Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008 Video Game) User Reviews (41)

A groundbreaking end to a fantastic series

[mr_big_nl · 10/10 · 14 June 2008]

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a fantastic experience that combines the medium of game and film in a never before seen way. It tops its predecessors in audio/visual quality as well as in story telling and dialogue, making the whole experience not only more intense and captivating, but also more accessible to a broader audience. It is impossible to compare Metal Gear Solid 4 to any game out to date, and it will surely take a long, long time until anything as good as this comes along again - if it ever happens.

Even more so than the previous Metal Gear Solid games, this last installment rises above its medium, and becomes more than just a game. People have debated over the question whether games can be considered as "art", and while this is all in the eye of the beholder, Metal Gear Solid 4 comes as close to art as any game before. In my view, Metal Gear Solid 4 isn't just art, but it's also one of the finest pieces of art I've ever encountered. It's a masterpiece, a complex and layered experience that will move you on so many levels, in so many ways, and even manages to be unique, new and refreshing. And isn't that what art is all about?

Metal Gear Solid 4 has its minor issues, and surely not everyone will be happy with the directions the story takes. But it is impossible to discard all the fantastic moments this game has to offer because of these (minor) issues.

Metal Gear Solid 4 will forever mark gaming history. It's sad to see the series come to an end, but what an end it is. Thank you mister Kojima, for more than twenty years of incredible and groundbreaking entertainment.

Is the "can video games be considered art" debate coming to an end?

[tyranid_slayer · 10/10 · 24 June 2008]

Well it's here Solid Snake ha came back to us after a very lengthy break.

First of all, i have played some metal gear solid games, and vaugly know the story. But for the games release i re-played the previous games.

I'm still half way through playing metal gear but hope it wont end any time soon.

This game is almost beyond words.

When some games try to add a cinematic feel to it they normally fail or don't get the tone right etc. But this game is truly cinematic, the (very lengthy but beautifully done) cutscenes are very well done with some great dialouge and direction. Plus in the game the sound of bullets,bombs and buildings turning into debris truly capture the feel of the game.

The graphics are truly superb the best graphics i've seen in a game since uncharted.

Gameplay. Well the stealth action is still there. But the use of the otocamo is a great feature and works very well. Plus extra kudos go to the characters health. You have three meters in the game; the health meter, psyche meter and stress meter. This works amazingly, if snakes psyche is low then it will affect how quick he heals and if his stress is high it affects his psyche and his game performance. I remember at one point i'd let snakes stress reach quite high and suddenly he stopped moving and threw up. This amazaed me that they put so much thought into how realistic they were going to make this game.

Then there's enemy AI. the AI is unbelievably smart, the smartest enemies since rainbow six vegas. When your stealthing if you move loudly and make a sound then the enemy becomes aware of your presence or if they see the aiming laser from your gun. Also the dead enemies react well with the environment and so does snake. At one point an enemy threw a grenade at me and my body flew through the air and landed sitting up against a box, then my otocamo blended in with the object i was sitting against and the enemies were none the wiser.

Online play. Well once you get past the hassle of making two more accounts to play then the online play is very rewarding. You see the game everyone plays is call of duty 4 and thats it. Yes i loved call of duty for it's cinematic feel and great graphics and very good online play, but i'd become so tired of hearing about call of duty all the time and MGS4 has really stuck it to call of duty.

So. Can this game be considered art? In my opinion, yes, definitely. Not since shadow of the colossus have i loved a game so much and considered it as a piece of art but MGS4 peirces the border of video game and art.

overall:10/10 or if i could:20/10 Finally an exclusive the playstation can be proud of!

Saying it's a masterpiece is an understatement, it is something much bigger!

[hakobyanhakob81 · 10/10 · 8 June 2017]

Beyond anything you have played/seen, flawless storytelling, absolutely phenomenal, a bright imagination vividly executed. You have to play it, to believe it exists. Left me speechless. There is no other game like Guns of the patriots.

Even before I started playing I was so impressed with Konami's safety measures reminder, a nice animation of Snake in the background as the game installs. Then the main menu blew me away with Snake in the cemetery approaching the tombstone. For 10 minutes or so I couldn't get past this because of the soundtrack. Then there was a nice extra video material with David Hayter. I don't know if this comes with the 25th anniversary edition or not, but I hope everybody enjoys it. After finishing the first mission I could see why Sony wanted to have Guns of the patriots as their exclusive. The graphics are so much ahead of its time, I can hardly believe this was made in 2008, almost 10 years ago. In addition to the great game play, Guns of the patriots have absolutely outstanding cut scenes/an epic story, and a soundtrack to make your skin crawl. After making my way to the first boss, I had a tense and long fight. Digging a little deeper and beating the second boss, I know now this will make my top favorites list and become one of those addictive replayable games. The plot and the action are breathtaking. The epilogue was the most emotional and heartwarming piece I had seen in a long time. I'm 37 and still was ready to cry. Again, this game has the best cut scenes you will ever see. The characters are adorable, with rich background. The villains are so real, every next boss fight is more fun. I can imagine what an enormous work Kojima did writing the screenplay to this Masterpiece with capital M. In fact, saying it's a masterpiece is an understatement, it's something bigger. So much love and passion and energy and life invested here. Everything is top notch. Such a fresh and exhilarating game. Bravo, Hideo—san.

What an EPIC game

[Moviememmer · 25 October 2019]

Pros:

• Great story and characters
• Deep gameplay
• Great boss fights
• Great graphics, voice and animation
• Great cinematic cutscenes
• Epic finale
• Tons of weapons and gadgets
• Several nostalgic callbacks

Cons:

• Long cutscenes may put players off

Verdict: Near perfect concluding end to the MGS series, the shear epicness within this damn game!

10/10

An excellent finale to one of the greatest series ever.

