PixlBit

Peace Walker is pretty much the opposite of 4. While 4 was about wrapping up the story, Peace Walker's about unlocking as much content as you can. 4 had near flawless controls, Peace Walker had aiming with the face buttons. 4 pushed technology to a new level, PW was a portable game. 4 had a weird crossover with Assassin's Creed, PW had one with Monster Hunter.

I originally played this game out of order because I was waiting for the then unanounced but fucking inevitable HD rerelease of 2 and 3 to play those. But I really enjoyed the demo this, so I decided to pick it up when I found it cheap, before knowing that Peace Walker would also be in the HD version, skipping all the cutscenes. And it was addicting as fuck. There was so much to unlock and building your own Metal Gear was awesome. Taking out an enemy and then using a futon to launch them up and force them into your team is also really addicting, one of my favorite parts of the game.

When I went back to it though it though, I had no motivation to experience the story. I may get around to it some day and find something to like, but there are two reasons for this. The first is comic book cutscenes. I hate when a cutscene uses a different artstyle. I get why it's used here, it's not a PS3 game, but I don't care. It just takes me out of the experience.

The other is that The Boss still being alive is a stupid plot point. I don't care if it's not really her like Solidus claiming to be Snake in 2, she should have stayed dead in 3. Her tragedy was perfect as is, you don't need to add anything to it, in my mind it will only take away from that. It feels like the laziest way to get the player interested. 

Bosses are also a step down, rather than nutjobs with cool powers you're fighting tanks, copters, and weird machines. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good fight with a weird mech, but have some nutjob piloting it. The online play is also an issue both in the regular and HD version. This game begs for co-op, but here in America, it's hard to get a group of friends together for that. The online for PS3 meanwhile is a pain in the fucking ass to get a game going, dropping you out after every mission. Me and a bud planning to plow through it together gave up because it was such a pain.

I'd put it as my 4th favorite Metal Gear game. It's a great game, but doesn't have the same lure as 1 or 3 that make me want to keep replaying them from start to finish. I would never say no to a mission or two of this gem though to pass the time, so it is easy for me to get right back into unlike 2 and 4. What's the other game I'd put above it you may ask? That I'll cover tomorrow.