courtesy of planet metal gear solid
The good folks over at The Official US PlayStation Magazine (OPM) will be coming out with the playable demo of MGS3 in their November 2004 issue set to hit newsstands October 5 th . Subscribers should be getting them now or very soon, so be sure to check your mailboxes. OPM is the ONLY way to play it before the final game comes out. Be sure to check out their website for the most up-to-date coverage of MGS3 and everything else on there.
And thanks to OPM, I managed to snag my hands on an early copy of the November 2004 demo disc and got to play MGS3 before anyone else. And I've got to tell you, it is damn good.
Be sure to check out the videos and screenshots of MGS3 in action! Only on PlanetMGS!
Gameplay
When you first start playing the game, you'll definitely notice that this is very different from any MGS game. The environment is absolutely f***ing beautiful, there are so many animals, so much detail, when I was playing, I was thinking, “How the hell did Konami do this?!” Because for being a PS2 game, this is just amazing, they put so much work into this, 3 years to be exact.
Of course, as you know, there are new gameplay elements, being able to hang and shoot from ledges, Close-Quarters-Combat (CQC), enhanced AI, interrogating enemy portal, etc. I'm going to tell you every detail about these elements. And if I miss something, email me and I'll give you the credit for it.
Interface: When you first start playing Snake Eater, you'll notice the new interface, like the stamina meter, which you keep up or else Snake will lose strength and won't be able to shoot accurately. You fill the stamina meter up by eating food via the Survival Viewer (which I'll talk about later). Your grip meter will turn your stamina meter blue and will run out faster than usual. Another addition to the interface is the camo-meter. The camo meter shows a percentage of how visible Snake is to the enemy. It ranges from -5%, which you'll be brighter than a spot-light, to 100%, where to enemies, you are a ghost. Just because you are at 100% doesn't mean you're guaranteed not to get caught, if an enemy steps on you or runs into you, you'll be put into Alert mode immediately. And of course, the LIFE meter, the items box and the weapons box are still there but now you're asking, “What about the radar?” ,remember, this game is set in the 1960's so the soliton radar hasn't been invented yet. But you do have a battery powered radar that's in your items menu in the demo as an alternative. Though, the game will be more fun without it. Another very minor change is that instead of “LIFE” on the bar, it says “SNAKE”.
Hang-and-shoot: As you saw from the E3 2003 trailer, you saw Snake hang on one hand and shoot with the other. However, in the demo there is only 1 tree you can climb. All you do is climb the tree by pressing triangle, then stalk (using the D-pad) to safely walk on the tree branch. To cling on the branch, simply press the triangle button and press and hold square to pull out your gun and shoot.
CQC: Close Quarters Combat is the new fighting system in MGS3, this is very useful for when you want to fight off multiple enemies. The most effective (and the coolest) CQC move when fighting multiple enemies is the human shield, it was in MGS2 also, but this time, you can shoot while doing it. Another move is the throwdown, where Snake grabs the enemy and, depending where you point the right-analog stick, he thrusts the enemy to the ground. The controls were thought to be complicated, but actually it's pretty simplified. To slit someone's throat, tap the circle button hard. When you want to interrogate the enemy, get the enemy in a choke hold and press L3.
Survival Viewer: This menu is where you find your camo, manage your items, weapons, face-paint, and food. You access it by pressing the START button. In the demo, the Survival Viewer has 3 categories, Camouflage, Backpack, and Food. In the demo, the cure, option, special and map options are not selectable
The camouflage category gives you sub-categories, Uniform and Face paint. The uniform option lets you choose which camo you want and it gives a description of how much percentage it will increase on the camo-meter. The available uniforms in the demo are Olive Drab (Snake's default camo), Squares, Tiger Stripes, Leaf, Tree bark and Naked (where Snake isn't wearing a shirt. Sorry ladies, not COMPLETELY naked
). So far, the one's we've seen only in trailers are the Snow, Fire, and Water camo.
The face-paint does the same as the uniform option does, increases your camo meter. The only available face-paint pattern was the woodland pattern. But from only trailers and screenshots, so far I've seen the black face-paint, the skull face-paint and the green and black dot face-paint.
