Post-TGS analysis: Why Portable Ops won Best in Show

September 27, 2006

We know that this is the game that will tie all the loose ends in the Metal Gear Solid series, from the initial Metal Gear title, all the way to MGS 4, the thing we truly need to know about the game now is how FoxHound was born. Game creator Hideo Kojima then gives us the missing piece in this epic drama through Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops. Now hereÂ’s the grand update on why Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops won Best in Show in this yearÂ’s Tokyo Game Show, so read on as we run then down just some of the reasons on why we can’t get enough of this game.

Surround Indicator

Still its unofficial name, the Surround Indicator works like the earlier MGS radars. However, itÂ’s not as perfect as the older radars as this contains a bit of backward technology. Surround indicators basically detect nearby sound and can then tell you whether your enemy is nearby or not. It is not as accurate as the radar, but it helps, nonetheless, and is still a lot better than keeping watch in a forest. A blue color on the Surround Indicator would tell that you are at a safe distance from where another sound is coming from, while red means that youÂ’ve already been detected. When the surround indicator doesnÂ’t detect any sound, it keeps still and shows nothing. The surround indicator will also detect loud nearby sounds such as gun shots.

More on this article, plus more screenshots after the Jump!

Surround Indicator

Heroes donÂ’t die alone

The most exciting part of the game would be the sorties, and is also most probably the reason why the game won Best In Show. In Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops, you can now create teams to go on missions together. There are different ways for you to gain companions in the game, and having a bit of help from time to time wouldnÂ’t really hurt, would it?

In the Story Mode of the game, you can acquire new members in your team by either stunning some Johnny Sasaki. You can utilize this newly-acquired pawn in future missions. Moreso, some familiar places are available for play again and you can get Paramedic down and dirty with her killer medical moves if you wish. Some parts of the story also require you to play a team of Foxhounds, but the beauty of Portable Ops doesnÂ’t rely on solitary gameplay at all.

For multiplayer games, you can play two side games. The first one is the one on encounter mode wherein you can play tag with an opponent. The better and second side game, however, is the mission mode wherein you can recruit players online to fulfill a mission together. Characters connect to you through GPS and through the WLAN connection. You can also place a password for a particular mission so that only you and your friend can take part in the game. Moreso, you can trade items and soldiers with other players and you may also view the skills of the players who you would like to invite for the mission. It takes

The Comeback

ItÂ’s all about familiar faces in Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops. If you have played the previous Metal Gear games, youÂ’re bound to be pleased with the big name they released in TGS: Roy Campbell. The Roy Campbell in portable ops is not some wrinkly-faced guy who just canÂ’t stop scolding his niece for causing a ruckus. Instead, we see a very young and highly attractive blonde who keeps himself cool and collected in the middle of combat. It is not known whether Roy will be playable, but it would be nice to see how Roy and Big Boss became comrades.

Other familiar and also playable characters in the game are Eva, Ocelot, and Paramedic. In the end, Kojima Productions built us a powerful game packed with tactical fun. I wouldn’t wonder why this game basically blew away the judges at the TGS. With the game set to be released in Japan this winter, many aare itching to try the game with their friends. Finally, you can CQC a mate without injuring his back. You donÂ’t even have to eat snakes together for some tactical espionage fun.

Surround Indicator Screens