Konami
Metal Gear Solid - Peace Walker

The lucky owners of a PSP can only rejoice and enjoy! Metal Gear Solid is back. And it's back more beautiful than ever. It must be said: that genius Kojima has crafted something truly immense and incredible this time, especially considering the console on which this latest masterpiece by Konami runs. But let's proceed in order.

The story is set in the 70s and sees us donning the dirty attire of a more mature Big Boss (compared to the events of MGS3) and increasingly aware of being destined for a life on the battlefields. Big Boss (or Snake) is the leader of the MSF, an organization of nationless mercenaries formed by him to move freely in the various global war scenarios without having to depend on nations or ideologies. I won't reveal anything about the plot, except that the adventure is set in the forests of Central America. The twists are numerous and unexpected (as per script) with references to Kubrick's milestone films "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Dr. Strangelove".

Technically, the game borders on perfection. Graphics and sound are at extremely high levels; in particular, the graphics department is very reminiscent of what we saw in the PS2 episodes, while the cutscenes are true animated comics, pure wonders for the eyes.

The control system is one of the most efficient and precise that the Sony handheld console can offer, and the absence of a second analog stick is not felt at all thanks to the ability to rotate the camera with the right buttons and move our virtual alter ego with the left ones.

But let's get to the new features: the game itself is very similar to its predecessors in terms of gameplay (especially the 4), although this time the story is fragmented into many missions at the end of which we will be awarded HEROISM points, which will help unlock new items and titles. Needless to say, completing the mission without eliminating enemies and triggering alert phases will increase the score.

During Snake's various incursions, it will be possible to stun opponents and capture them, thus making them our allies (up to a maximum of 350!!). The Mother Base is where we will organize our troops and all the captured units in a sort of managerial mini-game that will allow us to develop numerous weapons, healing items, and various classic tools of the Metal Gear series such as night vision goggles, infrared, and more. It will also be possible to seize enemy tanks and helicopters, using them later in Outer Ops, a small strategic turn-based game managed by AI.

Another standout novelty is the ability to tackle the numerous missions (more than 150) in cooperation with one or more friends (or even enemies) using the PSP's wireless system. This mode will make everything more tactical, thanks to the ability to carry out planned actions (for example, one player distracts a guard while the other sneaks up and takes them out) and coordinated actions (like stealthily moving within a cardboard box).

What to say... an enormous game, perfectly realized, that requires a hundred plus hours to unlock all the secrets. The best in the series? Maybe not, also because the mythical bosses of the past are missing (replaced by similar robots and tanks/helicopters), but nevertheless, a masterpiece.