I started playing it at my friends house Saturday and played until right after the battle of Screaming Mantis (last act of the game).
Thus far I feel like I’m watching a very long, but exciting, movie that is broken up by the occasional section of gameplay to keep me from getting too annoyed. If you are a fan of the story and the series, then the cut scenes are awesome. Only a couple of them feel like they are dragging on and usually by the point they’re nearly over or offer some sort of distraction like being able to control the Mk. II during the briefing. MGS4 also starts answering all the questions without providing too many brand new ones, so if you’ve been waiting for the answers this will give them to you. (Also, if you dont at least have some idea of who the Patriots are after the last 2 games you probably weren’t paying very close attention. Because I wasnt too surprised when they finally explained how the Patriots was started. Then again, I’m a rabid fan of the series and make sure I pat attention to every detail in order to try and answer things.) Also, the CODECs usually have movies added on now, which makes it sooooo much better then sitting in place for 45 minutes looking at green tinted images or black and white photos.
While sneaking is almost entirely optional I really don’t think the action segments are that bad. Especially if you are used to how it was in the past games when things got tough. I find myself, more often than not, blasting away at things instead of sneaking and I’ve been having almost no trouble at all with the controls. Sure, they arent as good as a game that is supposed to be a 3rd person shooter would be, but I’ve certainly played worse.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to going over and beating it finally and seeing the end of the series.