The sultans of stealth, Kojima Productions have resurrected their genre-defining Metal Gear series on PSP this month with Peace Walker, a 70s-set skulking epic that riffs on the classic Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater PS2 sequel and the equally stellar Portable Ops on PSP.
Thrusting you into utterly absorbing campaign, Peace Walker plonks you in Naked Snakes war-torn combat boots once more in package that strings a solid single-player experience together with two to four-player co-op and competitive multiplayer modes. The full-motion cut scenes of yesteryear are toned down, replaced by stylishly animated graphic-novel panelling brought to life by series stalwart Ashley Wood. Peace Walkers story - while low-key in comparison to previous Metal Gear efforts - slots perfectly into the now gargantuan timeline conjured by the infallible Hideo Kojima.
Our only issue is this: Peace Walker may be too ambitious a game for Sonys portable system. With so many modes, customisation options, bizarre Easter eggs and cameo scenarios culled from Capcoms superb beast slayer, Monster Hunter, we cant help but feel Kojimas latest needed a streamlining for the portable format. Its a minor grip, though. All in all, consider this a must for Metal Gear groupies and a reason to dust off that PSP for everyone else.