Konami have informed us that the Metal Gear Solid 4 demo can now be downloaded for free from the PlayStation Network.

This demo allows players to try their hands at the fourth instalment of legendary video game creator Hideo Kojima's cinematic and visual masterpiece that has redefined video games.

A PS3 exclusive, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the final chapter in the saga of Solid Snake, which sends him around the world in pursuit of his arch nemesis, Liquid Ocelot. Armed with new gadgets and abilities, Solid Snake must shift the tides of war into his favour, using the chaos of the battlefield to infiltrate deep into enemy territory. In his globe-trotting final mission, Snake must sneak deep into enemy locations in the Middle East, South America, and other corners of the earth to foil Liquid Ocelot's plans for total world domination.

For more information, check out Konami's official site.

Konami Digital Entertainment has announced that sales of its newly-released Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots title for the PlayStation 3 have exceeded one million units within the first week.

Konami has shipped over one million copies of the game to retailers across Europe to meet the exceptional demand, with high sales confirmed in all European territories and securing the Number One position in the relevant sales charts.

Released globally on June 12th, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots marks the final adventure for series hero Solid Snake. With his body failing and ageing at an accelerated rate, Snake is called on one last mission to halt the plans of his long-term nemesis Liquid Snake. Liquid has seized control of a series of private armies for his own nefarious needs and, in a mission that spans the Middle East, South America and returns to Shadow Moses, Snake must stop Liquid at all costs. Also included on the disc is Metal Gear Online, a dedicated online game featuring locations from and inspired by Metal Gear Solid 4.

Konami has just announced that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (MGS4) will be released simultaneously in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia on 12th June, exclusively for PlayStation 3. In Japan, two editions will be available along with a PS3 console bundle.

New Zealand will likely get it at the same time, as Konami is calling it a worldwide release. "This will be the first time ever for Konami to simultaneously release the Metal Gear series throughout the world," the company's announcement states.

The game will supposedly be the final chapter in the series, "so all the major characters will make an appearance and all the remaining mysteries will be unveiled," it promises.