Our Verdict
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots remains an ambitious, gloriously excessive finale, and Vol. 2 gives it the modern platform it deserves, despite some dated design choices, lengthy cutscenes and uneven representation.

Ghost Babel is a pixel art joy; excellent extras and fan service round out a good package. For those who followed Snake's journey from the start, MGS4 still offers a thrilling finale that feels like an event. The beauty of revisiting it now lies in its technical prowess and Kojima’s attention to detail.

MGS4 is finally playable again on modern consoles, pushing PS3 limits with busy Middle Eastern battlefields, surprisingly durable character models, and the Shadow Moses Metal Gear encounter as a technical showcase. At 4K and 60fps, it still feels crisp without losing its late-PS3 character.

The Beauty and the Beast Unit are particularly noteworthy for their nuanced designs and memorable battles that play on nostalgia for earlier entries in the series. However, the balance between gameplay and cutscenes remains a challenge; watching 20-minute cinematics can break your immersion just when you get into the rhythm of the game.

Despite some outdated elements, MGS4's sense of occasion and inventiveness still shines through, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series. It’s fantastic that we can revisit this masterpiece in 2026.