Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Jun 12, 2008
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4356 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3,750 out of 4356
  2. Mixed: 239 out of 4356
  3. Negative: 367 out of 4356
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  1. JackP.
    Jun 11, 2008
    4
    Games like this are just too slow paced for me. I'm more of a run in and kill everything type a guy. Not a hide and wait guy.
  2. PascualA.
    Jun 9, 2008
    4
    Bad game, little gameplay, boring CG movies, etc
  3. JFoundation
    Aug 17, 2009
    4
    I kinda knew what to expect from this, having read about all the cutscenes, and having played MGS on PS1 years back I knew that it'd be another ridiculously unfathomable Japanese plot about stupid fantasy characters with idiotic names. That said, I picked it up second hand because of the hundreds of 10/10 reviews. I honestly don't know how anyone could really think this is I kinda knew what to expect from this, having read about all the cutscenes, and having played MGS on PS1 years back I knew that it'd be another ridiculously unfathomable Japanese plot about stupid fantasy characters with idiotic names. That said, I picked it up second hand because of the hundreds of 10/10 reviews. I honestly don't know how anyone could really think this is worthy of any more than a 6 or 7/10 at best. For a start, gameplay makes up about 20% of the experience, but the gameplay is seriously dull. At no point do you really feel in danger, instead there are long periods of plodding about areas that feel like they've been designed on Super Nintendo in 1994, followed by a frustrating bit that you might have to do a few times because the objectives are just unclear and baffling. Let me be clear - this is not a game for grown adults. I have arrived at a part of the game that requires a bit of trial and error to overcome, and having tried a few different methods, I just can't be bothered to waste any more time on this game, I have more important things to do with my free time. The only things MGS4 has in it's favour are it's presentation and the cutscene graphics, which are pretty despite the truly preposterous "storyline" which tries to sabotage your will to live. PLEASE - If you're not a 15 year old fanboy, don't waste your time with this, truly the most overrated game I have played in 25 years of gaming.… Expand
  4. DougGard
    Apr 10, 2009
    4
    I agree with everyone who says the cut scenes are too long. They are.... and they are boring. Sure you can skip them, but they do give you info on what the plot of the game is. The gameplay isn't good enough to live on its own either. I'm not sure why this game is so highly rated.
  5. JeffF
    Jun 27, 2008
    4
    This "game" is quite frustrating. There are more cutscenes than there is gameplay. The story makes no sense, the controls are clunky. I had very little fun with this game.
  6. che_don_john
    Oct 6, 2010
    4
    Usually I tend to write more in my reviews of games I haven't enjoyed than of those that I have, as I feel there is more of an obligation to explain and justify a negative opinion. But for MGS4, I simply can't be bothered. I couldn't take the time or effort to finish the game, so I'm hardly like to afford much attention to reviewing a game I hated. Let me some up my experience of MGS4:Usually I tend to write more in my reviews of games I haven't enjoyed than of those that I have, as I feel there is more of an obligation to explain and justify a negative opinion. But for MGS4, I simply can't be bothered. I couldn't take the time or effort to finish the game, so I'm hardly like to afford much attention to reviewing a game I hated. Let me some up my experience of MGS4:
    Long, confusing cutscene; Level 1 - got down on my belly and crawled through to end; Long, tedious cutscene; Level 2 - got down on my belly and crawled through to end; Long, weird cutscene; Level 3 - got down on my belly and....turned of PS3 and stuck the game on ebay.
    Part of the game's big selling point was its stealth mechanic. Spiderman 2 had a better stealth mechanic. I appreciate that the story only makes sense to those who are fans of the series, but in a way not having played any of the other games makes me more of an objective review of the game as it stands alone. And MGS4 stands silent, in the shadows, preparing to crawl along on its belly so that nobody else notices how poor it is.    … Expand
  7. Spartan111
    Oct 13, 2010
    4
    This is one of the most boring games i have ever played, just because the game is made by an asian does not mean it is clever, what was so clever?, the 1 000 000 hour cutscenes, is there any gameplay? Oh yes that brief moment between the cutscenes, the random weird typical japanese names such as Snake, Vamp, Otacon and Liquid, what the hell !!!!!!!!, the **** menu and weapon selection,This is one of the most boring games i have ever played, just because the game is made by an asian does not mean it is clever, what was so clever?, the 1 000 000 hour cutscenes, is there any gameplay? Oh yes that brief moment between the cutscenes, the random weird typical japanese names such as Snake, Vamp, Otacon and Liquid, what the hell !!!!!!!!, the **** menu and weapon selection, the fact that the only thing Snake can do is crawl and hump the ground and smoke all the time!!!. And the disease that exhilarates ageing, lets just say that invisible fairies kill all life on the planet. The graphics for 2008 was good but when played in 2010 it doesnt look so pretty compared to Uncharted 2 or GOW 3.… Expand
  8. ViralKillsBrain
    Apr 21, 2013
    4
    I have played through this game twice and cannot find an enjoyable moment in the whole thing. The cut-scenes drag-out its length, without them i'm not sure there is even a game here. As someone whose followed metal gear solid since the start and has enjoyed them all a great deal until this point, i am very disappointed. 4 for effort?
  9. Bootador
    May 25, 2012
    4
    Tried this based on overwhelmingly favourable reviews and it just doesn't feel right. Not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but overly long cutscenes, poor controls and confusing backstory for a newb to the series make it a waste of time.

