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6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1535 Ratings

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  1. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    $20 for 6-8 hours of gameplay, and people complain about it? All Kojima had to do was make the side missions mandatory over the course of the main campaign, and people wouldn't have a leg to stand on. $20 for a demo? Give me a break. The game is phenomenal.
  2. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Why everyone is complaining about the short length and giving it a negative score because of that makes no sense... If you were following the progression of this prologue Kojima clearly stated this was a short game via tweet in February and explained why. So we have the length already known and the price already known.. SO WHY IS THIS A SURPRISE? This game is great for what it is, IWhy everyone is complaining about the short length and giving it a negative score because of that makes no sense... If you were following the progression of this prologue Kojima clearly stated this was a short game via tweet in February and explained why. So we have the length already known and the price already known.. SO WHY IS THIS A SURPRISE? This game is great for what it is, I didn't like price tag but I was willing to pay it and I am not disappointed.. Easiest mechanics to date and visually amazing! 'nuff said Expand
  3. FMZ
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    The game is short but the gameplay is amazing, and the replay value is surprisingly hard.
    The new stealth mechanics are amazing and the sound design is a thing of beauty that reminds me of classic games like Thief: The dark project.
  4. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Absolutely stunning game. Amazing graphics, outstanding gameplay. This may only be a taste of what's to come, but I can't wait for The Phantom Pain. Great work Kojima!
  5. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    The amount of negative reviews for this are only based around the length of the story which is around 1-2 hrs and nothing else because everything else is perfected down to its core. The actual length of the game is around 100-500 hrs though. All the negative comments clearly come from people who have never played a metal gear game in there life so if you are one of those people then IThe amount of negative reviews for this are only based around the length of the story which is around 1-2 hrs and nothing else because everything else is perfected down to its core. The actual length of the game is around 100-500 hrs though. All the negative comments clearly come from people who have never played a metal gear game in there life so if you are one of those people then I suggest you don't buy this. If you love metal gear then you will love this game as it was made for the fans and no one else. Expand
  6. Mar 18, 2014
    9
    MGS GZ has a AAA production quality but its short content wise. It depends how you play the game but it is intended to be stealth game and this is where GZ really shines. The world is a small sandbox area filled with many secrets and dangers that are calling for your hunger. Aside the interesting single played which took me 3 hours to complete it does have a high replay value as well.MGS GZ has a AAA production quality but its short content wise. It depends how you play the game but it is intended to be stealth game and this is where GZ really shines. The world is a small sandbox area filled with many secrets and dangers that are calling for your hunger. Aside the interesting single played which took me 3 hours to complete it does have a high replay value as well. There 5 Side missions in which some of them are action based and some are stealth based but they are as awesome as you would expect from Kojima. Fox Engine shines on PS4 and the game looks amazing and it is awesome to have MGS in 60FPS. In conclusion GZ is a must have for every stealth lover and MGS fan and no one is forcing you to buy this game if you think its too expensive, PP is not so far away....stay tuned for the main game people and rate this game fairly. Expand
  7. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The atmosphere will clench your chest, and the gameplay is everything you'd hope for. Among other features, the menu offers a wide range of options, more than any previous installment, to tailor to the player's interests. Expand
  8. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Everyone is **** that this demo, yes the Main Mission is short, but there is still content after that and the game have very high replay value, this is a high quality game, only negatives what other people **** about is that this is a "demo" but they cant say anything bad about the game play, graphics, voice acting etc,
  9. Apr 14, 2015
    10
    This game is prologue the Phantom pain. MGS is Masterpiece. Best Gameplay, Very good optimization. I love Big Boss and Solid Snake. But Big Boss is the best. Hideo Kojima is best director of the game universe.
  10. May 7, 2016
    9
    Damn I wasnt so shocked in a looooong time. True, gameplay lenght is awfully short, but the emotions this one packs are amazing. Im motivated for the main dish - Phantom pain, hope it will be as good as this one!
    Oh, gameplay, graphics etc. are good. But hey its new mgs, so it was obvious.
  11. Apr 21, 2015
    10
    Outstanding as always Kojima is a f'n genius. I pre-ordered Metal Gear Sloid V Phantom Pain and it is going to kick some serious A$$. I hope Kojima continues to make more gems like MGS 1-5.
  12. May 23, 2016
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ground Zeroes is a prelude to the full MGS V The Phantom Pain, and is a nice surprise. It's a "little" AAA game focused on gameplay and with built-in replayability. It has both positives and negatives, which I'll discuss right away.

