10 Video Games That Never Bettered Their Opening Levels

9. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots

As much as I'll sing the praises of Metal Gear all day long, MGS 4 really is more cutscene than game. Four major areas is all it gives you, and whilst they're hyper-detailed to the max in every respect, it's the opening Middle-East segment that runs circles around the remainder.

Allowing you to take multiple paths to the goal, side with a number of militia factions against Liquid Ocelot's men, experiment with guard A.I. patterns and your new Octocamo suit, getting to grips with Solid Snake's new moveset was a joy every step of the way.

Compared to a fairly short run through South America, a terrible "follow the target, get seen and it's game over" segment and the instant-alert-phase Outer Haven infiltration, even a quick emotional revisit to Shadow Moses couldn't top the sheer jaw-dropping 'feel' of Metal Gear Solid 4's first moments on PS3.