[edzsheehy · 10/10 · 2 January 2009]

"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" means more to the fans of the series than anyone else, which is why some new players may look upon the game with dismay due to the long cut scenes and intensely complicated plot, but the sheer art of this game is undeniable.

It plays like an interactive movie. The game play is very well done and refined, and sometimes is intense and very challenging. Even vets of the previous titles will need to be more careful as they sneak their way through each level, but at the same time, there are more tools to utilize in order to successfully complete a mission.

The games best points are: 1) The story. Fans of the previous games will really get into the plot, because all the elements tie the older titles together as older characters and places weave their way into the story, triggering those feeling of nostalgia that make the MGS series so captivating.

2) The graphics. The game is visually stunning with intricate textures and high polygon-count models. The rendering of human faces is also second-to-none.

3) The music/audio. The musical score is very well done, featuring the spy-like orchestral/electronic hybrid soundtrack that is a signature of the MGS games. The sound effects are fantastic as well, from the firing of guns and explosions to the voices of the characters.

and finally...

4) The game play. What makes MGS4 so great is its ability to facilitate different styles of mission approach. Although the story may be linear, the path to its completion certainly is not. There are so many ways to approach each level. It is possible to run and gun your way to victory, or sneak like a ghost through each area without ever being seen, and each of these methods have their own SUB-methods that can be utilized. Simply put, the player is totally in charge of how things get done, and this thought provocation makes the game all the more satisfying.

Of course, their are all the little things, such as the cut scene controls among many more Easter eggs that make MGS4 such an interesting game. It contains all the great elements of a challenging video game, but laces it with movie-like story qualities better than any other video game series to date.

After my first completion, I was left with such a profound feeling that I couldn't get my mind off of it. It made me go back and play the entire series. This feeling can only be experienced with games that are as rich as MGS4 is, which in essence, is what makes MGS4, and its series, one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences ever.

A fantastic conclusion that should not be missed by anyone. 10/10

Greatest video game EVER MADE

[emiljose13 · 10/10 · 18 September 2008]

This game is just to good, there is no other better example of masterful cut scenes merged with the game play of perfection!!! Hideo kojima has improved every aspect of the game play and introduced the best looking and the most technically impressive game that is ever made. True this may not be every persons game but it is the hardcore fans that will remember this game the most, sure this game didn't beat the records of GTA 4 but will always be remembered as an epic not a blockbuster. There is no video game with such in-depth story line and characterisation these are the aspects hideo kojima focuses on as well as the immense game play. Evry weapon just feels right and every cqc moves leaves the player satisfying and most importantly the innovation of octacamo which is now considered to be one of the best outfits in games games in the history of game making.

A worthy closure, but yes, a closure.

[Skoveng77 · 10/10 · 10 August 2008]

Let me start with the worst first; YES, I HATE THE FACT THAT HIDEO KOJIMA THIS TIME MEANT IT WENT HE SAID THAT HE'S DONE WITH MGS! YES, I HATE THAT SNAKE IS NOT GOING TO BE THE MAIN CHARACTER IN FUTURE MGS GAMES! YES, I HATE THAT MOST OF THE CHARACTERS I LEARNED TO KNOW AND LOVE (Naomi, Vamp, Ocelot) DIED! AND YES, I HATED THAT GREY LITTLE MONKEY-THING THAT DREBIN ALWAYS DRAGGED AROUND WITH HIM!!! Now some more lighter things, but still negative; There was no Demo Theatre, which is really sad considering that the FMVs in MGS4 is absolutely astonishing. If there is any plans of doing a follow-up (like Substance for MGS2 and Subsistence for MGS3), I hope they will include at least that. Furthermore, I didn't care much for the over-linear storyline. From previous MG-games, I've been spoiled to have the freedom to (sometimes) travel all the way back to the start point, and recover items, equipments and weapons I didn't acquire from the start. In MGS4, the story takes place in different places (Middle East, South America, Eastern Europe, Alaska, Pacific Ocean), which makes it very hard to re-trail your own movements to improve your performance. It also give me the feeling that the game is really pushing you forward to complete the story and be done with it, which is also a bit of a bother since the story isn't really that long. Experienced gamers would complete it in just 3-6 hours. Now, finally, the good stuff; There is finally a real explanation to who/what the Patriots are/were! And the revealing of this is so spectacular, so intriguing, such a work of genius that I was really amazed! And the fact that graphic, sound, music and game play, with all its new resources in control and layout, is by no means any disturbance or annoyance. My most blissful moment in the game was when I realized that you could buy and customize weapons, and that just about every weapon in the game are actually real ones. They exist in real life! How cool is THAT? I quite enjoyed the return of several characters such as Naomi, Meryl, Vamp and Raiden (I know I have said in the past that I hate Raiden, but that was because he stole Snake's place in MGS2. Raiden as the NexGen Cy-Ninja is truly an amazing sight and it fits him) because MGS3: Snake Eater and MGS:Portable Ops (Plus), no matter how great they were, took our minds away from the event from our own day and age (well, sort of. Usually the MG/MGS-games was set about 5-10 years into the future from their original release dates). After MGS2, there was a sort of void whereas the progress of the story halted to a complete stop for the fans. But I call this a masterpiece of deception. While the fans are all hung up on how a CIA-agent named Naked Snake became Big Boss, the world's greatest soldier of modern times, along the way creating the prologue of what would become the Patriots, things happened. Snake's body started to break down, Raiden went MIA, EVA hid in Europe, Ocelot at an unidentified location, Rose gave birth to her and Raiden's son, Meryl advanced in the military ranks and found out about her real relation to Roy Campbell, Snake and Otacon took Olga's daughter, which they named Sunny, into their care after Raiden had saved her from some group believed to be the Patriots, Naomi was broken out of military arrest by Ocelot, Liquid finally possessed Ocelot completely, and Snake grew a 'stache. And just like before, Harry Gregson-Williams put his heart and soul into his work when he once again delivered a musical soundtrack that took a good, hard grip of the player's emotion and shook it. Long. And hard. As a prolonged MGS-player, I took great enjoyment in the Shadow Moses level as it was filled with all sorts of nostalgic moments. And personally, I have always wondered what happened to that place after the place was evacuated and shut down in the early 2000s. It was suppose to have been abandoned, right? Well, we were wrong, weren't we!? When I as Snake set foot on that Helipad, and heard the nostalgic voice memories of Snake saying "A Hind D? Coronel, what's a Russian gunship doing here?", I took an overview of the place. It was crumbled down due to 9 years of harsh weather and no maintenance, and as usual, the weather was not welcoming. Truly a sad sight. But still, I was happy. I was home again. Oh yes, I was indeed at home. I also want to mention that due to the lack of a Demo Theatre and the really hurtful realization that Snake indeed will not come back, I would say that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is so definitely the closure we have been waiting for all these years. And the game hints towards future releases. I could not be more satisfied. I take my hat off to Kojima-san, David (Snake AND MR. Hayter), and the Shalashaska for their long and hard work and sacrifices they have made along the way to this point. Stand proud, men. A world of fans salute you.

