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Home » Reviews » PS3 Gaming » Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
By: Nikhil Singh   |   Jun 19, 2008
  • 4.5
The best-looking game on the PS3
Technically sound
Lengthy single player campaign
Impeccable action gaming
Stealth mechanics own
Less emphasis on stealth

Just as stealth games aren’t for everyone, the relatively sedate pace of cinematic gaming may seem unappealing to many. If you prefer fast-paced action games that keep you on your toes, chances are you’ve not liked the Metal Gear Solid series and probably never will. For those of you who crave a gripping storyline – delivered through equal portions of cinematic cutscenes and mind-numbingly good action – Metal Gear Solid 4 will blow your mind, stick it back together, and blow it all over again!

Following the path it set for itself two decades ago, MGS4 outdoes every other Metal Gear game by leaps and bounds, in almost every aspect. The production values of the cutscenes as well as the gameplay surpasses any other game before it, and the amount of pain taken to polish and iron out every little aspect really shines through in delivering a close to flawless experience. The game boasts of the most stunning visuals you’ll see on any platform, while keeping the framerate stable as a rock.

Perhaps my only complaint is that the gameplay becomes relatively less stealth-oriented as the storyline progresses. While the option to go all guns blazing has always been open to you in previous Metal Gear games, it was always easier and more rewarding if you played them tactfully and stealthily. This time around, you can actually blaze through by putting a bullet through every enemy you would normally sneak past. This is a huge disappointment – the game has one of the most evolved stealth mechanics, but since it doesn’t compel or reward you for using it, it fails to utilize the most powerful tool in its arsenal.

You could argue that you can be stealthy if you wish to, but since the game’s got such a huge arsenal of weapons, an abundant supply of ammunition, and so many enemies just waiting to be massacred without consequence, sneaking around becomes nothing more than a time-consuming way to get things done. Even if you wish to traverse that path, sneaking is only an option in the first few missions; the deeper into the game you go, the more of a mainstream action game it becomes.

While there’s no doubt that the action is quite possibly the best you could have hoped for, the fact that the emphasis is more on streamlined action rather than the series’ main area of focus (stealth, which appeals to a relatively niche audience) brings on the lingering feeling that the franchise has become a bit of a sell-out.


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How can u compare cod4 to mgs4. I loved cod4. But they are from different genre. You are suppose to finish the game within 5 hrs in big boss extreme mode to unlock big boss and no alert phases. Wonder how nikhil will do that.
Kumar @ Jul 27, 2008
Less emphasis on stealth? If played the game you must have noticed octo camo suit which changes color according to enviroment. This helps a lot to sneak around. And i completed the game twice once with lot of gun fights which took 21 hrs and once with only stealth which took only 8 hrs. I love stealth games and this is the best one i have played so far. Your review only proves that you are bad with stealth games.
Kumar @ Jul 27, 2008
undoubtedly the best game ever made.SAd that its last game featuring solid snake a.k.a old snake as the protagonist!!I give this game a 6on5.That extra mark is for making the game a ps3 exclusive!!
mprashanth911 @ Jul 05, 2008
My sentiments exactly. 4.5 is a fitting rating for this game because, eventhough it looks and plays brilliant, it's a bit too easy with the "just a call away" Drebin weapon shop system and then, of course, the fact that sneaking takes a back seat in a game series known especially for sneaking manoeuvres.
Aalaap Ghag @ Jun 30, 2008
Yeah I have played MGS4 and found this soooooooooo boring that it should be prescribed as alternative to sleeping pills. Soo boring gameplay. and as I said COD4 is hell of a game with Great gameplay and Graphics. I agree MGS has better cutscenes, with most boring gameplay. Worst game i should say
Ab @ Jun 25, 2008
jus shut you 'Ab'.THe game is not overrated.Why the f-ck are you saying cod is the best.Have you ever played mgs games.I am betting that you haven.The game totally deserves a 5on5.S keep your f****n comments to the fyou!*****g
solid snake @ Jun 24, 2008
Highly overrated just like GTA4....COD is best
Ab @ Jun 24, 2008
dont copy gamespy and give it 4.5
any game with just the kojima name deserves a perfect score
unregistered @ Jun 22, 2008
While you can focus on Stealth as a core gameplay value of the MGS series (and it is), you also contradict yourself when you say that it is one of the few games where the gameplay complements the story perfectly.
The storyline of the earlier iterations demanded stealth almost as a must, and so it fitted well. But you cant stereotype the game, or you undermine the skill of people like Hideo Kojima, whose concept has been used to develop the gameplay elements - not the other way round, and if you look at the story of MGS4, it is a pacier, more action oriented story, which in turn complements the shift in gameplay values. This skillful weaving of the two most important elements of gaming should be lauded, instead of whining about lack of stealth per se.
Angad @ Jun 22, 2008
How does the score matter? We all know its an awesome game...so, the score doesnt really make a difference...atleast for me.
Umang @ Jun 20, 2008
Every act of the game had a stealth section,

and if you are spotted,at any time just killing everyone is not the answer as people keep on coming.

the game rewards you very nicely for being stealthy too, ranging from emblems at the game's end, to special items in every act's end. and certain serious fights can be avoided if done stealthily (iced gekkos in moses etc)

But 4.5 seems a good score, I don't see why one would be |out of his mind| by doing so.
Reetesh @ Jun 20, 2008
r u guys out of ur mind 4.5/5 shish u got a lot of headweight in u guys sorry for slammin at u guys b,cause u indeed hav it.u should give it a 5/5.
suds @ Jun 19, 2008
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