The Games Convention at Leipzig has been an opportunity for many companies to talk about many things, and Konami has been using its time to talk about Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot.

The series creator Hideo Kojima has announced that a key theme to the upcoming game is one of ‘Beauties and the Beasts’, and the game will introduce four new characters.

The characters – Laughing Octopus, Raging Raven, Crying Wolf, and Screaming Mantis –all have special, supernatural abilities (and weapons!) and have individual back stories that outline how they have become the beings they are.

All were initially good people who are linked to events in the Metal Gear Solid series , and are now altered beyond all recognition both physically and mentally – and are perfect examples of the ‘Beauties and the Beasts’ themes that run throughout MGS4.

More information is expected to be released before launch but so far we know that the new game will have all new gameplay features including a remote-controlled ‘Metal Gear Mk. II’ droid and enhanced CQC (Close Quarters Combat) system.