* (I wrote this review in US Enlish because I'm so sick and tired of the correction program telling me that I misspell words when I type 's' instead of 'z'. Don't blame me for this disrespectful spelling, blame America and the staff at IMDb.com.)

The best in history of video games

[Badr90s · 10/10 · 6 October 2021]

Ladies and gentlemen.. the best game ever made in the history of video games, 11 out of 10, name something that isn't perfect here ? Yeah you, cuz this one delivers an epic finale for the series with a story that exceeds any entertainment media work, all the legendary characters face each other or cooperate, the epic clash it's finally happening, Solid snake tells everyone why he is still the man and the best character in video games overall, genuis gameplay and mechanics that it's ahead of it's time, heart touching all feelings story plot with perfect pacing, bossfights, guns and deja vous soundtrack/cinamatics perfection and next gen graphics, addictive multiplayer as an ice on top of the cake, it's good .. isn't ?

Pefcect ending to a perfect series.

[Ztwelve14 · 10/10 · 16 May 2009]

In my opinion, this is probably the best installment of the Metal Gear Solid saga. Everything that me and definitely a lot of other people hoped for in the series will be a reality. And we were right! Hideo really pulled out all the stops on this one! The graphics were top notch, the AI was excellent, the voice acting was incredible, and of course the weapons, what's a Metal Gear Solid game without the awesome weapons? But the one thing I admire most about this game is the incredibly realistic detail. The detail of this game is so amazing that you might think you are out there yourself. I mean, from big stuff like, gunshot sounds and the way people react when you bump into them to the small stuff like, a drop of rain on the camera, bent grass trampled underfoot, snow getting in your hair, hearing a train far away in the background, if you get close to a building, you can hear the people inside, that kind of stuff. The story is amazing too. Get this game! You won't be disappointed.

Truly a fantastic game

[jpx400 · 10/10 · 8 July 2008]

After 21 years of great games, Hideo Kojima manages to surpass himself and create a terrific ending to the Metal Gear series.

MGS4 takes place in 2014, 5 years after the Manhattan Incident (MGS2). Since then, the restriction of military intervention on foreign soil has been eased, creating the need for a number of private military companies, PMCs, fighting proxy wars. The five largest PMC:s are owned by Liquid Ocelot (Revolver Ocelot with the mind of Liquid Snake) who is planning to start a war against the Patriots, a mysterious organization which has secretly been controlling the USA since the 1970s. Solid Snake, who is experiencing rapid aging similar to Werner's syndrome, is deployed by Campbell, who now works with the UN in a PMC regulation committee, into the Middle East to assassinate Liquid and save the US once again.

The game is a worthy ending to the series. A lot of glitches have been removed, the game is no longer played from overhead perspective and the cut scenes are better merged with the game and feel almost like movie scenes.

The only thing that I didn't like about the game was the fact that there was no cut scene theater available, like in MGS3. I still think it deserves a full 10, though.

It's not for everyone...until everyone falls in love with it.

[honorhorror · 10/10 · 1 October 2009]

Well, I was hesitating to give it a perfect 10 because of so many reasons people had been complaining about. People told me MGS4 lacks interactive parts and spent too much time in telling a run-of-the-mill, self-indulgent story. You know, it could be true. But that didn't stop me from purchasing a PS3 for it.

This is a review from a long-time MGS fan, but I am trying to avoid total worshiping, meaning that this review is intended to give you something valuable. Please also refer to my other MGS reviews.

First off, the game looked fantastic. Gamespot had addressed the game as the "most technically stunning game ever made" and the "most beautiful game ever made" at the same time. Note that it could enrage some Crysis fans, but I'd say in terms of details and production value, MGS4 really is the king. If you don't believe this, please rent it to play Act 2 in the game. And I can guarantee you in 1 minute you will be blown away. The camera work and the editing made it even more like a movie. So, in my own words, it is probably the most cinematic gaming experience ever created. However, that could be the best thing the game can offer to many.

