Everything has been refined. The controls finally work the way you always knew they could. Every flaw and annoyance from the previous games has been thought through.

The main thing here is the variations in the ways a mission can be done. Metal Gear Solid has always been a stealth game, but many of us have liked to kill our way through the levels. This has been made a more viable option.

Not only that, but there's no one right way to approach a situation. There is a ton of replay value in just trying your hand at different paths through the missions. I doubt you'll find everything the game has to offer in just one play through.

There's a fair amount of integrated cut scenes, but don't let that deter you from a second play through of the game, or even a certain part. All of them can be skipped if you'd like. Also, don't worry about the length, as you'll also be able to pause them at any point by simply hitting start.

You'll meet a man in your travels, he goes by the name of Drebin, but by his own words, there are many other just like him. Drebin is an arms dealer and weapons launderer. This benefits Snake quite a bit in his mission.

In the previous games, weapons you found were locked to the enemy who held them. You'd never be able to just steal a weapon. Even if all you had was a knife, the game would make you find a weapon that Snake could use.

Now, with Drebin here to help, Snake can finally unlock those weapons. You'll also sell weapons that you already have to him, acquiring Drebin Points, or DPs. DPs are the currency of Metal Gear Solid 4, at least for you and Snake.

The situation of the war can have an effect on how much Drebin charges for his services, so the decision to let a guard live or die can have consequences, at least long term. Personally I kill almost every guard I come across, and haven't had any problems with prices.

Otacon is still going to be your main advisor this time around, and he gives you a new toy to play with, the Mark 2, or Mk II. The Mk II can keep Snake from having to risk his own neck. Send the Mk II in Snake's place to explore an area and scout for guards.

There are a couple of things to remember when using the Mk II. Firstly, Snake will be left exposed wherever you relinquished control of him. Secondly, although the Mk II is invisible when it follows you, guards can see it, and thusly have an alert called, so be careful.

Metal Gear Solid has always been known for epic boss fights, as well as the sneaking action. This entry is no different, except for the fact that it has boss fights well beyond anything that has been seen in the series thus far. Every fight turns into a cinematic adventure, working wonderful cutscenes in both before and after the fights, making them all the more epic.