In the Survival Viewer, you can view all the food you have collected. Such things as mushrooms, bee-hives, birds, alligators, and, not to sound perverted, Snake can also eat snakes, but only certain ones, because some snakes are very poisonous and can lower down Snake's stamina. So watch what you eat….no, Snake won't get fat or take a dump for eating too much… but he can throw up, you do that by eating A LOT of food, press R1 in the Survival Menu to view Snake's body, and spin him around with the left analog stick for about 20 seconds, go back to the gameplay and watch as he spews out. And by the way, Snake loses stamina when you do that so don't do it too much
Finally, the Backpack category is where you store your items. In the demo, you can carry almost all your items. You have a 19.8kg weight limit and the only weapons I couldn't carry (by default) was the AKM assault rifle, stun grenades, and the clip magazines.
A.I.: The AI is more realistic than ever before in a MGS game. MGS1's AI was very unrealistic when one Snake was caught you're automatically in Alert mode. In MGS2, Konami took another huge leap with the AI and made it look great. Much more realistic, but you can literately dance behind the guard and he would have no clue you were there. Now in MGS3, the enemy soldiers are not the people to f*** with, they're probably 10 times as hard as the ones in MGS2. You have to use your camouflage to get past them or hide from them. Seriously, you really don't want to get caught (unless you want to) because once you're caught, you go into Alert mode, but you can still stop it by shooting their radio located on their chest with a bright red light so you can spot it easily. But if you're caught and there are multiple soldiers around use CQC to battle them out. Trust me, it helps a lot.
Camera View : This is what MGS is very good at, and it's only getting better. Although some people wished for a free 180 degree free roam camera (ala Splinter Cell), MGS3 will once again have the camera view above Snake, but now, with the right analog stick, you can pan the area around Snake and see what's coming from all directions. And if there is a tree blocking the way, it will disappear automatically so that you can see.
Alert Mode system: As I mentioned above, the alert mode system is slightly different. It's quite similar to MGS2's system except once you're seen, you're automatically in Alert mode, but if they notice someone is shooting at them, you'll be in Caution mode and a ticker countdown will commence.
Game Over sequence: Kojima, back at TGS '03 said something about “Time Paradox” when you die, which means if Snake dies, the future (Outer Heaven, Zanzibar , Shadow Moses) doesn't happen. In the demo, it says “SNAKE IS DEAD” then the letters transform into “TIME PARADAX”.
Controls:
R1: First Person View; FPV in select parts of cutscene's.
R2: Hold to view weapons in-game; tap for quick select; peek around to right in corner view.
R3: Use to center camera view.
L1 : point weapon and hold L1 to strafe; use with assault rifle during FPV for shoulder view; look through scope in sniper rifle.
L2 : Hold to view items in-game; tap for quick select; peek around to left in corner view.
L3 : Use during choke to interrogate enemy.
Right Analog Stick: Move camera around Snake for an enhanced look around the jungle
Left Analog Stick: Movement (run, walk)
D-pad: Stalking mode (very slow)
Start: Survival Viewer
Select: Radio
Triangle (Action Button): Climb/cling to trees and other obstacles; change fire mode for some weapons; Zoom in with binoculars; Zoom during cutscene's.
Square (Weapon Button): Use to shoot weapon; use for knife combo.
Circle (CQC button): Tap three times for the old punch-punch-kick combo, hold down by enemy. Use analog stick in a direction and hold down Circle to throw enemy to the ground. With knife, hold down circle to grab enemy and tap the circle button to slit their throat; Use to select in Survival Viewer.
X (Crawl Button): Use to kneel down and use D-pad to lay on your belly and move.
Items: These are the items you get once you get your backpack
Cigar: Highly Addictive and hazardous to your health
Binoculars: Military binoculars allowing long distance reconnaissance. Zoom in with Triangle Button, zoom out with Square
Thermal Goggle: Visualizes heat source distribution. Allows one to see in dark. Battery operated
Night Vision Goggle: Electronically amplifies weak dim light for visualization. Allows one to see in dark. Battery operated
Motion Detector: Detects object movements. Only moving objects are detected. Consumes battery power while in use.