For most players, MGS4 can keep you awed for some 20 hours, but then they would come to realize only about 40% of the game is playable. A lot of people totally hated that. I admit I was a little disappointed also. But it all depends on your perspective. Do you wish to play through it again in a playful child's perspective? If yes, then congratulations! This will also be the most rewarding gaming experience you can expect since MGS1. Although each chapter had only 7 stages on average, each stage is devised with tons of details you can dig out by yourself, or totally omit them. The makers managed to instill different fun in different approaches to beat the game. This is how I played it: in the first walk-through, I chose Solid-Normal difficulty and had some struggles to fit in the game's new mechanics like Octo-cameo and solid eye. Each boss fight and mini game made common senses(either common MGS senses or common video game senses). However, it also came to me that "is that all?" as I found none of the ideas and sequences are as memorable and mind-blowing as MGS1. After the ending, I told myself maybe I can sell game to someone else who wants to play it. But later I read some articles on the internet about the secrets in the game, and out of curiosity I picked it up and played in Liquid-easy difficulty. This time I had no struggle in fighting all the bosses because I already knew their patterns and what's gonna happen next. Ratherly, I decided to go perfectionist on zero alerts and zero killings. To my surprise, it's not as easy as it looked. In many occasions you will realize the game is purposefully designed for those who aim for zero alerts and zero killing. And, the fun lies within your careful management to avoid alerts and killing. In Act 4 when you are facing several Gekkos and a lot "balls with hands" in the Metal Gear storage, you will need to examine the environment quite carefully for solution. My solution was to create some distortions in the left entrance while attack from the other entrance. I mean, this is not something only a PHD can think up, but it could be so painful if you don't use your brain.

After I achieved zero-killing and zero-alerts, the game again seemed useless and I was considering selling it again. But later I found out there are some download-able contents on the internet. So, out of curiosity I downloaded "official secrets in MGS4" soundtrack which are recordings of explanations as how the game can be played fun and creatively. Later I equipped I-pod in the game to listen to such recordings and found it awesome. There are still a lot of secrets that weren't explored and overlooked by me(even I always address myself as a 10-years MGS veteran). So, I finally had to admit MGS4 might be the most valuable entry in the series and the most fun one.

In short, it's really easy to totally miss the point of MGS4 even you think you know a lot about MGS, not to mention those who have no idea how to appreciate it. I recommend this game to all those who happen to be both a movie fan and a player; to those who appreciate the details of arts; to those who are willing to see a piece of work in the perspective of the artist;and to those who love MGS and take it seriously.

Solid Snake Bows Out in Style

[the_super_saiyajin_prince · 10/10 · 23 June 2008]

-May Contain Spoilers!- In 1997, Hideo Kojima brought a new style of game to the Sony PlayStation. With that, brought one of PlayStation's most legendary heroes, Solid Snake. MGS was a revolution in the gaming world, MGS2 and MGS The Twin Snakes (GameCubes remake of MGS1) brought even more to the plate. With MGS3, although playing as Naked Snake/Big Boss and not Solid, it was hard to imagine just how much better things could get especially with one of the greatest Metal Gear fights of all time (vs The End).

There was always destined to be a PS3 addition to the series, and MGS4 received more hype than ever, the difference being this game actually lives up to the hype for 95%. There are a few flaws...let's get those out of the way...

Graphics - Now don't get me wrong, they are really quite fantastic, but like Kojima himself I think many were still disappointed at some points.

Cinematics - The cut scenes are really really long and the story telling is heavy at times, although worth watching the first time round just to see how everything gets tied up and such.

Cameras - Very occasionally the camera angles are iffy.

There have been other complaints like it's not "sneaky" enough, which is rubbish. You have two perfectly viable options in getting stuck in or sneaking around perfectly hidden with the help of the rather spiffy Octocamo.

Weapons are a plenty, with some 70 (if you include the online bonus of 1911 and a few unlock-ables). The majority are customisable with at least one item, but over all you can get suppressors, fore-grips, grenade-launchers, under-barrel shotguns, laser sights, dot sights, flash lights and scopes. In addition to all this you get the standard grenades of various kinds, including new sleeping gas satchels and mines and of course...every randy soldier needs PlayBoy.

The story is amazing, and it pretty much captures you completely or it did me anyway. As always, death scenes and sad scenes are emotionally charged and many have said being brought close to tears, especially at the end with Hal & Sunny, and when Snake and Big Boss finally reconcile. Though the story would be half of what it is without it's stunning sound track. The main theme remains with various tweaks and to help out they've brought in tracks from all 3 of the other games for various moments. Is there a new Metal Gear? No, just Geckos to deal with...and you *do* get an awesome battle where you control Metal Gear Rex vs Liquid in a Metal Gear Ray.

Generally there aren't many *new* characters, but it doesn't matter with the quality put into the existing characters. Those that are new involve two team-mates of Meryl's Rat Patrol 01 team, Sunny (Olga's daughter) and Drebin...and his monkey...who acts as MGS4's "Merchant" (similar to Resident Evil 4). Returning characters (other than Hal, Snake and Liquid of course) include Raiden, Rose, Roy Campbell, Naomi Hunter, Vamp and EVA/Big Mama.

I can't comment on MG Online though, as I've not had the access to play it but the comments seem to be positive from others.

This is a game to pick up for sure, well worth the cash and a truly fantastic way to end Snake's story, not to mention bringing an end to the stories of The Patriots, Liquid Ocelot, Vamp/Naomi, Raiden/Rose, Meryl/Johnny and of course Big Boss & Big Mama. The final battle is a huge amount of fun too, even after 6 or 7 times.

--- "This is good, isn't it?" - Big Boss's dying words to Snake.

The Way of the Snaaaaaaake! 75%

[dfle3 · 7/10 · 15 February 2012]

Setting: Middle East, South America, Eastern Europe, Alaska

Story: You know the drill!

Graphics: Terrific. I like the sun bleached palette of colours. Characters can look realistic to plastic doll like. Landscapes look terrific too.

Sound: Effective, especially in some of the boss battles...e.g. with Crying Wolf.

