"Metal Gear Solid 4," in its grand finale of the epic saga of Solid Snake and the la-li-lu-le-lo ... um, I mean the Patriots, achieves a magnificent maelstrom of incredible visuals, roiling atmosphere, intuitive mechanics, addictive gameplay and cinematics worthy of the big screen.
And, of course, potty jokes. "Metal Gear" mastermind Hideo Kojima surely possesses the oddest sense of humor in the game industry.
The first half of the roughly 20-hour single-player game reaches a pinnacle in stealth combat. Never has sneaking about been presented so efficiently and elegantly. Gone are the convoluted combos in favor of streamlined controls, which are spot-on, save a few instances where Solid decides to sit up when encountering a wall or corpse. Not to say the stealth has been dumbed down -- intelligent A.I. enemies keep alert for the slightest disturbances.
With the OctoCamo suit that mimics environmental patterns, silenced weapons, tranquilizer rounds, and slick and simple close-quarters combat moves, you can -- in theory -- slip past battleground chaos unnoticed. Conversely, with a vast "laundered" arsenal of weapons available for purchase, you can blow everything in sight to smithereens. And, sometimes, you have to do just that.
"MGS4" offers an unprecedented flexibility for tackling objectives. Sneak your way through a war zone, letting the opposing sides take each other out, or pick off a few PMC soldiers alongside the militia, gaining their respect in return. Or, do a little of both.
I won't delve into the intricately woven story line to avoid any risk of ruining the many twists and turns, but everything about clones, secret organizations, double and triple agents, bizarre medical aberrations and weaponry all gets resolved here. That means lengthy cutscenes packed with exposition and background, and, on top of that, plenty of flashbacks triggered with a button prompt. In fact, I'm pretty sure the closing cinematic clocked in at more than an hour. If you're a longtime "Metal Gear" follower, these long scenes should satisfy every question. But, even if you're new to the franchise, the explanations should help you along -- although I'd recommend downloading the exhaustive "Metal Gear" encyclopedia free on the PlayStation Network.
Granted, the second half of "MGS4" feels more like a movie than a game, but the gorgeously rendered cinematics keep your attention rapt. Unfortunately, this means less playtime, and, with a game like this, you crave every moment.
Sure, the dialogue can be a little melodramatic at times, but the voice actor portraying Solid provides the perfect panacea. His gravely voice delivers quips and groans of agony with a believable humanity. The soundtrack also sets the perfect mood -- I get goosebumps whenever I hear the music for the first boss battle.
My biggest disappointments are the dwindling opportunities to carve my own strategies in the second half of the game. The open environments through which I could deliciously plot a path give way to linear corridors where stealth often succumbs to run and roll. It's still gripping gameplay, but that only proves how amazing the first half is. Also, you don't get the pleasure of finishing off one of the bosses; you provide cover while an ally duels on a split screen.
Be prepared for the occasional nostalgic nod to previous titles. Some of these throwbacks are amusing, others are just baffling. It's killing me not to talk about that one ...
Metal Gear Online extends the life of the game considerably with a ton of multiplayer options -- how come no female characters to choose from? -- but it pales in comparison to the single-player story line.
It's self-referential, serious, silly, satisfying and absolutely spectacular. And the themes, even in the sci-fi setting, find relevance to our reality. Of all the action franchises, nothing surpasses the audacity and sprawling narrative of "Metal Gear." It's an incredible and unforgettable gaming experience.
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