I put about half an hour or so into 'playing' this last night, or should I say, watching seemingly never ending cutscenes and reading reams and reams of text. I would really love to be able to talk about gameplay impressions but despite the ability to kill snakes and crocodiles for (illogically) stamina theres little else I can tell you. Perhaps you can tell that I was firmly in the camp that tired of the repetitiveness of MGS2s narrative, and in many ways felt it turned playing what otherwise was a very good game into a painful experience. I was hoping that this would be different, a more fleshed out game not a short one padded out by overblown cutscenes, but it looks like I may be wrong. Still, the game starts you off with a large number of accessories and weapons to choose from, whilst the jungle is very nice conveying a good sense of depth, whilst wildlife adds to an already impressive environment. No doubt this will please the fans and those whom like to watch as much as play a game, which if the demo is anything to go buy, Ill be doing a fair amount of.
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I'm surprised the demo is like MGS2. Although intitally enjoyable, the cut scenes detracted so much. I thought this game would naturally reflect a return to less cinema-more gameplay. Hmmmmmmm -
Sir, your words are not encouraging, and yet not particularly surprising either.
But why put so much dialogue into a demo, for gods sake?? The MGS2 demo was great, it was short sharp, and full of playability - strangely at odds with the full game. Hopefully this will be the same.Comment
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The MGS2 Trial Edition had around about a 20 minute opening cutscene marathon (the bungie jump followed by codec calls and soldier bits), is this around about the same for this trial edition also?
Another thing, I've heard that the game runs at a consistent 30FPS and no longer at 60FPS like MGS2 did, is this true also?Comment
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Perhaps it comes from the demo, which is after all a nearly 6 months old build (the E3) stuffed on a disc with other demos.Originally posted by IzayoiComment
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Gameplay runs at 30fps, which is disheartnening at first, but the games change of pace means it's not really detrimental to the gameplay. The jungle is lush, full of detail and bigger than you'd think. The new additions (CQC, Survival and Camouflage) work brilliantly over the old controls. The cutscene to gameplay ratio in the demo isn't as bad as Marcus points out, it's pretty much the same as the MGS2 trial. The Japanese speech doesn't help matters though.
The demo consists of 5 areas, with small, self contained tasks to solve. Highlights include the rope bridge in Dolinovodno (it has proper physics, along with the enemies ragdoll physics), the shotgun and picking your way through various route options in Rassvet. Rassvet allows you to tackle the area in any way you like, and builds on the MGS series best feature in that it lets you do the same thing but in a number of ways. Theres no real hand holding via your Radio, so it really is down to your own intelligence, unlike in MGS2.
Stealth is much, much more important this time round and is much more rewarding given the lack of radar. Gunfights are also more fun, and the enemy works as a unit to flank you and give you a much harder time.
More to follow as I work out the in's and out's...Last edited by Izayoi; 03-10-2004, 19:14.Comment
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Does anyone else get sound drop-outs on this at all?Comment
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Yeah, caused a crash once when talking to The Boss. The demo's sound code is a little buggy, but its only a demo afterall.
Been experimenting with the CQC and it's well smart, its all pressure sensitive. Talking to The Boss will help you out no end.Comment
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I take it this is the chaved demo someone put on the net which is gonna be on the cover of next months ops2 mag in the states, I took a look at the latest uk mag and no mention of a playable demo for the pal market yet, does anyone know other wise. Although next months uk mag does have a demo of killzone.Comment
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It's looking like March for PAL MGS3.
I love the MGS team for this...
Expect sometime early next year I'd imagine for a demo released over here. It was the same with MGS and MGS 2... Delayed game, delayed demos.Comment
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More impressions...
The CQC is officially 'The ****'. Theres loads of tactical options at Snake's disposal. The basic MGS combo is still there, but in a less dramatic form (this combo can be linked with the knife combo as well). Holding Attack near a guard will put him in a hold and this is where the meat of it stems from. Pressing attack hard whilst in a grapple will slit the guards throat and the claret does flows, Vamp style!
However, tap it lightly and Snake will do the old choke tighten thing. Push a direction and tap attack in a grapple and Snake will throw them to the ground in the direction you pushed. Pushing them down face first allows you to follow up with a hold-up while the enemy is on the floor, in order to get ammo and supplies a la MGS2 (the standing hold-up technique returns also), and holding L1 while aiming at the downed enemy lets you track him whilst you manoeuvre into postion. Pressing L3 in a grapple interrogates the enemy for information (in the demo, the info is usually environment and control help), combine this with the choke tightening for the 'toughguys'. Pressing the Weapon button in a hold lets you aim a pistol if you have it equipped, and can be combined with the First Person Attack also.
If you just want to knock them the **** out though, push a direction as you approach and press/hold attack to slam the guard hard into the mud, instant knockout!
Guards tend to stay unconscious for a lot longer this time round as well, which makes going through the game without killing less of a chore.
Edit: All of this can be performed from any angle that you come at the enemy from.Last edited by Izayoi; 03-10-2004, 19:52.Comment
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I'm actually really liking this demo myself - more so than the Resi 4 one, which ain't half bad either.
I sure hope it stays on course for a US release of 15 November. Sod waiting till next-year for the PAL version.
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More cool things...
The backpack that Snake carries has a weight value which affects the rate at which the stamina gauge decreases. Snake also has a limited inventory for weapons and items this time round.
In the new Survival Viewer (where Snake can change his camo, eat food and organise the inventory), there are 4 blacked out options that have me a little intrigued.
Camouflage
Backpack
Food
Cure
Option
Special
Map
Now, three of them are pretty self explanatory, but the Cure option has me a little confused. Maybe this is where you can treat wounds or even mend bones that have been broken whilst playing (Kojima did say it was possible to break bones).
I have to say though, the jungle is exceptionally detailed and vibrant, and the atmosphere is so much more relaxed than previous Metal Gear games. Most of the time, only ambient jungle sounds play with very little music. Once in Alert mode though, it proper kicks off drum 'n' bass style.Comment
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you're almost there, At the German Game convention thing, Hideo Held a conference, talking about some other little features of MGS3 (which haven't been receiving that much hype), As well as Breaking arms and legs, you can also take bullets out your (snake's) Body, If you leave the bullets in him, he gets a scar, 'Snake' Can also get poisoned, so you'll most likely have to find a plant which heals it...Originally posted by IzayoiComment
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Has anyone found if this demo is region free yet ?Comment
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