Active Sonar: Detects life forms' positions. Press L3 to emit sonic wave. Consumes battery power while in use.
Anti-Person Sensor: Sensor detecting life forms. Vibrates on enemy approach. Other vibrations will be OFF when sensor is activated.
Weapons: These are the weapons you get once you get your backpack
Barehand: Press O to punch, press repeatedly for combo. Press square near a fallen enemy to drag him around.
Survival Knife: For close combat. Press square button to stab. Press square button repeatedly to make a combo attack.
Mk22: Tranquilizer gun. Press square button to aim. Release to fire. Attach suppressor with O button while window is open.
M1911A1: . 45 handgun. Press square button to aim, release to fire. Attach suppressor with O button while window is open.
M16: L1 button in first person view for shoulder aim. Rotate firing mode with triangle button. Attach suppressor with O button while window opens.
AKM: Soviet made assault Rifle. Press L1 in FPV for shoulder aim
M37 : 12 gauge shotgun. Press square button to aim. Release to fire. Direct hit in close range will blow enemy away.
SDV: Press weapon or L1 button to aim. Release Weapon button to fire. Switch magnification with triangle while aiming.
Grenade: Press square button to hold, release to throw. How strong is pressed varies distance.
Stun Grenade: Stuns enemy soldiers temporarily. Press square button to aim, release to throw.
Magazine: Press square to throw.
Directional Mic: Microphone that can pick up small sounds. Hold in FPV. Move with left analog stick.
And also, you can use your food as weapons also. What you do is you go to your Backpack from the Survival Viewer, then equip the animal you want. Then you can actually throw them at enemies. Pretty neat stuff.
Character Information (Non-Spoiler)
-- MAJOR TOM
Codename: Major Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 55
Nationality: UK
Birthdate: 8/12/1909
Birthplay: Exeter , England
Address: Portsmoth , NH
Height: 6.04ft
Weight: 174.2lbs
Hair: Grey Blue
Voice: Banjo Ginga
Mtn. Actor: Takashi Kubo
Blood Type: A
--PARA-MEDIC
Codename: Para-Medic
Sex: Female
Age: 28
Nationality: USA
Birthdate: 6/22/1936
Brithplace: Boston , MA
Address: Boston , MA
Height: 5.48ft
Weight: Top Secret
Hair: Red
Eye: Brown
Voice: Houko Kuwashima
Motion Actor: Eriko Kirate
Blood Type: B
--THE BOSS
Codename: The Boss
Sex: Female
Age: Unknown
Nation: USA
Birthdate: Unknown
Birthplace: Unknown
Address: Unkownn
Height: 5.87ft
Weight: Unknown
Hair: Brownish Grey
Eye: Blue
Voice: Kikuko Inoue
Motion Actor: Eriko Kirate
Blood Type: Unknown
Walkthrough
Finally, we get to the walkthrough. Be aware of some spoilers along the way.
~~ AUGUST 24 TH , 1964 – 5:00 AM – PAKASTAN AIR SPACE ~~
In the opening sequence, you see our hero, Snake smoking a cigar, getting ready for his mission. It is now 20 minutes to dropoff. Major Tom, the commander, makes sure everything is going as planned along with Para-Medic. Snake ignores the guy saying to put out the cigar until Major Tom had to tell him to do so now. The back hatch opens, Snake gears up, and gets ready to roll.
“Spread your wings and fly! God will be with you!” yelled Major Tom. Then for the first time in history, Snake makes the first ever HALO jump.
The next two cut scene's is where Major Tom explains Snake about the mission, which is to rescue Sokolov and bring him back to the ‘State's before “the weapon” is complete.
Finally, Snake lands, takes off his gear and make's sure no one is around. Now this is the first Radio sequence of the game where Major Tom is going over the details. Snake explains to Tom that his backpack was caught on a tree branch. Your first mission is to retrieve your backpack, which has all your items and weapons. In the demo, you get a whole stock load of weapons and items, but in the final game, you'll only have the MK22 Hush Puppy Tranquilizer gun and your Survival Knife.
~~Dremuchij South~~
When you start actual gameplay, you'll immediately notice the difference a sequel makes but you'll for sure have the Metal Gear feeling. Take this time to experiment and fool around (if it's your first time) because there are no threats in this area.