    Strong AI & stealth are the only saving graces for me.
  10. Eddard
    Nov 28, 2012
    4
    I never playey any Metal Gear before and i was disappointed in this Game. The Action Sequences and the Graphics are great, but most of the Time you are watching endless cutescenes. The Epilog lasts over 1,5h!!! Thats not the right way, to tell a story.
  11. captainFart82
    Feb 12, 2013
    4
    I'm dumbfounded at how positive this game was received. This was not a good game. The storyline was complete and utter nonsense, and I dare anyone to trace back through the metal gear solid series and define a coherent plot throughout. I had loved this series initially, and really thought MGS3 was a great game, but this one just put the nail in the coffin for me. Some of the cutscenesI'm dumbfounded at how positive this game was received. This was not a good game. The storyline was complete and utter nonsense, and I dare anyone to trace back through the metal gear solid series and define a coherent plot throughout. I had loved this series initially, and really thought MGS3 was a great game, but this one just put the nail in the coffin for me. Some of the cutscenes were so long and nonsensical that I literally was praying for them to end so I could get back to playing the game. The gameplay was good, but there just wasn't enough of it.… Expand
  12. BigBiggo
    Jun 2, 2014
    4
    Considering the potential scope of the material, "wasted opportunity" is more than an understatement. Global conspiracies, mechs, mercenaries, a world embroiled in conflict etc. It's all familiar stuff but still effective; in theory.

    This is the pinnacle of fan-servicing. I have never seen such bad writing in a game of this caliber. Hideo Kojima was always a terrible writer but the    Considering the potential scope of the material, "wasted opportunity" is more than an understatement. Global conspiracies, mechs, mercenaries, a world embroiled in conflict etc. It's all familiar stuff but still effective; in theory.

    This is the pinnacle of fan-servicing. I have never seen such bad writing in a game of this caliber. Hideo Kojima was always a terrible writer but the stuff he's come out with here is just beyond words. Somebody should have broken the man's fingers or at least put him into cryogenic freezing for 200 years in the hope that when he would reawaken Konami would be long gone, and there would be no company that would have his repugnant brain in employ. Some cutscenes go on for twenty minutes... some go on for two. It doesn't make any difference because by the time they get to the point you have already forgotten what you wanted to find out. The characters (protagonist(s) and antagonists) are all repugnant and two dimensional. I do not care about their hopes, dreams, desires, fears; they can all go jump in the lake.

    Oh yeah and 'uncompressed audio?' **** you.