    GZ is a sequel to MGS Peace Walker, and Big Boss has to rescue Chico and Paz from a US black site in Cuba. There is not much story-wise (Big Boss rescues Chico and Paz only to return to Mother Base and see it destroyed by the mysterious XOF and falls into coma after his helicopter was shot down) but it's interesting nonetheless as it sets the events of The Phantom Pain in motion. That scene in the helicopter (where Paz was operated) got into my stomach. Also, the cassette tapes flesh out the story, covering events prior to the mission. The only downside is that the main mission lasts about an hour, and can be completed in 5 minutes or so if you know what to do, skip the cut-scenes, and exploit some AI weaknesses.

    The gameplay has been revamped from previous games and it's full open world and you can play as you see fit. The game is set in a single map where US troops patrol and you have to sneak past them, as per the series' tradition. It's easy to be seen by enemies if you run around carelessly, and from different positions too, so the slow motion reflex mode is a godsend as it gives you a chance to take out an enemy before he raises the alarm. Most useful is the tagging mechanic, as the base can have dozens of enemy patrols and you have to keep track of them. If you are spotted and pursued, enemies will hunt you down and try to surround you, and they are really good at shooting you down. If you evade them, they will search the base for quite a time. The one AI complaint I have is that, if you hold up an enemy and tell him to drop down to the floor, he will remain there indefinitely or until an alarm sounds. That is a leftover from Peace Walker and shouldn't be present. There are a few weapons to choose from, but nothing beats the silenced tranquilizer pistol. You can't carry more than 4 weapons at a time, gone is the ability to carry tons of different weapons around. A nice addition is the ability to drive vehicles, but it's strange that classic gameplay beats (cardboard box, knock on wall, etc.) are missing. The CQC mechanic is present and more refined than ever. The missions (1 main mission and 6 side ops) are varied enough and can be completed in normal and hard difficulty. There is even a side op which will bring nostalgia to MGS fans, as it is somewhat set in Metal Gear Solid's Shadow Moses Island. There are also collectables (XOF patches and cassette tapes) to pick up. Finally, if the player completes all missions, he can upload his save file to benefit in The Phantom Pain (you get some extra soldiers for Mother Base, like Hideo Kojima himself!).

    Going into the technicalities, the game is powered by the Fox Engine, which delivers beautiful graphics, although the side missions set in day time look rather bland compared to the night based main mission, which looks really nice. The game runs at a perfect 60 fps on console which makes the game feel much smoother than in the past where performance was bad. No dropped frames, no screen tearing, no nothing. On the sonic side of things, the actors perform well enough in this short game. Kiefer Sutherland voices Big Boss in a Spartan way (meaning he doesn't speak much at all), but is really good. Miller, Huey, Skull Face, Paz and Chico sound convincing but have little dialogue to truly establish their characters. Sound effects are nice, though.

    Overall, Ground Zeroes is a nice game. When it originally came out it cost $30 and caused controversy, regarding it's value as "a $30 demo" (comparing it to the mythical "free" MGS 2 demo from 2000, but that really wasn't free because you also had to buy the Zone of the Enders game, but whatever). Nowadays it costs much less, but even at $30 it was worth every penny. There are many full priced $60-70 games which don't come close to feature all the goodies GZ has to offer to the gamer. Buy the game and enjoy it.
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  13. Aug 27, 2014
    10
    Deserves a high rating, anyone who was smart enough to know what they are buying, would realise that this was a short game more polished then a demo, but was to give a taste of Phantom Pain to the real fans willing to pay to support their game series, which has never disappointed. Do people realise how much effort and money goes into making games of high quality. We all want cheaper gamesDeserves a high rating, anyone who was smart enough to know what they are buying, would realise that this was a short game more polished then a demo, but was to give a taste of Phantom Pain to the real fans willing to pay to support their game series, which has never disappointed. Do people realise how much effort and money goes into making games of high quality. We all want cheaper games but it would cost us in quality in the long run. Expand
  14. Mar 19, 2014
    8
    Despite the length, Metal Gear Solid fans will vastly enjoy this game. I did. I will be replaying this game for a long time. If you don't like the game because of the length.. that is your choice. I know, as a fan of MGS, that i enjoy sneaking around with Big Boss. Bring on TPP.
  15. Mar 22, 2014
    8
    to determine whether or not this purchase is for you, you need to ask yourself one simple question... how much of metal gear fan am I? If you have been playing MGS since its inception buying this is an absolute given and will no doubt be worth $20-30. If however you are not the most hardcore of an MGS fan avoid this purchase like the bubonic plaque and simply wait for the Phantom Pain.to determine whether or not this purchase is for you, you need to ask yourself one simple question... how much of metal gear fan am I? If you have been playing MGS since its inception buying this is an absolute given and will no doubt be worth $20-30. If however you are not the most hardcore of an MGS fan avoid this purchase like the bubonic plaque and simply wait for the Phantom Pain.