Go up along the right side, up the hill, then down to the left, or, go straight up the middle and crawl under the two chopped down trees and go to the tree with the vines on it (in the middle) then climb on it by pressing the Triangle button. It should automatically take you up there and shift the left analog stick to the right until you're right under the backpack, then press the Triangle button once again to hang off the branch and retrieve your backpack. Then you'll go into the Radio sequence where you'll be introduced to Para-Medic and The Boss.
After that should be a cutscene with Snake pulling out his knife and gun and saying “Commencing Virtue Mission now.”
Now use this time to find food, there should be two snakes to the front and back of you and two more snakes and mushrooms to the left of where you started.
Then go straight up to advance. Make sure you have food first before you advance though.
~~ Dremuchij Swamp Land ~~
This area has a whole plethora of food to get; this is a great place to use your Sonar Radar to find animals in the grass, and when you do, it's best to throw a grenade to smoke ‘em all out.
You will now arrive into a swamp area at the end of the grass. To your right, there are two alligators, I usually use my M37 shotgun to the head to kill them or grenade in the mouth (which is funny as hell
) But before you get into the mud, the best thing to do is to go to your Survival Viewer and go to your camo and select to be Naked so your camo doesn't get muddy. Be care also to NOT sink into the mud, you will die. When you get there, there will be two more alligators and a beehive above (Don't shoot the beehive close to you, go to the other side and snipe it.) Right here should also be some grenades. To you left are two more alligators and M37 ammo. Finally, when you go forward, you encounter two snakes, tree frogs, birds, fruits, etc.
~~Dremuchij North~~
This level begins with a cutscene with Snake using his scope to see that there are enemy soldiers he will have to encounter. Trust me, you really don't wanna be caught, but If you want to, be my guest :p.
Go to your survival viewer and change your camo to the tree bark or leaf pattern, depending on what you do is what camo you choose., but none-the-less, there will be an enemy soldier slowly making his way toward the middle. Make sure he has his back turned and, using the stalking mode, come up from behind and slit his throat, throw him down, take him hostage, whatever floats your boat, just take him down.
Just ahead should be another solider, take him out in any way possible, then one more mandatory soldier to take out before you head on up North to the bridge (should be on your right if you went straight up from where you started. There should also be M16 ammo in a shelter-like log which has a man-size hole inside.
~~Dolinovodno~~
This is the bridge level and a perfect level to use for you snipers out there. Equip your leaf camo and equip your SVG sniper rifle and snipe the two soldiers at the beginning of the bridge quickly. Go on the beginning of the bridge and shoot the soldier walking slowly across it. Scope away on the other side with your sniper rifle and take out the soldiers on the left and right side. You should be safe now.
When you're on the bridge, especially if you're battling, take a chance to experiment and check out the real-time-physics of the suspension bridge. Like when a soldier shoots out a rope on the left side, the board will tilt to the left and you'll slip but hold on. Watching the other soldiers fall is something that'll make your jaw drop. Try slicing all the ropes with your knife and you'll know what I mean.
When you make it across, go to the left and there should be a descending hill where you can get ammo and a mysterious item called “LFE RECVR” which probably mean Life Recovery but there's no where on the demo to use it. Ascend up hill to the next level.
~~Rassvet~~
This is the last level in the game. It starts out with a cutscene of Snake observing the area and tells Major Tom that Sokolov is not in sight. Then to a radio sequence for further detail. Then you can either walk straight up to the west entrance or east to the east entrance. It is much easier to take the eastern enter because there is a ladder to climb on the roof and jump down into the room next to Sokolov's.
If you take the western entrance, take out the two guards in the field (Preferably the SVG) and crawl in the hole on the outside western wall, up the stairs, and knock the gas barrel down with the triangle button, and watch the guards get blown away. Be aware that if you get set on fire by the barrel, the fire won't go out immediately; it will stay on you for about 30 seconds…talking about realistic features :p
There might be a guard by the room before Sokolov's, take him out, go through the door and WALA!!! The demo is completed.
~~MGS RELIVES TODAY TO SURVIVE TOMORROW - TO BE CONTINUED~~
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