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. ChesterField
    Jul 29, 2020
    9
    Great MGS but i feel its a little bit under his predecesors. Still mandatory for the fans.
  2. Jrson
    May 5, 2020
    9
    Wow this game has a lot of cutscenes. The stealth in this game is very fun. Just like the other MGS games, this one is no different. The amount of references to the first game was kind of jarring, otherwise, the boss fights in this game are good as well. The story is kind of a mixed bag, combined with the other MGS games, the story is very confusing.
  3. INU4SH4
    Jun 25, 2020
    9
    The perfect ending for an almost flawless series. MGS truly is Kojima's baby and it shows all of his dedication and genius.

    MGS was revolutionary in both gameplay and story for its time period. MGS 2 made tons of improvements gameplay-wise and also delivered a brilliant story. MGS 3 proved how good this series is and gave the perfect start for the chronology of MGS. And MGS 4 comes to    The perfect ending for an almost flawless series. MGS truly is Kojima's baby and it shows all of his dedication and genius.

    MGS was revolutionary in both gameplay and story for its time period. MGS 2 made tons of improvements gameplay-wise and also delivered a brilliant story. MGS 3 proved how good this series is and gave the perfect start for the chronology of MGS. And MGS 4 comes to close the curtains and deliver one of the most powerful and emotional stories in the series.

    The gameplay was probably the most polished, deep, and interesting I've ever played apart from maybe Dark Souls and Bloodborne. I loved the OctoCamo and all the options you could use to pass through your enemies unnoticed. This game also makes you think about your enemies, as the story doesn't imply they are bad, giving you the choice to not kill them like in the previous entries. But that's completely optional, although if you decide to go for the "Rambo" and kill everyone, your character feels the consequences and that was a very smart and cool detail. There are so many secrets to be found and different ways to play the game. It's incredible.

    I always find it hard to decide which one I love the most: MGS 3 or 4. I will have to replay this game in the future and decide once and for all.    … Expand
  4. Onlyclassicvg1
    Oct 4, 2022
    9
    The Little Mermaid is one of my top 5 favorite princess movies, one of my top 10 favorite romance movies, one of my favorite Disney and animated movies, one of my favorite musical movies, and one of my favorite movies of all time. The soundtrack is stupendous especially the songs Pa
  5. storygamer
    Sep 2, 2020
    9
    Kojima did it again! History showed again and again, that this stealth series is more than just gaming. It´s an aesthetic and philosophical experience. Just as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots. This game is so well narrated and designed, that you sometimes loose touch weather it´s a game or a thrilling movie. One of the best games for the PlayStation 3!
  6. hector_bcn98
    Nov 11, 2022
    9
    Tenía que haber sido el final de la saga. La avaricia rompe el sago y eso pasó con la quinta parte, además de un catastrófico desarrollo.
  7. RTCWFAN
    Jun 13, 2023
    9
    Not as good as the outstanding second part, but it is surely my number two. It is a typical Kojima experience - like a great long movie. Overall rating: 9.4.
  8. Jattaman
    Sep 28, 2022
    9
    Altro splendido capitolo, che merita un 9.
    Forse un pelino inferiore al terzo episodio, ma comunque degno capitolo di una saga storica.
  9. TheCockCritics
    Nov 12, 2021
    9
    Un juego por el cual vale la pena comprar o desenpolvar la ps3, sin duda un festival de emociones. Algunos errores de guion y fanservice por ahi, pero no hay nada tan exagerado como dicen algunos. Vale la pena totalmente.
  10. trinovatic
    Feb 14, 2023
    9
    "Nuca te he tratado como a un hijo, pero siempre te he respetado como soldado y como hombre"
  11. Pmstz
    Jan 30, 2023
    9
    Absolut MGS masterpiece.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  12. TarasH
    May 2, 2023
    9
    Kojima is Kojima, with his angles, direction, music and game trifles, I went through it with joy, although the game is difficult for me... the plot is super fantastic and, in my opinion, with a mixture of nonsense (it's still Kojima), from the minuses it is optimization games.. and it is not clear what to do in a fight with Vamp)
  13. ChrisN.
    Jun 24, 2008
    8
    Wasn't all that great, decent but not nearly worth the hype it got.