    As for the game itself MGS Ground Zeroes picks up almost immediately after the events of peace walker and involves Naked Snake (AKA Big Boss) infiltrating a US blacksite known as Camp omega, a deliberate and shameless analogy to Guantanamo bay.the short but oh so sweet story is definitely among the most dark of the entire series, Kojima mainly explores themes of torture and loss as well as rape...Kojima certainly wasn't lying when he said that MGSV would explore taboo subject matters.

    the gameplay is undoubtedly the best the series has ever seen, Big Boss moves with fluidity and it both looks and feels awesome. the emission of the HUD greatly augments the games immersion, and random enemy movement patterns keep you on the edge of your seat constantly. Enemy AI is also greatly increased, the day time missions can be incredibly difficult as enemies can spot you with ease, the evolution of enemy AI in my opinion validates the new reflex mode although if you're up for a real challenge it can be switched off. during combat enemies act much more naturally than previous titles, they charge flank and take cover on the harder difficulties they are indeed a force to be reckoned with

    overall MGS Ground Zeroes is a welcome addition to the collections of longtime dedicated fans, otherwise consider a rent, a borrow, a wait for a sale, or an overall pass
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  16. Aug 18, 2015
    10
    mgs v gz is a big game یکی از بهترین بازیهای عمرم بود فقط مشکلش این بود که کوتاه بود و همش در پایگاه بودیم
    این پیش در امد خوبیست برای بازی اصلی یعنی MGSV THEPHANTOM PAIN
  17. Aug 24, 2015
    10
    The moment ot moment gameplay is one of the best ever in the stealth genre. Not only that but you get alot of freedom in the way you can finish a mission. There are countless ways of tackling a mission. Everything is on point in this game: the moment to moment gameplay, the controls, the music, the acting and story. The only thing that some people might not like is that the main missionThe moment ot moment gameplay is one of the best ever in the stealth genre. Not only that but you get alot of freedom in the way you can finish a mission. There are countless ways of tackling a mission. Everything is on point in this game: the moment to moment gameplay, the controls, the music, the acting and story. The only thing that some people might not like is that the main mission can be completed in an hour and can be speed run in less than 5 minutes. But the side ops give alot of longevity to this game. This game is also meant to be the prologue of the Phantom Pain. This is a must buy for every fan of the series. Also newer fans should get this, control and gameplay wise it is the best MGS game ever made. Expand
  18. Dec 28, 2015
    9
    C,mon this game is not that bad.it had great graphics,cast,voice acting,gameplay. rather than this was my first ps4 game and first mgs that how it took me pretty hours to do that mission and all side ops.and i am planning to buy mgs5 pp soon.
  19. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    There was never any question as to the length of Ground Zeroes....It's been well publicized that GZ is just a taste of what's to come, and anyone who is a fan of the Metal Gear franchise will appreciate that, even if it is only a few hours long. Anyone under any other impressions as to how long it was going to be or how expensive it should be is ignoring the fact that it was commonThere was never any question as to the length of Ground Zeroes....It's been well publicized that GZ is just a taste of what's to come, and anyone who is a fan of the Metal Gear franchise will appreciate that, even if it is only a few hours long. Anyone under any other impressions as to how long it was going to be or how expensive it should be is ignoring the fact that it was common knowledge well before release. It's their fault for expecting something else. Do a little research before spending your money, that's all. This prologue chapter is akin to the Tanker demo for MGS2, and I cannot tell you how excited I am for MGSV: The Phantom Pain now that I have experienced this game. Let's just hope it will actually hit in early 2015! Expand
  20. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    It's actually not that short if you 100% it but regardless, the graphics are amazing, the game feels great, the story is superb. The best part is how hyped up it gets you for Phantom Pain, without revealing too much.
  21. Mar 18, 2014
    9
    Yes. This game is a ripoff. Konami should be ashamed of themselves. But then again, they don't seem to have any decent, marketable franchises anymore other than MGS (if they'd release a real Castlevania game they'd have two) so I guess maybe they need the money. That being said though, if you're a hardcore fan of the series this is worth it. But then again, you already own it or probablyYes. This game is a ripoff. Konami should be ashamed of themselves. But then again, they don't seem to have any decent, marketable franchises anymore other than MGS (if they'd release a real Castlevania game they'd have two) so I guess maybe they need the money. That being said though, if you're a hardcore fan of the series this is worth it. But then again, you already own it or probably will by the end of the day. Improvements to the MGS formula are found everywhere. Stealth is better. The controls are better. The gunplay is better. It's a wonderful teaser to what awaits in The Phantom Pain. Yes it's short, unsatisfying and a total waste of money. But it's also amazing. If you're a fan of the series, get it. If you're not, don't waste your time. Wait until the real deal comes out. Expand
  22. Jul 31, 2014
    9
    Good sandbox to play in. Offers lots to do when re-playing. I got this for £17 so felt like good value for money. I can understand why those who paid more might feel a bit short changes as the main mission is quite short.
  23. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    Well, even if you think this game is just a $30 demo (which is not), it still one of the best '$30 games' and/or 'demos' I've seen in ages.

