10 AMAZING Video Games (That Are Too Damn Long)
5. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots
In the gaming world, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is basically the peak of auteur self-indulgence - a game so verbose in spite of itself that it basically becomes self-parody.
But it also happens to be a fantastic experience - a loony, peerlessly ambitious piece of storytelling bolstered by Hideo Kojima's drum-tight action gameplay, a bevy of unforgettable boss fights, and one hell of an emotional ending.
But with Metal Gear Solid 4, Konami also took all the shackles off Kojima and let him get freely high off his own supply. As such, the reams of exposition have never felt more breathless, nor the absurdly lengthy cutscenes more abusively overdone. The game's script desperately needs some editing, and its infamous Europe-set third act grinds the pacing to an absolute standstill.
Guns of the Patriots is a mostly magnificent testament to what can happen when great artists are allowed to just cook, but if it lost a few hours it'd be even better.