OMG Metal Gear

Almost like having your own codec.

The Metal Gear Solid Mobile game was released in Japan last week, and it's time for your briefing on the mission-critical details. We can expect an English release sometime during the 1st quarter of 2008, so you'd best ditch your antique phone and procure (on-site) a newer model: MGS Mobile's graphics are pretty smokin'. You'll also want to have a camera on your phone to get the best play experience. Why? Although a camera isn't necessary to play, MGS Mobile features an interesting camouflage system that patterns Snake's outfit based upon shots you take in the real world. You'd better be prepared for some hasty urban exploring as you scramble to find a swathe of color that will keep Snake undercover.

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Our intel on the game's story is sketchy at best; the setting aesthetically recalls Shadow Moses, but it seems very unlikely that MGS Mobile is a rehash of the original Playstation game in any sense. Although Otacon has been identified in screenshots and video, the game environments are clearly not replicas of MGS, and Snake here exhibits abilities such as dangling from the sides of platforms that weren't available in that game. Some have suggested the possibility that Mobile will take place between MGS and MGS2, implying that players will participate in an early Philanthropy mission. This speculation is corroborated by Snake's MGS2 sneaking suit. OMG Metal Gear will report as soon as the facts are in.

Compare Snake's sneaking suit in this MGS2 screen with the MGS Mobile shot above. Is the new game an MGS2 prequel?

What else can we tell you? According to the Kojima Productions Report, the localization team has been very careful about maintaining consistency, even--or especially--in all the details that only hardcore fans will notice. Apparently, Kojima Productions is cognizant that MGS Mobile can set precedents affecting the reception of MGS4--does this mean that the events of the Mobile game provide new background or setup for the upcoming PS3 series wrap-up?

MGS Mobile will be released as a Verizon Wireless exclusive. What's that? You have a different provider? You can still get your Metal Gear fix with the original MSX game, which is available through most networks with more on the way. Remember--the MSX version is the canon classic, as opposed to the NES game shunned by Kojima himself, so this is a great way to get acquainted with the series's routes if you've never played it.