I'd say no, half of an MGS game is cut scenes and dialog a lot of which won't make nearly as much sense if you don't know the background story.

I'd play the first three games if I were you - reading a story off of wikipedia just wouldn't be the same as playing them through. I still have not played MGS4, but the first three were really entertaining. The Metal Gear Essential collection is a really good buy if you're new to the series.

play the first three if you want to get the full metal gear solid experience. If you just play the 4th one you will most likely still enjoy it but it might ruin some of the other ones....

Why not? You got nothing to lose but alot to gain...

i'd recommend the first 3 played through first. you could buy MGS4 and MGS essentials at the same time. If you don't then LOL, you will get anallly raped by mgs4's story LOL, j/king [i'm a lil tipsy right now...]

yes you should, look at me!...no wait...i did play mgs1 and 2 and 3....hahaha silly me.

No, you should not.

I played MGS4 only and had no problems with story. A quick read of summaries of the other games on net did trick for backstory and off I went...

The story's good but its not that difficult to follow.

Dude, just watch the retrospectives on gametrailers. I've never played a MGS before MGS 4 before and i think it's one of the most awesome games ever. Sure the story is complex, but it doesen't take much to be able to appreciate the level and dept of the game.

Ok you dont need to have played the old 3 to enjoy the game. But to enjoy the story MORE you would really wanna play the old 3. The MGS4 story will draw you in but you'll be like damn I wish I new more about what the hell theyre talking about lol.