New Metal Gear 4 details

With not long to go until Konami finally unveils the fourth instalment in the Metal Gear Solid series, Famitsu has revealed a few juicy details of what we can expect - including news that we could be about to find out what happens to game heroes when they get old.

Screenshots in the magazine show an elderly man complete with wrinkly skin, grey hair and a moustache. He has a muscular physique, sports a grey bandana and enjoys smoking... Ring any bells?

Yes, that's right - while it's not been confirmed by Konami, said character is looking awfully like an older Solid Snake. Or perhaps they're related - Grandpa Solid, maybe? Who knows...

We do know that he's got a mechanical eyepatch over one eye - looks like it's some kind of scope that links up with his tiny mech sidekick, Metal Gear Mark II.

There's also a screenshot showing a middle-aged bloke who looks awfully like Otakon, and though he's not shown we hear Raiden's back too.

Game director Hideo Kojima told Famitsu that the game's story is set during a great war between several different countries, and screenshots of the game environment depict a war torn futuristic city where troops, tanks and mechs roam the streets.

Apparently Snake makes decisions through his actions - so, for example, he might join forces with one country after killing an enemy from the other side.

We're promised more realistic animations, particularly in characters' faces, since Kojima said he's focusing on making MGS4 more "natural". Which means no exclamation marks over people's heads neither.

Expect more on Metal Gear Solid 4 once we've seen the trailer at the Tokyo Game Show, which as you may already know is going to be feature footage from actual PS3 test kits... Can't wait.