Contains major spoilers

Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of the most anticipated games of current generation and truly an astonishing achievement for gaming industry in various aspects.

Technically, MGS 4 was a breakthrough for sure. The way the game plays and looks, is just mind-blowing. The graphics are not photo realistic yet, but they're really close and the gameplay is the best I have seen in my 13 years of gaming experience. Approaching current gen's end of lifespan, I'm positive we won't see a game of such quality in this generation.

That aside, the game has unique production elements that make it look like a movie. While we had seen such elements in previous Metal Gear games as well, here they are truly shining, presenting an extraordinary experience. To sum it up, if you want to convince someone a game is a form of art, this is the best example. Strong plot with solid characters and innumerable twists, boosted by stunning presentation – sounds like cinema, only better.

I'm usually like "game with a badass dude and buncha guns? No, thanks" but Metal Gear is far superior to that. It's not even a game; to describe it, I can say it's an experience you must go through, before you die.

Enough with the praising now, here comes the bashing. As I said, I loved almost every facet of this game, there was a huge disappointment for me though. Right when I was doubting Kojima's true nature and whether he's even human or not, I had a slap in the face.

Yes, I'm talking about the ending, where Kojima had the opportunity to reach the true zenith but he blew it.

The cemetery scene, where Snake is going to suicide to prevent an epidemy. Sacrificing himself to save his loved ones and a lot of other people, would be the ideal end for such a hero, but to my amazement, he didn't have the courage to do it, turns out he was a coward. Wait, what? The legendary Snake, a coward? Yes, I can't find any other explanation for what he did or rather, what he did not.

I know there was no epidemy danger at all but Snake didn't know it, did he? One might argue his death would be in vain if he had killed himself. To reply, I can say that's where the true tragedy would come in. Snake taking his life thinking he would save countless others by doing it but in reality he didn't have to do it. Now that would be THE tragedy but what we got instead? A happy end!!!

Rose reuniting with Raiden, Meryl reuniting with Campbell and marrying Johnny and Snake not killing himself; what is this, Love Story?

And to think that Snake was going to die soon anyway, just makes me want to bang my head on a wall. The image that remains of Snake in my mind is that of a coward and that's not fair. He deserved more.

You blew it, Kojima-san, you blew it.