  14. RodrigoR.
    Jun 21, 2008
    8
    Pros: great voice acting, nice action sequences, octocamo is just unbelievable, nice control scheme Cons: huge installation and load times between stages, too much cinemas hurt the pacing, the graphics are far from what was promised, enemies still walk like robots, cluttered story for first time players.
  15. Notafanboy
    Jul 9, 2008
    8
    A fairly good game, not EXCELLENT, but good nonetheless. The graphics aren't the best, but they are very close. The range of tactics is surprising and will leave you replaying the game to see what would've happened if you'd gone about each route differently. Too story based, even though the story is satisfying. The cut scenes are ridiculously long, though. If I wanted to A fairly good game, not EXCELLENT, but good nonetheless. The graphics aren't the best, but they are very close. The range of tactics is surprising and will leave you replaying the game to see what would've happened if you'd gone about each route differently. Too story based, even though the story is satisfying. The cut scenes are ridiculously long, though. If I wanted to watch a cutscene for that long I could go find a movie. This is a game, not a movie, I don't want to watch a game, get it right.… Expand
  16. DanielK.
    Jun 14, 2008
    8
    The game that should have been an epic is every bit of that, except for where it counts: gameplay. Sure the story is still great, albeit even more convoluted; the graphics are amazing, despite the fact that the environments are actually very small, making the achievement slightly less impressive, but the game still feels like it's trying to be the top standard of 1998 instead of The game that should have been an epic is every bit of that, except for where it counts: gameplay. Sure the story is still great, albeit even more convoluted; the graphics are amazing, despite the fact that the environments are actually very small, making the achievement slightly less impressive, but the game still feels like it's trying to be the top standard of 1998 instead of catching up with the times in terms of control, gameplay, and overall sense of freedom. Use cutscenes to tell a story, not to restrict players from the actions that they should be able to do in gameplay. Good game but a sad excuse for four years of development.… Expand
  17. ChrisV
    Jun 17, 2008
    8
    Its a good game with flaws. The PS3 fan boys are really getting worked up on this one. It was their last great hope and it didn't fail, but it didn't do as good as they wanted. LOL.
  18. DanJ.
    Jun 9, 2008
    8
    Gameplay is fantastic and so much fun, but the Movie length cutscenes really get frustrating, Especially since I'm new to the MGS franchise. I had hoped that Kojima would have used the Blu-Ray to give us A planet worth of stages. For God sakes I had time to write this in the middle of a cutscene and it's still going
  19. PeteW.
    Aug 14, 2008
    8
    First off: outstanding gameplay, as usual for the series. There's nothing quite like sneaking through the middle of a firefight, or slipping up behind a guard and cutting his throat before he even knows you're there. And the boss battles are lots of fun as always. Also, the graphics were simply some of the best ever in a game, and the music, while not the best in the series, was First off: outstanding gameplay, as usual for the series. There's nothing quite like sneaking through the middle of a firefight, or slipping up behind a guard and cutting his throat before he even knows you're there. And the boss battles are lots of fun as always. Also, the graphics were simply some of the best ever in a game, and the music, while not the best in the series, was duly cinematic and epic. Now, The Cutscenes. I have one gripe with them, and one alone. I don't mind that they represent easily half of the total play time. I don't mind that some of the best action sequences in the game are things you just sit back and watch. But what I DO mind is when the plot of the game is hammered into my skull by having characters repeat the same few points over, and over, and over, and over. Kojima could easily have cut at least 1/3rd of the running time without losing any substance. Also, while I give the series credit for trying to have a more involved story than games usually do, let's not pretend that this is any deeper than a Tom Clancy novel, people. I get that war is bad, that the military-industrial complex is a threat, that genetic engineering is potentially dangerous, and all the rest. I wish the creators could have avoided pretending like this stuff is pivotal social commentary and kept things a bit snappier. Overall I'd still say that MGS3: Subsistence is the best in the series, but this is certainly a worthy new entry and good for a couple dozen hours of high-grade entertainment.… Expand
  20. MarkD
    Sep 4, 2008
    8
    Snake goes out with bang, yet as a big fan of the series i still feel slightly let down. The gameplay is perhaps the most non linier in the history of games; Play it stealthily or as an action shoot em up, take people out with a sniper rifle, use a distraction technique, utilize your items in all sorts of different ways. The graphics are stunning, perhaps the best the PS3 has seen yet and Snake goes out with bang, yet as a big fan of the series i still feel slightly let down. The gameplay is perhaps the most non linier in the history of games; Play it stealthily or as an action shoot em up, take people out with a sniper rifle, use a distraction technique, utilize your items in all sorts of different ways. The graphics are stunning, perhaps the best the PS3 has seen yet and the music wouldn't be out of place on a Hollywood blockbuster. When it's good it's close to genius and there are moments that will blow your mind. As a self confessed fanboy i really wanted to give it 10/10. However it's not perfect so i can't!!! One of the main problems is (you guessed it) the plot and cut scenes. I don't have a problem with long cut scenes or a deep plot in a game but if that's the way you want to go give us something less muddled Kojima; When those looooooooooong cut scenes are filled with pointless, droning monologues about genetics or preechy guff about war i do have a problem! Not to mention the plot holes and the fact that half of the plot doesn't make sense. The other problem is the steep learning curve. You're expected to be using Snakes subtler stealth techniques virtually from the start and the camera isn't perfect. I can see how a number of people (especially MGS virgins) could be put before they've really got into the game. So, MGS4 although brilliant in many ways is best described as a flawed masterpiece!… Expand
