Metal Gear Solid 4

Reviewed by:
Gerasimos Manolatos

The Skinny: Solid Snake returns in the form of Flabby, Old Snake and goes on one last thrilling ride before sneaking into a retirement home.

The Good: There are plenty of fan nods in the game, but developer Hideo Kojima went to great lengths to make Snake's last hurrah accessible to those getting their first sip of his genius juice. Extensive cut scenes explain much, but not all, of the backstory; and there is enough drama, revenge, and dry humor to keep the game's main focus from devolving into mushy oblivion.

The Bad: While the game is a hell of a lot of fun, you won't exactly be pressing buttons like a maniac—or at all, in some cases. It's a stealth game. The cut scenes often seem to go on forever—we clocked one at around 60 minutes—but even they provide some of the most dramatic moments in recent video game history.

Monkey Business: Drebin, a blonde-haired Wesley Snipes–wannabe weapons launderer, follows you around with a hairless monkey that has a penchant for stogies.

Buy, Rent, or Disembowel? Buy it already, sheesh.