Click for Source By Graham Osborne
The Metal Gear Solid series has spanned multiple console generations, from the 90’s to present day, and the storyline is becoming more and more convoluted as time goes on. Possibly as an attempt by Hideo Kojima to sabotage the franchise, allowing him to move on (he’s been trying to escape since MGS2!)
The Metal Gear Solid series has spanned multiple console generations, from the 90’s to present day, and the storyline is becoming more and more convoluted as time goes on. Possibly as an attempt by Hideo Kojima to sabotage the franchise, allowing him to move on (he’s been trying to escape since MGS2!)
Click for Source Ground Zeroes comes across as yet another attempt by Kojima to escape the yoke of Metal Gear and move on to pastures new. Unfortunately, the game still manages to deliver the same experience of a traditional MGS game, albeit in a much shorter time-frame. The main storyline of the game is roughly two hours long, depending on your skills, during which you rescue two characters from a Guantanamo Bay styled prison. Ultimately, the entire experience is a lead in to The Phantom Pain, the “official” MGSV, which is coming out within the next year.
Ground Zeroes is an open-world affair. A stark contrast to the previous games, which were set in more confined areas. Also in contrast to the previous games is the lack of cutscenes. The game only uses two as bookends for the gameplay, and both are relatively short, especially when compared to the ending of Metal Gear Solid IV: Guns of the Patriots. With a two hour campaign, the game ultimately relies on special missions to extend the gameplay, though it ultimately falls flat when you realise there is no variation in location and the goals vary between “find these” and “destroy that”.
Ground Zeroes is an open-world affair. A stark contrast to the previous games, which were set in more confined areas. Also in contrast to the previous games is the lack of cutscenes. The game only uses two as bookends for the gameplay, and both are relatively short, especially when compared to the ending of Metal Gear Solid IV: Guns of the Patriots. With a two hour campaign, the game ultimately relies on special missions to extend the gameplay, though it ultimately falls flat when you realise there is no variation in location and the goals vary between “find these” and “destroy that”.
Click for Source This being a Metal Gear Solid game, there is plenty of lore to read into and questions to be raised. Hopefully, some of these questions will be answered within The Phantom Pain itself. Of note is the distinct change in Snake’s tone of voice, achieved by replacing David Hayter (known for doing the iconic voice since 1998) with 24’s Kiefer Sutherland. Sutherland has managed to change the voice to a less gravelly tone, it’s different, but in a good way. The new voice of Snake is able to convey a wider range of emotions than his predecessor, and doesn’t attempt to emulate the original.
Overall, the gameplay is solid (see what I did there?), with a strong focus on the stealth and equipment acquirement as opposed to running and gunning. The main let down for the game is the length of the core story, especially when compared to its price tag of £25. Had the game been bundled in with The Phantom Pain for full price, or released for five to ten pounds cheaper, it would be a definitive purchase. As it stands, whether or not you will justify the game and its pricing is directly related to how much enjoyment you get out of the MGS franchise.
Overall, the gameplay is solid (see what I did there?), with a strong focus on the stealth and equipment acquirement as opposed to running and gunning. The main let down for the game is the length of the core story, especially when compared to its price tag of £25. Had the game been bundled in with The Phantom Pain for full price, or released for five to ten pounds cheaper, it would be a definitive purchase. As it stands, whether or not you will justify the game and its pricing is directly related to how much enjoyment you get out of the MGS franchise.
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