We’ve been quite enthusiastic about Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot finally becoming playable on modern hardware after its long-standing exclusivity with the PS3. Solid Snake’s swan song might not have pleased everybody, but it’s certainly a beloved title among franchise fans thanks to the innovations it brings to the table, and the way they’re woven into the experience so well.
If you’re thinking about taking this one on when Master Collection Vol. 2 comes along, whether it’s for nostalgia or curiosity, we’ve got a few things we believe you should know before you pick up a copy to play Guns of the Patriots. There’s a fair bit to unpack, so we’d best get started right away.
1. A Tale For The Ages
Things are quite intense in this one, which takes place five years after the Big Shell incident. Snake’s aging process has him on the back foot against Liquid Ocelot, who comes out of hiding to take on the Patriots, a cabal known to be operating behind the scenes to influence global events.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story threads that preceded Guns of the Patriots, you might want to brush up on your lore before you get started, as its story and setting are deeply rooted in the franchise’s history. Of course, you can expect twists, turns, and some very philosophical examinations of individual agency and armed conflict thanks to Kojima’s masterful storytelling. Although its extensive cutscenes can occasionally disrupt the pacing, the overall narrative is a thrilling ride.
2. A Sublime Blend Of Stealth and Action
You could finish the entire game without killing a soul if you’re so inclined, but Solid Snake’s as versatile as he’s ever been in this one. Stealth mechanics are among the finest the franchise has given us, while Snake’s proficiency at close-quarters combat makes him a deadly threat despite his age.
Of course, the world design is a huge part of the gameplay loop, and the Sons of the Patriots system- the SOP’s pervasive influence is going to be felt as you make your way through the story. It’s a great way to keep Snake on his toes considering his extensive experience as an operative, and it all works very well with other additions that are aimed at balancing out his deadly aptitude with the limitations of his body. All in all, this one’s as immersive as it can get, and that’s a very good thing indeed.
3. The OctoCamo System
If you decide that you’re going to try and take a quiet approach, Snake’s OctoCamo suit is going to be your bread and butter as it lets you blend into the surroundings with your enemies being none the wiser to your presence. It’s an invaluable addition to a sneaky strategy, although it is limited to having only one pattern equipped at a time.
Of course, there’s also FaceCamo, which you uncover later on, and that lets you take on the appearance of some important folks. When you pair it with OctoCamo, you’re going to find that nowhere is out of bounds if you’re smart about how you use your suit. It’s definitely one of the more innovative additions to the franchise formula and is something we’re pretty eager to use again after all these years.
4. The Solid Eye
A great thing to have alongside the OctoCamo suit was the Solid Eye, which doubled up as Snake’s way to stay one step ahead of any enemy troops in areas that needed him to thin out the herd. Letting you detect hostile presences along with their various states in a given area around you was good enough, but to also have it work as a pair of binoculars? That’s a versatile tool for an operative trying to stay on the down low.
That it looks like a nondescript eye patch while being as cutting edge as it is makes this one an accessory we’d certainly like to have, and we must say it lets Old Snake look quite dashing in the process. A solid blend of form and function, that one. You’re going to want to weave it into your playstyle to begin enjoying the game on your own terms.
5. Battlefield Factions To Navigate
Where do we even begin with this one? You’ve got various PMC groups operating under the global Patriot network, and they’re a nasty bunch with ID-tagged weapons that you’re going to have to launder through a local merchant before you get to use them. There are various local factions to befriend, either by helping them out in battle or otherwise, to make them treat you as an ally.
Of course, deadlier parties are in the fray, such as Ocelot’s elite group of bodyguards, or the Beauty and the Beast units that are going to give you trouble no matter how well you take them on. You’re not just navigating levels, but the many ways in which Snake can use these factions to his advantage as naturally as fighting comes to him. It’s a lot of fun, and we’re kind of jealous of you if this is your first time discovering how addictive it all can get.
6. Psyche and Stress Status
Of course, it isn’t all fun and games for a man on a clock, his age limiting his ability to his duty to a large extent. Every non-lethal kill you pull off comes with a price, as Snake’s Psyche takes a hit and you don’t want to be caught napping as far as that variable is concerned. There are penalties to it, such as Snake’s spine refusing to cooperate with him, his aim faltering from time to time, and even the chance of passing out if things go too badly for you.
Stressors in the world such as extreme heat, bad smells, and even being hunted by enemies are all factors that stress him out, wearing him down bit by bit. Even he can’t evade time, after all, and managing all of these in addition to the battlefield is a challenging and equally rewarding gameplay loop once you get settled in.
7. Make Your Guns Your Own
A variety of available attachments for each of the game’s weapon types meant you could lose track of time tailoring each weapon to suit your playstyle and tastes. Yeah, there are fairly elaborate customization systems around today, but when you consider the time of this one’s original release, it was quite fun and definitely came with a lot of depth.
That should be the case even now, and with all of the game’s balancing over the years, min-maxing your gear is definitely a very entertaining part of the experience on offer in Guns of the Patriot. We’re sure franchise veterans among you are already grinning at the thought of laying their hands on weapons that should feel very familiar very fast once the game is out.
