Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain [2023]

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an action-adventure stealth game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. Released in 2015, it is the ninth instalment in the long-running Metal Gear series and serves as a direct sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.

The game is set in an open-world environment and follows the story of Punished “Venom” Snake (also known as Big Boss), who awakens from a coma after being in a vegetative state for nine years. Seeking revenge against those responsible for his suffering, Snake embarks on a journey to build and lead a new private military organization known as Diamond Dogs. His ultimate goal is to track down Cipher, the shadowy organization behind his downfall, and thwart their sinister plans.

Players take control of Snake as they navigate various mission areas, including deserts, jungles, and enemy compounds, in both day and night settings. The game offers a dynamic weather and time-of-day system, affecting gameplay and enemy behaviour. The core gameplay revolves around stealth, tactical espionage, and strategic decision-making, allowing players to approach missions in multiple ways, whether through silent infiltration or all-out action.

The Fulton Recovery System is a prominent feature in the game, enabling players to extract soldiers, prisoners, animals, and even vehicles back to their base, contributing to the growth of Diamond Dogs. This base-building aspect allows players to improve and expand their facilities, access new gear, and recruit more personnel, enhancing Snake’s capabilities and resources.

Throughout the game, players encounter a wide array of characters, both allies and enemies, each with their motivations and backgrounds. The narrative delves into themes such as revenge, betrayal, and the consequences of war, all wrapped in the series’ signature complex storytelling.

The Phantom Pain received widespread critical acclaim for its gameplay mechanics, open-world design, and attention to detail. The game’s freedom in approaching missions, combined with its deep storytelling and stunning visuals, earned it high praise from both fans and critics alike. However, its development was not without controversy, notably due to the publicized fallout between the game’s director, Hideo Kojima, and Konami.

Despite the controversies surrounding its release, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain remains a noteworthy entry in the series and a significant accomplishment in the world of video games, showcasing the evolution of stealth gameplay and the intricacies of its narrative.