Book Review: マスターアートワークス メタルギア・ソリッド4・ガンズ・オブ・ザ・パトリオット設定資料集 (Master Art Works Metal Gear Solid 4)
The art in this book is divided into a few chapters but in general, the sections covers concept art for the characters, mechanics, robots and other concept designs. In short, it's filled with character designs.
The book's a paperback with dust jacket. The paper's low gloss, typical of many Japanese art books.
You might remember the other art book on Metal Gear Solid by Ashley Wood. Well, this book has nothing from him and focuses solely on Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
The character designs come in a mixture of sketches, anime style and 3D renders. Brushes are used quite frequently, particularly by Yoji Shinkawa, the lead character designer, who has his own dedicated section in the middle of the book.
The 3D game models look really good. They are rendered at high resolution and have none of the polygonal look at all. It's so good you really want to — ok, maybe not really — reach out and touch Old Snake's silky white hair.
The designs for the robots like Metal Gear Rex are also filled with details, having multiple concept sketches and the final high resolution 3D renders.
There are not much on environment art besides Other Haven, and also no game stills.
Right towards the end are interviews (Japanese) with Yoji Shinkawa, Takayuki Yanase, Chihoko Uchiyama and Huke.
Overall a very nice video game art book for Metal Gear Solid 4, recommended for fans of the series.
This book is available at:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon Japan | YesAsia USA | CDJapan.co.jp | Play-asia.com
Visit Amazon to check out more reviews.
This book is available at:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon Japan | YesAsia USA | CDJapan.co.jp | Play-asia.com
If you buy from any links on the blog, I get a little commission that helps me get more art books to feature.
Here's the Amazon Japan buying guide for your reference.
Comments
Man, I want this even more
Man, I want this even more now. The art books for MGS 1 and 2 are incredible and this looks to be just as good!. <3 Shinkawa.
Thanks for posting up the pics, Parka.
After the fantastic first
After the fantastic first Artbook (I have this golden 1.5) I need to have this. The art is incredible superb, I love this style. It`s already ordered, even if it`s not very cheap.
Just purchased this book from
Just purchased this book from a UK supplier...
Fantastic artwork and a great book.. I just love Shinkawa's style...
groso
groso
Since it is all in Japanese,
Since it is all in Japanese, is there an English version?
@ Jay Norton, where exactly did you purchase it from the UK supplier? I am hoping to get one.
@Anonymous above There's no
In reply to Since it is all in Japanese, by Anonymous (not verified)
@Anonymous above
There's no English edition for this book.
Hi I ordered the book
Hi
I ordered the book from
www.otaku.co.uk
If not in stock, you may be able to email them to place an order.
@ Parka: Thanks. @ Jay
@ Parka: Thanks.
@ Jay Norton: Thanks.
I also have another question. Is there an artbook for Metal Gear Solid 2 or Metal Gear Solid 3? If so, where can I purchase it? I had a look at www.otaku.co.uk, they only have for Metal Gear Solid 4.
Yes, there is another MGS
Yes, there is another MGS book..
it's called 'The Art Of Metal Gear Solid Version 1.5' by Yoji Shinkawa, it's published by Konami and it's superb. It's in Japanese and 98 % of the book is fantastic artwork.
ISBN4-7973-2680-8
Thanks Jay.
I forgot to add, I purchased
I forgot to add, I purchased the book from Otaku.co.uk but here is a link, so you can take a look on Play Asia.....
@ Jay Norton: Thanks again.
@ Jay Norton: Thanks again. How does the The Art Of Metal Gear Solid Version 1.5 compare with The Art of Metal Gear Solid? (https://junkerhq.net/MetalGear/mgsbookimages.html) What is the different? I had a look at Otaku.co.uk, they do not have it unfortunately, I also had a look at Play-Asia.com, the item is out of stock. Have you purchased anything from Play-Asia.com? Are they safe, legit and reliable? Would it be possible to ask either Play-Asia.com or Otaku.co.uk to back order the artbook?
Hi 1.5 is just as good,
Hi
1.5 is just as good, artwork from the original MGS games...probably better.
Yes, I have ordered from Play Asia before, delivery takes a little while obviously but I would shop around and see if you can pick it up anywhere else first if you want quicker delivery.
Jay
MGS art books are my
MGS art books are my favorites. I've gotten all of the Shinkawa ones. There was an art book limbo between MGS2 and 4 which I was sad about as I had hoped a book would be released for 3. It wasn't until MGS4 came along that another art book came at last. It's cool how polygon models are included. What a visual leap compared to blocky-eyed Snake.
I was fortunate to get the original art book for MGS and there are a few differences between this version and the 1.5. Minor differences depending how you look at it:
-Character bio section has a color shade change from green to red. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but codec images are included in the descriptions, so those are red instead of green. Some people like 'em green, some don't care if they're red. Like candy.
-1.5 has an extra miscellaneous illustration gallery which has nothing to do with MGS, but are part of Shinkawa's works. Very small section about 10 pages.
-1.5 has a few new illustrations the original doesn't have. The book came out around the time of the Twin Snakes game so it makes sense. Boo for me; I want more Shinkawwwwa!
-An interview in 1.5 is with Shinkawa and Enki Bilal. In the original it's between Shinkawa and Yoshitaka Amano. I think it's appropriate how Amano comes back in the fourth book. :)
Of course, the original release is ungodly expensive nowadays and hard to find so it's great 1.5 was released. Much easier to locate. Hope this info helps!
@ Jay Norton: I looked at the
@ Jay Norton: I looked at the scans of The Art of Metal Gear Solid 1.5. There does not seem to be that much different except that it includes more art works.
@ Wordgawk: Thanks for the detailed insights. Contrary to what you may think concerning the availability of the art books, The Art of Metal Gear Solid 1.5 is very hard to find but the original ones (The Art of Metal Gear Solid) are easier to find. But since you said so, where can I get them? I would love to have it in my collection.
Interesting how 1.5 is harder
In reply to @ Jay Norton: I looked at the by Anonymous (not verified)
Interesting how 1.5 is harder to find than the original book. I often see the original but not as much as 1.5. I had bought my art book on eBay. It's the easiest place to find both books.
Let us not forget about the
Let us not forget about the amazing art book for Metal Gear Solid 2! Even though the book for the first game is more comprehensive, I absolutely love the work in the book for MGS 2! I just wish they put together one for MGS 3! I've only seen character shots, which were all amazing!
I would love to find
I would love to find somewhere the MGS2 artbook, but the prices are pretty insane right now, going up for 300 USD for a new ones.
BTW MGS 3 had an "artbook", I'd suggest going through some of the MGS collector's sites, these guys have everything ever released and you can find some interesting art book / art pieces there.
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