Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Finally, finished playing Metal Gear Solid 4. This is the 4th and, supposedly, final installment of the Metal Gear series and it sure climaxes with a big bang. The games ties up the story lines of the  previous games together, including any loose ends. I was only able to play Metal Gear Solid from the series.

Luckily, it was the game whose story line is most heavily referenced. Even the bosses are paralleled between the two games. Because of this, events seemed familiar as they unfolded.  This doesn’t mean the storyline is any clearer. There’s something about Japanese story lines that make them convoluted and, sometimes, even incomprehensible.

But that’s how it is. And if you can get past that, you have the hugely entertaining gameplay to enjoy. There are elements of a stealth game, a shoot ’em up game, a shooter on rails (on an APC and on a motorbike), a simulator (of the REX mech),  a fighting game, and a full movie! There’s even an online multiplayer game. And all that with graphics and audio that shames even newer games.

I just have one minor quibble, and that is Snake can carry a whole arsenal of weapons in his pocket. He can even buy more weapons and unlimited ammunition in the heat of battle! Not too realistic, but that’s never the intent of the developers. Their intention is for players to have fun and in that, they deliver. Definitely one of the best games on the PS3 and one that needs to be on your collection.

Rating: 5/5