General observations:

It's probably not a good idea to start this series here. Starting the Mass Effect franchise on PS3 with Mass Effect 2 proved to have a drawback for me...the game referenced so much assumed knowledge I felt that I was missing out. If you don't mind old generation graphics, Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation Network is a good game to start with (the older games are so old gen that they seem a different genre...blocky figures and all that. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of liberty was my first 'real' game when I bought the Playstation 2 (I'd generally buy sports games on the N64 and would quickly exchange or refund non-sporting games on that console due to not liking the interface...as with "GoldenEye")...no doubt due to it getting a great rating on an official Australian Playstation magazine. For some reason I also bought the official guide to that game. Have to say that MGS2 has really shaped my gaming in first person shooters. When I recently played the remastered Splinter Cell trilogy on PS3, I'd take a MGS style approach to the game...even though there was no real need to!

Lastly, I have to put in a good word for the last MGS game I played...MGS3: Snake eater. Even though I haven't really played a great number of games, I've never been as moved as I have in that game...specifically the final fight in that...the reveal before that fight (in one of numerous cutscenes) actually affected me emotionally...it made me misty eyed. That was a great moment in gaming for me...it totally changed the dynamic of the final fight for me.

Good about the game:

For those familiar with the series, there are lots of little "Easter eggs" for you...returning characters, in-jokes and trips down memory lane. I especially got a kick out of the first experience of Alaska, which was a bit befuddling at first.

Bad about the game:

This is the reason I'm scoring the game at around this level...gameplay can be unintuitive, especially around the boss fights. Things are even trickier if you - as I do - try to play the game in which the maker, Hideo Kojima, intended...let's call this "The way". It's probably best to come into this series with a blank sheet...play it how you like. When you to try to follow The Way, things become even more complicated...and harder to achieve. So, this criticism boils down to this...even ordinarily, defeating certain enemies or progressing to the next stage can involve such unintuitive gameplay that you will find yourself resorting to going online for the solution...often. And it's not just the whole 'unintuitive' thing either...gameplay can have so many variables that weeding out the unproductive aspects of your game can be Hellish and time consuming...especially given the limited opportunities to save in this game.

Some examples:

The fight with Vamp. Got frustrated trying to beat him so had to consult my official book to learn the crucial information which would help me defeat him.

The fight with Crying Wolf. Trying to use The Way, this got immensely frustrating. On a positive, I think that I managed to solve this fight My Way...which was superior to the suggestion in the offiicial guidebook. However, the problem is it just took too many attempts, and the reason for that is simple...just too many variables to work out in any way which resembles 'fun'.

I wonder how pleased Hideo would feel with himself if people had his direct number and there were no official guides or help on the internet. It's the kind of game where to get the 'most' out of it, you really need Hideo by your side, telling you what to do and where to go, so that you don't miss anything...and taking the controller when things get to hard. However, in the game's favour, I did manage to beat this game - with help from the official guidebook at times - on the "Solid Normal" difficulty level...which is one difficulty level below the "hard" level..and two below the hardest level, which you have to unlock...which I did.

I completed the game in 21:37:02 hours. My main ranking was "pigeon", along with "inchworm", "lobster", "hyena" and "scorpion". I actually prefer this ranking system to often stupid trophies on offer in other games...although some of the ranks on offer are pretty stupid or jokes.

Parts of the game where I struggled due to either trying to follow The Way, or just due to the DIFFICULT nature of the game: - The first battle with what I call the 'ninjas'...I'm replaying the game now and am sort of hoping I can defeat them this time following The Way (I got past them first time using a non-kosher methods).

• The bike ride in Eastern Europe. Having read the official guide book, I might be able to follow The Way this time...but it still seems way too tough...and the cheat that the official guidebook offers - whilst not original in this franchise - is so unintuitive that plain old gamers are likely to miss it and the higher rankings on offer if you follow The Way.

• The final battle. Winning felt so random...after repeated failures. Honestly thought I could not complete the game here...would have given this game a rounded up 7/10 in that case.

Problems:

• Not a fan of quicktime events...which this game has. Even worse is when your battery powered controller goes to sleep during the very long cutscenes...and you miss quicktime events!

Tactical Espionage Boredom

[I_Hate_Almost_Everything · 1/10 · 22 February 2009]

So there I was, flicking through the pre-owned titles in my local Game store, when I came across Metal Gear Solid 4 for just £15! When I got to the counter I was charged just £10. I didn't say anything and left feeling pretty pleased with myself. Oh, how the staff must have been laughing at me.

You see, having found MGS4 nestling amongst the pre-owned games, I naturally assumed that it was a game. It wasn't. It was a movie. I wouldn't have begrudged paying £10 for a movie. Especially a Blu Ray. But I wanted a game... A GAME!!!

In fairness, it probably doesn't qualify as a movie either. Firstly, it's longer than all three Lord Of The Rings put together. Secondly, and most importantly, there is a small amount of interactivity now and then.

Sometimes while watching the movie, you can hit the X button and see brief split-second subliminal screen-caps from previous MGS instalments. Occasionally, you can hold down the L2 button and watch the movie from a slightly altered angle for a few seconds. Best of all, once every hour or so, they actually throw you five minutes of game-play.

The game-play element of this movie consists of sneaking stealthily towards a red marker on the map in the top-right of the screen. Since each area has been broken down into much smaller areas (which have to load and which the bad guys can't cross) sneaking isn't really necessary, it just makes you feel like you're actually doing something that vaguely resembles "gaming". If however, you're anxious to get back to the feature film, just run.

I was compelled to write this review after 22 hours of MGS4. It was during the "Mission Briefing" cut-scene for act 3. During these parts of the movie, you take on the role of a little robot that can actually wander around in first-person mode and view the cut-scene from within. You can't influence any of the characters because that would come perilously close to constituting a game but you can move around, which is something.

After about 20 minutes of listening to people talk while looking at their ankles, I noticed a chicken coup. I approached it and found that I could slap the chickens with my robot tentacles. For five minutes, I slapped those chickens. I was enthralled by the sensation. Here I was tapping buttons on a controller and by the magic of technology I was able to manipulate the pixels before me.