    Gameplay mechanics are still as faulty as ever in true lovable MGS style. Restrictive environments aplenty and horrible control scheme. Movements are too jerky and unrefined to produce a smooth and subtle stealth experience. Stick to Splinter Cell (or Dishonored etc). The game also looks like garbage and this is inexcusable considering how long it was in development for... This is the same year that we had Dead Space and Far Cry 2 and they still hold up today. The biggest visual problem is that amount of really cheap cover ups, 90% of the textures are smeared and the brick walls look like an armada of pasta bakes lined up next to each other.

    The MGS series was groundbreaking at one point in time, although the golden years have long since passed. MGS might have been the first human to ever take a dump in a toilet but it missed the bowl completely. If you love Hideo Kojima then go right ahead and disregard what I have said but if you want to play an actual game then steer clear    … Expand
  13. VidyaBum
    Aug 9, 2015
    4
    I wanted to buy Metal Gear Solid 4, but where was the videogame?

    I tried to find it at a local retailer, but where was the videogame? I tried at a big entertainment store, but where was the videogame? I tried to find it on the internet, but where was the videogame? I got a copy from a friend, put it in my PS3, watched 10 hours of unskippable cutscenes, and I asked, where was    I wanted to buy Metal Gear Solid 4, but where was the videogame?

    I tried to find it at a local retailer, but where was the videogame?

    I tried at a big entertainment store, but where was the videogame?

    I tried to find it on the internet, but where was the videogame?

