Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PlayStation 3) Review

By Az Elias 27.03.2014

Review for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes on PlayStation 3

Much has been made of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, and Hideo Kojima's decision to release this separate and miniature companion game to act as the prologue to the full release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which is likely to come out next year. Is it right to release a title like this, which is clearly only a snippet of content compared to what will fill up the disc of The Phantom Pain? Is there actually enough in the package to justify the reduced price tag? Is it even any good? Cubed3 joins Big Boss on this mission to find the answers.

What is Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, exactly? Well, Metal Gear Solid V has been split up into two games, basically - Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain. Why? Metal Gear Solid V has ended up needing a lengthy period of time to complete its development, so granting eager fans the opportunity to play something, and whet their appetites for the eventual main course, was an idea that Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima thought would be a good one.

One other explanation given for the separated titles is so that players can familiarise themselves with the new gameplay that will be present in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, since there have been a couple of changes to the previous formula - namely the open world format that has been applied this time around.

Screenshot for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes on PlayStation 3

In all honesty, these are all extremely poor excuses, and it really brings into question the amount of respect that is given to the fans that have supported Kojima, Konami and the Metal Gear series for all these years. This is because the content contained in Ground Zeroes consists of a single mission that can be completed in an hour, and a few side missions to offer some replay value on top of it.

Taking place after the events of Peace Walker, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes' main mode is a lone mission for Big Boss (otherwise known as Naked Snake) to retrieve two young individuals from a prison camp in Cuba, and escape the zone. This is Metal Gear, so stealth is the key mechanic here. Dropped just outside of the camp, sneaking in the gates, and being guided through an earpiece by Kaz Miller, the open world aspect of the game comes to light very quickly. Despite that, though, not at all does it feel that different to previous Metal Gear Solid entries in any miraculous way. Gameplay functions very much the same - sneak up on guards, knock them out and hide them; crawl through passageways under the floor to reach other areas; lay still in grass and shadows, take out security cameras, and alter the direction of searchlights to avoid being spotted. Ground Zeroes retains the essence of Metal Gear, improving on the control of Snake, and allowing for more actions to be undertaken, as well as new options to manipulate the enemy.

Screenshot for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes on PlayStation 3

The freedom is granted right off the bat. It is still an enclosed area, but it is a large one, with multiple sections that hold buildings, helipads, camps, search towers, and vehicles. Driving around the island is completely possible, where some fun can be had by shoving a few knocked out guards in the back of a truck and taking them for a little ride. Metal Gear has always allowed for amusing situations by playing with the enemy in various ways, and even in this little game, that is still true.

Locating the first prisoner is simple enough, using the map. The second, however, must be sought out by listening to clues on a cassette tape, trying to work out where they were taken in the grounds. With both detainees, they need to be evacuated from their holding areas, and put onto a helicopter that must be called for to complete the mission.

The game's serious issue is that it can be done in an hour. Yes, there are short side missions to unlock, including a throwback to the original Metal Gear Solid on PlayStation (which is exclusive to the PS3 and PS4 editions), and there is a harder difficulty to use in subsequent playthroughs, and there are the odd collectibles hidden in nooks and crannies around the map; some players will enjoy the game enough to try and achieve 100% and replay it multiple times just to mess around with Snake and see what interesting things can be done - this is a Kojima game, after all. However, that is all there is to it.

Screenshot for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes on PlayStation 3

Knowing what to expect for those twenty or more pounds is extremely important. For the fans that have been following the game and know what Ground Zeroes is all about, many will likely come away satisfied, and will continue to put in the hours to get the absolute most out of it.

On the other hand, Ground Zeroes is essentially a very expensive demo, and it is shameful that this product has ended up on store shelves. It really isn't advertised as a single stage and some extra missions that will last a meagre few hours in total, and the people out there unknowingly buying into it are going to feel ripped off. Half the price of a full game or not, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes doesn't contain the content to justify its price tag.

Screenshot for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes on PlayStation 3

Cubed3 Rating

4/10
Rated 4 out of 10

Subpar

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the type of product that splits opinion two ways. It is impossible to overlook the main mode's length, though. Even when considering the side missions and replayability as a whole, this is still a rip off for what is essentially a very expensive demo. It isn't to say everyone will be disappointed - there will be fans that will take Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes as it is, and explore everything it has to offer. On the whole, though, this is extremely poor practice from Kojima, and it is only hoped that it does not become a trend - whether it be Konami or any other companies. Do not waste money on this; rent it instead.

Developer

Kojima Productions

Publisher

Konami

Genre

Adventure

Players

1

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  4/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  6/10 (2 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

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