Slams it for 'utterly overblown plot' and gameplay that's 'arthritic and boring'.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots screenshot

Free London newspaper Metro has given critically acclaimed PS3 exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4 a paltry three stars out of five, slamming the "utterly overblown" plot and gameplay that "somehow manages to be both rubbish and exceptional at the same time".

Metro, which is given out free to mainly London-based commuters every morning, said of Kojima's epic: "Solid Snake is back, older, wiser but unfortunately, if gameplay is anything to go by, more arthritic and boring."

We can't imagine Konami will be pleased by the review. Equating each star out of five to two points on an out of 10 scale, Metro has awarded the game a six out of 10, which is the lowest MGS4 review score we've seen so far. According to certified distribution figures from ABC, Metro is read by 1.3 million readers across the UK every day.

The review, which isn't on Metro's website at the time of writing, says in full: "Solid Snake is back, older, wiser, but unfortunately, if gameplay is anything to go by, more arthritic and boring. In truth, the MGS series has always been rather unfathomable - a fanboy favourite that mystifies and inspires in equal measure. The plot is so utterly overblown that it's pointless delving too deep - imagine an art house remake of a Jean Claude Van Damme movie (there's a twin brother, global conspiracy, genetic engineering and, erm, a laughing octopus).

"The core of gameplay is stealthy third-person action but there are so many twists in the standard formula, it's breathtaking. It's a whirlwind of unevenness that somehow manages to be both rubbish and exceptional at the same time."

You can find out why Metro's review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is wrong by reading our review, in which we give the game a nine out of 10 score, right here.