Look at MGS2. It introduced so much. We were sniping bad guys, swimming, escorting women, putting out fires, disarming bombs, fighting harriers, sword fighting side by side with Solid Snake, listening to conversations with microphones, watching ice cubes melt, etc. It was incredible.
Look at MGS3. Best story ever. Best boss fights in the series. Gameplay innovations like camo (kinda clunky, but still well done), and the best final act in all of gaming.
MGS4 was a great game, but Metal Gear games are more than just great. They're legendary. I tried to suspend disbelief, but the "everyone is a soldier" storyline was a little much. Akiba was painful to watch, and Drebin and his monkey? In my opinion, they hurt a great product. I'm still glad I bought a PS3 and MGS4, but for the first time in history I finished a Metal Gear game (and I swear to you I played every non PSP Metal Gear since the NES) and was not completely and totally blown away.
