Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of the three Metal Gear Solid titles that players get to experience in Master Collection Vol. 2, and it's a great reminder that stealth can be far more than just a short-lived gimmick within a game. Out of all the games in the series, Metal Gear Solid 4 can be a divisive entry, despite the rave critical reviews, but it's far more of a diamond in the rough than some players give it credit for. Despite the hours' worth of cutscenes and sometimes confusing lore (a Kojima staple), Metal Gear Solid 4 shines with its stealth-heavy gameplay.
Granted, Metal Gear Solid 4's gameplay doesn't necessarily have to be hardcore stealth. The game allows players to approach situations in more aggressive ways if desired, but Metal Gear Solid 4's embrace of stealth is something that isn't seen too often anymore. Many modern games view stealth as more of a playstyle than something that needs to be the heart of the gameplay. Stealth doesn't have to be boring, and Metal Gear Solid 4 is a perfect example of how it can make for a fantastic experience.
Even though Snake can be played more aggressively, Metal Gear Solid 4 clearly prefers one playstyle over the other. Being too aggressive or loud in Metal Gear Solid 4 can affect Snake's Stress and Psyche levels. This negatively impacts the overall gameplay. If Snake is too stressed and his Psyche goes down, his aim accuracy is worsened, and his health regeneration is significantly slowed down. It's an interesting balance where the game allows players to approach scenarios however one wishes, but one has a far more obvious list of downsides.
So, even though stealth isn't necessary, it's the central focus and the intended way for Metal Gear Solid 4's story to be experienced. Stealth isn't always everyone's cup of tea, so the Metal Gear Solid franchise's insistence on encouraging a slower-paced action experience has continued to break away from the usual action game status quo for nearly three decades.
One of the most recent games that feels akin to Metal Gear Solid 4's stealth focus is 007 First Light. The key difference is that 007 First Light doesn't host the same negative side effects that Metal Gear Solid 4 does when players take a more aggressive route. Yes, reinforcements come in and really give James Bond a run for his money, but that's about it. A huge similarity between the Metal Gear Solid 4 and 007 First Light gameplay, though, is that the game doesn't shy away from making it obvious that the devs intended for stealth to be the priority.
There are plenty of action-packed moments in 007 First Light, but a lot of the levels are designed as puzzles that require stealth to successfully pull off. James Bond can still blaze through an area guns blazing, but it's harder to really appreciate the level design that way. 007 First Light's levels are wildly creative and push players to think outside the box and play around with the environments, so there's a larger incentive to take the calmer route instead of simply punching and shooting your way through obstacles.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 marks the first time that Metal Gear Solid 4 has come to a platform other than the PS3. It's one of the best PS3 exclusives, but it's exciting to see it come to modern consoles and PC. Joining Metal Gear Solid 4 in Master Collection Vol. 2 are Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel.
Speaking of IO Interactive games, the studio has been one of the go-to stealth developers way before 007 First Light hit the scene. The Hitman games are about as stealth-heavy as gameplay can get. However, the biggest difference compared to Metal Gear Solid 4's stealth approach is that the latter still features action-heavy environments, while Hitman is a more subdued espionage experience.
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