  21. ChrisT.
    Jun 23, 2008
    8
    Beautiful cut scenes, although sometimes a bit long. For me there is NOT enough action in the gameplay. Sneaking around all the time gets old. Also I feel that the aiming system is a bit off at times. But still the game is fun, it's just so much more that could have been done with this. Overall I feel that this game is a bit overrated by the big boys, not sure why so many rated this Beautiful cut scenes, although sometimes a bit long. For me there is NOT enough action in the gameplay. Sneaking around all the time gets old. Also I feel that the aiming system is a bit off at times. But still the game is fun, it's just so much more that could have been done with this. Overall I feel that this game is a bit overrated by the big boys, not sure why so many rated this game a 10, it just simply isn't.… Expand
  22. JosephA.
    Jul 16, 2008
    8
    After playing through this game twice, the swan song of the MGS series is a good tune, but hardly one of perfection. My main complaint is along with many others, the cutscenes. While yes, this is a Kojima game and cut scenes are almost inseparable to the series, he went overboard with them, not only are they too long and contrived at times to make sense to beginners (The proposed After playing through this game twice, the swan song of the MGS series is a good tune, but hardly one of perfection. My main complaint is along with many others, the cutscenes. While yes, this is a Kojima game and cut scenes are almost inseparable to the series, he went overboard with them, not only are they too long and contrived at times to make sense to beginners (The proposed flashbacks, are at best, a quick Drebin point maker.) but the way the game pulls it off at certain element, hokey and melodramatic to the extreme, eschewing drama for the sake of characters, more often than not making a quick patch up to a plot point in order to get it done. The secondary reason is for anyone shooting for a higher metal or ranking in game will realize, there is very little gameplay to speak of in relativity. When twenty hours of cumulative time consist of fifteen hours of watching a bastard-mix between Hollywood's and post-modernism's worst traits, and five hours of superb gameplay. Despite my heavy hand on the story, the gameplay is as mentioned, great. While the camera could use some work, it is for the most part, unobtrusive and functioning. The stealth elements are still intact form previous games, with a reworking of the camo system to be more efficient. (And for those of you who like me, couldn't sneak past blind, deaf, and dumb people, the shooting is much more relaxed.) Along with a superb first and second sections, it would be worth the experience by itself. The problem lies with a lack of effort on the level designers part for the next three chapters. While the third isn't as realized as the others, the elements of a decent level are in place but not elongated enough. The forth level (Shadow Moses) is proof positive that they were making up excuses to not delivering their work. While the level in and of itself is a nice throwback, if it wern't for the history behind it I would scoff it off as a pathetic attempt at game design. All in all, the "game" itself is accomplished, but lack some finesse that comes with more work. (NOT ON CUTSCENES, though they could use some work too.) Along with a semi-slow paced shooter MGO, this is a great buy, but only if you either enjoy the series to death, or don't care for story as to skip most of it.… Expand
