System: Sony PlayStation 3

Publisher: Konami

Reviewer’s rating: ****

ESRB rating: Mature

Game type: Stealth-action

Kind of like: Past “Metal Gear” games, only better.

Best feature: Incredible depth of gameplay.

Worst feature: Long cut scenes.

The bottom line: After two decades, the legend of Solid Snake is coming to an end. At least that’s what Konami wants gamers to believe when they play “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.” With so much history and success behind one of gaming’s top franchises, it’s fitting that Snake goes out on top with the finest “Metal Gear” title to date.

Now known as “Old Snake,” our hero returns for his final go-’round, aged prematurely from genetic modifications. as a result of his genetically modified body. His universe in the not-so-near future is dominated by perpetual proxy wars fought by private military contractors. Our man is fighting to keep his archnemesis and clone brother, Liquid Snake, from exploiting the new military-industrial complex to take over the world.

Gameplay is everything fans have come to expect. The idea is to sneak through a level undetected, with a few gun fights thrown in the mix — simple as that. Snake gets a few new toys, such as “OctoCamo” (an update of “Metal Gear Solid 3’s” decidedly low-tech camouflage system) and the Metal Gear Mk II (a remote-controlled droid that acts as a stealth scout).

But perhaps the biggest change to the game is the introduction of the mysterious Drebin. Snake has instant access to dozens of weapons through the arms dealer, which in itself is a major departure from the days of diving into a mission with nothing but a pack of cigarettes and a cardboard box. The implied push toward more action may upset stealth purists — sometimes the direct route is the easiest (blasphemy!) — but the blend allows for more creative gameplay, as Snake can now play rebels against PMCs for a diversion.

The game could be smoother, though. The cutscenes are often lengthy and seem important mainly to push backstory on those new to the franchise. Then again, patience has always been a staple of the franchise. But the inside jokes are plentiful, and much of the cast from previous games make appearances to send Snake off on his final adventure.