If the rumours are to be believed (and they’re coming from very credible sources), the two really objectionable reporting restrictions imposed by Konami are that reviewers must not mention the size of the install or the length of the cut scenes. There’s no valid reason whatsoever why these aspects of the game shouldn’t be mentioned in a review. They’re not spoilers and have nothing to do with the timing of the release, so why is Konami so apparently insistent on keeping them out of reviews? Respected American magazine EGM refused to review the game under these restrictions, a brave and principled move for which it should be commended. IGN went ahead with a review, but opened their piece with “In return for letting us play Metal Gear Solid 4 before its release, Konami issued us with a list of things that we’re not allowed to discuss. This list of prohibited topics is pretty long, and even extends as far as several facts that the company itself has already made public”. It seems games reviewers aren’t happy, and not without good reason. Once again, restrictions based on plot spoilers or publication dates are only to be expected, but Konami’s demands appear to be designed to stifle legitimate criticism, and this is simply unacceptable. If a reviewer’s fair comments put people off buying a title, that reviewer is doing his or her job correctly. And let’s face it – excessively large installs and insanely-long cut scenes may well have exactly this effect.