  23. JohnG.
    Dec 14, 2009
    8
    OK so after reading all of the MGS4 reviews I was excited to pick up this game. Having never played any of the games in this series I really didn't know what to expect. I am currently midway through act II and the game is just OK. The graphics are pretty good, not outstanding. The story line is good but there are way way too many cut scenes and for stupid things too. IE it will OK so after reading all of the MGS4 reviews I was excited to pick up this game. Having never played any of the games in this series I really didn't know what to expect. I am currently midway through act II and the game is just OK. The graphics are pretty good, not outstanding. The story line is good but there are way way too many cut scenes and for stupid things too. IE it will return from one cut scene and give you control again, but after taking 10 steps forward it will go back to another cut scene. Is this really necessary? However, my biggest complaint is the fact that you could play this entire (except when you fight the boss') without firing a gun. This seems sssooo lame. I want to play a game with a lot of action and cool weapons. Which this game does have but it's really set up for you to be as sneaky as possible and not really for killing or taking advantage of the cool weapons. What this equates to is a cool game but definitely not a game I couldn't live without. I will finish the game and then return it. I don't think I would play this game again after I beat it.… Expand
  24. PM
    Dec 22, 2009
    8
    Fans of the MGS series will be moved and mostly satisfied with MGS4. Sure, it's mostly cutscenes - I finished it in 15 hours, with probably 9-10 of those being non-interactive - but what cutscenes! More than ever before, MGS4 is less a game and more an interactive story, and while I don't often subscribe to that philosophy, everything here works. The scale, the over-the-top Fans of the MGS series will be moved and mostly satisfied with MGS4. Sure, it's mostly cutscenes - I finished it in 15 hours, with probably 9-10 of those being non-interactive - but what cutscenes! More than ever before, MGS4 is less a game and more an interactive story, and while I don't often subscribe to that philosophy, everything here works. The scale, the over-the-top operatic emotion, the game mechanical innovations, the setpieces, and every tiny detail meld together to make for a truly epic conclusion. On the other hand, if you are not a fan of the MGS series, do not bother. You will be lost and bored.… Expand
  25. Funkymonk
    Mar 26, 2011
    8
    MGS4 is overblown, pretentious and frutrating. It's also got more brilliant ideas, invention and "wow " moments then any other action game this generation! The only way i can describe it is a flawed masterpiece.
  26. Jagkid007
    Sep 9, 2010
    8
    This game is good. One of the best stories i have ever experienced, some of the better stealth gameplay out there, and excellent graphics. The story is told in very long cutscenes and this game was very short without them. I was playing this game like i usually do a normal game on my first playthough and it took about 9 hours but without the cutscenes this game is reduced in half. TheThis game is good. One of the best stories i have ever experienced, some of the better stealth gameplay out there, and excellent graphics. The story is told in very long cutscenes and this game was very short without them. I was playing this game like i usually do a normal game on my first playthough and it took about 9 hours but without the cutscenes this game is reduced in half. The gameplay also is not as good as the other metal gear solid games. There is a lot less stealth in the game. The game is very smooth in gameplay during the stealth parts. But there are a lot of run and gun parts and you can tell that the game was made for stealth. Most Sections are stealth, but you are sneaking around a huge battlefield which makes it almost impossible to be spotted because they don't detect you from your bullets because it blends in and they don't see a lot because the enemies all focus on the other AI. This is still a fun game but is is far from perfect.… Expand
  27. LuisMatheus
    Sep 8, 2010
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've made a metacritic account just for this game, it truly deserves a better rating. Metal Gear Solid 4 is just one of the best games i ever played in my whole life! i've played all MGS games, this game gives the best storytelling MGS got until now. The graphics are amazing, so much detail in every texture! The Gameplay is extremely better, Its more stealthy. Its just amazing how the characters react to things, they look like real people!! This game is extremely rare, its not something that you see everyday. If you have a Playstation 3 i recomend you buying it. When you finish the game MGO will keep you engaged for weeks! I give this game a '' because it really deserves...… Expand
  28. HJROakley
    Sep 15, 2010
    8