    Amount of atmosphere and data in game is enormous, approaches you may take to complete your goals vary a lot, map offer complete freedom of movement and exploration -- what more to wish for? Only one thing comes to mind -- for Phantom Pain to get
    Well, even if you think this game is just a $30 demo (which is not), it still one of the best '$30 games' and/or 'demos' I've seen in ages.

    Amount of atmosphere and data in game is enormous, approaches you may take to complete your goals vary a lot, map offer complete freedom of movement and exploration -- what more to wish for? Only one thing comes to mind -- for Phantom Pain to get out sooner.
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  24. Mar 18, 2014
    8
    I'm still wondering why people were surprised at the length of this game. It's never been known to be a full length game, merely the prologue to Phantom Pain. I braced myself for a short playthrough and I'm surprised I manage to squeeze five hours out of it and if this is merely the first chapter than I'm quite looking forward to when the full game comes out. While I believe this gameI'm still wondering why people were surprised at the length of this game. It's never been known to be a full length game, merely the prologue to Phantom Pain. I braced myself for a short playthrough and I'm surprised I manage to squeeze five hours out of it and if this is merely the first chapter than I'm quite looking forward to when the full game comes out. While I believe this game shouldn't have been more than $20, I feel it was worth the investment I put into it. Expand
  25. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Simply love everything about this game. Excellent graphics, amazing soundtrack and just enough taste for us to look forward for The Phantom Pain.

    Actual main mission takes about 2-3 hours long but once you finish that you will notice it'll say "10% Completed". You know what that means that there is WAY more to do after it. Side missions and quests will keep you busy for hours 6-8 in
    Simply love everything about this game. Excellent graphics, amazing soundtrack and just enough taste for us to look forward for The Phantom Pain.

    Actual main mission takes about 2-3 hours long but once you finish that you will notice it'll say "10% Completed". You know what that means that there is WAY more to do after it. Side missions and quests will keep you busy for hours 6-8 in fact, and most games now days are around 7-8 hours with FULL price tag so I don't know why many people here are complaining about it.

    If its too pricey for you, then DON'T buy it, no body is forcing you but you WILL be missing out on a lot.

    $34.99 is a really good price for this in my opinion, cause there is so much to do and in many ways as well.

    After playing and finishing this game, I simply cannot WAIT for The Phantom Pain and we don't know when that will be coming out. Hopefully in 2015 (Fingers Crossed).

