Perfection. It looks like 50gb was just the right amount.
First thing you'll notice about MGS4:GOP is the graphics. Excellent and top notch, pretty much how a next gen game should look. And the best part, it's all presented in real time, meaning those cut scenes aren't pre-rendered, when you play and what cut scenes you watch are the same. No CGI renders here, all real time. Everything in the game works well. From transition to each level, you discover the story more and more.
Just as Kojima promised us a great story, he gave us great gameplay. The new OCTOCAMO is a great addition, along with the Threat Ring, and the Solid Eye, all fit together to make your sneaking mission more intense and determined on your skill. Just like other MGS games, you are tasked with sneaking around unnoticed, and reaching your goal. The game comes with several levels of difficulties to test your skill.
This game isn't for everyone. Sure you can run around and kill everyone, be in 100 alert phases, and get 100 continues, but realize that as in ever MGS game, your are severely scrutinized, and you can move forward by playing so, but doing so on the hard mode and higher, will not get you anything, and certainly not any of the goodies stored away based on your performance. As you progress in the game, you will discover more and more weapons. In fact, your looking at over 65 weapon types in the single player.
There are over 130 different items(weapons included) for you to discover and use, fitted with dozens of weapon customizations and munitions types to make your playing experience unique to your liking. You also get a little metal gear of your own, the Mk. II. Though most would see it as useless, if you actually want to do good in the game, it is a great tool. You can send him to get items out of your reach, shock an enemy in front of you, and even recon if your Solid Eye is low on battery.
Aside from the item list(which I won't spoil for you guys) the story will keep you hooked. As you discover new parts and information discovering the truth about the patriots and the people living in their world, you will visit several areas, each with a level of detail unimaginable. As you go to these different areas, pass the 2nd half of the game, the cut scenes go from once every area, to once every time you learn something new. The cut scenes do come on a bit heavy, but for me, it was fine. Recaping 20 years for those who are new to the series, and unraveling the future for those anxious to find out weather snake lives or dies, each cut scenes plays a Role and if you didn't watch them, you will be lost and loose out on the experience on the game.
The online play is good, but in my oppinion it could be better. The main problem I have with playing online is the aspect bars. I understand them being in the single player, but online? I played MGS4 on a LCD 32" Samsung 1080p, and my 19" pc monitor, and it feels like if your not playing it on a big screen, it gets cluttered with too much information. The online weapon types have been greatly reduced compared to it's single player counter part, but you experience the weapon customization with "Debrin Points" being enabled. Although I think they should be on all the time. You also get skills fairing you better against your opponent in a certain area, given that you spend the time to master them.
All in all, this game is quite far the best game I have ever played. Great story, great game play, and online(which is a requirement for me to buy a game) play are all married into one 50gb disk of perfection. Unfortunately, the story ends. But like all good things, the road doesn't go on for ever.