    Truly an epic game in it's presentation and execution. Obviously, it can be seen as a little fishy for a game to have only (at most) 10 hours gameplay through the story and probably twice that length of time in cut-scenes, but that's what this game is all about. The game has a near perfect consistent quality of it's ideas and invention. There is certainly more of a focus on the challengeTruly an epic game in it's presentation and execution. Obviously, it can be seen as a little fishy for a game to have only (at most) 10 hours gameplay through the story and probably twice that length of time in cut-scenes, but that's what this game is all about. The game has a near perfect consistent quality of it's ideas and invention. There is certainly more of a focus on the challenge and an engrossing story, which a lot of gamers don't appreciate as being fun, but the gameplay itself is relatively flawless for it's genre. Problems with gameplay do occur when playing on the hardest difficulty - where luck is as necessary as skill in certain chapters, so this is only advised for the hardcore fans. Most can over-look the flaws throughout the game, making this a staple for any PS3 owner and any fans of the series.… Expand
  29. Isaac
    Nov 18, 2010
    8
    Metal gear solid 4 is an example of a great game that could have been much better if it wasn't for the lousy dialog and unbalanced story. in terms of gameplay the game is outstanding. there are many things to do and the game never gets dull. oh wait i forgot about the cutscenes... the long ass cutscenes that go on for hours, diminishing the enjoyment and fun from the game. mgs 3 was aMetal gear solid 4 is an example of a great game that could have been much better if it wasn't for the lousy dialog and unbalanced story. in terms of gameplay the game is outstanding. there are many things to do and the game never gets dull. oh wait i forgot about the cutscenes... the long ass cutscenes that go on for hours, diminishing the enjoyment and fun from the game. mgs 3 was a fantastic game because it had great gameplay AND great story. apparently Kojima decided to go bananas with this game, creating a complex, yet idiotic story that barely makes any sense the more you keep playing. he took long forgotten characters from past metal gear games and brought them back even if they have nothing to do with the story. the graphics and music are ,of course, outstanding. in the moments that you actually get to play the game its fantastic. the game is a technical marvel and even today, a couple of years after it came out, it still has some of the best graphics and most polished gameplay i have ever seen in video games. I liked the first 3 mgs games because their story was consistent and logical besides great gameplay. It's a shame mgs 4 doesn't have it, especially considering it's the last game of solid snake's era. this series deserved a better ending.… Expand
  30. Makaveli
    Oct 24, 2012
    8
    I thought I would re-rewrite some of my reviews,I reviewed this game a really long time ago but anyway. I can understand how some people gave this game a low score. This game however doesn't deserve a 0. The game IS a stealth game and there are some parts of the game that are not stealth at all, it's just that Kojima wanted to mix it up a bit and give options. I didn't mind the cutscenes II thought I would re-rewrite some of my reviews,I reviewed this game a really long time ago but anyway. I can understand how some people gave this game a low score. This game however doesn't deserve a 0. The game IS a stealth game and there are some parts of the game that are not stealth at all, it's just that Kojima wanted to mix it up a bit and give options. I didn't mind the cutscenes I thought they were cool, however the mission briefing videos were infact boring and I had a hard time keeping my eyes open aswell. They tried to fill the whole 50GB blu ray disc. The game itself is about the same length of MGS 3. The game itself does not deserve a 10. But the people that say the graphics are horrible...I don't understand that one. The Graphics are quite nice actually, when bullets hit the ground debris will be seen, even games toda in 2012 do not have that. People complaining about toilet humour but say that they LOVEEE MGS 1? Hmm I guess you do not remember the toilet humour in that game... Yes I do like MGS 3 better than this one,but I like the story. The people that are just coming into this game will not like it because they wont know what is going on. I agree that Kojima could of giving more of a Recap considering all the cutscene in this game are long as hell, they could of easily recapped the story for people... I find that they were really creative in this game, especially when Sunny is making breakfast and the eggs are kind of fortune telling. A lot of people didn't catch that..... I did and I thought it was cool. I didn't like how they didn't tell you if Snake died, the whole point of this game was story, and we DID get a big long story but we didn't get the answers or closure to the most important parts of the story. They should of handled the story differently. I also thought that the gun IDS were cool but at the same time lame. Also I thought Drebin was a stupid character that just follows snake around to sell him stuff. My main gripe about this game were the bosses. They were fun and all in some aspect but the characters didn't interest me, except liquid. I thought it was amazing how at the end of the game you fight "liquid" ontop of the ship with fists, just like in the first MGS when you fight liquid ontop of Metal Gear,it's kind of like "the final fight" and it was very well done. People that complain about how it was too "japanese" give me a break, do you guys seriously only want to play generic games that are all the same? The controls are okay, but I find that the controls in MGS 3 were a touch better. Here's a break down.

    Graphics- 8
    Gameplay- 8
    Fun- 9
    Replay Value - 7

    As I give the game itself an "8" the experience is a 10    … 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 »