Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Reviews
Metal Gear Solid V is riddled with flaws - the story makes no sense and is paced woefully inconsistently, the menu systems could be a lot more intuitive, and as previously mentioned, its treatment of women could stand to improve (sigh). But damn it, the core stealth mechanics and sense of progression are so strong, it's compulsive playing.
Luckily, the package as a whole is satisfying enough to overlook most of its flaws. The only one that came up to bother me time and time again is that the story is very weak in comparison to the rest of the series, and oddly enough given the wide-open gameplay, it's very linear. There's no weird questions, or whodunits when it's over, it's all spelled out for you and that's just not how Metal Gear is supposed to be. However, with Kojima's track record of innovation and tenacity, regardless of any announcement that he's no longer involved with the series, I believe he'll make sure that the legacy of the Metal Gear series lives on in some form or another. Even though Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain wraps up the saga of Big Boss, I feel we've only just begun...
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an exhilarating game to play that has massive narrative shortcomings.
There's no denying that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is Kojima's masterpiece; A culmination of 30 years of Metal Gear games, and an evolution for the series. I know that Ground Zeroes was supposed to be the first taste of what The Phantom Pain would be like, but I don't think I was ever fully prepared.
An imperfect perfection, the series draws to an end with a bang, and a whimper.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the epitome of stealth action. It contains not only some of the best combat mechanics available, but everything you could have wanted from a Metal Gear Solid game. Plus Kiefer Sutherland.
Kojima's last is Metal Gear's best. Astounding.
It's gorgeous, it has a fantastic soundtrack -- including a satisfying array of 80s pop hits to remind you of the time period -- and you always feel like you have perfect control over Punished Snake. And yeah, the story's bananas but... you absolutely have to play this game.
Hardcore fans may be divided about The Phantom Pain, but there is no doubt that this might very well be this generation's defining game.
[Kojima]'s made a game that utilises more fully what a game should, with all the learning curves that come with trying something new. Metal Gear Solid 5 is the best stealth game I've ever played, it's just not the best open-world one.
Metal Gear Solid V Phantom Pain is an interactive piece of art that truly pays homage to the original game and successfully expands the franchise into an open-world game. The gaming mechanics are flawless as are the beautiful graphics that go hand in hand with the gameplay and audio. Game of the Year hey? Well… it's a close fight between this title and the Witcher III and given there are only a few months left, I sincerely doubt another game will come close.
Metal Gear Solid V is an incredible game worth a purchase by anyone remotely interested in the genre.
It's a shame that this will be Kojima's last MGS game, but for what it's worth he set aside whatever ill feelings he might have against Konami to create one of his most ambitious games yet. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the best entry in the franchise, and you should enjoy it while the franchise still has a solid reputation. Thanks to the open-world gameplay, Kojima has given you dozens of hours to remember him and his work.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the best playing entry in the series, and while it's not going to wrap up the entire story in a neat little bow, it's a technical marvel that works beautifully as a playground for espionage.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a game capable of upsetting metal gear's very basics and every video game preconception, but at the same time it represents a glimpse into Kojima's mind of rare clarity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's a game that's often obnoxious and clumsy in the handling of its subject matter and the treatment of its own characters, but it's also that rare game that showcases the treasure of undying delights to be found within meticulously crafted interactive worlds.
A celebration of everything that makes MGS so brilliantly unique, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain heralds a new stage in Kojima's stealth opus that might sadly be his last. Should the Metal Gear series continue without Kojima Productions, we'd be surprised if it's anywhere near as superlative as this. The Phantom Pain is sensational.
Hideo Kojima with the release of The Phantom Pain is likely to say goodbye to the Metal Gear Solid series. He does it in a very good way, although it is difficult to find an understanding of many mistakes made on this occasion.
Review in Polish | Read full review
In The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions have pulled off the rarest kind of balancing act, delivering a story that will satisfy many franchise fans while also being the most beginner-accessible Metal Gear game to date.