8. Do A Thorough Recap
We weren’t kidding when we said that this one is quite heavy on the nostalgia, and there are just so many callbacks for long-term fans that might be lost on you if you don’t know what you’re looking at. It was all part of the game’s allure, and it’s something we wouldn’t want you to miss out on.
There are quite a few great recaps to get you up to speed (including our 8-hour look at the entire saga, which we have linked below in the description!), so setting aside a little time to get a working knowledge of what’s happened with Solid Snake since he first appeared on the scene so many years ago is a good idea. It’s going to make many moments big and small feel so much more engaging as a result if you’re approaching this as a total noob or perhaps as someone who’s only played Delta Snake Eater.
9. It’s Quite Big On Story Exposition
We’re sure you had already heard about this one’s cutscene length long before we brought it up earlier. It deserves its own entry on this list since this is a title that bets big on its story, and isn’t afraid to risk you wandering off to fix yourself a quick snack or drink while maintaining a passing focus on what’s unfolding on your screen.
This one’s made for fans, and you might find yourself looking up details more often than you think if you’re unfamiliar with the franchise’s lore and the complex relationships between the members of its cast. Again, doing your homework is going to pay dividends as far as this one’s concerned.
10. A 20-Hour Campaign With Great Replay Value
It’s only going to take you roughly twenty hours to beat the story, and that’s definitely something that we did back in the day given how eager we were to see where it took us. But rolling the credits isn’t the end of your time with the game, as a new playthrough is going to be a lot smoother given that you get to keep your gear and unique configurations.
You could also try to get your hands on the Stealth Camo, which requires that you beat the game with zero (and we mean zero) alerts, or the Ammo Bandana, which gives you infinite ammo on your firearms. That one needs 5,000,000 Drebin Points or a playthrough where you don’t kill a single hostile. And that includes the Beauty and the Beast bosses! How, you ask? Well, figuring it all out is part of the fun!
11. Metal Gear Online 2 Isn’t Returning
This one’s definitely a bummer, but the popular online part of this one isn’t on the table in Master Collection Vol. 2. It was certainly part of the fun that this one offered back in the day, and while we’re certain the multiplayer would have attracted a massive audience eager to jump back into the action, it seems we’re out of luck this time around.
However, we’re happy to tell you that the MGS4 Database is on board, and is actually a great place for you to do any brushing up on lore that you’re missing. Spoilers are automatically locked so you’re not at risk of ruining any story beats, and it could make for an interesting bit of reading thanks to how well it presents everything that’s relevant to you without too much fuss. The Screenplay Book and Master Book included in the Master Collection Vol. 2 package are definitely worth a look if you’re aiming for the most comprehensive Guns of the Patriots experience possible.
12. Pre-Order Bonuses and More
If you choose to pick up a copy ahead of release, you get the Cardboard Camouflage item as a bonus in-game. It’s a nifty little addition that you’re going to get a little kick out of using, and is definitely a part of the game’s eccentric charm.
Additionally, if you have a save from Master Collection Vol. 1 on your system, the Gold Camouflage is also going to be available to you as an in-game bonus item on MGS4. That’s great news for those of you looking to play the next couple of titles after the first few that came with that collection.
13. Resolutions and File Sizes
File sizes are expected to land around 25 to 26 GB across PC and consoles. The main exception is the Nintendo Switch, which requires a smaller 19 GB download for both TV and handheld play.
On the resolution front, consoles and PC builds aim for a crisp 4K output, though the Series S caps at 1440p; meanwhile, the Switch delivers 720p on the go and 1080p when docked. Upgrading to the Switch 2 bumps those numbers to 1080p and 4K, respectively. Performance-wise, the Switch is capped at 30fps, while all other hardware targets a fluid 60fps.
14. Potential Performance Drops
Getting to enjoy Guns of the Patriot in higher resolutions and better framerates is something we’re all understandably excited about. However, Konami has warned us of variations in frame rates and drops during intense scenes, so keep that in mind. This one does get quite busy, and we’re expecting lower-specced systems to have a little trouble with it, but it isn’t something we think you should be too worried about on consoles (or maybe we should be?).
Of course, you might be coming to it from Master Collection Vol. 1 before it was improved over time by Konami. In that case, we suspect you’re going to be a little cautious no matter how much you miss MGS4 before you dive in. The PC requirements listed could help you decide, though, so that’s where we’re going next.
15. PC Requirements
The minimum requirements outlined for the collection include a Intel Core i5-9600K, 16GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, with SSDs recommended. Windows 11 is a must, as is DirectX Version 12. The recommended specs take things up to an Intel Core i5-10500 and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, with everything else staying the same.
Considering how much the gaming landscape has evolved in the nearly twenty years since its original PS3 release, these system requirements remain remarkably accessible, much like the aging hero you command.
And that’s where we’re leaving you with this one. We can’t wait to join (or rejoin) Solid Snake in a story that pits him against arch-rival Liquid Ocelot. We hope you have as much fun with it as we’re going to once it’s in your hands, if you decide to dive into it.