    If you want to experience Snake like never before, you will have a blast.
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  26. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Why are people complaining about the length?,Game's like Gone Home,Journey, are all short game's that were around 20-30 doallers. This is crazy,the game is amazing,the graphic's are great,and it's metal gear!!If you don't like the length or Metal Gear don't buy it...damn..These review's are for people that love Metal Gear and want to know if the game is any good.
  27. Mar 20, 2014
    9
    I have gotten at least 6-7 hours out of this game and im glad I bought it. Its very short if you are the type of person who plays it once then drops it. I have gotten S ranks and unlocked the bonus mission which I S ranked. The thing is buy it digital if you want your taste of metal gear now and if you're a die hard fan like me get the retail version for 30. IF you dont like metal gearI have gotten at least 6-7 hours out of this game and im glad I bought it. Its very short if you are the type of person who plays it once then drops it. I have gotten S ranks and unlocked the bonus mission which I S ranked. The thing is buy it digital if you want your taste of metal gear now and if you're a die hard fan like me get the retail version for 30. IF you dont like metal gear then just wait until Phantom Pain comes out, buy this for whatever game stop is selling it at or buy it online, then play Phantom Pain. This game shouldn't get the harsh backlash its getting a 5.8, which is saved for buggy or bad design while this has great design, gameplay, etc. Worse case a 6 or a 7, be grateful of the taste you were given instead of hearing nothing until 2015. Expand
  28. Mar 18, 2014
    8
    I am quite suprised at the user reviews but i respect your opinion BUT it sounds like some gamers went into this purchase blind as well as desire to play anything new due to lack of slection atm with that said im 35 years old and a fan of mgs , i personally hated the idea o a 30 dollar "demo" cash grab fan base extortion due to us wanting anything mgs, SNAKE!. I picked it up at midnightI am quite suprised at the user reviews but i respect your opinion BUT it sounds like some gamers went into this purchase blind as well as desire to play anything new due to lack of slection atm with that said im 35 years old and a fan of mgs , i personally hated the idea o a 30 dollar "demo" cash grab fan base extortion due to us wanting anything mgs, SNAKE!. I picked it up at midnight and just finished for now to rest, coffe and write this review basically i got more than 9 hours out of this "2 hour demo". This is not cod = run gun through campaign ala rambo but to be fair its not the complete package but instead its a small chunk of glory, not the main course but absolutely delicious none the less , lets talk ground zeroes.

    The main mission is indeed short but it doesnt end at the credits as many portray it actually is when the game begins. Side and extra ops = tons of replay period. You get graded by your stats which scale differently from op to op, S being the best grade. It also tracks all youre stats i.e longest headshot and trials mode pits your perfomance globally.

    The game has tweaked combat, stealth and a.i to name a few and thats an achievement considering mgs as a whole. Bottom line this is 110 percent next gen mgs in every conceivable aspect period and is amazingly gorgeous tbh best looking current gen imo. The mechanics feel all so familiar to mgs fans bu polkished and refined in areas i thought couldnt get better. The map is open world and if you play a game like gtv 5 without doing side missions youre only cheating self in terms of overall exp and game life and same can be said here.
    My psn pixelprov1 to prove i have the game and to all my fellow mgs fans buy this, rent this, PLAY this. Then send me a msg and call my a liar if im not stating facts. Not a game for everyone first off and a prologue to boot = disaster for those who this applies to which isnt meant to insult, mgs is very hard to pick up and play for casuals to begin with
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  29. Mar 19, 2014
    8
    This game I not a demo. Demos don't have 8 hours of gameplay. If you think this a demo you're a fool. This is a prologue. I don't understand you people complaining about the legnth when Kojima made you are aware of it. This game has awesome graphic and gameplay. This game was made for people how are true fans of the series. People who are this this game a undeserved zero are most likelyThis game I not a demo. Demos don't have 8 hours of gameplay. If you think this a demo you're a fool. This is a prologue. I don't understand you people complaining about the legnth when Kojima made you are aware of it. This game has awesome graphic and gameplay. This game was made for people how are true fans of the series. People who are this this game a undeserved zero are most likely people who are new to the series or have probable only play mgs4. This game is amazing but honestly only made for true metal gear solid fans. Expand
  30. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    These guys complaining about the length are a joke. It's a fantastic game, and well worth the price. I didn't see anyone complaining about The Last of Us's $15 DLC. Yea, this costs $30, but there is twice as much content. Some people are raging and trying to prove some futile point. This game is great, and worth every penny. End of story.
  31. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Made an account to contribute to the positive score for this game. Not much needs to be said about it that has not already been said, but here is the major point.

    This game has done nothing that was not advertised. If you don't want the length, don't pay the discounted price. If you want a solid prequel to what is going to be amazing game, great game mechanics, side ops, graphics,
    Made an account to contribute to the positive score for this game. Not much needs to be said about it that has not already been said, but here is the major point.

    This game has done nothing that was not advertised. If you don't want the length, don't pay the discounted price. If you want a solid prequel to what is going to be amazing game, great game mechanics, side ops, graphics, etc... buy this game. Like I said, we knew about the length way in advance, so don't base your negative review around that.
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  32. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    * Numerical scores are too subjective for practical use. I grade a score either 10 (Buy This Game), or 0 (Avoid This Game).

    Since 1998, Metal Gear Solid has, for its fans, been more than a game - it's been a celebration of gaming itself. I've been a big fan of the series since the PlayStation One debut (I know there were earlier ones, I'm not counting them). Metal Gear games don't
    * Numerical scores are too subjective for practical use. I grade a score either 10 (Buy This Game), or 0 (Avoid This Game).

