411 Games Fact or Fiction 07.30.07: Metal Gear Solid 4's Gameplay, 'Old content' vs. New content, Games as high art, the Success of All Pro Football 08 and More!

Posted by Tommy Coloma on 07.30.2007

411's David Redkey and Jay Bryant give us their thoughts on the recent Metal Gear Solid 4 real time gameplay demo, the quality differences between downloadable retro and contemporary games, whether Microsoft should be using its resources for bringing non-gaming content to Xbox Live, Ebert's stance on games as art, All Pro Football 08's chances of success, and era-specific Guitar Hero games in this edition of Fact or Fiction Games!

Welcome to another edition of Fact or Fiction. This week's participants are the Games section's resident reviewers, David Redkey and Jay Bryant. David's recent efforts include reviews for Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition for the PSP and Eets: Chowdown for Xbox Live Arcade. Jay recently did a review for Transformers: The Game for the Wii and is also working on reviews for Resident Evil 4 and Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer.

Time to go -


1. The new Metal Gear Solid 4 real time gameplay demo shows that the game will be worth the wait.

David Redkey: Fact

FACT!!!!!! Sweet Zombie Jesus, why wouldn't you be exited about MGS4? Forget the "revolutionary" Halo, this is the game I'm really waiting to buy. When was the last Metal Gear Solid game that wasn't fantastic (unlike *cough* Halo *cough* 2 *cough, cough*)? I'm still waiting for the first one. Its always worth the wait... always. This is the reason I'm picking up a PS3. I love my PSP and Metal Gear Portable Ops, but I want more of the good stuff that Konami is feeding me. I'm much like a drug addict. I don't know what I'll do once I finish the (potentially) last Metal Gear Solid game made by Hideo Kojima. *sigh*

Jay Bryant: Fiction

Metal Gear Solid 4 was worth the wait when it was first revealed prior to the PS3 launch. Any real Metal Gear fan was already excited just by the thought of the next chapter of Metal Gear.

Score: 0 for 1


2. "Old content" or retro games (including those with updated graphics) in each console's download service have yet to be surpassed in terms of quality and enjoyment by newer content.

David Redkey: Fiction

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. I don't know about the Wii service, but I'm glad I have a 360 just for this game alone. It is missing the cinemas from the PSOne version, but I would rather save my money than buy a game that is very expensive on eBay.

I'm going to buy the updated game that will be released for the PSP. It's a bonus game mode with Rondo of Blood (which has an updated look and the original version as a bonus). I would buy just a version of this game for my PSP. The version which will be packed in will be updated by the original creators of the game in the US. They don't consider the Saturn version to be canon, and it wasn't the best version anyway.

On a side note, I adore the fact that I can take Final Fantasy VI in my DS because of the re-release of the GBA version and the backwards-compatibility of the system. Good stuff.

Jay Bryant: Fiction

Old content has the advantage of nostalgia, but there's nothing like discovering a new classic.

Score: 1 for 2


3. Non-gaming functions such as bringing Comic-Con home through Xbox Live are a waste of Microsoft's resources.

David Redkey: Fact

I don't really care either way. I like comics, but gaming and comics are two separate things. I don't drool at the possibility of playing a game based on my favorite comic or vice versa. It may help the people that really want to go and DL it. It's just a waste of time and patience. If I really want to see Comic-Con, I would save my money and go to convention. *shrugs*

I hate to sound preachy, but that's my view on the whole situation. It's just a way for people that don't want to go and take a trip to save their money and be lazy and watch it at home.

Jay Bryant: Fiction

Nintendo has proved that the untapped resource of "new" gamers can really make an impact. These "new" gamers (along with casual and some hardcore gamers) have interests outside of video games and allowing access to these functions through consoles shows that they don't have to be just about the games, but they can bring general entertainment and information as well. That's why the News Channel and Weather Channel on the Wii make it that much more appealing to new and old gamers alike.

Score: 1 for 3



4. Ebert is right. Games can be art, just not high art.

Jay Bryant: Fiction

Hmm... Interesting little quote. I have to say fiction though. Video games evolve and gain more artistry with each generation. We're treated to not only beautiful characters and scenery, but a depth that other mediums which are considered fine art can't give you because of a lack of interaction. If still paintings of landscapes and classical music without lyrics can be considered fine art then there's no reason that Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, and even Halo can't at least be considered a stepping stone into the realm of "Fine Art Video Games."

David Redkey: Fact

Comparing Picasso to Kojima would be laughable in its own right. Besides the PC, there are very few (legal) avenues to spread created work that isn't tied down by the ropes of commercialism. Art is what it will always be and Games can strive (and fail) to attain that level.

Score: 1 for 4


5. In terms of sales, All Pro Football 08 will be considered a success.

Jay Bryant: Fiction

I haven't seen one commercial for this game on TV, the football season doesn't start for another month, and there's very little star power behind this game. 2k Sports had its chance to re-enter the battle for football video game supremacy but pulled a post Super Bowl Peyton Manning and let all the potential go to waste when the big chance came. Maybe next year.

David Redkey: Fiction

Define success. Would it be similar to Madden? HAHAHA. No. However, I enjoy the option of having a choice finally. Its also nice to see EA try to do something besides a cheap rehash. It took the third try for them to release a decent football game. I hate the fact that they would make excuses about the hardware limitations to mask their laziness. It was also a stroke of genius to let the populace buy a half back game and do extensively well in that regards. I enjoy APF 2K8 and I hope I'll enjoy Madden as well.

Score: 2 for 5


6. Activistion should create more era specific Guitar Hero games like Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s.

Jay Bryant: Fiction

Rock the 80s was a nice addition to the Guitar Hero franchise, but there should definitely not be more full games based just on specific era. Activision should just release era specific ADD-ONs that can be downloaded through each system's respective online service.

David Redkey: Fiction

Was Rock the 80s that memorable? They focused on an era that I'm glad I wasn't old enough to loath. Metallica didn't step it up 'til the 90s. Tool wasn't on the scene 'til the 90s and we didn't have many of the bands that I consider to be enjoyable. Rock the 80s was a failure and I hope they cease their experiment.

Score: 3 for 6



We have a final score of 3 for 6. Join us next time for more Fact or Fiction, or prepare yourself for a visit from the life form from Sector 7231952E.