Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is an action-adventure stealth game released in 2008. It was created by Kojima Productions and published by Konami for the PlayStation 3. Hideo Kojima directed this game, making it the sixth in the Metal Gear series. The story takes place five years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It follows an older version of Solid Snake, called Old Snake, who must complete a final mission to stop his enemy, Liquid Snake. Liquid Snake has taken over the body of Revolver Ocelot and is now known as Liquid Ocelot. His goal is to control the Sons of the Patriots, an artificial intelligence system that manages private military companies worldwide. The game was released on June 12, 2008. After being available only on the PlayStation 3 for over 18 years, Guns of the Patriots will be released on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on August 27, 2026. It will also be included in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 compilation on these platforms. However, Metal Gear Online will not be part of these ports.
The game received high praise for its gameplay, graphics, characters, and emotional impact. Some critics found the story difficult to follow and noted that the game relied heavily on cutscenes. It won Game of the Year awards from several major gaming publications. The game was one of the most important titles for the seventh generation of video game consoles. Its release helped increase sales of the PlayStation 3, and by 2014, it had sold six million copies worldwide.
Gameplay
In Guns of the Patriots, players control an older version of Solid Snake, known as Old Snake. The game uses stealth, close combat, and traditional Metal Gear tactics. The camera view from earlier games, which showed the action from above, has been changed to a simpler perspective. Players can aim weapons from an over-the-shoulder view or switch to a first-person view by pressing a button.
A new feature called the Psyche Meter affects gameplay. The Psyche Meter decreases when Snake is hit with non-lethal attacks and is influenced by battlefield conditions. Factors like extreme temperatures, bad smells, or being chased by enemies increase Snake’s stress, which lowers his Psyche. If Psyche drops too low, Snake may struggle to aim, experience more back pain, or even pass out when hurt. Killing many enemies quickly can cause Snake to see a vision of Liquid and vomit, further reducing his Psyche. Players can restore Psyche by eating, drinking, smoking, or reading an adult magazine.
Snake has tools to help during missions. The OctoCamo suit changes its appearance to match nearby surfaces, like an octopus, making it harder for enemies to spot him. After defeating the character Laughing Octopus, players can use FaceCamo, which can be worn on Snake’s face. FaceCamo can work with OctoCamo or copy the faces of other characters in the game. To unlock these FaceCamos, players must complete specific in-game tasks. When used together, OctoCamo and FaceCamo can make Snake completely invisible under ideal conditions. The Solid Eye device helps players see enemies and objects, works in night vision or binocular mode, and shows a map of nearby units. The Threat Ring, another tool, visually shows how close enemies are to Snake.
The Metal Gear Mk.II (later replaced by the Mk.III) is a small robot that follows Snake throughout his mission. It helps with communication, provides access to the game menu, and can be controlled to stun enemies, gather information, or interact with the environment. Its design is inspired by a robot from a game called Snatcher, created by Hideo Kojima. The robot is also used at the start of each mission, though players cannot control it during this time.
When the Drebin menu is available, players can buy weapons, attachments, and ammunition using Drebin Points (DPs). DPs are earned by collecting weapons already in the player’s inventory, completing scripted events, or destroying Unmanned Vehicles. The number of DPs earned depends on how intense the battle is, with more fighting leading to higher rewards. Drebin also buys items from players at lower prices during certain story moments or real-life dates. Players can finish the game without killing anyone by using non-lethal weapons.
The Virtual Range is a training area similar to previous games’ virtual reality features. It allows players to test weapons and practice game controls.
Synopsis
Guns of the Patriots takes place in a different version of history where the Cold War continued into the 1990s and ended before the year 2000. The story happens in 2014 and is the final part of Solid Snake's journey, wrapping up events that led to Guns of the Patriots.
The world's economy depends on wars fought by private military companies (PMCs), which are more common than government armies. Soldiers use tiny machines called nanomachines to monitor and improve their performance in battle. These machines are controlled by a powerful network called the Sons of the Patriots (SOP). Liquid Ocelot returns from hiding to start a rebellion against the Patriots, a secret group that secretly influences global events.
Meanwhile, Solid Snake is aging quickly and has little time left to live. He lives on a plane called the Nomad with Dr. Hal Emmerich, known as Otacon, and Sunny, the daughter of Olga Gurlukovich, who is skilled in computer programming. After the Big Shell incident, Raiden has grown distant from Rose, who had a miscarriage and now lives with Snake's former commander, Colonel Roy Campbell. Raiden has become a cyborg ninja fighting against the Patriots. Meryl Silverburgh leads a PMC inspection unit in the U.S. military, which includes Johnny Sasaki.
Five years after the Big Shell incident, Otacon tells Snake he has only one year to live due to symptoms similar to a rare disease called Werner syndrome. Snake meets Campbell, who now works with the United Nations Security Council, and learns that Revolver Ocelot, who had been missing since the Big Shell incident, is now under the control of Liquid Snake, who uses the name "Liquid Ocelot." Snake is sent to assassinate him in a war zone controlled by one of Liquid's PMCs. There, he meets Drebin, an arms dealer who gives Snake nanomachines to use advanced weapons, and Meryl, who now leads Rat Patrol Team 01 and resents Campbell for being her biological father. Snake confronts Liquid, but Liquid sends out a signal that disables nearby people using nanomachines. Snake is helped by Dr. Naomi Hunter, who then leaves with Liquid.