    Since 1998, Metal Gear Solid has, for its fans, been more than a game - it's been a celebration of gaming itself. I've been a big fan of the series since the PlayStation One debut (I know there were earlier ones, I'm not counting them). Metal Gear games don't come out often, but when they do they're something special. Ground Zeroes is a prologue to the upcoming full game The Phantom Pain. It looks and plays fantastic and I think that any fan of Metal Gear's classic stealth gameplay will enjoy it.

    The question I hear a lot is why this title is priced at $29.99. My first run lasted about 80 minutes and in the end I unlocked side missions, weapons, and a new Hard mode. And I'm going back to play it some more because it's that good. I suspect that I will play the heck out of it while I wait for Phantom Pain to come out and I'm glad they released this to tide me over until early 2015. It's worth the 30 dollars for me. I'd rather drop a title from my wish list to make space in my budget than to miss this prologue (sorry, Titanfall). I don't think I'd make a habit out of spending 30 dollars for prologues, but this is a special case for me. I'm glad I picked it up.
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  33. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    I think this game is amazing, i got peace walker HD as a bonus as well. I bought this and peace walker for a combined price of 25 bucks, that the game was short, didn't bother me, i cant' wait for phantom pain!
  34. Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Ground Zeroes does everything it was set out to do: Give a taste of the new FOX engine and open world gameplay. Ground Zeroes does these things very well. The animations and graphics are a huge upgrade over MGS:4. The only thing I would say was strange was the exclusion of the cardboard box, but, I cannot penalize the game because it doesn't have an item. Ground Zeroes definitely deserves a 10.
  35. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    Great innovative gameplay. Excellent graphics. Story is fantastic, well set up for being the prologue. The franchise has evolved yet it still remains what it has always been, a Metal Gear Solid game. It is the darkest it has ever been story-wise and Kojima has never given the impression in any of his games that the violence in the franchise is all for show. Ground Zeroes is a display ofGreat innovative gameplay. Excellent graphics. Story is fantastic, well set up for being the prologue. The franchise has evolved yet it still remains what it has always been, a Metal Gear Solid game. It is the darkest it has ever been story-wise and Kojima has never given the impression in any of his games that the violence in the franchise is all for show. Ground Zeroes is a display of the grim reality of war and for those who see no justification for it shouldn't because violence should not be justified. Metal Gear always has a message to pass along about the world through its characters. Ground Zeroes is not the first short-length game with such a price tag. It was no secret before its release, so buy it or don't and move on. It's as simple as that, no need to make such a big fuss about it because it's nothing new. Overall, what matters the most is the content of the game, and Kojima has always delivered high quality content in his MGS games. It seems this new entry in the Metal Gear Saga will only resonate with MGS fans. If people focus only on the time frame and price then the content will be overlooked, but each to their own decision. As for me, the wait continues for The Phantom Pain. Expand
  36. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    Short but sweet! It still feels like a metal gear after all. One of the best games in the saga! My only concern is the price. People complaining about this game are probably HIGH or never played the SERIES before!
  37. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    This game exceeded my expectations greatly. While it does have a short main story the side missions are where the game gets its hours from. I've spent many hours looking for the patches and trying to S rank the missions. The controls are solid and it's a nice change from MGS4. The graphics are amazing, things like the water reflections and the physics on things like cloths are great. ThisThis game exceeded my expectations greatly. While it does have a short main story the side missions are where the game gets its hours from. I've spent many hours looking for the patches and trying to S rank the missions. The controls are solid and it's a nice change from MGS4. The graphics are amazing, things like the water reflections and the physics on things like cloths are great. This game is way over 2 hours and at $30 it's well worth the purchase. Expand
  38. Mar 18, 2014
    9
    While a huge fan of the series this game is another stellar entry in the series. While we all know the Main mission is short (I beat it in 1 hour 25 min) gameplay wise its the best the series has done. On PS4 this is easily the best looking Next Gen game and the music and voice acting are also some of the series best. The enemies are smarter and the open ended gameplay make it highlyWhile a huge fan of the series this game is another stellar entry in the series. While we all know the Main mission is short (I beat it in 1 hour 25 min) gameplay wise its the best the series has done. On PS4 this is easily the best looking Next Gen game and the music and voice acting are also some of the series best. The enemies are smarter and the open ended gameplay make it highly re-playable. While the ranking system earns you bonus rewards making you wanna replay the missions over and over trying to achieve that glorious S rank. If your a fan of the series buy it ASAP and even for new comers their is a nice backstory to catch you up easily worth the meager 30$. Expand
  39. Mar 18, 2014
    8
    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a title that will ultimately be judged less on it's own merits and more on the value of money spent and hours played. This is unfair to the title as practically every other game gets a pass in this same department, (Resogun can be completed in 40 minutes, The Bouncer is around the same time, and both carry a 7.5+ user rating) while MGSV:GZ gets judgedMetal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a title that will ultimately be judged less on it's own merits and more on the value of money spent and hours played. This is unfair to the title as practically every other game gets a pass in this same department, (Resogun can be completed in 40 minutes, The Bouncer is around the same time, and both carry a 7.5+ user rating) while MGSV:GZ gets judged on this fact alone. I will provide an honest review, while I am a huge fan of the Metal Gear saga, it will not affect my decision here.