    I got a copy from a friend, put it in my PS3, watched 10 hours of unskippable cutscenes, and I asked, where was the videogame?    … Expand
  14. pesho_one
    Oct 27, 2014
    4
    While I was thinking what to write here for this score, I saw what one of the critics wrote. One called 'Kikizo'. He gave 10/10, but I was totally agreeing with his(her) words: Yes the game settings IS ridiculous and it doesn't make any sense. The acting is also absurdly bad... But then I lost the guy: No this is not MGS I remember (I played only the first one). MSG1 had very clean andWhile I was thinking what to write here for this score, I saw what one of the critics wrote. One called 'Kikizo'. He gave 10/10, but I was totally agreeing with his(her) words: Yes the game settings IS ridiculous and it doesn't make any sense. The acting is also absurdly bad... But then I lost the guy: No this is not MGS I remember (I played only the first one). MSG1 had very clean and well defined game-play, and this one is a mess. The story did matter then, and it's blown out of proportion now. The cut-scenes are uninteresting and absurdly long. Overall I am very disappointed with this one. But I hear many people like it... And while it might be overrated for what it is, you also may easily fall in the other camp of fans, who will actually enjoy the game. I did not.… Expand
  15. PetD.
    Jan 28, 2010
    3
    Sorry, after MGS1,2 and 3 - where is 4? I mean, not these long and boring cutscenes. 20 minutes of cutscenes, 5 minutes of shooting (wheres stealth action?). I f i want to see a film, i go in cinema. this game is absolutely over hyped !
  16. PS3FAN
    Jun 30, 2008
    3
    Too long movies made me sleep and too short playing time .But it's on PS3 so I give a 3 if it on wii or pc or360 i'll give a 0 .PS3 IS BEST.
  17. HughB
    Aug 6, 2008
    3
    I hate drawn-out cinematic. I hate Japanese style heroes that can magically be stabbed and shot before getting up to jump ten foot over 2-legged giant pelvis gunners and kill them. It takes the player out of the immersion of Snake's mission and bores me to tears. I loved the first MGS but this one angered me with that ripped-off feeling. CoD4 is infinitely better.
  18. JW.
    Feb 20, 2009
    3
    There's barely a game here, 5 mins of gameplay followed by 20 mins of cutscene, the final cutscenes in particular are painfully overlong. Graphically it's OK and the music is great. They've obviously spent a lot of money developing it, but this clearly doesn't make it a great game. I can't recommend this to anyone but the most fanatical MGS fan. I returned my copy.
  19. Voodooman
    May 8, 2009
    3
    I almost absolutely agree with Dave N. Obsessed fanboys are just blind to see the fact that this game is bad a game with outdated gameplay (that basicly is same as it was 10 years ago, with the exeption that THIS ISNT STEALTH ANYMORE, BUT STUPID SHOOT-EM-UP) that feels more like arcade mario than realistic tactical stealth game like splinter cell and thief, and it many gamedesign I almost absolutely agree with Dave N. Obsessed fanboys are just blind to see the fact that this game is bad a game with outdated gameplay (that basicly is same as it was 10 years ago, with the exeption that THIS ISNT STEALTH ANYMORE, BUT STUPID SHOOT-EM-UP) that feels more like arcade mario than realistic tactical stealth game like splinter cell and thief, and it many gamedesign mistakes. Also blind fanboys who gives a 10 for its MOVIE-likeness cant just see that this is average movie with a lot of plot holes, Bolywood-style (aka indian movie) overacted "drama" like meryl and sosaki "love" and like raiden who seems to be killed by massive Arsenal gear, but ten minutes later we can see him alive just without arms... and the last scene where due of commercial reasons snake decide to stay alive when he should die for good... And this whole stupid death of Naomi from something that aint look and aint work like death from cancer (its was better to kill her with foxdie). And the whole plot, consist from to much Re-used elements that Kojima uses again and again from MG 2: Solid Snake, so long before release of MGS 4 i predicted 80% of story exactly right, and those 20% i was wrong about are these plot-holes (when kojima just forget what he said in previuos parts and when he makes some irrational story decisions). Welll the fact that there are more cut scenes than gameplay isnt that bad, but again these scenes and whole plot not good and not well verified like it was in MGS 1 and MGS 2. And again gameplay is separate story that will not fit into this small comments window. But its borring, not stealth at all, stupid and too mach arcadish and classic, that feels like game from PSone released in 1998, but not like the our day modern and realistic games . Kojima just stuck in 80th-90th design era, and too much conservative to move beyond this prehistorics { ! } and this { ? } icons over head of AI that spawns infinite and act same stupid like a bad toilet jokes about sasaki`s health problems. I was waiting for this so many ears since MGS 2, but it the end i get nothing but frustration, so after i finished game 3 times in a first week of release i gifted my copy of MGS 4 to the guy who let me rent his PS3 (yeah i wasnt stupid enoght like others to buy the inferior console - the outsider of current generations, just for one soap bubble like MGS 4) (( Its worst ever Metal Gear for sure.… Expand
  20. MichaelC.
    Jul 4, 2008
    3