Then it hit me. I'd been watching MGS4 for so long, I had forgotten how it felt to play a game. I own Grand Theft Auto IV and Pro Evolution 2009 but here I was getting excited about slapping a chicken.

If I can save one person from the tedium of MGS4, then this was worthwhile.

The best game ever...

[tudyniuz · 26 October 2008]

Metal Gears Solid 4 : Guns of the Patriots is a special game.This is probably the most anticipated game of the year 2008 and it's also a game that has to bring the PS3 what it never had before,a better game than any other on XBOX 360.This game also is expected to be the final work of Hideo Kojima in the Metal Gear series.It does everything people expected.It is an incredible experience from beginning to end. As many PS3 games it has a pre-installation which doesn't take long but which makes you more anxious about what you are about to face.The game starts like an Academy Award winning movie.The game concentrates on combining the experience of playing video games and watching a movie.The guys from Konami did a great job of combining the two.Every cinematic fits perfect with the game.And you never feel like the cinematic just started without notice or without sense.This game is a masterpiece.After playing it for a while you will realize that you have never played anything like it before.It is just stunning. The vast majority of good games stand out for one or two elements that feel better than in every thing else.But in MGS4 everything is better than in anything else.The graphics are amazing.I don't think that there are many low textures in this game,everything is as sharp as it good be and everything that happens around is just as real.The AI is very good,being able to spot you very quickly if you make any sudden or loud moves.The sound in the game is top notch.Beginning with the incredible precise sound effects,with the perfect music,and the top notch voice-acting,this game is the best ever. The gameplay has also been much improved and the shooting is far more precise than in any other MGS.The number of moves that Snake does in the game is pretty high and every move he makes seems very real. A big bummer for some may be the long cinematics which are longer than the game itself.But this game is the ultimate story telling machine.It tells the story of Solid Snake beautifully.This game is really a tribute to the legend which is Solid Snake. I would recommend this game to everyone.It is truly a must have.This is just one of those games that you simply have to buy.Even if you don't really like the idea of the game,or the fact that cinematics are long,you still have to buy this game.The experience that this game delivers is incredible and you can see that the producers really cared about the product.What came out is this game which deserves a perfect 10.

My Score 10

Farewell Solid Snake

[akis91 · 10/10 · 21 February 2010]

The final chapter of Solid Snake but thankfully not the last for MGS. Guns of the patriots is Kojimas' ans PS3's finest hour. A true gaming masterpiece and the best game on PS3. Superb story, sharp and great graphics, kojima productions gave their heart and soul in this game and it resulted to pure perfection. This game by its self is one excellent reason for being proud you are a gamer, it provides you with some extreme moments of gaming joy. Solid Snake said farewell with an absolutely magnificent game as he truly deserved. However I am sure this is not the last great game that is offered to us by Kojima as even though many started complaining because of Raiden starring in MGS rising, you who complain just look back to Guns of the Patriots, Kojima offered us the greatest game on PS3 and I am sure he has a lot more to offer in gaming. Guns of the Patriots is a must play game as all the other MGS games are.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Short Game Review)

[Cirene404 · 9/10 · 1 June 2019]

Positives:

• Story
• Characters
• Most of the bosses
• Musical score
• Gameplay
• Graphics
• Voice acting

Negatives:

• Some of the pacing

Cinematics and Gameplay have never been so well fused!

[mysticmstudio · 10/10 · 5 November 2010]

In all fairness, the first 3 MGS games felt kind of clunky, with the bird's eye style of isometric style, it was really hard considering it is a stealth game. MGS4GoP changes everything. This is the game that every company wished they had control over, it is the game all the developers put at the top of their resume, the game they have never taken so seriously.

This game brought me to my knees by the end, and when it was over, I begged for more, which there is, an excellent online mode that could honestly be a stand-alone experience. As the credits role, you reflect on the time you took,and remember the story and the plot, and smile, knowing that this was the perfect ending to any series of any form of media ever.

The gameplay is strategic and fun, you will never get bored with it. There is a crazy amount of weapons and items to use, many have a purpose, many are bonuses for playing with. There is immense replay value, as the game is structured to be play multiple times over.

The story is nothing short of a masterpiece. The plot is intricate and interesting, full of twists and conflicts, all keeping you anxious as you near the ends of levels. The story is played out by in game rendered cutscenes, but worry not, the graphics in MGS4 are probably the best graphics on any next-gen systems, and while watching, you'll notice little details and other things that make the world seem more alive.

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a candidate for best sequel, game of the year, best game ever, best game on PS3, best story, and best protagonist: Solid Snake. Snake is such a lovable character, and he puts on his best and final performance in his final adventure. Rest Snake, you deserve it. MGS4 will always have a special reserved spot in my heart.

Whenever you get the chance, buy this epic game. You will not be disappointed. Gamers everywhere need to take their hats off to Snake, he put on an unforgettable show.

Stunning and awesome

[Scar38 · 10/10 · 9 January 2011]

This is easily the best game i have ever played .....I only recently purchased a Ps3, but the first game i bought was MGS4. Having said previously that MGS3 was my favourite game ever i didn't think it could be surpassed but boy was i wrong this game has everything , the graphics and game play are just out of this world, the characters are amazing .....And the boss fights well with each one i just kept saying wow. The fight in the snow with Crying Wolf was up there with the fight with The end from the 3rd game.......It really is a shame there will be no more Snake because i could go on forever with the best game series ever . To the makers of this game..........Well done !!!!

