Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots

Snake's last mission, or so we're told to believe, is finally upon us, but has it been worth the wait? Well, to say it simply, hell yes it's been worth the wait. MGS4 is the culmination and tying up of all loose ends and story threads stretching back to MGS1 on the PSX to the present day. Hideo Kojima, the gaming guru, clearly wasn't all too occupied with converting people to the MGS series with MGS4. No, MGS4 is a game for all those fans who have stuck with it from day one and this is Kojima's way of thanking all his fans with his most epic, action packed Metal Gear Solid of the series.
The game begins in the Middle East, setting the scene perfectly and illustrating the world in which the game is set, one dominated of the War Economy and funded by PMCs. Unlike previous Metal Gears, it's not all stealth and tactical espionage. In the Middle East and South America settings, Snake must make his way through a war zone between the PMCs and the local rebel militia. Here the player can choose to sneak by unnoticed while they fight, or they can show one faction who's side they're on by visibly taking out their enemies. I don't want to give too much of the story away. Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of those games we've all been waiting so long for that it shouldn't be spoiled for anyone. Every MGS fan out there should sit down and enjoy every second of it, spoiler free. What i will say is that every surviving character from the previous games makes an appearance at some point, and even others who you never thought would turn up are there. And i will also say that the last stage in the game is among the best set pieces in any MGS game, and reveals a lot of "holy frick" parts of the story.
As i said, i have no intention of spoiling the storyline for anyone so i'm now going to fill you in on the new gameplay. War may have changed, but so has Snake. They say you can't teach an old snake new tricks, but Old Snake begs to differ. He now has a whole arsenal of new moves to try out on his enemies, such as playing dead, rolling over onto his back for better and more precise aim, his new SolidEye allows him to use infrared binoculars and give him data on his enemies, and for the first time in MGS. Solid/Old Snake uses CQC, as seen used by Big Boss in MGS3. There is also a clever explanation as to why Snake can suddenly use CQC if you call Otacon in the Middle East. The biggest change of all in the gameplay mechanics is the new camera. Basically, it's controlled using the right analog stick. Sounds simple and basic right? But it's a huge change for the MGS series and it's usual fixed camera angles and makes sneaking so much easier. A small, but welcome change.
Then there's that question. Is Metal Gear Solid 4 the end of the series, and if it is, is it worthy of being Snake's last mission? Well, personally, i think MGS4 is worthy of being Snake's last mission. It leaves no leaf unturned and clears up everything. Granted, some leaves were unturned in the classical, confusing Metal Gear Solid fashion, but they were still unturned. As for it being the last Metal Gear Solid? Well it is hinted at that it won't be the end, though, if there is going to be a new MGS then it would probably start with a brand new storyline. However, as it stands, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots is a worthy and epic farewell to Snake and friends. Good-bye for now everyone. You will be missed!