ResumePlay presents Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Name: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Console: PSP & PSPgo (Exclusive)

Developed: Kojima Productions | Konami

Release: Worldwide in 2010

Announced in the wake of Metal Gear Solid: Rising, Peace Walker is the canonical sequel to PSP’s Portable Ops. It moves on four years from the events at the San Hieronymo Peninsula to 1974. Now more grizzly than ever, Big Boss is in Costa Rica as the head of a mercenary group called ‘Militaires Sans Frontières’. A French translation of ‘military without borders’. As Costa Rica had no military at the time, it was seen as easy pickings. An uknown military power takes over, and it’s up to Big Boss to save the day.

Peace Walker is PSP exclusive, Kojima is out to build the game, so it’s easy to quickly pick up and put down when you’re out and about, but also make it amazing enough to make you want to play the game constantly. The game is under the team that was responsible for the epic Metal Gear Solid 4, and it’s expected that a lot of the positive features in that game are to be carried over onto Peace Walker. For example, the over-the-shoulder view is present, the camera controls are similar, being able to walk while you crouch; the simple things that made MGS4 so good are all accounted for, plus a lot more.

The single player campaign will build on Portable Ops’ gameplay of gathering dis-franchised soldiers and stuffing them in the back of your truck, or box. So far we haven’t seen any trucks, but we have seen a sky hook system where the unconscious soldier is evacuated quickly by air. Of course you won’t be able to do this when alert, and it’d be pretty stupid wanting to.

The CQC system has undergone some changes, moves seen in MGS4 such as the ground choke return, along with rear naked throws and other attacks. Snake has also been shown in, so far, four different attires. Possibly hinting at unlockable, or customizable, appearances and gear. Kojima stated that what Snake wears will effect the game as you play. A heavier attire promises more protection against bullets and more space to carry gear, but sticks out like a sore thumb and makes your footsteps heavier. A ‘Naked Snake’ look was shown, along with a more usual sneaking suit & standard uniform attire.

Despite seeing alot of other characters in cut scenes and screenshots, we have yet to learn what part recruited soldiers will play during gameplay. It’s possibly a question worth saving for TGS, but I’m curious if they’ll leave the recruited soldier’s roles as they are, which is ok as your don’t to fix what isn’t broke, or modify it with the rest of the game.

Now the words on every Peace Walker fan’s lips. Co-Op? It has been confirmed MGS: Peace Walker will support local LAN and possibly infrastructure Co-operative play. So Snake’s got a few buddies, all of which are himself, and a lot more tricks. The latest trailer showed Snake performing CPR, combination CQC, doubling up and sneaking together, sharing boxes, using boxes as leverage, sharing items, holding doors open, healing each other and more. One thing I do want to bring up in detail is ‘Snaking’. The military has a basic buddy tactic where two people move as one. At the same pace, the person in front leads the rear. In MGS this is possible, and while the person in front leads the way and shoots at enemies directly in front, the person in the rear doesn’t have to focus on moving and can concentrate on taking out the enemy.

The ‘Co-Op’ trailer is available on Youtube now and if you haven’t seen it, and are unsure about this game, I recommend you go watch it. Be sure to stay tuned as we bring you whatever Kojima has to offer at TGS 2009 (September 24th – 27th)

Tags: Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker PSP pspgo