The first Metal Gear Solid 4 review is in! UK Official PlayStation Magazine has written up its thoughts and even put them on paper. And for those who care about things like numbers, the game gets a 10. From the review:

Every question posed and loose end dangled since Metal Gear first introduced stealth gaming to the world in 1987 finds closure here.... Even by the series stratospheric standards, MGS4 is a remarkable high point.... As a fan of the series I was expecting closure. What I wasn't expecting was the game's commitment to framing that closure with so many new ways to experience the series' 'evade or die' core values.

Hit the jump for another peek of the mag. The last line of the article posted after the jump *might* be considered a spoiler. So! If you are trying to stay spoiler-free, you might wanna avoid.

The latest issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine has more info on what-looks-like playable Metal Gear Solid memories in MGS4. According to the magazine, cut scenes at the beginning of the missions refer to the franchise's evolution. What's more:

...as characters talk and reference other stars of this universe, you may see an X or L1 button icon quickly flash on the screen. Hit the right button while it's highlighted and you'll be treated to a very brief context flashback. Basically, the system uses images and moments from the past Metal Gear games to help visually rekindle your own memories of the who, what, where, and why.

Thanks, T.G. for the tip!

The current list of video game all-stars making unauthorized appearances in Unreal Tournament 3 thus far includes Master Chief from Halo, Samus Aran from Metroid and now Snake from Metal Gear Solid. Specifically, we're talking about Old Snake from MGS 4, the latest top biller to get a fan made UT3 mod.

We may be jumping the gun a bit here, as the modder currently slaving away on Old Snake is still, well, slaving away. But the attempt by modder "genZ" is already looking solid. Pun unfortunately intended. Who out there with some Zbrush or 3D Studio Max skills is willing to whip up a very threatening Mega Man?

MGS4 Old Snake [UT3 Forums - thanks, Esq!]

Hollywood producer Michael De Luca has produced lots of good movies. Take Boogie Nights or Wag the Dog, for example. He's also produced lots of bad movies, like Little Nicky or Ghost Rider. He latest project? Bringing Metal Gear Solid to the screen. No easy task! No doubt fans of the cinematic game franchise have high expectations. And with the way Hollywood bungles game adaptations, the pressure is on. So, how does De Luca feel about this whole Metal Gear Solid movie dealio?

In April 2007, we saw this Metal Gear Solid papercraft. It was adorable! Now, in February 2008, courtesy of Kotakuite Kai-Hung "Chilli Coke" Chuang, we get more of it. This is not adorable. It is mighty. How mighty? Dude's only gone and made a 1:1 scale version of the papercraft. I'd say more, but being speechless and all, that's a little tough at the moment.

In addition to announcing a ship date and hardware bundle for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, SCEA today revealed that a beta for the game's online component will happen before the June release. Metal Gear Online, as you may be aware, will be a separate release from the single player experience, but Metal Gear Solid 4 will come with a "starter pack" that will give gamers a taste of what to expect from the full version.

The multiplayer beta test for Metal Gear Online will kick off in April for those who pre-order the game. Run, do not walk, to your local retailer and bring a fiver with you.