    One major thing that Kojima did right was holding on to the unique Metal Gear art style even with the changing of generations, the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" hold true here and I hope they continue to understand this fact. Graphically the game is alarmingly beautiful on both the PS4 and XBO, neither next gen version of the game looks terrible and the best way to describe it is the XBO version looks amazing, while the PS4 version looks better than that being slightly sharper. While the graphics are in almost every way better than anything we have seen in this new generation, I was blown away at how great hair looks in this game. While the hair impressed me the rest of the game is quite gorgeous through and through with luscious lighting, spectacular shadows, and tantalizing textures.

    The game plays extremely smooth, thanks in large part to running at 60 frames per second. This adds a certain level of detail to Big Boss's signature CQC that we haven't seen due to the limitations of the previous games. In many ways this game finally makes Big Boss feel like The Legendary Soldier/Mercenary the game has been proclaiming him to be all these years, giving him full mobility that put MGSV:GZ on par with gaming's best third person shooters. (While this has no bearing on my review score, I can't wait to see how well this works with the new Metal Gear Online)

    Unless you have been leaving under a cardboard box (see what I did there) you have heard about the short campaign. I can confirm that the game can be completed in as little at 10-15 minutes and as long as 3-4 hours depending on your play style. The replay-ability of the game is quite vast, I can easily see myself putting 12+ hours in this game playing the scenario out differently each time to find the approach I like best. The two exclusive missions add some benefit, but it really isn't much. I do prefer the "Jamais Vu" mission as it feels like something more than just a reskin, but the "Déjà Vu" mission was a great throwback to the old MGS demo we got with OPM in 1998.

    The amount of negative reviews is alarming and unwarranted in the case of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. People constantly use the excuse that you are paying for a demo! The likely hood is these are the same people who bought and never played ZoE ($49.99) for the MGS2 Demo, bought ZoE HD ($39.99) for the MGR:R demo, Buying Crackdown ($59.99) for Halo 3 beta, Buying God of War: Ascension ($59.99) for The Last of Us demo. The entitlement by people giving this game 0-5 is beyond all reason. This game is a 6 on graphics alone and then an extra point or so for the content it provides, Technically this game is a 7.5/10, due to the lack of 1/2 a point I am rating it an 8.
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  40. Mar 18, 2014
    9
    MGS GZ Yes its is short. But it is to show case the " Graphics and " Game Play ". The game quality is amazing... I just found out that there is an app, that makes your phone screen like a GPS.. All these trolls, that say its 10 or 20 minutes are crazzzzy... Well is not !!! The guards are very smart... Not like the old days
    It is a very good game for sure... is it worth $20... maybe
    MGS GZ Yes its is short. But it is to show case the " Graphics and " Game Play ". The game quality is amazing... I just found out that there is an app, that makes your phone screen like a GPS.. All these trolls, that say its 10 or 20 minutes are crazzzzy... Well is not !!! The guards are very smart... Not like the old days
    It is a very good game for sure... is it worth $20... maybe not !!! But i spend that much to go to the movies.
    And many times i go home feeling like i did not get my monies worth...
    Please let's give a true review.... if you do not like a game or some parts... just say so !!!
    But give a game a zero... because you said it's 20 minutes is wrong!!

    I guarantee that nobody did it in 20 minutes here their first play through!!!

    "Let not be trolls"
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  41. Mar 18, 2014
    8
    I just didnt like it very much. More of a showcase for the new engine than anything else. What little there was of the plot was un-interesting and the SideOps were more like rejected PeaceWalker missions left on the cutting room floor. The infinite ammo helicopter run was my least favorite for obvious reasons.

