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The newest chapter in the Metal Gear Solid timeline has launched today exclusively on the PlayStation Portable. It's available as a UMD in stores or as a digital download from the PlayStation Store. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker extends the story of Naked Snake, coming after Metal Gear Solid 3 from the PS2 and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops from the PSP and apparently borrows heavily from the mechanics of both title. IGN has awarded it a 9.5 "incredible" review.

I expected quality from Kojima's team from the screens I'd seen, but the level of depth described in the reviews and addictive quality of the gameplay makes me proud of what the PSP can do in capable hands. I remember how novel it was to recruit soldiers from WiFi access points in Portable Ops, but this apparently has a better system. You still recruit knocked out enemies, you get a camouflage system, the recruited enemies can do R&D to improve your weaponry, you can build your own Metal Gear (!) and on top of all of that every mission is apparently playable with up to 3 others via Adhoc connections, including, presumably, Adhoc party on the PS3. Apparently it even has Monster Hunter missions bundled in there.

For the full press release hit the jump.

METAL GEAR SOLID®: PEACE WALKER NOW AVAILBLE
FOR THE PSP®SYSTEM

Full-Scale Sequel to METAL GEAR SOLID 3 Features New Game System and Original Story by Renowned Game Designer Hideo Kojima
El Segundo, Calif. - June 8, 2010 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced the launch of METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Developed by the legendary Hideo Kojima - the mastermind behind the most successful tactical-espionage video game series of all time - this latest PSP system installment picks up where METAL GEAR SOLID®3 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system leaves off as players take control of the famed Naked Snake. Taking place in 1974 in a cold war scenario, METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER takes the series in an exciting new direction with incredible visuals and a unique design, specifically for the PSP system. A download version of the game and camouflage hardware PSP system bundles is also be available.

"This stunning new title from Hideo Kojima and his Tokyo-based Kojima Productions team will amaze both METAL GEAR fans and new gamers alike," said Shinji Hirano, president of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER is a spectacular stealth title that brings the action and thrill of a console game to the PSP system taking an interesting turn in the METAL GEAR SOLID saga."

A blend of action RPG and RTS elements, METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER features a gripping story that unfolds through the artwork of Yoji Shinkawa and acclaimed comic book artist, Ashley Wood. The game introduces new AI Weapons- giant unmanned behemoths that Snake must overcome to complete his mission - including airborne, tank, and mobile-fortress-styleenemies that can each talk and sing during battle using VOCALOID technology. Additionally, METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER boasts extensive multi-player elements including four-player CO-OPS (COoperative-OPerationS), and a stunning three-against-three battle, wherein six players can form teams and engage in thrilling linked battles via the Sony handheld's Ad Hoc capabilities that extend the gameplay experience allowing players to administer medical help to colleagues, share munitions, and provide defense for each other using the Snake formation to cover blind spots.

METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER begins with Naked Snake training his soldiers and building up his army in Colombia, South America in the shadow of the Cuban Missile Crisis. As Latin America became a key to maintaining the power balance between the East and West, Costa Rica had miraculously managed to maintain its peace and neutrality. However, a mysterious armed force seemed to be engaging in suspicious activities in various regions of the country. To preserve peace in this nation without a military, the Snake's army had to move into action. In time, they would be known as the founders of "Outer Heaven."

METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER is developed exclusively for the PSP system and is now available for purchase at retailers nationwide for a SRP of $39.99 with a rating of "T" for Teen by the ESRB. For more information and assets, please visit: http://www.konami.com/downloads/.

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties and traditional trading card games. Konami's software titles include the popular franchises METAL GEAR SOLID, Silent Hill, DanceDanceRevolution and Castlevania, among other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami can be found at www.konami.com.

KONAMI is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

(Also available on Konami's site.)

From Aeropause.