After waking up on the Nomad, Snake and Otacon receive a video from Naomi, who says she is in South America and is being held by Liquid to do research. Snake finds Naomi, who explains that his aging is caused by genetic changes that made him a human clone of Big Boss. She also says the FOXDIE virus she infected him with will mutate and spread, causing a deadly pandemic. Naomi reveals that Liquid plans to use Big Boss's biometrics to take control of the Patriots' weapons system. Liquid's soldiers kidnap Naomi, but Snake rescues her with help from Drebin and Raiden. Raiden is injured during the escape by Vamp.
Snake joins an Eastern-European resistance group led by Big Mama, who is actually EVA, Snake and Liquid's surrogate mother. EVA explains that after Operation Snake Eater, Major Zero used the Philosophers' Legacy to create the Patriots—a group made up of Zero, EVA, Ocelot, Sigint, Para-Medic, and Big Boss—to carry out The Boss’s will. Zero used Big Boss as a symbol, but when Big Boss opposed this, Zero started a project to clone replacements for him: Snake and Liquid. Big Boss left to fight Zero, forming Outer Heaven and starting a secret war over The Boss’s will. Big Boss failed to take control of FOXHOUND and was defeated by Snake in Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land. Zero put Big Boss in a coma and used AI systems (GW, TJ, AL, TR, and JD) to control the Patriots. EVA tells Snake she has Big Boss’s body. They move the body by boat while Liquid’s soldiers attack decoys. Liquid captures the body, uses Big Boss’s biometrics to control the Patriots’ system, and plans to use the AI GW as a tool to take over. U.S. soldiers try to arrest Liquid, but he kills them after disabling their weapons. Big Boss’s body is destroyed in a fire, and Snake saves EVA from the fire, but both are seriously injured. Naomi leaves with Liquid, but Otacon tracks them. EVA dies from her injuries.
Snake and Otacon learn that Liquid plans to destroy the Patriots’ main AI with a nuclear attack, allowing GW to take control. A special warhead is needed from Metal Gear REX in Alaska. There, Snake is attacked by Vamp, who is with Naomi. Vamp is killed when his healing nanomachines are disabled. Naomi reveals she has terminal cancer and dies after disabling the machines keeping her alive. Snake and Raiden use REX to escape and fight Liquid, who pilots a Metal Gear RAY. Liquid reveals Outer Haven, a modified Arsenal Gear. Raiden saves Snake before the USS Missouri, led by Mei Ling, arrives and forces Haven to retreat.
Snake, Meryl, and Johnny board Haven when it surfaces to launch the nuke. Snake installs a virus coded by Naomi and Sunny into Liquid’s plan, destroying the AI and the Patriots’ network. Liquid tells Snake he allowed the virus to destroy the Patriots. They fight, and Snake defeats Liquid, who reverts to Ocelot before dying. Meryl reconciles with her father, Campbell, and marries Johnny. Raiden reunites with Rose after learning their child was not miscarried and that her marriage to Campbell was a cover to protect them. Snake visits The Boss’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery. Feeling he has no purpose and fearing the spread of FOXDIE, Snake tries to commit suicide but stops.
Big Boss appears with a comatose Zero, explaining that the body burned in Europe was Solidus Snake. He says the Patriots were created to fulfill The Boss’s will, Big Boss’s mentor. Zero believed in government control to prevent conflict, while Big Boss believed soldiers should fight for their own beliefs. Zero let AI systems control the Patriots. After Big Boss’s defeat, the Patriots placed him in a coma and started a war economy, far from The Boss’s original plan. Ocelot and EVA planned to destroy the Patriots to restore Big Boss, with Liquid pretending to be Ocelot to distract the Patriots. Big Boss kills Zero by cutting off his life support.
Big Boss explains that the nanomachines from Drebin contained FOXDIE, designed by the Patriots to kill EVA, Ocelot, and Big Boss. A new strain of FOXDIE replaces the mutated one,
Development
Metal Gear Solid 4 was created because fans wanted more games in the series. Hideo Kojima, the creator of the series, had already directed the earlier game, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which was planned to be the last in the series. Fans wanted a sequel to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and wanted more details about the story that Kojima had left for players to figure out. Kojima said he would stop being the director after Snake Eater and let someone else take over for Metal Gear Solid 4. As a joke, the new director was named Alan Smithee. However, in a 400-page book included with the Japanese Premium Package of Metal Gear Solid 3, it was revealed that the actual director was Shuyo Murata, who had helped write Snake Eater and directed another game called Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner. Murata also added special hidden details to Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. After fans reacted strongly to the joke, including some threatening messages, Kojima agreed to co-direct the game with Murata.
Kojima wanted to create a new style of gameplay set in a large war zone. He also wanted to keep the stealth gameplay from earlier games, which led the team to abandon an idea called "No Place to Hide." The only war zone confirmed before the game was released was the Middle East. Kojima used multiple locations to show the world in a full-scale war. The character Solid Snake was made older to reflect the game’s theme, called SENSE, and to show players how important it is to pass moral values to future generations. Kojima’s first plan for the ending of the game’s story had Snake and Otacon turning themselves in for breaking the law, but this was changed after the team gave negative feedback. Creating new enemies was difficult because of Snake’s experience in previous games, so the team made groups of non-human enemies to challenge him.
During development, people often questioned if the game would be exclusive to the PlayStation 3, even after Kojima confirmed it multiple times. Many people who did not own a PlayStation 3 were unsure for a long time, but the company confirmed that the 25th Anniversary edition of the game, released in late 2012, was still only available on PlayStation 3. When the game collection called Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection was released, Kojima again said the game would not be available on other consoles. He explained that the Xbox 360 could not handle the large size of the game’s data, which required a 50 GB Blu-Ray disc, while the Xbox 360 only supported smaller DVD discs.
