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June 16, 2009 9:43 AM PDT

Metal Gear needs better writing, not graphics

by Don Reisinger
  • 39 comments
Metal Gear Solid Rising

Metal Gear Solid Rising doesn't need to be this pretty.

(Credit: Konami)

Metal Gear Solid Rising won't be using the Metal Gear Solid 4 game engine to help Kojima Productions save some cash. Instead, the game's developer plans to build the title "from scratch" to ensure that it's as beautiful as possible.

"We're redoing the engine from scratch, and it's going to look amazing," Sean Eyestone, the host of the Kojima Productions podcast, said in a recent episode. "It's going to be a big project like Metal Gear Solid 4. The entire team is serious about making it look as good as possible on every platform."

As a Metal Gear fan since the beginning, I really like the series. There's something enchanting about Solid Snake, Liquid Ocelot, Big Boss, and all the other characters that make up the story. But I'm deeply concerned by Kojima Productions' focus on the beauty of the Metal Gear series instead of the content of the games. For years now, the franchise's individual titles have been preachy and long-winded.

We don't need better graphics from Hideo Kojima and his team; we need better writing.

... Read more
December 15, 2008 7:59 AM PST

Is 'GTA IV' really the game of the year?

by Don Reisinger
  • 68 comments
Grand Theft Auto IV

Is 'GTA IV' the game of the year?

(Credit: Rockstar Games)

Sunday night at the Spike Video Game Awards, Grand Theft Auto IV was awarded game of the year honors, beating out Gears of War 2, Fallout 3, Fable 2, Burnout Paradise, and a slew of other great games that didn't make the cut.

From a sales perspective, it's tough to argue with the logic--GTA IV set sales records earlier this year, selling 2.5 million copies in its first week and 5.04 million units since its release. Although the total units sold mark doesn't set any records, GTA IV obliterated every other known sales record and was met with considerable reviewer praise. I'd venture to say that it was the best Grand Theft Auto title in its storied history.

But does that make it the best game of the year?

To say GTA IV is the best game of 2008 isn't such an easy decision to make. If we purely base it off sales, then I guess it's impossible to pick any other game. But if we look at the value each game provides, I'm not so sure GTA IV deserves the top spot.

... Read more
February 5, 2008 5:53 PM PST

What's the best video game series of all time?

by Don Reisinger
  • 71 comments
Metal Gear Solid

Is Metal Gear Solid the best?

(Credit: Gamespot)

Gamespot recently posted an interesting story about the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for the PlayStation 2.

According to the report, "The Essential Collection will compile the original PlayStation edition of Metal Gear Solid along with Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, both "director's cut" versions of the PS2 games. The compilation will sell for $29.99, and will feature commemorative packaging designed by series artist Yoji Shinkawa."

And as a fan of the Metal Gear series (and others, like Final Fantasy), I thought it would be a good time to ask you all a simple question, "what's the best video game series of all time?"

... Read more
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About The Digital Home

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.

Don writes product reviews for InformationWeek and is a regular contributor to Processor Magazine. You can visit his personal site at DonReisinger.com or if you would like to email Don with questions or comments, drop him a line at CNETDigitalHome@gmail.com. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.

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