I've read a few reviews for MGS4, and almost all of them give the game a number rating somewhere between 9 and 10. I've also saw a few people get angry over a 9.3 rating, and others thought it should be lower. So, I just finished the game, and to me—a big time Metal Gear Solid fan—was great.

The graphics are amazing, and that is a fact that most people will not debate. Graphics: 10

The sound...well I see no problems with it. I can keep track of enemies by their sounds, and the music is nice. A nice little iPod was thrown in for an added bonus for a different soundtrack if the other one becomes a little old as you try to earn the Big Boss title (and a bonus, the songs can help in-game). Sound: 10.



The controls are familiar with only a few alterations—mostly for the best. I recently played all the games again, so I would be up to date on the story, so right off I noticed the change from O to X as the main select button. This kind of threw me off a bit as I was so used to selecting with O, and had reprogrammed my brain to use it since most games use X in the first place. That was how all the changes were, little quirks that slightly changed things; however, I think in the end it was far better. Now, I’m not going to deceive myself like some, the controls can still be clunky at times; but the chunkiness has greatly decreased from previous incarnations. Lastly, and the best improvement, the camera is fully controllable. In my play through of past games, I was beating my head into the wall with the stupid forced camera angles. I was so relieved when I saw that I could control the camera. Best change ever. Controls: 10.



Finally, the story. Wow. That is the best way to describe it. If you loved the storyline from the other games, you will be happy. Characters galore and the curtains are up. It’s just great for all the fans of the series. The inside jokes are nice as well. Now, is this storyline the best storyline in the videogame world? Well, that is a subjective question. However, I’m a guy that loves the storyline of the Monkey Island games. So, yeah, I think it’s a great storyline. One of the best. But, yeah, some cut-scenes can stretch on forever…ok all the cut-scenes do; but I really did not mind myself. These scenes are really for the hardcore fans who love the story, and really most people will only watch them the first play through. They can be skipped. The story is tied up nicely for all the fans. It’s full of all those things you love in a story: pain, sorrow, fury, fear, joy, and even the end. Hey, I’m allowed a lame joke. Story: 10.



My final score: 10. What does that mean? It means I loved this game. That is all. It doesn’t mean that it is the greatest game in the world. It doesn’t mean you will love it. It doesn’t mean anything outside of the fact that I loved MGS4. The problem with a number-based system is that it makes no sense. This game is a 5, and that game is a 7. Yawn. I’m sick and tired of people throwing numbers around like they really mean anything outside what the reviewer thinks about a game. New Flash: you and the reviewer may disagree. Sure, there are games that are universally terrible (i.e. ET). However, maybe someone out there (MAYBE) liked it.



What I’m trying to get at here—while sharing my opinion of Metal Gear—is that you shouldn’t listen to a reviewer. Not without reservation. If they say, “OMFG YOU HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME IT IS A 10!” Rent it. If they say, “OMFG THIS IS COMPELETE AND UTTER CRAP, WHAT DID THEY DO TO MINORITY REPORT! 1.5”! Rent it. (P.S. Minority Report sucked :p). And keep one more thing in mind: Just because you hate the game, doesn’t mean everyone will hate it. The same goes for the games you love.
And that’s what I think. As if you cared.