Why Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is Awesome

I’ve recently purchased a graphics card and thought of testing it out on Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. The game was released in March 2014. Developed by Kojima Productions using the Fox Engine. It is an action-adventure stealth game. I originally played it on the Xbox One, but on Windows PC it blew me away.

Ground Zeroes Plot

You are Big Boss, America’s hero soldier. Since the events of Snake Eater, Big Boss has left the US and formed his own mercenary nation. This takes place in the game Peace Walker, where you build up Mother-base and solve the mystery of the familiar voice. During the events of Peace Walker, you meet Chico and Paz. By the time of Ground Zeroes, both had been captured by an undisclosed force. Only Big Boss can go in and rescue them. But, at the same time, the other nations have requested a nuclear inspection. Early on your team thinks it’s a bit too convenient.

Big Boss infiltrates the base where the two former members are located. And begins a short mission in trying to find and extract them.

Ground Zeroes Gameplay

As Big Boss, you must explore the base and locate the two hostages. The aim of the game is stealth. By sneaking around and not being spotted it makes getting the goals easier. Big Boss has a wide range of equipment available in Ground Zeroes. From a tranquillizer gun to night vision goggles.

He also has a few abilities that make life easier. From Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, CQC makes a return. It allows you to dispatch enemies either lethal or non-lethal. He can also extract information from the enemies or even use them as human shields. If you have been spotted or want to take out an enemy quickly you can slam them into the floor.

Unlike previous titles, Big Boss can now pilot vehicles. There are a few available and only one of them is armed. But they make getting around the base far quicker than on foot. During the main mission, I didn’t use them, but for the side ops, I did. Especially when the OP isn’t stealth orientated.

Ground Zeroes Presentation

The graphics of Metal Gear Solid are unrivaled even today. The details on Big Boss’s face are very refined. The rain provided a wet sheen across his face. The sneaking suit is also rendered in great detail. This extends to the enemies as well.

The environments are also rendered to perfection. If you can spare a minute to look at the details and at the rain affects it’s crazy to think this was released almost 7 years ago. Very few games today have that level of detail.

The Metal Gear Solid series is known for its soundtrack. Ground Zeroes is no different. The orchestra is there and it really helps set the atmosphere. During the introduction, there is a moment where the sound effects are cut out and are replaced with Chico’s Walkman which has an amazing effect on the atmosphere.

My only complaint is Big Boss’s voice actor. In the other games in the series it has always been David Hayter that voices the protagonist version of Snake (Big Boss’s other code name). But in Metal Gear Solid V, they chose Kiefer Sutherland from 24 Fame. Hideo Kojima chose him as he wanted star quality to be added to the game. Why? David Hayter is Snake. I can only hope that with Konami coming back to making full titles that they make a remaster with David voicing Big Boss’s lines. While Sutherland voices a certain character in The Phantom Pain.

Re-playability

When you complete the main mission you are awarded a ranking. Depending on your ranking you receive various unlocks. Which can then help you during the mission to get better results.

You will also unlock side missions. These are smaller missions that take place in the same area but require you to do different missions. In one mission you have to protect an agent while he tries to make an escape. So stealth is out of the question. The side missions certainly extend the length of the game. And aiming for S ranks can be very exciting and difficult.

Completing these missions not only rewards you in-game but if you upload your save data. It can be used for MGSV: The Phantom Pain which unlocks more outfits and staff for the new Mother-base.

Final Verdict

This is my second time playing Ground Zeroes. I’ve enjoyed it a lot more this time. Because I have taken the time to also complete the side ops. I’ve also learned a lot from War Mongrels on how to better get past enemies. In my honest opinion, this game is a must-play and if you have a chance you need to play this.

I would recommend buying this and The Phantom Pain so that you can complete the game and get the full narrative. But even better, if you play all the other titles in the series including Peace Walker.