The game was first announced at E3 2005 using a humorous video called a "gag machinima" with characters from Snake Eater and the slogan "No Place to Hide." By January 2008, the game was described as "essentially finished" and went through testing. Sony officially announced the game would be released worldwide on June 12, 2008, along with a special PlayStation 3 bundle themed around the game’s story.
The game’s budget was estimated to be between $50 million and $70 million. However, Kenichiro Imaizumi from Kojima Productions said the game would not have cost that much if it had been released on multiple platforms. A major use of the budget was researching the environments the game would include.
The music for the game was led by Harry Gregson-Williams, who had worked on previous Metal Gear Solid soundtracks, and Nobuko Toda, who had composed music for earlier games. Other contributors included Konami employees and composers from GEM Impact. The team wrote 90 minutes of music for the game’s cutscenes, but only 15 minutes were included on the official soundtrack.
The game has two main vocal themes. The opening theme, "Love Theme," was sung by Jackie Presti and composed by Nobuko Toda. The ending theme, "Here's to You," was sung by Lisbeth Scott. Before the game was released, a version of the theme was included in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The original main theme from earlier games was not included in the soundtrack, and the company later removed it due to concerns about possible copyright issues.
The official soundtrack was released on May 28, 2008, and included two discs with 47 tracks. A special version of the soundtrack was also included with the Limited Edition of the game.
In 2009, fans asked if a patch would add PlayStation Network Trophies to the game. Kojima Productions said to "stay patient," leading to rumors of an updated version of the game. In 2010, a box art update mistakenly claimed the game had Trophies, but this was later corrected. In 2012, a patch was finally released that added Trophies and allowed the game to be fully installed on the PlayStation 3’s hard drive.
Marketing
On May 13, 2008, Hideo Kojima held a press conference to share details about a marketing campaign and partnerships with several companies to promote the game. Apple computers, monitors, and an iPod appear in the game. The iPod allows the player character, Snake, to change background music, listen to in-game podcasts, and collect hidden songs. ReGain Energy Drinks are used in the game to boost a character's Psyche gauge. Sony Ericsson mobile phones are used by characters Naomi and Vamp. The motorcycles shown in the game include a Triumph Bonneville and a Triumph Speed Triple. Konami and Ubisoft added an unlockable costume for Snake, inspired by Altaïr, a character from Ubisoft's game Assassin's Creed. This costume was first mentioned on April Fool's Day 2008 but was later confirmed as part of the game. Players can unlock it by completing a special task or entering a password in the Extras section.
Konami originally planned to host large launch events in Tokyo, but some were canceled due to concerns about the safety of participants following the Akihabara massacre on June 8, 2008. On June 15, 2009, one year after its release, Konami re-released Guns of the Patriots as part of Sony's Greatest Hits collection.
Release
Metal Gear Solid 4 includes the Starter Pack for Metal Gear Online 2 (MGO2). MGO2 allows up to 16 players to compete in online tactical battles. It uses gameplay features from Metal Gear Solid 4, such as the SOP system, which helps players see their teammates' locations and battle status. MGO2 also lets players create custom characters. The Starter Pack includes sneaking missions where Old Snake and Metal Gear Mk.II collect dog tags from other players, as well as standard game modes like Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch. Additional content, such as new maps and characters (Mei Ling, Meryl, Akiba, Liquid Ocelot, Raiden, and Vamp), can be purchased through the MGO2 menu called "MGO Shop (PlayStation Network)" or via Konami's shop. The PlayStation Wallet is used for purchases through the MGO Shop, while credit cards are used for other options. Metal Gear Online 2 was shut down on June 13, 2012.
On June 19, 2008, Konami released the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database on the PlayStation Store in North America and Japan. One week later, it was available in Europe. The Database is a downloadable app for PlayStation 3 that organizes all Metal Gear lore from the series up to Metal Gear Solid 4. It includes an encyclopedia, a timeline, and character relationship diagrams. Articles are organized alphabetically and by category. Highlighted words in each article link to related topics, and the Database tracks which articles a user has already read. It automatically hides content related to the game to prevent spoilers for players who have not finished the game. To unlock these hidden articles, users must have a completed save file from the Guns of the Patriots game on the same console and region as their account.
A Limited Edition version of the game was released with the standard edition. It includes the game, a box with artwork by Yoji Shinkawa, a Blu-ray Disc with two "making of" documentaries, and a partial soundtrack with songs by Harry Gregson-Williams. The Limited Edition was sold only at GameStop in the United States and EB Games in Canada. A similar bundle with a 6-inch 'Olive Drab' Old Snake figurine was sold at Play.com in the United Kingdom. It was also included in a 40GB Limited Edition PlayStation 3 bundle.
In North America, a bundle with an 80GB PlayStation 3, a DualShock 3 wireless controller, a downloadable game coupon for Pain, and a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was sold for $499 on June 12, 2008. Japan released a "Welcome Box" containing the game, a DualShock 3 controller, a Sixaxis controller, and a 40GB PlayStation 3 in black, white, or silver.
Sony announced a limited edition pre-order bundle that included the Guns of the Patriots Limited Edition and a matte grey 40GB PlayStation 3. First sold in Japan on March 18, 2008, for JPY¥51,800, the bundle sold out by March 25, 2008. A similar bundle was available in North America for pre-order on May 19, 2008, for $600. A European version with a 40GB PlayStation 3, the game, and a DualShock 3 controller was planned but never released.
