This game isn't only the best in the series or the best conclusion to a series. It is the best game in a series ever!
When I first played Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation One in 1998. The graphics and story suckered me in instantaneously. After three short years I couldn't wait to play as Snake again and found myself disappointed with MGS 2: Sons of Liberty. I felt as if the story was disjointed and the characters served in an unrealistic view of the modern world, where a character (Vamp) cannot die, and lives forever. The main character Raiden was too naive to be somebody you root for. After another three short years MGS 3: Snake Eater was released. I remember playing it and asking myself... "If this is the 60's how is Solid Snake the same age as he is in the 2000's?" When I finally made it to the end of the game, I remember watching that ending cut scene, and my mouth dropping to the floor when they title Snake - Big Boss. I now realized that Hideo went and gave the backstory to so many things in the series and added so much more depth to an already amazing series.
Finally in 2008 the Game of the Year Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was released. I played only the first act because we were promised trophies. So I stopped playing... then held off playing it, for 4 years, until now. The trophy patch finally was released and I played through this epic conclusion. This game gives the answers to so many unanswered questions, so many issues I had with MGS2. (I now appreciate that game so much more than I did) It reintroduces so many characters and brings the story about the Sons of the Patriots, about the nano machine controlling system that is J.D. (John Doe) about Liquid (Snake) Ocelot and about Big Boss' plans.
The controlling is more fluent than ever. You go from third person to first person with ease. Fighting is refined and controls extremely well. They stuck with a controlled camera like MGS 3 (default) as opposed to a locked one MGS and MGS 2. They added in some new features and you will absolutely love the way you can hold up somebody and pat them down. Graphically the only picky and conceivable thing I can picture people having issues with, is during the cutscenes I found a few times the voices don't move to the mouths. This being my only issue with the graphics is overlooked by the amazingly lush environments, the detailed buildings (especially through a torn up warzone in the Middle East), a beautiful looking landcape in South America and a great looking (almost noir-ish) Eastern Europe. The facial and character detail is unreal and pushes the boundaries of CGI, even today it stands as one of the best looking games ever.
Even with the only tiny issue of the animations not syncing up a few times. This game to me is perfect. It plays flawless, and generally is flawless. By the final epic last frame of an almost hour long ending cut scene to complete this series for now, you as I was, will be left breathless and waiting for the next instalment of Metal Gear Solid. Although I hope that Hideo does not make another one, because I hate when companies make sequels and prequels to make more money, when they should leave it on the highest note possible. This game get's my absolute highest rating I am able to give it. 10 out of 10. Perfect!