Customer Reviews

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PS4)

I can understand why a lot of people felt they had been mugged off, however I personally have had the complete opposite experience.

The graphics are stunning and the gameplay runs very smoothly, combined with the ease of use controls (which I feel has been done very well), makes the game incredibly enjoyable to play.

If you put the amazing graphics, gameplay and all the side missions aside and take a look at just the main story, then this is an EXTREMELY short game; I completed the main mission just under two hours (obviously my first play-through I had no idea where I was going).

You get quite a few minutes of cinematics before and after the main mission, which I thought was thoroughly enjoyable, but it does feel very short in all, so if you're specifically wanting this for the story and nothing else, there is a very big chance you'll be disappointed.

I honestly hope they include Ground Zeros with Phantom Pain, so for those who are only interested in the story don't miss out, though that would mean they would have to wait around a year from the release of this game.

If we look deeper into what this game actually offers as a whole package, then you may actually feel you've got your moneys worth:

You have 6 missions altogether, one which is the main story and the rest are all side missions, these vary from infiltrating and assassinating certain individuals, grabbing classified information or blowing up enemy defences. Some missions are easier than others and whilst it's all based in the same area that's featured in the main game, each mission does feel different:

- Ground Zeros (main story).
- Eliminate the Renegade Threat.
- Intel Operative Rescue.
- Classified Intel Acquisition.
- Destroy the Anti-Air Emplacements.
- Déjà Vu (unlocked after getting all the Xof badges).

If you avoid looking at the walkthroughs which are circulating the internet and do it all by yourself, you should find that you'll get many hours of gameplay time; I certainly have and I've still got lots more to do! (Though I may not be as good as the average gamer).

Okay, so you've then finished all the levels? How about 'S' ranking them all on both difficulties? Or go even further by completing all 15 of the trophies (No platinum unfortunately, however there are 13 bronze, 1 silver & 1 gold to collect, the lack of platinum is apparently due to Sony not allowing platinum trophies on non-full priced games).

- Reunion: Reunite with Chico or Paz.
- Downfall: Clear the "Ground Zeroes" mission.
- Genesis: Clear a Side Op or Extra Op.
- Accomplished: Clear all missions (including Side Ops and Extra Ops).
- Skilled: Clear any mission (including Side Ops and Extra Ops) with a S-rank.
- Hero: Clear all missions (including Side Ops and Extra Ops) with a S-rank.
- Rescue: In the "Ground Zeroes" mission, rescue the prisoner to be executed and extract him via chopper.
- Depth: Clear the "Eliminate the Renegade Threat" Side Op by extracting both targets.
- Pacifist: Clear the "Intel Operative Rescue" Side Op without killing a single enemy.
- Infiltration: Clear the "Classified Intel Acquisition" Side Op while riding in the back of a truck
- Extraction: In the "Destroy the Anti-Air Emplacements" Side Op, rescue and extract all prisoners via chopper.
- Reminiscence: Recreate all scenes in the "Déjà-Vu" Extra Op.
- Unlocked: Unlock all trials.
- Information: Obtain all cassette tapes.
- Insignia: Obtain all XOF unit patches.

So all in all, there are many things to do within this game, which will give you plenty amount of hours worth of gameplay, which is why I believe my �25 was money well spent.

If you want this purely for story, I'd say keep your money and try to borrow it off a friend as you'll probably just feel you've been mugged off; but for those who want to play the main story and have the challenge of completing everything, then this is definitely a game I'd recommend.

It took me 119 minutes to complete the campaign first time round and I got a grade C. In a first for me in 2 decades of gaming, I immediately played the campaign again, this time it took me 90 minutes and I got a grade B. I'm going to keep doing it until I get that elusive S rank - this will probably take a good few hours. MGSV is an excellent game and people really shouldn't get hung up on the main story being potentially very short (you can do it in about 15 minutes if you really thrash about) because the replay value is immense and there are a further 5 missions to complete once you have completed the main story - these can take about an hour if you are being methodical.

The graphics are amazing on the PS4 and the gameplay is fluid and a lot less frustrating than other MGS games, for the price this is a fantastic buy - it also comes with some bonus stuff for next year's Phantom Pain which is nice. Ignore the haters, this is an excellent addition and a real show of next gen power. You've kept us waiting Snake but it was definitely worth while.

So what if it's short, i've clocked 20 hours and still playing it! very replay-able (if there is such a word) I keep wanting to plat so i can beat my score and do the rest of the maps missions! superb best game on the PS4 in my opinion.

Ground Zeroes' main mission can be completed in less than an hour - this is entirely true. And if you are only buying it for the storyline, then buying it now, at full price, probably won''t satisfy you. But, if you plan on being a completionist and maximising the potential of the game, you'll have a great time and won't regret your purchase. That - that your mileage with this game can vary so much - is the only reason that the score isn't five stars - the gameplay itself is fantastic.

