My copy arrived a day early, so I had a little extra time.

Playing MGO now. 

so if i end up getting a ps3 at some time in the future, yet i haven't played MGS1-3, is the story of MGS4 worth it for me, as in.. would it be easy to follow?

sidenote: keep in mind that i actually care more about the cutscenes/story than the gameplay for this particular game.. in fact.. i'd just buy it as a movie if it was released as one so that i didn't need to waste my time with the game

Why are people rushing through this game!!!

Its been 4 years in the making, anticipated soooo highly, and people have just blasted through and done it in a day.

Meanwhile, i have taken over 4 hours on act one so far, and still not completed it, although i am on the hardest setting.

I just want to explore as much as possible, takin everything in....

@colonelstubbs

I agree...I am on my 21th hour n I'm at the boss fight in Act 3....& Act 3 may still go on even after the boss fight.

While some people have finished the game....rushed through it in 15 - 17 hours

 Yeah, you'll be fine, the game makes a good attempt at explaining it all, and largely succeeds. That said, I'd recommend reading up on the background a little (not much, a page of background will cover all the main facts -- check the main gaming sites, most have a retrospective), as it will give the game a little more context.

I know several MGS first-timers, and contrary to the presumptive reviews, they've had no problems with following the plot at all.

 I can recommend the retrospective on GT, it's really good and well explained. I think I would have been lost without all the most important facts in the story up till then. That being said, I really like the story in MGS4 and I didn't have trouble following it. I couldsee some people having trouble with, but I think it did well.

Thanks, I have a 40 GB model, so I didn't know the memory card thing ;)

 thanks both of you.. will definitely do that if i end up getting a ps3 (primarily for a convenient bluray player)

I just started the game. I bought Metal Gear Solid 4 yesterday at gamestop at the mall. So far its absolutely awesome.

 Mario Bros 3 on the NES was short too as i could beat it in 7 minutes. Halo was short to as the most experienced players could beat the game in like 2 hours on Legendary.