Before we get started I would like to say that I write this review not as a huge Metal Gear fan, but as an objective, non-biased gamer… And only slightly as a huge Metal Gear fan.
For those that may be confused or unsure, Ground Zeroes is not the complete Metal Gear Solid 5. It is a prequel that offers an exciting look into the story and gameplay of the complete Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. I say exciting because I am excited. Excited to get back into the world of Metal Gear Solid and to delve further into the new style that the series is taking.
Ground Zeroes takes place on a US Naval Prison Facility known as Omega Base. This is the environment seen in the original gameplay trailer released for Ground Zeroes. That trailer opens on a dark and stormy night and quickly introduces two main characters, Skullface, leader of XOF, and Chico, from Peace Walker. The weather truly sets the tone for the rest of the game. Kojima has taken the series to a darker, gritter place, lending itself to what seems like a more authentic and realistic militant environment. With that comes a more realistic Snake, one older and wiser but not hampered by age.
Ground Zeroes is a place of discovery. As the player you are given a very brief tutorial at the beginning of the game but much of the gameplay is up to you to discover. I would recommend watching the gameplay trailer below to get an idea of some of the great new game mechanics offered. Some of the fan favourites features are back such as interrogating enemies for information (although you can’t tell them to freeze by pointing your gun at them, or at least it didn’t work for me), and CQC. Some things that are missing is the ability to knock on walls to get guards attention, rations, and the orange box (may not be completely missing but I didn’t find it on my first play through). The Omega Base, while small, is a open map that you can freely explore before moving on with your main objectives. Be careful though, there is no radar showing you enemies walking and their field of vision, so moving carefully, finding cover, and checking corners is essential. This make gameplay so much more intense and only adds to that new sense of realism the game offers. To make life a little easier though, you can use Snake’s binoculars to observe enemies and tag them. This allows you to view their movements through walls when they are near. Handy, but not always fool proof as inevitably you’ll miss someone and get spotted leading to a tough decision, stand and fight? Or run and hide?
If you’re the stand and fight type of person, you’re going to have a tough time. Combat is very fluid with the Fox Engine, and the AI has greatly improved (for the most part). Cover is generally in abundance, and Snake can now run and dive while under fire to help avoid damage. The AI is clever enough to either pin you down, or surround you, and is also not afraid to call in reinforcements, whether that be more men or you know, a tank. Cover fire, run and hide is generally you’re best option (or not being seen at all if you can manage it). If the enemy loses sight of you they’ll search your last known location so it’s best not to linger in one spot for too long. And if you’re thinking of hiding and then tranquilizing or killing soliders from a distance, think twice. It’s doable, but not as easy as it used to be. The game physics now take into consideration environment variables, such as wind, distance, and the power of your weapon. I tried tranquilizing a guard in a watch tower from about 40 – 50 ft away, but the wind caught my bullet and the aim was completely off. Annoying, but damn cool at the same time!
In terms of story, playing the previous games will certainly help you catch up and understand things a lot quicker, since like all Metal Gear games the plot is one of deep political conspiracy and betrayal. This too has a darker tone than some of the other games throughout the series, but leads to an ending that feels a little rushed. There are only two main cinematics in the game, each between 7 – 10 minutes long. Graphically they are the same as the gameplay (which is beautiful) so transition between the two is smooth, but at times I felt like there were missed gameplay opportunities during some of the more action packed scenes. And for those wondering, while I miss David Hayter, Kiefer Sutherland does a great job as Snake and the new voice does not seem out of place at all.
In the end, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes offers a short but satisfying glimpse at what to expect from The Phantom Pain. It’s certainly worth the €35 price point for any Metal Gear fan and offers many hours of replay time. For those new to the series, I would recommend picking up a copy but know that it is not the complete game that you’re buying. The series is transforming and I’m looking forward to it more than ever.