Ground Zeroes changes up a lot of things from the classic Metal Gear formula - there are no more rations or health bar, and you can't carry a huge assortment of weapons and gadgets like in some of the past games. But the core stealth mechanics, which are the heart of Metal Gear, remain, and they're probably the most polished they've ever been. Light and shadow are incredibly important, as is keeping tabs on where all of your enemies are. It's what Metal Gear's stealth has always aspired to but is only now able to achieve - it makes the missions varied and interesting through something as simple as being at a different time of day due to the lines of sight and AI scripts changing so drastically.

Omega Base is brimming with detail, both subtle and overt. It feels very real, and graphically it really comes alive on PS4. The rain effects are incredibly realistic, and it's so nice to have 60fps again. It runs really smoothly and that adds to the game hugely. In daytime, with the lighting engine in full effect, it looks mind-blowingly pretty. Despite being cross-generational, it really looks like a PS4 game should.

Nicola and Bart serves as a suitably memorable theme song, and voice acting is very strong. The Keifer Sutherland controversy was quite unfounded - I thought I'd dislike him but he really slips into the role. The rest of the cast returns from Peace Walker, and while perhaps a touch melodramatic they are as strong as they've ever been.

I enjoyed the storyline, too, which sets up Phantom Pain fantastically. That said, some of the cutscenes are a bit graphic and gruesome, and they certainly aren't going to be to everyone's tastes. This is a legitimate concern - if you're squeamish, then stay away.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the length. The main mission and side missions are over quickly, but there is more to it than that, if you want to be a completionist. You can collect the XOF patches to unlock an extra side mission (there are nine, and without a guide they'd be insanely difficult to find), and cassette tapes which offer a bit more insight into Chico and Paz's (actually quite disturbing) story. And trying to get S-Rank in all of the missions will be an extra challenge in itself. Basically, if you buy Ground Zeroes intending to perfect it and get really good at it, then don't let the price tag bother you. There is lots to amuse yourself with if you want to tackle the optional content.

Ground Zeroes is a game I'd recommend unconditionally if it were longer. But it isn't. As such, only go for it if you are going to be thorough about it - you'll have a great game with incredible gameplay, stunning graphics and a memorable, if somewhat disturbing, storyline. For anyone else, either rent it, wait for a PS Plus version, or skip and wait for The Phantom Pain.

It's a decent enough game but it's so short. There are basic gameplay problems, such as enemies losing interest after seeing you in within 5 seconds (even on the hardest difficulty) and I don't like the new response reaction that gives you a few seconds of slow-mo to shoot the enemy that sighted you. For �25 you can get another game that will keep you occupied a lot longer. I understand that this is a prologue for MGS5:Phantom Pain but it's nothing more than a glorified demo. As for Amazon though, it was delivered on release day in great packaging.

No one buys a game for the "side missions" there are just added extras. MGS to me is awesome story and fighting bosses. This is litrally a demo. You save two people and then its over. No bosses. Was good for the 66 mins of main story it took me to complete. I will replay side missions but it shouldnt be reviewed on the extras of a game!

Sure a lot of people will say to you that they passed ground zeros only in one hour, what the they won't tell you are that this game has the best and most realistic graphics out there, this game is supposed to showcase the power of next-gen consoles and also the upcoming MGS: Phantom Pain and does a fantastic job with that. We can argue that the initial price was too much for such small content, but you can still get a lot of re-playability and the quality of content is excellent.

So I will ease up your choice to buy or not to buy: If you intent on playing this game only one time for the story, wait for a price drop. If you intent on playing this game, play and replay some of the missions, then I guess the initial price of �24 is more than justified.

I have done the first mission, and really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to replay it with a different approach.
I mean that's metal gear for you, This game allows you to play it the way you want to play. If you like great graphic, you won't be disappointed.

Great game for such a cheap price, yes the game is short but everyone knew how short it would be so don't listen to the people complaining about how short it is, that's their fault they should have thought before they brought the game I've put 5 hours in so far and I still want to keep going. Even if you fail you want to try and try again and that's what I like about this game, you don't want to put the controller down. If this is any indication to what metal gear solid phantom pain is like then it will be a fantastic game.

Graphics is amazing. Gameplay is nice but little short. Open world is what I always wanted in MGS and they have done it right.

I am really enjoying this game and the graphics really showcase the ps4, quite a few ps4 games could quite easily be confused with the tail end of the ps3 but this one truly is stunning. Plot aside I know a lot of people are mentioning the time taken to complete the game, as a casual gamer these days I can get quite bored of the open world, collect everything style of game that lasts forever and no matter how good the plot is once completed I rarely return. I have yet to complete this game but am enjoying taking my time. I do remember years ago back in the eighties having a game on my Spectrum (possible showing my age here!) called 'Heavy on the magic' where you invoked demons trying to escape a dungeon aided by an ogre called Apex i think, and shortly afer release someone found it could be completed in ten minutes. The game is well priced and enjoyable and I am looking forward to the main picture.