Both the Sony PSP and PSP Go are set to receive a welcome gaming addition this Spring with the release of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The famous gaming series returns to the portable system in this long awaited game. Remember we have experienced Metal Gear Solid on the PSP before, with Portable Ops a few years ago, but this will be the first instalment that will be directed by the genius behind the franchise; Hideo Kojima, and this can only be a great omen.

This game takes place in the aftermath of the occurrences in MGS3, with gamers returning to play as the original Snake, who has now become ‘Big Boss’. Unlike with Portable Ops, this game is considered official canon within the universe. The gameplay follows the basis set out by prior titles, with a major emphasis on stealth and espionage. The over-the-shoulder angle of Metal Gear 4 debuts in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, making a mixture of some of the best components of past games.

The gameplay is based around a co-op core, following suit with most of our current games by placing emphasis on teamwork. This is implemented thr oughout Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker in single player campaigns and multiplayer games, with a variety of alternate ‘Snakes’ to choose from. These variations go from a stealth bias to heavy weapons expert, permitt ing players to co-ordinate abalanced team.

The game marks the first of two games being released into the Metal Gear universe during the next 12 months, with the Raiden-centric Metal Gear Solid Rising being released for next gen consoles in the future. Kojima productions have made a fantastic game by the name of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, combining all the classic parts of past games into an innovative new form of gameplay. Its graphics and audio have been polished to the highest calibre and the story seems, as usual, completely epic.