give it 9 or above. This way they are not giving it too low a mark to look ridiculous ie 7.5 for ratchet and 8.0 for Uncharted can you believe that? Anyway the funny thing is most people dont take there reviews seriously anymore they have TOTALY lost credibilty. Man they were one of my fav sites back in the PS2 days.

[trancefreak]

things change when Microsoft hands are in your back pocket filling your wallet with green and stroking ya in the front.

[chrisin3]

Get off your high horse and review the damn game. It's your job, infinitesimal exceptions or not. I don't like the Iraq war, and all the millions of political infractions imposed on soldiers, but I am in the military nonetheless, and I do my job. Stop complaining. You’re not as important as you think, and either are install times, or metal gear-quality cut scenes.

[ReBurn]

Some people aren't happy either way, I guess. I'm glad that Gamespot published this piece. It give us, the gamers, an insight into the seedy underbelly of the business. It isn't like this is the first time such a thing has happened? Remember LAIR and the "press kits" that essentially told reviewers how to review the game?

Gamespot's reviews are always going to be subject to my scrutiny just because of how they've fired people in the past for having journalistic integrity and not kowtowing to the publishers. But they have an opportunity here to gain back some of the respect that they've lost.

Too bad the rabid MGS fanboys are going to be out in force trying to squash any kind of criticism of the game. Nothing is perfect, so take it all with a grain of salt.

[jackdoe]

I don't know, this just makes them sound desperate.

[Rusted]

recognize the bias against Sony, that's why this guy wrote this article. Even a blind man can see the 360-Halo-love-ooze flowing from that site.

[rushbd]

they are a$ shurt that they were'nt invited to that bootcamp. ah gamespot....

[IzKyD1331]

gamespot is pathetic

[Wolf873]

MGS has way better cut scenes than GTA, time just flies by. Anyways, who cares about GS.

[jackdoe]

I find it so funny that Gamespot of all publishers is preaching this bullsh!t. Jeez. Your reputation is shot Gamespot and no blogpost is going to win it back.

[spacetoilet]

Colonal179 made an excellent point that movie reviews are not influenced by the line for tickets etc..

I think Gamespot has just gone down the crapper this generation. I used to respect their site allot in the Gamecube/Ps2/XBox days. Because they were tough b**tards to get a decent score off no matter who you are. So I used to go to them to see if a game was half decent and then make up my own mind, with help from them.

All of a sudden this generation, they are slapping huge scores on mediocre to OK 360 games, and just slamming Sony. 9.6 for Gears and no mention of slowdown. Def Jam Icon 8.1?? WTF? On what planet should that get the same score as Virtua Fighter 5? Halo 3 9.5?? (nothing new here) Perfect Dark zero 9.0? Forza 9.2 (total sh1t) KAMEO 8.7??

On the ps3 Ratchet and Clank 7.5? (no slowdown, beautiful gfx) GTA 5P (ok its a demo of sorts, but wtf) 7.5? Super stardust HD (one of the best shooters ever made, and blows away the 8.3 rated Geometry Wars) 7.0 Lair 4.5 (A crap game, but 4.5???)

I'm not a big conspiracy theory guy, but something has gone down for them to hate Sony, and Sony's big third party's so much.

I'll be amazed if Gamespot gives this anything more than an 8. They will probably try to tag it 7 or some sh1t.

[Lifendz]

now they don't have to find a reason to justify the 8.5 they were going to give it and still no AAA game on Gamespot.

[N4g_null]

I stopped going to game stop like 4 years ago? Hell I don't even care for reviews any more. Also can these sites just start giving impressions? Why should they get to review it before the gaming public? Send it to the pre-order people first or at the same time as the reviewers. Most of the time you know if you are going to like a game are not just because of the videos and pics. More times than not you already have the system if you are hardcore. Reviews hold no weight never have so I'll treat stuff like this the same way I treated printed game mags give me pictures in a nice format. There are plenty of better critics online that will not be paid off by the likes of a corp. We needs some thing similar to what they have on the Wii. You can not review a game unless you have played it for 2 hours! Actually you can only recommend it.

The true hardcore base is huge at a few mags or web sites can not possibly cover it.

[peacefulpony]

Every time a news piece links Gamespot we should copy the text to another location so we don't earn them ad revenue. After years of lies, which have cost gamers money, they deserve this.

[Rainne]

MGS... hmmmm the last video i saw of this game was spent looking at some guy running around with his butt in your face.... Whatever rocks your boat right kids?..... yup hope you guys enjoy

[GarandShooter]

I can't wait for the game to come out so this nonsense will stop. (well and to play it of course).

Does anybody really believe there is a cutscene of 90 consecutive minutes in length? That's the length of a short movie. Or, is it 90 minutes of cutscenes in the entire game? I'm thinking it's the latter.

As to the install time, who cares? The detractors talk like you have to actually install it yourself. Do you people eat dinner, shower, read, watch TV, etc. Here's an idea. I'll try to be thorough yet concise at the same time so you can grasp the concept.

Step 1: Purchase or rent the game (hope that isn't too many choices).

Step 2: Turn on PS3.

Step 3: Load game disc into PS3 turned on in step 2.

Step 4: Start game and follow on screen prompts to begin installation process.

(Here's another spot that requires some decision-making, so if you are having difficulty, feel free to PM me. NOTE: Due to various time lengths of activities listed, you may need to do only one, or maybe a few)

Step 5: Eat dinner, take a shower, relieve yourself, watch favorite TV program, walk the dog, call significant other, help an old lady cross the street, buy some Girl Scout cookies, change your diaper, sterilize your pacifier collection, surf the internet for your normal dosage of porn, study English grammar and spelling (a lot of folks on this site would benefit from this one), or, and this one is my personal favorite, log onto N4G, and enter a post whining and complaining about some nonsensical issue.

Step 6: Return to PS3 to find install completed and game ready to play.

Now the 'between act' installs may require a little more planning and creativity on your part, but once again I'm here to help and only a PM away.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled tantrum.

[PistolPumptMonk]

I would read this article but I have banned myself from going to Gamestop ever since Kane and Lynch. Long live IGN!!

;)

[thehitman]

Konami dont give gamespot a version to play to review nxt time and all will be good. If they dont want you to talk about something then dont talk about it or else dont review it like what your doing. Not like they said dont do it at all just dont do it until its released I think thats at least fair and good enough respect from the company.

[Savior X]

Enjoy this until it comes out!!!!

http://nintendo8.com/toplis...

[bioshock]

back in the days of ps2..now they have lost their credibility..i dont knw what they have for sony only games..i means i really got pissed off at the time of R N C, thn uncharted..thn comparing them to games like halo 3..i mean the game was not even next gen...and got 9.5..shame on u GAMESPOT...if u really care about gamers..just do ur job correctly and b unbiased.