Snake is provided lots of goodies for this new mission; including a new sneaking suit—complete with mask, dubbed octocamo for its ability to change its color and texture to blend in with its surroundings like an octopus. The octocamo will allow Snake to hide in plain sight, something that even Big Boss was not able to do with traditional camouflage in MGS 3. Snake is also given the Solid Eye System which will replace the good ol’ soliton radar and helps Snake see while wearing the mask. Snake is even provided a companion for this mission, the Metal Gear MK II which can provide ammo, take out soldiers, and allow Snake to communicate with his support group. Another addition to the game will be the sopmod rifle which will allow Snake to attach tools, such as grenade launchers or infared scopes, onto his rifle. Snake also learned a few new things between SoL and GotP, such as how to use a knife, how to roll and how to lie on his back which he will be using to full effect in the new game.  

Garsh, hes hiding!

Graphics-wise, GotP takes full advantage of the power of the PS3. Some believe that the graphics could actually be much better, and others believe that the graphics are ground breaking. In the TGS '06 trailer you can clearly make out Snakes facial expressions, and the details in his sneaking suit, as well as the fear in the faces of some of the soldiers. The tiniest switches and levers on the guns can be seen clearly, as well as bullet holes in walls and other objects. Also, the game still has over a year in development so there is ample time to improve on the graphics. According to Kojima all the gameplay is completed so all that is left is story and graphics.
 
It has been said that Snake will be globe trotting in order to stop the enemy; however, the only locations shown in the trailers are in the Middle East; where a war between a paramilitary group and what seems like a local resistance army is going on. The paramilitary have a leg up on the competition with their Gekkous, giant Metal Gear-like robots with organic legs and rex-like heads. Kojima said that he does not consider the Gekkous ‘real’ Metal Gears, but no other Metal Gears have been shown.

 The most surprising news out of the last E3 was the role of Raiden, who serves as the amazing new ninja. Not many questions were answered about Raiden, such as what is the status of his child? Why is he the new ninja? Why is his blood white? The game will answer these questions, as well as any questions left from Metal Gear Solid 2, including what happened to Olga’s child, the reason behind Vamp’s apparent invincibility, and the fate of Arsenal Gear and the S3 program as well as providing more information on the Patriots.

Those of you who might not have played the previous Metal Gear games Kojima urges that you do stating, “Metal Gear Solid 2's story is directly connected with 4, which is now in production. Before 4, we'd like you to definitely play it.”

News from this year’s TGS is that the story for GotP will be tied to MPO’s story: “If you change the Ops story, you have to change 4. If you change 4, it also becomes necessary to change Ops. Until Ops is finished, 4's story can't be finalized.”

Can't stop an attack from a height advantage.

All of this means that Metal Gear fans who don’t have a PSP will have to rush out and purchase one along with a copy of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops if they want to completely understand GotP. Kojima also stated that GotP will include real people as models for in-game characters and that there is a special reason for it, rumors say that it is for an online mode and that it will allow custom characters to be created.

Kojima previously stated that GotP would be the last in the Metal Gear Solid series, but in a recent interview with Famitsu, Kojima says, “Next year will be Metal Gear’s 20th anniversary and personally I was thinking of ending the series with MGS4 but stopped myself.”

GotP may not be the last game; however, judging by his condition it may be Snake’s final Metal Gear. Regardless, Metal Gear Solid 4 is shaping up to be the greatest Metal Gear by far; with beautiful PS3 graphics, an amazing soundtrack by Harry Gregson-Williams, new gameplay features, and the continuation of one of the most intriguing stories ever told in a video game.

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Sources:

IGN, Gamespot, GamesAreFun