I'm not sure if anyone has done a mobile game review (or if it's even allowed), but I thought that, being Metal Gear and all, this game deserved one, especially if you're considering throwing down the $8.99 or whatever it is for the game. Well, instead of those stupid reviews you'll find on the App Store, I present to you a full on review of the mobile game: That's right, kids! Metal Gear Solid on your iPhone/iPod Touch. Take Metal Gear on the go (just in case you forgot your PSP and/or copy of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops). However, instead of sneaking about, you'll be picking up your M4 and SVD in this addicting little shooter. Presentation Metal Gear Solid Touch is simple. I needs to be since it's a mobile game. Don't expect a whole lot when it comes to a game for the iPhone/iPod Touch based on one of the most ambitious games on the PS3. As such, the menus are easy, touch and slide navigation with nothing special. They are MGS4 themed, however, in the sense that the buttons are grey-black and a camouflage background. The menus are vertical and the gameplay is horizontal. Orientation is essentially based on the orientation of the neon-green "POWER" symbol that represents Metal Gear Solid Touch. When it's tilted, you tilt. Simple. Beginning a mission opens up with a picture from where you are in relation to MGS4 and a small blurb about what's going on in the game so you know what your shooting and why. Aside from the game, there is an incredibly brief summary of the Metal Gear history and a "production report" under "SPECIAL". Playing the game earns you Drebin Points which can be used to purchase high quality wallpapers for your iPhone/iPod Touch in "DREBIN'S SHOP". The most expensive one is one of Sunny which costs a staggering 100,000 DP. There's also a handy "Explanation of Controls" for getting you acquainted with the system. Metal Gear Solid Touch can't really afford to be flashy and this is apparent through out the game. It's effective, but simple. 5/10 Graphics Like I said, MGST can't afford to be flashy. With the content it already has, it clocks in at around 90MB of data. That may not seem like a lot, but it is for a mobile game. The graphics are, again, simple. During missions, there are essentially 3 things you see: The environment, usually taken directly from a scene in MGS4, your Heads Up Display (HUD), and the sprites of Snake and his targets. The environments look nice, because they are translated versions of locations from MGS4. However, when you zoom in with the SVD scope, you can see that they are just pictures. The HUD consists of a health bar, objective, clock, counter (of enemies left until objective completion), circular health bars and shot timers around enemies' heads, and the Snake's crosshair. Again, simple and minimalistic. The sprites are okay, but you can tell your shooting at 2D objects as they simply move by sliding or (if animated) have only a few frames of movement. Not exactly the most attractive thing to look at. Enemies blink white for a general shot and red for a critical (head) shot. There are also explosion and ricochet sprites that at least add to the general effect that you are, indeed, firing a weapon. Dragged down by restrictions for delivery and performance capabilities, MGST is minimalistic. 4/10 Sound Like in my previous review, I'm going to break this down into Effects and Music. Effects: The gun sounds are actually pretty good. They sound of almost the exact same quality as from the game. There are sounds for the M4 and other assault rifles, the SVD (the only sniper rifle sound), missiles, explosions, etc. The retinue of weapon sounds is surprisingly large. There are also ration and equip sounds for hitting GA-KOs and KEROTANs which also make their own sound. Enemies, however, do not talk or groan out in agony as their lives are cut tragically short. Unfortunate. Music: The music for each stage is taken directly from MGS4. Since there is only music and effects, the music really helps to make the environment. Since it's from MGS4 and actually relates to the stage, you don't feel cheated. And the quality is actually surprisingly good. This definitely helps to add to the authentic MGS feel of the game. Metal Gear Solid Touch may skimp on graphics, but Konami realized that you can't cut away everything leaving the sound intact and authentic. Effects: 3.5/5; Music: 3.5/5 Gameplay Since the only controls available are a touch screen, Konami had to rise to the occasion to produce a MGS product with minimal complexity but is still playable. Controls: The controls are simple, but without mucking it up. While your finger is off the screen, Snake will crouch behind available cover to avoid enemy attacks. When your finger is on the screen, he stands up and aim where the crosshair is. Without having to place your finger on the crosshair, you can move your finger anywhere along the screen to aim. This is a godsend for me since I have large hands and my fingers block enough of the game as is. Once in place, simply tap the screen fire. By default, Snake uses the M4 which has a high rate of fire and can shoot about as fast as you can tap. Pinch your fingers and bring them together to aim with the SVD. This brings you out of cover, however, so aim and shoot fast since the rate of fire is lower but more powerful. Pinch and pull away to zoom out to the M4 again. It may take awhile to get used to, but you'll be popping heads soon enough. The gameplay is simple. Enemies will pop out, you'll aim and shoot until they're dead. Enemies range from regular PMC soldiers, fast-firing Haven troops, canard choppers, Exoskeleton troops, Gekkos, to the mighty Beauty and Beast Corps. Enemies will pop out and you'll be given time until they open fire displayed with a color coded ring around their heads. Drop behind cover to avoid taking damage. GA-KO and KEROTAN will pop up giving you rations and RPG/Stealth respectively. It's simply Duck-and-Shoot, but I found it to be addicting, especially as the Missions got harder as the game progressed. However, currently only up until ACT III is available. After you defeat Raging Raven in Mission 12, the game politely informs you that soon ACT IV and V will be available via updates later. Beating missions earns you Drebin Points based on your performance which can be used for purchasing wallpapers. Metal Gear Solid Touch is a simple Duck-and-Shoot, but has enough variation and challenge to be simply addicting. 7/10 Lasting Appeal Metal Gear Solid Touch doesn't exactly offer a lot in terms of substance, but then again, it's hard to for any mobile game. The game is technically incomplete, which means that there will be more content available to check out some time later. The "DREBIN'S SHOP" is a nice addition, but once you grind through the missions several times, you'll run out of wallpapers to purchase unless Konami decides to add more. However, once you beat all the missions, a Survival Mode is unlocked which simply takes you through all the missions but this time carrying over time and remaining life. The game currently takes about 10-15 minutes to beat, but you may pop back in for the sake of beating a personal time or unlocking what you haven't. However, once you do everything, there's no real reason to come back unless its just to have fun. 5/10 Summary: Metal Gear Solid Touch can't really afford to be flashy and this is apparent through out the game. It's effective, but simple. 5/10 Dragged down by restrictions for delivery and performance capabilities, MGST is minimalistic. 4/10 Metal Gear Solid Touch may skimp on graphics, but Konami realized that you can't cut away everything leaving the sound intact and authentic. Effects: 3.5/5; Music: 3.5/5 Metal Gear Solid Touch is a simple Duck-and-Shoot, but has enough variation and challenge to be simply addicting. 7/10 The game currently takes about 10-15 minutes to beat, but you may pop back in for the sake of beating a personal time or unlocking what you haven't. However, once you do everything, there's no real reason to come back unless its just to have fun. 5/10 Metal Gear Solid Touch is a simple, addicting, but very short Duck-and-Shoot game that will entertain you when you're not playing Metal Gear Solid 4 for real. TOTAL: 28/50