A downloadable version of the game was released on the PlayStation Store in late 2014. It was briefly available as a PlayStation Now rental in North America but was later removed by Konami for unknown reasons. It returned to the service in March 2019.
Between 2008 and 2009, the game received new content through PlayStation Network downloads. A total of 49 free add-ons were released, including 12 OctoCamo patterns, 12 MGS4 Integral podcasts (or 18 Japanese podcasts), and 25 iPod songs. One song, "Chair Race," was removed in 2011 due to copyright issues. On July 16, 2014, it was announced that all downloadable content would stop being available on July 31, 2014. A workaround was created in January 2015 to access the content. As of now, this is the only way to obtain the add-ons on an unmodified console, as they were never added to the PlayStation Store.
Related media
Metal Gear Solid Touch for iOS is a touchscreen shooting game that uses the story and action from Guns of the Patriots. Media Molecule, the developers of LittleBigPlanet, released an expansion pack based on Guns of the Patriots on December 23, 2008. This expansion includes character skins for Old Snake, Raiden, Meryl, and Screaming Mantis, as well as a set of levels themed around Metal Gear.
In October 2011, Konami and Hasbro created a special version of the board game Risk inspired by Guns of the Patriots. The game includes pieces based on characters from the game and a battle map of Outer Haven. Players can use the game's characters as special allies. A book version of Guns of the Patriots, written by Project Itoh, was published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten on the same day the game was released. A translated version in English was published in North America in June 2012.
Reception
Metal Gear Solid 4 received very high praise from many reviewers, according to Metacritic, a website that collects reviews. The first review gave the game a perfect score of 10/10 from PlayStation Official Magazine – UK, saying the game "shifts gears constantly, innovating again and again." Game Informer also gave it a 10/10. GamePro, Famitsu (40/40), and Empire gave it perfect scores in all categories, including graphics, controls, sound, and fun. IGN United Kingdom scored it 9.9/10, IGN Australia scored it 9.5/10, and IGN USA gave it a 10/10. IGN said in a video review that the game is "one of the best games ever made." Edge and Eurogamer both gave the game 8/10. GameSpot gave it a 10/10, calling it "the most technically stunning video game ever made." This made Guns of the Patriots one of only five games to receive a perfect 10 from both IGN and GameSpot, and the sixth of only nine games to get a perfect 10 from GameSpot overall. IGN also listed the game at No. 59 in its list of Top 100 Games of a Generation.
Reviewers praised how the game ends the series. Eurogamer said the ending is "funnier, cleverer, more ambitious, and more inspired" than expected. IGN said the game "refines the MGS formula" and adds new ideas. Edge called it "faithful to its fans" and "without equal," while IGN UK described it as "the ultimate Metal Gear game" and "a dazzling, heart-lifting, voyage of discovery." Some reviewers noted the game is unusually sad and depressing, with Kotaku saying it is "a rare game that asks players to be interested in something else: a march toward defeat, an interactive tragedy."
The game’s new control system, camouflage system, and free-form gameplay (like the Drebin Points system and alternatives to stealth) were widely praised, though some reviewers noted minor annoyances. Other features, such as set-piece events, the psyche meter, and secrets, were also highlighted. Eurogamer said one chapter might cause boredom but noted the game quickly recovered. Edge said the Beauty and the Beast Unit were not as strong as the Cobra Unit from earlier games.
Reviewers praised the game’s technology and art. Edge called the character Otacon "the real star" and said the game’s score was better than many Hollywood movies. IGN UK said the game’s visuals and audio showed "sublime brilliance," and noted innovations like split-screen during cutscenes.
Some critics said the story was confusing or poorly executed, and IGN UK advised players to play earlier games for clarity. However, the game was praised for being emotionally engaging and for its portrayal of characters like Liquid Ocelot. Reviewers noted that cutscenes made up about half the game but were appropriate for the series. A pause function for cutscenes was welcomed by all reviewers.
Edge and Eurogamer said the game is the best version of the series’ style but did not attract new fans. IGN UK called it a "masterpiece" despite concerns that its high praise might lead to disappointment.
Some publications said Konami limited what reviewers could share before the game released, including details about cutscene length and PlayStation 3 installation size. This caused delays in reviews. Konami later explained these restrictions were to avoid spoilers. GameSpot said it could not review the game because Konami did not provide review code, but later revised its statement to clarify the issue was unrelated to a PR event.
EGM reviewer Jeremy Parish explained the review delay was self-imposed and not due to a disagreement with Konami. His review was published shortly after.
According to Konami, the game sold over 3 million copies worldwide on its release day. In Japan, it sold 476,334 copies in its first four days, including bundles with the PlayStation 3. This boosted PlayStation 3 sales, which went from about 10,000 units per week to 77,208 units in the game’s debut week. It was the 11th best-selling game in Japan in 2008, selling 686,254 copies. In the UK, it was the second-fastest-selling PlayStation 3 title after Grand Theft Auto IV. In Europe, it sold over 1 million copies in its first week, with 25,000 limited-edition copies selling quickly.
The game received a Platinum sales award in the UK, meaning it sold at least 300,000 copies. In the US, it was the best-selling game in June 2008, selling 774,600 copies (nearly 1 million including PlayStation 3 bundles). This caused PlayStation 3 sales to double compared to the previous month. It became one of the best-selling PlayStation 3 games and the best-selling PlayStation 3 exclusive until Gran Turismo 5 was released. The game helped increase sales for the Metal Gear franchise and Konami’s profits from 2008 to 2010. In 2014, a former Kojima Productions employee said the game sold 6 million copies worldwide.
Date
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is an action-adventure stealth game released in 2008. It was created by Kojima Productions and published by Konami for the PlayStation 3. Hideo Kojima directed this game, making it the sixth in the Metal Gear series. The story takes place five years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It follows an older version of Solid Snake, called Old Snake, who must complete a final mission to stop his enemy, Liquid Snake. Liquid Snake has taken over the body of Revolver Ocelot and is now known as Liquid Ocelot. His goal is to control the Sons of the Patriots, an artificial intelligence system that manages private military companies worldwide. The game was released on June 12, 2008. After being available only on the PlayStation 3 for over 18 years, Guns of the Patriots will be released on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on August 27, 2026. It will also be included in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 compilation on these platforms. However, Metal Gear Online will not be part of these ports.
The game received high praise for its gameplay, graphics, characters, and emotional impact. Some critics found the story difficult to follow and noted that the game relied heavily on cutscenes. It won Game of the Year awards from several major gaming publications. The game was one of the most important titles for the seventh generation of video game consoles. Its release helped increase sales of the PlayStation 3, and by 2014, it had sold six million copies worldwide.
Gameplay
In Guns of the Patriots, players control an older version of Solid Snake, known as Old Snake. The game uses stealth, close combat, and traditional Metal Gear tactics. The camera view from earlier games, which showed the action from above, has been changed to a simpler perspective. Players can aim weapons from an over-the-shoulder view or switch to a first-person view by pressing a button.
A new feature called the Psyche Meter affects gameplay. The Psyche Meter decreases when Snake is hit with non-lethal attacks and is influenced by battlefield conditions. Factors like extreme temperatures, bad smells, or being chased by enemies increase Snake’s stress, which lowers his Psyche. If Psyche drops too low, Snake may struggle to aim, experience more back pain, or even pass out when hurt. Killing many enemies quickly can cause Snake to see a vision of Liquid and vomit, further reducing his Psyche. Players can restore Psyche by eating, drinking, smoking, or reading an adult magazine.
Snake has tools to help during missions. The OctoCamo suit changes its appearance to match nearby surfaces, like an octopus, making it harder for enemies to spot him. After defeating the character Laughing Octopus, players can use FaceCamo, which can be worn on Snake’s face. FaceCamo can work with OctoCamo or copy the faces of other characters in the game. To unlock these FaceCamos, players must complete specific in-game tasks. When used together, OctoCamo and FaceCamo can make Snake completely invisible under ideal conditions. The Solid Eye device helps players see enemies and objects, works in night vision or binocular mode, and shows a map of nearby units. The Threat Ring, another tool, visually shows how close enemies are to Snake.
The Metal Gear Mk.II (later replaced by the Mk.III) is a small robot that follows Snake throughout his mission. It helps with communication, provides access to the game menu, and can be controlled to stun enemies, gather information, or interact with the environment. Its design is inspired by a robot from a game called Snatcher, created by Hideo Kojima. The robot is also used at the start of each mission, though players cannot control it during this time.
When the Drebin menu is available, players can buy weapons, attachments, and ammunition using Drebin Points (DPs). DPs are earned by collecting weapons already in the player’s inventory, completing scripted events, or destroying Unmanned Vehicles. The number of DPs earned depends on how intense the battle is, with more fighting leading to higher rewards. Drebin also buys items from players at lower prices during certain story moments or real-life dates. Players can finish the game without killing anyone by using non-lethal weapons.
The Virtual Range is a training area similar to previous games’ virtual reality features. It allows players to test weapons and practice game controls.
Synopsis
Guns of the Patriots takes place in a different version of history where the Cold War continued into the 1990s and ended before the year 2000. The story happens in 2014 and is the final part of Solid Snake's journey, wrapping up events that led to Guns of the Patriots.
The world's economy depends on wars fought by private military companies (PMCs), which are more common than government armies. Soldiers use tiny machines called nanomachines to monitor and improve their performance in battle. These machines are controlled by a powerful network called the Sons of the Patriots (SOP). Liquid Ocelot returns from hiding to start a rebellion against the Patriots, a secret group that secretly influences global events.
Meanwhile, Solid Snake is aging quickly and has little time left to live. He lives on a plane called the Nomad with Dr. Hal Emmerich, known as Otacon, and Sunny, the daughter of Olga Gurlukovich, who is skilled in computer programming. After the Big Shell incident, Raiden has grown distant from Rose, who had a miscarriage and now lives with Snake's former commander, Colonel Roy Campbell. Raiden has become a cyborg ninja fighting against the Patriots. Meryl Silverburgh leads a PMC inspection unit in the U.S. military, which includes Johnny Sasaki.
Five years after the Big Shell incident, Otacon tells Snake he has only one year to live due to symptoms similar to a rare disease called Werner syndrome. Snake meets Campbell, who now works with the United Nations Security Council, and learns that Revolver Ocelot, who had been missing since the Big Shell incident, is now under the control of Liquid Snake, who uses the name "Liquid Ocelot." Snake is sent to assassinate him in a war zone controlled by one of Liquid's PMCs. There, he meets Drebin, an arms dealer who gives Snake nanomachines to use advanced weapons, and Meryl, who now leads Rat Patrol Team 01 and resents Campbell for being her biological father. Snake confronts Liquid, but Liquid sends out a signal that disables nearby people using nanomachines. Snake is helped by Dr. Naomi Hunter, who then leaves with Liquid.
After waking up on the Nomad, Snake and Otacon receive a video from Naomi, who says she is in South America and is being held by Liquid to do research. Snake finds Naomi, who explains that his aging is caused by genetic changes that made him a human clone of Big Boss. She also says the FOXDIE virus she infected him with will mutate and spread, causing a deadly pandemic. Naomi reveals that Liquid plans to use Big Boss's biometrics to take control of the Patriots' weapons system. Liquid's soldiers kidnap Naomi, but Snake rescues her with help from Drebin and Raiden. Raiden is injured during the escape by Vamp.
Snake joins an Eastern-European resistance group led by Big Mama, who is actually EVA, Snake and Liquid's surrogate mother. EVA explains that after Operation Snake Eater, Major Zero used the Philosophers' Legacy to create the Patriots—a group made up of Zero, EVA, Ocelot, Sigint, Para-Medic, and Big Boss—to carry out The Boss’s will. Zero used Big Boss as a symbol, but when Big Boss opposed this, Zero started a project to clone replacements for him: Snake and Liquid. Big Boss left to fight Zero, forming Outer Heaven and starting a secret war over The Boss’s will. Big Boss failed to take control of FOXHOUND and was defeated by Snake in Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land. Zero put Big Boss in a coma and used AI systems (GW, TJ, AL, TR, and JD) to control the Patriots. EVA tells Snake she has Big Boss’s body. They move the body by boat while Liquid’s soldiers attack decoys. Liquid captures the body, uses Big Boss’s biometrics to control the Patriots’ system, and plans to use the AI GW as a tool to take over. U.S. soldiers try to arrest Liquid, but he kills them after disabling their weapons. Big Boss’s body is destroyed in a fire, and Snake saves EVA from the fire, but both are seriously injured. Naomi leaves with Liquid, but Otacon tracks them. EVA dies from her injuries.
Snake and Otacon learn that Liquid plans to destroy the Patriots’ main AI with a nuclear attack, allowing GW to take control. A special warhead is needed from Metal Gear REX in Alaska. There, Snake is attacked by Vamp, who is with Naomi. Vamp is killed when his healing nanomachines are disabled. Naomi reveals she has terminal cancer and dies after disabling the machines keeping her alive. Snake and Raiden use REX to escape and fight Liquid, who pilots a Metal Gear RAY. Liquid reveals Outer Haven, a modified Arsenal Gear. Raiden saves Snake before the USS Missouri, led by Mei Ling, arrives and forces Haven to retreat.
Snake, Meryl, and Johnny board Haven when it surfaces to launch the nuke. Snake installs a virus coded by Naomi and Sunny into Liquid’s plan, destroying the AI and the Patriots’ network. Liquid tells Snake he allowed the virus to destroy the Patriots. They fight, and Snake defeats Liquid, who reverts to Ocelot before dying. Meryl reconciles with her father, Campbell, and marries Johnny. Raiden reunites with Rose after learning their child was not miscarried and that her marriage to Campbell was a cover to protect them. Snake visits The Boss’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery. Feeling he has no purpose and fearing the spread of FOXDIE, Snake tries to commit suicide but stops.
Big Boss appears with a comatose Zero, explaining that the body burned in Europe was Solidus Snake. He says the Patriots were created to fulfill The Boss’s will, Big Boss’s mentor. Zero believed in government control to prevent conflict, while Big Boss believed soldiers should fight for their own beliefs. Zero let AI systems control the Patriots. After Big Boss’s defeat, the Patriots placed him in a coma and started a war economy, far from The Boss’s original plan. Ocelot and EVA planned to destroy the Patriots to restore Big Boss, with Liquid pretending to be Ocelot to distract the Patriots. Big Boss kills Zero by cutting off his life support.
Big Boss explains that the nanomachines from Drebin contained FOXDIE, designed by the Patriots to kill EVA, Ocelot, and Big Boss. A new strain of FOXDIE replaces the mutated one,
Development
Metal Gear Solid 4 was created because fans wanted more games in the series. Hideo Kojima, the creator of the series, had already directed the earlier game, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which was planned to be the last in the series. Fans wanted a sequel to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and wanted more details about the story that Kojima had left for players to figure out. Kojima said he would stop being the director after Snake Eater and let someone else take over for Metal Gear Solid 4. As a joke, the new director was named Alan Smithee. However, in a 400-page book included with the Japanese Premium Package of Metal Gear Solid 3, it was revealed that the actual director was Shuyo Murata, who had helped write Snake Eater and directed another game called Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner. Murata also added special hidden details to Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. After fans reacted strongly to the joke, including some threatening messages, Kojima agreed to co-direct the game with Murata.
Kojima wanted to create a new style of gameplay set in a large war zone. He also wanted to keep the stealth gameplay from earlier games, which led the team to abandon an idea called "No Place to Hide." The only war zone confirmed before the game was released was the Middle East. Kojima used multiple locations to show the world in a full-scale war. The character Solid Snake was made older to reflect the game’s theme, called SENSE, and to show players how important it is to pass moral values to future generations. Kojima’s first plan for the ending of the game’s story had Snake and Otacon turning themselves in for breaking the law, but this was changed after the team gave negative feedback. Creating new enemies was difficult because of Snake’s experience in previous games, so the team made groups of non-human enemies to challenge him.
During development, people often questioned if the game would be exclusive to the PlayStation 3, even after Kojima confirmed it multiple times. Many people who did not own a PlayStation 3 were unsure for a long time, but the company confirmed that the 25th Anniversary edition of the game, released in late 2012, was still only available on PlayStation 3. When the game collection called Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection was released, Kojima again said the game would not be available on other consoles. He explained that the Xbox 360 could not handle the large size of the game’s data, which required a 50 GB Blu-Ray disc, while the Xbox 360 only supported smaller DVD discs.
The game was first announced at E3 2005 using a humorous video called a "gag machinima" with characters from Snake Eater and the slogan "No Place to Hide." By January 2008, the game was described as "essentially finished" and went through testing. Sony officially announced the game would be released worldwide on June 12, 2008, along with a special PlayStation 3 bundle themed around the game’s story.
The game’s budget was estimated to be between $50 million and $70 million. However, Kenichiro Imaizumi from Kojima Productions said the game would not have cost that much if it had been released on multiple platforms. A major use of the budget was researching the environments the game would include.
The music for the game was led by Harry Gregson-Williams, who had worked on previous Metal Gear Solid soundtracks, and Nobuko Toda, who had composed music for earlier games. Other contributors included Konami employees and composers from GEM Impact. The team wrote 90 minutes of music for the game’s cutscenes, but only 15 minutes were included on the official soundtrack.
The game has two main vocal themes. The opening theme, "Love Theme," was sung by Jackie Presti and composed by Nobuko Toda. The ending theme, "Here's to You," was sung by Lisbeth Scott. Before the game was released, a version of the theme was included in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The original main theme from earlier games was not included in the soundtrack, and the company later removed it due to concerns about possible copyright issues.
The official soundtrack was released on May 28, 2008, and included two discs with 47 tracks. A special version of the soundtrack was also included with the Limited Edition of the game.
In 2009, fans asked if a patch would add PlayStation Network Trophies to the game. Kojima Productions said to "stay patient," leading to rumors of an updated version of the game. In 2010, a box art update mistakenly claimed the game had Trophies, but this was later corrected. In 2012, a patch was finally released that added Trophies and allowed the game to be fully installed on the PlayStation 3’s hard drive.
Marketing
On May 13, 2008, Hideo Kojima held a press conference to share details about a marketing campaign and partnerships with several companies to promote the game. Apple computers, monitors, and an iPod appear in the game. The iPod allows the player character, Snake, to change background music, listen to in-game podcasts, and collect hidden songs. ReGain Energy Drinks are used in the game to boost a character's Psyche gauge. Sony Ericsson mobile phones are used by characters Naomi and Vamp. The motorcycles shown in the game include a Triumph Bonneville and a Triumph Speed Triple. Konami and Ubisoft added an unlockable costume for Snake, inspired by Altaïr, a character from Ubisoft's game Assassin's Creed. This costume was first mentioned on April Fool's Day 2008 but was later confirmed as part of the game. Players can unlock it by completing a special task or entering a password in the Extras section.
Konami originally planned to host large launch events in Tokyo, but some were canceled due to concerns about the safety of participants following the Akihabara massacre on June 8, 2008. On June 15, 2009, one year after its release, Konami re-released Guns of the Patriots as part of Sony's Greatest Hits collection.
Release
Metal Gear Solid 4 includes the Starter Pack for Metal Gear Online 2 (MGO2). MGO2 allows up to 16 players to compete in online tactical battles. It uses gameplay features from Metal Gear Solid 4, such as the SOP system, which helps players see their teammates' locations and battle status. MGO2 also lets players create custom characters. The Starter Pack includes sneaking missions where Old Snake and Metal Gear Mk.II collect dog tags from other players, as well as standard game modes like Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch. Additional content, such as new maps and characters (Mei Ling, Meryl, Akiba, Liquid Ocelot, Raiden, and Vamp), can be purchased through the MGO2 menu called "MGO Shop (PlayStation Network)" or via Konami's shop. The PlayStation Wallet is used for purchases through the MGO Shop, while credit cards are used for other options. Metal Gear Online 2 was shut down on June 13, 2012.
On June 19, 2008, Konami released the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database on the PlayStation Store in North America and Japan. One week later, it was available in Europe. The Database is a downloadable app for PlayStation 3 that organizes all Metal Gear lore from the series up to Metal Gear Solid 4. It includes an encyclopedia, a timeline, and character relationship diagrams. Articles are organized alphabetically and by category. Highlighted words in each article link to related topics, and the Database tracks which articles a user has already read. It automatically hides content related to the game to prevent spoilers for players who have not finished the game. To unlock these hidden articles, users must have a completed save file from the Guns of the Patriots game on the same console and region as their account.
A Limited Edition version of the game was released with the standard edition. It includes the game, a box with artwork by Yoji Shinkawa, a Blu-ray Disc with two "making of" documentaries, and a partial soundtrack with songs by Harry Gregson-Williams. The Limited Edition was sold only at GameStop in the United States and EB Games in Canada. A similar bundle with a 6-inch 'Olive Drab' Old Snake figurine was sold at Play.com in the United Kingdom. It was also included in a 40GB Limited Edition PlayStation 3 bundle.
In North America, a bundle with an 80GB PlayStation 3, a DualShock 3 wireless controller, a downloadable game coupon for Pain, and a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was sold for $499 on June 12, 2008. Japan released a "Welcome Box" containing the game, a DualShock 3 controller, a Sixaxis controller, and a 40GB PlayStation 3 in black, white, or silver.
Sony announced a limited edition pre-order bundle that included the Guns of the Patriots Limited Edition and a matte grey 40GB PlayStation 3. First sold in Japan on March 18, 2008, for JPY¥51,800, the bundle sold out by March 25, 2008. A similar bundle was available in North America for pre-order on May 19, 2008, for $600. A European version with a 40GB PlayStation 3, the game, and a DualShock 3 controller was planned but never released.
A downloadable version of the game was released on the PlayStation Store in late 2014. It was briefly available as a PlayStation Now rental in North America but was later removed by Konami for unknown reasons. It returned to the service in March 2019.
Between 2008 and 2009, the game received new content through PlayStation Network downloads. A total of 49 free add-ons were released, including 12 OctoCamo patterns, 12 MGS4 Integral podcasts (or 18 Japanese podcasts), and 25 iPod songs. One song, "Chair Race," was removed in 2011 due to copyright issues. On July 16, 2014, it was announced that all downloadable content would stop being available on July 31, 2014. A workaround was created in January 2015 to access the content. As of now, this is the only way to obtain the add-ons on an unmodified console, as they were never added to the PlayStation Store.
Related media
Metal Gear Solid Touch for iOS is a touchscreen shooting game that uses the story and action from Guns of the Patriots. Media Molecule, the developers of LittleBigPlanet, released an expansion pack based on Guns of the Patriots on December 23, 2008. This expansion includes character skins for Old Snake, Raiden, Meryl, and Screaming Mantis, as well as a set of levels themed around Metal Gear.
In October 2011, Konami and Hasbro created a special version of the board game Risk inspired by Guns of the Patriots. The game includes pieces based on characters from the game and a battle map of Outer Haven. Players can use the game's characters as special allies. A book version of Guns of the Patriots, written by Project Itoh, was published in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten on the same day the game was released. A translated version in English was published in North America in June 2012.
Reception
Metal Gear Solid 4 received very high praise from many reviewers, according to Metacritic, a website that collects reviews. The first review gave the game a perfect score of 10/10 from PlayStation Official Magazine – UK, saying the game "shifts gears constantly, innovating again and again." Game Informer also gave it a 10/10. GamePro, Famitsu (40/40), and Empire gave it perfect scores in all categories, including graphics, controls, sound, and fun. IGN United Kingdom scored it 9.9/10, IGN Australia scored it 9.5/10, and IGN USA gave it a 10/10. IGN said in a video review that the game is "one of the best games ever made." Edge and Eurogamer both gave the game 8/10. GameSpot gave it a 10/10, calling it "the most technically stunning video game ever made." This made Guns of the Patriots one of only five games to receive a perfect 10 from both IGN and GameSpot, and the sixth of only nine games to get a perfect 10 from GameSpot overall. IGN also listed the game at No. 59 in its list of Top 100 Games of a Generation.
Reviewers praised how the game ends the series. Eurogamer said the ending is "funnier, cleverer, more ambitious, and more inspired" than expected. IGN said the game "refines the MGS formula" and adds new ideas. Edge called it "faithful to its fans" and "without equal," while IGN UK described it as "the ultimate Metal Gear game" and "a dazzling, heart-lifting, voyage of discovery." Some reviewers noted the game is unusually sad and depressing, with Kotaku saying it is "a rare game that asks players to be interested in something else: a march toward defeat, an interactive tragedy."
The game’s new control system, camouflage system, and free-form gameplay (like the Drebin Points system and alternatives to stealth) were widely praised, though some reviewers noted minor annoyances. Other features, such as set-piece events, the psyche meter, and secrets, were also highlighted. Eurogamer said one chapter might cause boredom but noted the game quickly recovered. Edge said the Beauty and the Beast Unit were not as strong as the Cobra Unit from earlier games.
Reviewers praised the game’s technology and art. Edge called the character Otacon "the real star" and said the game’s score was better than many Hollywood movies. IGN UK said the game’s visuals and audio showed "sublime brilliance," and noted innovations like split-screen during cutscenes.
Some critics said the story was confusing or poorly executed, and IGN UK advised players to play earlier games for clarity. However, the game was praised for being emotionally engaging and for its portrayal of characters like Liquid Ocelot. Reviewers noted that cutscenes made up about half the game but were appropriate for the series. A pause function for cutscenes was welcomed by all reviewers.
Edge and Eurogamer said the game is the best version of the series’ style but did not attract new fans. IGN UK called it a "masterpiece" despite concerns that its high praise might lead to disappointment.
Some publications said Konami limited what reviewers could share before the game released, including details about cutscene length and PlayStation 3 installation size. This caused delays in reviews. Konami later explained these restrictions were to avoid spoilers. GameSpot said it could not review the game because Konami did not provide review code, but later revised its statement to clarify the issue was unrelated to a PR event.
EGM reviewer Jeremy Parish explained the review delay was self-imposed and not due to a disagreement with Konami. His review was published shortly after.
According to Konami, the game sold over 3 million copies worldwide on its release day. In Japan, it sold 476,334 copies in its first four days, including bundles with the PlayStation 3. This boosted PlayStation 3 sales, which went from about 10,000 units per week to 77,208 units in the game’s debut week. It was the 11th best-selling game in Japan in 2008, selling 686,254 copies. In the UK, it was the second-fastest-selling PlayStation 3 title after Grand Theft Auto IV. In Europe, it sold over 1 million copies in its first week, with 25,000 limited-edition copies selling quickly.
The game received a Platinum sales award in the UK, meaning it sold at least 300,000 copies. In the US, it was the best-selling game in June 2008, selling 774,600 copies (nearly 1 million including PlayStation 3 bundles). This caused PlayStation 3 sales to double compared to the previous month. It became one of the best-selling PlayStation 3 games and the best-selling PlayStation 3 exclusive until Gran Turismo 5 was released. The game helped increase sales for the Metal Gear franchise and Konami’s profits from 2008 to 2010. In 2014, a former Kojima Productions employee said the game sold 6 million copies worldwide.
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