Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Reviews
As a testament to what can be done for the Metal Gear Solid series, Ground Zeroes is mouthwatering. The new Fox Engine holds up well, looking staggeringly good at times even on the Xbox 360 version. We know that The Phantom Pain is going to be many times bigger than this, so in a way it feels like a shame that this is such as slender portion of what is sure to be a fantastic fifth outing for the series. Ultimately though, it plays great and it's a fantastic game, marred by a lack of content that will leave some players understandably feeling short-changed. Some people will be quick to blurt out to them that they're playing it wrong, but I think that misses the point. We all approach games in different ways and for different reasons, and for some this will be an offensively abrupt experience, while others will burrow deep and try to uncover all of Camp Omega's secrets.
Ground Zeroes is a short, but perfectly formed, experience. With outstanding graphics, a fully immersive playground and new features, Ground Zeroes still very much feels like classic Metal Gear Solid, but the new Fox Engine, particularly accompanied with next-gen technologies, brings it off the rails and gives the classic franchise the scope and settings for an even more incredible experience. Snake is back!
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a very impressive prologue to The Phantom Pain. It's short, but it makes up for it with a shocking ending, beautiful graphics, polished gameplay and lots of replay value.
A bold and inventive new take on Metal Gear Solid that placates rather than fills the appetite. As billed, Ground Zeroes is merely a prologue to the true sequel, The Phantom Pain. Enjoyment will rely on expectations and on how invested you are in the overarching story of the various Snakes.
Once again, Metal Gear Solid has shown that as a series, it's a master of stealth action in a small, yet extremely well crafted experience that you will enjoy and play multiple times, right up until the release of Phantom Pain.
Ground Zeroes is a stealthy sandbox, a playground that lets us get used to and experiment with the slick new Metal Gear mechanics. Its weak storyline and fleeting length are disappointing, but impressive replay value, extra content and undeniable quality will make The Phantom Pain's prologue worth the price of admission for many gamers.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is an excellent first taste of the gameplay we can expect in the upcoming Phantom Pain. It's well designed, well tuned, and a lot of fun to play, but the general game design and lack of content make it feel like an extended demo rather than a full game. Viewed from that perspective, the $30 price tag is really steep. Die-hard Metal Gear fans and those who've replayed the games over and over to achieve Big Boss rankings will probably get their money's worth. Everyone else would be better off waiting for an inevitable sale. There's just not enough here for the average player to get his $30 worth.
Ground Zeroes is an assured, above-average stealth shooter, something there are an abundance of. For years there has been a vocal group of people who have sought to temper the excesses and eccentricities of Hideo Kojima. In Ground Zeroes, Kojima has finally found an editor.
While it looks like one, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is not a demo. It could - and should - be cheaper, but that can't erase the fact that this is a product of a very high-quality and depth.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a highly accomplished, technically impressive introduction to a brave new world. Even the most legendary franchises have to adapt and assimilate eventually, and Ground Zeroes is an example of a long-running, established IP embracing new technology and trends while still retaining its core. The story's construction is a little concerning, the length will be a definite issue for some, and I have to say, the AI could use some tweaking.
Ground Zeroes is an interesting game to score. The way that it has been presented is to show off the features of the FOX Engine, and each mission is clearly designed to showcase some new gimmick or other. And yet, it doesn't feel like a demo. Although I do feel the main mission is too short, it feels like a stand-alone experience that will connect to something much greater in the future. My only gripes with Ground Zeroes, a prequel, is its length, so you can only imagine the game changer The Phantom Pain will be.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the perfect opening for a much richer experience that Phantom Pain promises to offer. Ground Zeroes is intense, philosophical, dark, brutal, but full of hope at the same time.
This short length of Ground Zeroes is definitely a downside, but consider this: would this style of gameplay hold up after 20 hours? It might be too soon to tell, but the structure seems like a radical departure from what made Metal Gear Metal Gear. Action purists will no doubt love its combat-centric gameplay, but those looking to wax nostalgic with a MGS title from 2014 best tread with caution.
As Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is considered to be a prologue, the game only takes about 20 minutes to complete, bringing out what we should expect in the upcoming The Phantom Pain. With the Big Boss story arc in place once again, we will inevitably know how the Patriots are built.
For a very short time, I enjoyed 'Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes' as I would any new, exciting, and impressive 'Metal Gear' title. I couldn't help but be fascinated by some of the turns assigned to 'Peace Walker' characters, and that is the game's fundamental issue. The game comes across as premium priced fan service. The PS4 version is doubtlessly better than the PS3 version, but the jump in price from $20 to $30 makes the pretty, fun, and short game only suitable for hardcore fans. Cut the price in half and clean up some of the locked features, and the game's rating would be much higher even without adding more content.
But, if you can’t wait to play some next gen, Metal Gear action much like myself, then pick this bad boy up, and take your time. I think that’s what the slogan for this game should be; “Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes – Take your sweet ass time, ‘cos you’re not getting another ’til 2015”.
There is very little on offer here. Multiple missions that reuse the exact same level over and over. While it does give us a good taste of what is to come in the full game, it feels like I was cheated out of my money by even paying for this. Ground Zeroes is a large demo and is not worth the crazy price they are charging for it. I am a big fan of MGS, but this was a cheap move to squeeze money out of fans who were desperately waiting for the release of MGS5. My advice would be to wait for 5 to come out, or at least wait until you see this game in the bargain bin.
Ground Zeroes is definitely fun while it lasts, and it offers an interesting taste of what is to come in Phantom Pain. As appetizers go, it's terrific. Just don't expect a full meal.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is clearly an appetizer for die-hard fans who want to take on the role of Snake before the release of "The Phantom Pain". Those who are willing to explore the additional side missions in advance, apart from the short main story, will get a nice game package with Ground Zeroes, with which you can have many hours of fun. Newcomers prefer to wait for the main game.
Review in German | Read full review
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the prologue to The Phantom Pain. Quite frankly this short but sweet sampled taste of a sure-fire masterpiece is an amazing demonstration of what's to come.