    Unlike many of the so-called reviews of this "game", I'm going to be completely objective. I don't give a damn what IGN, Gamespot, and the few other sites and countless fanboys say; as a hardcore gamer, and as a fan of Metal Gear Solid, MGS4 is a total waste of five years worth of waiting. Where to begin? First off, the game still plays like it's from 1998. Why should we be Unlike many of the so-called reviews of this "game", I'm going to be completely objective. I don't give a damn what IGN, Gamespot, and the few other sites and countless fanboys say; as a hardcore gamer, and as a fan of Metal Gear Solid, MGS4 is a total waste of five years worth of waiting. Where to begin? First off, the game still plays like it's from 1998. Why should we be forced to pull two triggers and then a third button just to be able to fire a gun in this day in time? Secondly, for all this bullshit about the graphics being great, not too many "reviewers" mention exactly how limiting these environments truly are; I don't want a sandbox-style stealth game, but when the game uses a myriad of invisible walls and "blocking in" techniques as well as the cheap respawning ideas forcing your hand to complete it just the way Kojima wants you to, it's a little ridiculous. Which brings me to the final failure of MGS4, a lot of reviewers have complained about a lot of the game and then given it a perfect score because it's a Kojima game; I'm not going to bite, Kojima, you are a failed video game developer and a failed movie director if you ever became one. Terrible dialogue and a heavy amount of redundancy throughout many of the cutscenes make what little inspiration that could be taken from them seem trite and when you, as the player, are taken out of control of the game and are forced to WATCH all the great action sequences, it makes me wonder how they can call this a "game" at all. When games like Mass Effect, Bioshock, Halo 3, or even Resistance are out there, it is completely inexcusable to lack such a sense of immersion in a game that's taken this long to create.… Expand
  21. CeeQue
    Mar 5, 2009
    3
    Cut-scenes are well done. But the game is DIFFICULT!!! Maybe I'm not a "gamer" compared to most of the individuals who've rated the game already. I prefer a game with a challenge just but this is overkill...too hard. Will trade it for a different game. Ugh!!!!
  22. Non
    Jun 11, 2008
    3
    Movie, movie and movie.... I just cleard normal mode. Playtime were 16hours (include 9hours movie)
  23. MikeW.
    Jun 12, 2008
    3
    The story relies on a convoluted plat and paper thin characters with extrenous backstories, rather then relying on the sotry it self. Game looks great but there's nothing there that hasn't been done before.
  24. JohnsonP.
    Jun 21, 2008
    3
    Boring, poor graphics/textures, no surprise I didn't play more than 15 minutes like all others previously released Metal Gear, such hype, nothing to deliver, could have been released on PS2, too many videos, and too many fanboys giving it 10.
  25. KeithB.
    Jun 23, 2008
    3
    Almost unplayable. You can't skip the endless cutscenes unless you want to be lost, and you want to kill yourself while waiting to play!
  26. FelipeC.
    Jun 25, 2008
    3
    Great game, but only one more in the battle of this generation.
  27. Rich
    Sep 22, 2008
    3
    Hours upon hours of boring (and increasingly ridiculous) interludes make this game pretty annoying... The gameplay is good but too short in comparison.
  28. Tridus
    Dec 17, 2012
    3
    Calling this a "game" is false advertising. It's a movie, and a bad one at that. The storytelling is nonsensical. Load times are bad. Every now and then they interrupt the movie with some occasional gameplay. The ratings for this one are proof that if you throw enough shiny and PR budget at something, you can convince the critics to like it.
  29. octobersky92
    Feb 7, 2012
    3
    Got this because I loved MGS Snake Eater. Played mgs4 once, then twice, then some more. Thought it was great. Played it recently, it was ok. The cutscenes were horrifically long to the point where I was nodding off. The graphics were good. The thing that I hated the most was the europe mission, following the Resistance member. That was so boring I had to quit and come back later and listenGot this because I loved MGS Snake Eater. Played mgs4 once, then twice, then some more. Thought it was great. Played it recently, it was ok. The cutscenes were horrifically long to the point where I was nodding off. The graphics were good. The thing that I hated the most was the europe mission, following the Resistance member. That was so boring I had to quit and come back later and listen to music to kill the boredom.… Expand
  30. Shigawire
    Nov 2, 2012
    3
    I couldn't stand this game for several reasons: Really cringeworthy writing (way to go Hideo Kajima).
    Pretentious and boring long cutscenes.
    Fart jokes and generally bad humor. Poor gameplay design and variation. Killer robots saying "mmoooooo!" Stealth elements are not surprisingly just as weak as they have been since MGS1. Want a good stealth-action-adventure with a mature tone,    I couldn't stand this game for several reasons: Really cringeworthy writing (way to go Hideo Kajima).
    Pretentious and boring long cutscenes.
    Fart jokes and generally bad humor.
    Poor gameplay design and variation.
    Killer robots saying "mmoooooo!"
    Stealth elements are not surprisingly just as weak as they have been since MGS1.

    Want a good stealth-action-adventure with a mature tone, I would recommend any of the Splinter Cell games over this any time of day. There's also Dishonored and any of the Hitman games.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PS3 Game of 2008
2
#2 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
2
#2 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 82 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 82
  3. Negative: 0 out of 82
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    100
    Guns of the Patriots is almost intimidating in the consistent quality of its ideas, invention, and execution...Even by the series' stratospheric standards, MGS4 is a remarkable high point. [June 2008]
  2. IGN UK
    99
    If you've ever loved any one of the Metal Gear games, or any moments from the series, there will come a moment when MGS 4 will send your spirits soaring. If you've loved them all, well then there'll be many, many more. It’s a masterpiece.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    80
    Guns of the Patriots is a frustrating, fractured game that turns Metal Gear Solid's world upside down several times over, but never changes it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »