The "Marmite" nature of MGS4 is crystallised in the long cut-scenes - a cause of a still on-going debate. They are undeniably cinematic and also unavoidably long. Thankfully they are skippable, but it would be a massive shame to ignore such a large part of the developer's vision.

Is this something we will be seeing more and more of , and is it a good thing? Will 30 minute mini-movies in games be embraced by the public, or will they be seen as a pompous turn-off?

Many gamers complain that video games are not given the same level of respect as cinema, and  (perhaps only partly due to the cut-scenes) "Metal Gear Solid 4" is arguably as close to a piece of "art" as any game has got. Whether it will be the most entertaining game released this year is a matter of debate - however there's no doubt that it will be seen as a gaming landmark.

What others say...

Rebecca Armstrong, The Independent, 5/5:

"It's endlessly confusing and it's impossible to know what's going on from one moment to the next. The best thing to do is to give yourself up to the glorious action and chuckle at the knowing references."

Jeff Haynes, IGN, 5/5:

"Hideo Kojima happens to be someone who has found the confidence to express an artistic vision that is wholly suited to his chosen medium - and a medium that is uniquely young enough to bend to his will. It's not fair to call him a frustrated film-maker. If he had been a film maker he might have been frustrated. Instead he has found a medium large enough to contain his unique artistic vision. Which is a long-winded way of saying that this game rocks."

Next Generation, 4/5:

"MGS4 is not the game it could have been; nor is it the game it would have been had the series grown with the benefit of hindsight; nor is it the game it should have been if you believed that early trailer. But it is faithful to its fans, its premise and its heart, delivering an experience that is, in so many ways, without equal."