Beautiful, Breathtaking, Brilliant

[kt3234-1 · 10/10 · 18 September 2008]

"Big Boss here. Solid Snake! Fall back! The mission is a failure! Return immediately. This is a direct order. Turn the power off on your MSX console at once!" Metal Gear Solid 4 represents everything a good video game should be. Edgy, funny, clever, smart, and brilliant. It would be possible to grant this game an 11 if need be. It's just that good.

Let's clarify this right now. THIS GAME IS NOT FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NOT PLAYED A METAL GEAR GAME BEFORE. IT IS ALSO NOT FOR ANYONE WHO CAN'T SIT STILL FOR A FEW MINUTES TO WATCH A CUTSCENE! I can not stress that enough. People are willing to give the game a 0 just because they can't be quiet and listen to a great story being shown to them and appreciate it. For Metal Gear fans who have not played the previous titles, it is highly recommended that you do so. You can get a used copy of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence with the very first two Metal Gears on the second disk.

But now, let's get on with the review.

After playing Metal Gear Solid and the latter sequel and prequel, the story seemed to be relatively the same to their previous encounters. The overhead camera, the strange crouch-then-crawl mechanic, and the hostage rescues of EVERY Metal Gear. I was surprised to see in metal Gear Solid 4 that there was not a single objective that had to deal with hostages, or even Metal Gear. Mr. Hideo Kojima has crafted a Metal Gear for a new age. The game plays like you always knew a Metal Gear game could play. Also stripped away are the somewhat awkward gun controls, and the "talking-head" moments of the Codec. The Codec is the greatest part. Metal Gear's story is told entirely throughout beautifully rendered cut scenes instead of the monochromatic green heads of the Codec.

Snake's Mission? Find Liquid. No Metal Gear, rather the Patriots. You don't even have to play the entire game using stealth. The user friendly interface of the game creates a wide range of possible choices in how the player reaches their overall goal; and that's the mark of an expert video game. Go ahead, try it in different ways. It opens up a whole string of replay value. Play through without being seen, or without killing anyone.

Overall story is absolutely amazing. For anyone who has played a Metal Gear, it does a tremendous job of answering the big questions. People like Raiden (MGS2), EVA (MGS3), and Naomi Hunter (MGS1) are all given their fair treatment, as well as an innumerable amount of others.- The Patriots most of all. After playing the second game, I, like many of you, were left with more questions than answers, but Kojima does a fabulous job of answering all of them. You'll even find out what La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo means.

Voicework is top notch. After ten years of Snake, Mr. David Hayter can still bring surprises to the table. Hayter brings the right mix of emotion to the table during the latter half of the game. Voice work of the secondary characters is also incredibly well done, even better than some current Hollywood offerings.

Metal Gear does suffer some issues. The constant loading during some intense parts of the story can detract from the overall experience. Loading is not a problem after every act though (For people who don't understand that, the game erases the last act and installs the new one, and so forth, so the game doesn't take up a lot of space). Some may criticize Metal Gear Online, but it is really more of a complement to the game. Metal Gear Solids 1 and 2 did not have them, and they were still great games.

Overall, Metal Gear Solid 4 is a heart lifting odyssey of discovery. All the questions are answered, in the most sentimental and gorgeous of ways. This is on of the rare forms of video game art. It is not comparable to any other game I've experienced in my lifetime. I ask you to turn yourself over to the experience.

We salute you, Solid Snake. You've finally earned your rest.

Metal Gear Solid is Art

[pmilleroly27 · 10/10 · 9 December 2009]

The Metal Gear Solid franchise is hands down a piece of art. Perhaps one of the greatest stories I have ever experienced. This gaming franchise is the most advanced form of storytelling to date. Aristotle would be proud to see how far story and art have come. If you love stories then you have to play all three games, or at least watch the cut scenes on youtube. You would butcher some of its quality by just watching the cut scenes however. The gamers complaining about this game only complain because there just gamers not artists. Metal Gear Solid a remarkable art piece. Using both film and gaming as its medium. Think of it like a film that's as long as a novel, but you play and also watch throughout the experience. Games are around 8 hours, not 1-3 like films. Gaming is roughly a book which you get some control over as well as get to see visually on screen. If you enjoy art and story, get a PS3, Metal Gear Solid, MGS2, MGS3, MGS4 and play all of them in order. Play them on the easiest mode if you don't play games. 1 is the hardest so if you can't be it. Your option would be to get the remake version Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes on the gamecube, negative is you would have to buy a gamecube or just watch the cut scenes on youtube. Again is you love art and story you should miss this experience. It will change your life.

The Perfect Metal Gear Experience

[ruddaga · 9/10 · 16 June 2008]

Possible Spoilers.. I wont try to... but.. :P When i played the first metal gear game i was BLOWN away by the story. It was fantastic, engaging and the characters were all deep and interesting. The control scheme took some getting used to, but before long i was snapping necks/avoiding with the best of them.

Then i cranked MGS2. The games graphics and song grabbed me straight from the start. And although it took some getting used to not being snake, it was an improvement of the first game. Although getting used to the controls was still a bit clunky, you dealt with it cos each bit you made it through unlocked more story. The third one i avoided playing for AGES just cos i didn't like this whole idea of cameo and eating snakes etc.. But when i read who you played as.. I was curious so i cranked it up. Fell in love again with the characters (except Ocelot as a kid.. i mean come on...) But once again.. Controls were still a bit dodge.. To see people coming was always an annoying mix of toggling between views and crawling around.

And lets face it.. In all 3 games previous to 4 the combat had never been the strong suit. So how does 4 compare.

Like... WOW.. Thats all i can say. The title screen ended and i was like "Oh my god.. NO!! HE CANT!! NO!" Then i jumped into the game. After the intro where you can flick through different channels to see the state the world is in.. The game starts.. Graphics - Awesome.. But we all knew that. He hops out of the truck.. And WOW.. THIRD PERSON... Wait.. What? I can see around me.. WHAT THE HELL?!?! And oh my god.. Does this series benefit from the new control scheme.. You now can sneak, fight, run and hide like the snake you've always wanted to be.

