I don't know why this is in the games section, everyone knows MGS4 is a movie.
Tools for this page
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
(2008, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated M, Play it on: PlayStation 3)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Philosophical action game definitely for adults.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 17–18
The good stuff
-
Educational value:
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was written by Chad Sapieha
Parents need to know that this game is part of the Metal Gear franchise, which spans several games, books, comics, soundtrack CDs, and toys. It ' a violent and decidedly mature game featuring extensive and bloody gunplay and knife fights, as well as glamorized use of tobacco, romantic topics, and some profanity. However, the game's primary theme is one of pacifism. Its multitudinous narrative sequences include ruminations on the world's conflicts, lamentations on our culture's war-like mentality, and even touch on complex issues such as the problem of developed nations relying on arms-based economies. The philosophical nature of the game puts it in contrast with most other titles in the military action genre, which often make war and soldiering out to be alluring.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how effective the video game format is at tackling such complex societal issues as war and the politics that drive world conflicts. Do the game's extensive story sequences do an adequate job of identifying and examining these problems? Do you appreciate having a "message" in the games you play, or would you prefer that they stick to action? How would you rate Metal Gear Solid 4 compared to other mature shooting and stealth games that focus more on action than story?
More on Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
What’s the Story?
METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS is purportedly the final adventure for the tactical espionage action series' eponymous hero, Solid Snake. Though it takes place not long after the events of previous games, our grizzled, philosophical poet-warrior appears much older, due to an unidentified affliction causing him to age rapidly. His final mission sees him tracking down his old nemesis, Liquid Ocelot, while coming to terms with an unfamiliar world in which private military companies wage wars on behalf of corporations and nanotechnology augments the abilities of its soldiers. Between the lengthy and numerous cut scenes, players engage in the sort of third-person action for which the series is famous as they sneak about trying accomplish mission objectives and take part in the occasional all-out gun battle.
The Metal Gear Solid games have always been about good storytelling, and, unsurprisingly, the same is true about the series' fourth entry. Players will find they spend just as much time watching the game as they do playing it. Lengthy cut scenes that either show off Hollywood-style action choreography or feature characters elaborating upon the intricate MGS4 mythos pop up every few minutes throughout the game, making it feel, like its predecessors, more akin to an interactive movie than a typical shooter or stealth game. But that's no reason to avoid it. In fact, it could be viewed as the primary reason to play. The game's characters -- primarily our disillusioned hero -- have a depth rarely seen in video games. What's more, the game's story, unlike those of other popular shooters and stealth games, has a smart and important message about the evils of war and the difficulties involved in bringing about peace. It stops short of making any particularly shocking observations -- it feels less like Syriana and more like Political Science 101--but it's still quite satisfying to play a big budget game that attempts to tackle such complex and socially relevant issues.
CloseIs It Any Good?
As for the actual game, it's one of the most polished action experiences available for any platform. From the tiny manufacturer's print legible on soldiers' weapons and uniforms to the video-realistic animations of the game's characters, it's a stunning visual achievement. Graphics aside, the play is refined and highly addictive. New gear includes Snake's Octocamo suit, which turns the same color and texture of any object he leans up against, the Metal Gear Mark.II (a little robot companion that Snake can take control of to scout new areas and interface with colleagues), and the Solid Eye, which covers Snake's left peeper and provides players with night vision, zooming capabilities, and a smart heads-up display that identifies enemies and objects. Getting a feel for the relatively complex controls can be tricky, but an innovative instruction manual that walks players through the game's first mission via instructive comic book panels helps ease players new to the series into game's idiosyncratic mechanics. The sophisticated 16-player squad-based online mode is just the icing on the cake. PlayStation 3 hasn't had much in the way of exclusive mega-games up until now, but Metal Gear Solid 4 fills that void nicely. Close
Publisher’s Details
Released on 06/12/2008, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Crude Humor, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence)
ESRB rating: M (for Blood, Crude Humor, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence)
Our Members Say
See all 23 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Miscategorized
- I rate this title off for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Greatest in the franchise
Very good story line and graphics. Not suitable for younger gamers.
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- Easy to play
An amazing piece of art, but for those a little older.
MGS4 is possibly the best game of the decade. As an avid gamer and hard core nerd, I love video games, but this one takes the cake. ALSO: With the smoking bit, yes, while the main character smokes, it shows how much it hurts him. If you use cigarettes too much, you die, and during those loading screens, it gives messages saying, "SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH." Plus, it has most other characters saying, "Snake, (The main character) you need to stop smoking. It's going to kill you." So take that little bit of into consideration.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
Fine for 10 and up.
Ok. Commonsense.com says this is only appropriate for kids 17 and up. Thats not true in the most. I have a 12 year old kid (just turned 12 not to long ago) played this. I played with to make sure nothing to bad was in the game. We played through the hole game and I didn't have to stop it once. Violence:Theres a little blood. You can find this much blood in e games now these days. Yes there are games but go see transformers and there are guns. Violence 9 and up (also blood can be turned off) Drugs: Snake does smoke but go outside of walmart and people are smoking. Drugs 5 and up. Sexual violence: All you see at one point his a girl wearing a bikini. Turn the tv on to a kids show on tv such as icarly and The main character carly wheres a bikini (swimsuit but same thing) at one episode. I think Icarly is worse then the "sexual themes" in Metal gear solid 4. The rest is ok. 10 and up and this is fine.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
Do you play it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
