Game: "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots"

Console: PlayStation 3

Publisher/developer: Konami

Genre: Action/adventure

Number of players: 1 (Multiplayer: number of players depends on the room and server you choose)

Rated: M for strong language, suggestive themes, violence, blood, and crude humor.

Premise: Solid Snake — a clone exposed to the Fox Die Virus — is dying. He does not intend to kick the bucket, however, before he takes out a few of his foes who are dumb enough to still be around. The game starts off in the Middle East of the future, where war has lost all meaning and is fought between mercenaries and rebels, and walking death tanks called Metal Gears roam freely. Every chapter takes place in a different venue and you never know where you will end up. This may be Snake's last adventure — might as well go out with a bang.

Game play: The mechanics emphasize use of stealth to avoid enemies, rather than fighting with an array of tranquilizer darts and a suit that blends with the environment. The game has a very good first-person shooting system. So, forgoing stealth is an option that the game supports.

The good/bad: On the bad side, the load times are atrocious. Every time you start a new game, there is a 10-minute waiting period. On a positive note, the cinemas run very smoothly.

Tips: Figure out which faction you want to support — the PMC or the rebels. It will effect the game play outcome.

Take the time to shake down fallen opponents. The ammo and items they drop are well worth it.

Take your time when sneaking. Rushing around will just get you shot.

When you defeat an enemy, be sure to check the body for valuable items (ammo and weapons). That will be converted into credit.

My take: With the exception of "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater," "Snake's Revenge" and the Gameboy Color game, I have enjoyed all of the Metal Gear games. One possible option for this game is to not use stealth at all. Instead, use your weapons and hunt down enemies and grab extra ammo from the fallen. It is nice to have this option when your patience is at an end from all the sneaking around.

Besides a multitude of long cinemas, I found it very hard to go into the online portion of the game. Using a badly done interface, signing in takes almost 10 minutes. Waiting around for outdated interfaces, like installing and loading, is one of the reasons I do not own a PS3 but instead play my friend's system.

For anyone who likes an end to a great game saga, it is worth playing this game but due to the lack of quality games for the PS3, do not feel compelled to buy this system for only four games ("Drake's Fortune," "Ratchet and Clank," "Ninja Gaiden Sigma," "Metal Gear Solid Four"). Do what I did. I borrowed the game and played it over at my friend's house. I am not giving it a perfect score because of the amount of time needed to watch an ending that obviously leaves openings for a sequel and a mystery involving Snake. It is a good game nonetheless.

Jeffrey Davis of Honolulu is a video-game enthusiast.