- Advent Palace

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Metal Gear Solid 4 Guide - Act 1: Liquid Sun
Advent Palace

This is a relatively simple area to get through, with no enemies until the next cutscene. Be aware though, the floor is littered with bombs and mines. While you can see them in plain sight, switch to the Solid Eye's Night Vision mode to make them stand out clearer. If you have plenty of Rations it is not so necessary to be all that careful, though you may not want to waste them unnecessarily. There is a good amount of loot on each floor of the building, and you can collect all of the mines and bombs by going prone and crawling over them to add them to your stash.

When ready, move up each level using the stairs to the north.

Head up the stairs while watching out for mines and traps

Get off at the first floor if you want to collect as much as possible, otherwise head up to the second level. Up the next flight of stairs to the top are some Noodles and a dead end. Follow the gangway all the way round the inner courtyard until you get to the mine at the end opposite the stairs you came up on. Crawl over this and head up the next flight, though again, feel free to take a diversion to pick up items en route.

Crawl over traps while prone to collect them for yourself

Next head outside and turn left. As you head towards the bar indoors be aware of the mine on the right as you enter. Collect the items on the right hand side of the bar before moving through the door opposite where you entered and heading down the corridor to trigger the cutscene and meet up with Rat Patrol.

(Cut Scene 6, Length 17:16)

We are quickly shot into action following the cutscene, so be ready for a tough fight. The Haven Troopers that spotted Akiba's lens flare have come up to investigate. Take out the Troopers in the open area as you move out of the bar, watching for grenades. Hide behind the bar but make sure you have room to roll in case any explosions come in. They can use the ceilings and walls, as well as walking like normal soldiers, so be on your guard and try not to use the first person mode unless absolutely necessary as it's too slow to readjust your aim. Follow Rat Patrol downstairs to the upper floor of the courtyard. Many Troopers drop in and once you have moved into the middle they will also attempt to flank you from the right hand side. Move into the bar area if necessary and allow Rat Patrol to take the heat.

The first fight with Meryl's Rat Patrol

Once the Patrol begin to move through, follow them into the bar as well. The Troopers hold P-90s, so be sure to pick them up if you want to. As you move into the restaurant section enemies will burst in through the windows. Some may well get pretty close to you so be ready to engage in CQC if necessary. Move through and take out any enemies en route. Grenades are a great tactic here, whether they are the stun or more deadly varieties. The Troopers really pack a punch on the harder difficulties, so make your shots count.

Follow the Patrol through the building now, where you should encounter only minimal resistance until you climb down the stairs to the floor below. In a similar location to where the large fight occurred previously, this courtyard area will see numerous Troopers come in at the far end. Some will also appear on the floor above where we were earlier; again, grenades or petrol bombs are very useful here. Rat Patrol will move out once clear through the toilets. When you emerge near the trip-mines crouch through the hole in the wall to their left to face more enemy soldiers. Take up position facing in a certain direction and try to hold off all incoming enemies. Rat Patrol do a decent job of suppressing the rest.

The Haven Troopers are heavily armoured and very agile

Rat Patrol squirm back through the hole and a cutscene kicks in.

(Cut Scene 7, Length 00:33)

As the scene ends get behind the bar and prepare for a fight as a JCB pushes through the wall, followed by a flashbang and more Troopers. With the area clear move out of the other door behind the bar with Rat Patrol and follow them until the cutscene.

(Cut Scene 8, Length 00:53)

Jump down the lift shaft ahead yourself, as extravagantly as you want, and move through the room to enjoy another cutscene.

(Cut Scene 9, Length 05:08)