At the inclusion of the Octo-Cameo.. I kind of figured at first, lame attempt to mimic the third one without actually changing the stuff in the screen.. Then i realized.. Wait a minute.. This is awesome.. Instead of mucking around in a menu screen for 10 minutes altering my cameo %, lay/push against the wall for 1 second.. bam.. instant cameo. It actually works (even though i know it sounds lame..( really well. Combat is now actually.. (how to put this..) well lets just say you feel like you can actually take on people now (even though you shouldn't be.. SNEAK DAMN YOU!). There's a few other things like the mark 2/3 (which i personally didn't use that much..), The snake eye (really useful binocular/night-vision/radar thing that looks more complicated then it is, learn to use it straight away). A crap load of guns to purchase and find as well... In terms of game play.. This is snake at his best. Anyone whose played and loved one of the others mgs games.. Will simply get goosebumps crawling through the jungle bit stopping at every change of ground to cameo yourself in.

The story? Im of two sides here.. I mean.. It definitely finishes EVERY loose mgs plot that the other games left open (and i mean EVERY..) and the story is epic and grand (although ill admit the music didn't have the same effect on me as the last three games.. gimme the sons of liberty song any day.. doo doo doooooo)But hideo could've easily split the story he put in this one over the course of two games and put in more stuff.. But thats just a fan boy whining cos its over. The ending was predictable to me and if you don't see it coming.. Then shame lol. But yeah.. I cant complain.. Cos i played the game nearly 11 hours straight to finish it up and 8 hours straight when i bought it. I suggest playing it on big boss or at least solid snake. But don't worry about value, you play through again.

So yeah.. Ignoring the gripe i had with the music and nagging "fill the story with EVERY character from the series.." it is definitely the ultimate MGS experience to play. And this will be the game that sells all the ps3s. So yeah... People that don't like this game cant really be called mgs fans, cos even ignoring the story (which is hard to do in this game..) and forgettable music of this particular title.. The game play and graphics are so damn hot you'd be mad to miss it. Also it wouldve been nice if you could choose to install the 20 gigs the game requires.. rather then having to re install it every time.

Enjoy your rest Snake. You've earned it.

One of the best game ever created

[MiladAbolghasemi · 10/10 · 3 February 2015]

With Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the story of Snake, who has become one of the most popular characters in the industry, is coming to a close. Impressive and uncompromising, it's sure to inspire just as much love, hate, discussion, and debate as any other game in the series. The genetically-engineered super soldier once known as Solid Snake has been transformed into Old Snake due to a rapidly accelerated aging process. The game opens in the Middle East, then moves to Latin America, and eventually arrives at a key location in Metal Gear history haunted by old memories, Some of which still have some life left in them. Metal Gear Solid 4 is a beast in terms of design, Gameplay and story. Through stealthy avoidance or direct engagement, your objective is to move from point to point on an essentially predetermined path in order to trigger your next objective and advance the story. Maps are fairly large, but still very restrictive to the player's movement and divided into smaller areas with obvious breaks, leading to old-fashioned and slightly demeaning escapes by loading screen. Luckily, the path you're meant to take is consistently interesting and rewarding with room for multiple gameplay styles. playing Metal Gear is still about hiding, sneaking, and shooting your way to your objective, but the new high- tech gear like Octocamo and the Mk II prove that time has brought Snake more than white hair and a moustache.

The Longest Movie I've Ever Seen...

[thomas-hardcastle-2 · 3/10 · 15 September 2008]

The idea of whether games should be classed as art is a cop-out that makes people discuss the irrelevant points raised by this supposed game.

People ignore the fact that when people buy a game, they expect to play it. This "game" has more cutscenes in it than gameplay. Kojima has ended the series with something that will satisfy many people, but not me. The kind of gamers who game lying down, or roll up all the time will probably like this, as there are so many breaks in the gameplay, that one could easily go to the toilet, wash the dishes or go to the shops. One cutscene is an hour-and-a-half long, which means you could watch a film between gameplay. This is the fundamental problem with Metal Gear Solid 4. It is an incredibly long interactive movie.

Hideo Kojima indulges himself, by starting the game off with a bizarre scripted interview with David Hayter (the voice of Snake), then takes us through a million different weapons, an i-pod, and Metal Gear radio. Many of the concepts are completely ridiculous, and add nothing fun to the game. What Kojima should have done is let the gamer game. Sounds stupid, but it's a fundamental thirst that is not quenched by this long-winded, unnecessary excuse for a video game.

With this flagrant disregard for the intelligence of the gamer, Kojima has created a new sub-genre of games - Hideo Games - long, long, long, with the occasional tap of a few buttons to perform the next act that will take you into another half-hour of yawn-worthy, pixellated acting.

I know this review will find its way to the end of the comments, because most people will disagree with me. I just wanted to make people aware that some of us have seen this game for what it is - a movie.

Absolutely amazing!

[tjc0145 · 10/10 · 7 December 2008]

The Metal Gear Solid series is by far the best game series ever made. I could talk for days about how great this game is. Any questions you had from the other games will be answered in this game. The story of the Metal Gear Solid franchise is wrapped up absolutely perfectly in this game. The ending scene of the game is very well done, with Snake and Big Boss finally making peace with each other. The last scene of the game is Snake and Big Boss kneeling over The Boss' grave, with Big Boss finally understanding what The Boss' will meant. The Metal Gear Solid series story is far better than most Hollywood movie scripts. From a development standpoint, too, this game is perfect. After two years of crappy Xbox 360 to Playstation 3 ports, finally this game uses the full potential of the Playstation 3. There are times in the game when it looks like you're watching a movie. If there is any one reason to get a Playstation 3, this game is it!