    As for the "new-gen showcase" it looks really good on those systems, but it
    I just didnt like it very much. More of a showcase for the new engine than anything else. What little there was of the plot was un-interesting and the SideOps were more like rejected PeaceWalker missions left on the cutting room floor. The infinite ammo helicopter run was my least favorite for obvious reasons.

    As for the "new-gen showcase" it looks really good on those systems, but it definitely shines on ps3/x360 with how well they took advantage of the hardware.

    Finally, the replayability factor. Lots of games have this, along with online leaderboards, and a much longer campaign. Not sure how that became the linchpin counter-argument to justify the price of GZ but hey, everyone should spend their money however they see fit. Lets just say I love replaying missions and leaderboards, but this game didnt make me want to do either....it just felt too shallow.
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  42. Mar 19, 2014
    10
    Such a wonderfull experience ! This new take on Metal Gear's gameplay works perfectly well and Ground Zeroes is totally stunning by many aspects. Everything runs smoothly, seamlessly and gives you many epic moments that you'll surely remember. As for the scenario, it's breathtaking and will make you want to know more.

    Okay this isn't the full game but it's priced $30 and from what I've
    Such a wonderfull experience ! This new take on Metal Gear's gameplay works perfectly well and Ground Zeroes is totally stunning by many aspects. Everything runs smoothly, seamlessly and gives you many epic moments that you'll surely remember. As for the scenario, it's breathtaking and will make you want to know more.

    Okay this isn't the full game but it's priced $30 and from what I've played you'll need around 8 hours to beat the content of the game without replaying anything ! With that production value, I'd say it's quite a bargain given that most full priced games come with a solo experience even shorter than that... And for the achiever type, you'll have plenty of things to do.
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  43. Mar 19, 2014
    9
    Having played this, This is truely a next gen-title it uses the touch pad and speaker on the controller that just feel so much more immersive.

    The videos do not do this game justice,you need to play it in real time without compressed video to really see what Ground Zeros is doing I've played for 4 hours and I'm still not done yet! if you just do the main mission and never play it
    Having played this, This is truely a next gen-title it uses the touch pad and speaker on the controller that just feel so much more immersive.

    The videos do not do this game justice,you need to play it in real time without compressed video to really see what Ground Zeros is doing

    I've played for 4 hours and I'm still not done yet! if you just do the main mission and never play it again you must be a mobile gamer in the first place. This game has alot in it and to just say it takes 10 minutes or 2 hours makes you sound ignorant and stupid. Just exploring the open area seeing what next-gen looks like and interacting make this game worth $30 on a PS4. We rib each other hard but sorry X1 owners don't get the same visuals as PS4 owners,X1 really looks like a 360 port.Quantum Break shows what X1 is capable of. But even if it did have PS4 visuals I'd have to give the edge to PS4 for the controller raido chat and touch pad.
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  44. Mar 20, 2014
    9
    MGS V: GZ is everything that this Metal Gear fan had hoped for.

    Sure, the game is short, but you already know that. The question is? How does it play? It plays brilliantly. The graphics are beautiful, the controls are tight, the sound effects really add to the ambience. This game is meant to be played on Hard difficulty. The amount of options available to the player to overcome
    MGS V: GZ is everything that this Metal Gear fan had hoped for.

    Sure, the game is short, but you already know that. The question is? How does it play?
    It plays brilliantly. The graphics are beautiful, the controls are tight, the sound effects really add to the ambience.

    This game is meant to be played on Hard difficulty. The amount of options available to the player to overcome challenges is a lot of fun. I'm a traditionalist and prefer to take a stealthy approach but the game allows you (on normal at least), to go guns blazing as well.

    If this is a taste of what Phantom Pain has to offer, then i'm delighted at the direction that Kojima is taking MGS. You will notice influences from games like Splinter Cell, Assassins Creed, Batman: Arkham City, and of course past MGS games.

    I'll admit, it's not the best value. But Metal Gear lovers and stealth lovers will more than find their money's worth. For what it's worth, beating the game the first time leaves you with an 8% Completion Rate...
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  45. Mar 19, 2014
    8
    The graphical fidelity and line of sight draw distance is probably the best I've seen on the PS4 so far. It feels a little less MGS and a little more Splinter Cell though. We all know the game is short but it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that has looked up this game before purchasing it though. There is a fair amount of time you can spend with this game doing missions on Hard,The graphical fidelity and line of sight draw distance is probably the best I've seen on the PS4 so far. It feels a little less MGS and a little more Splinter Cell though. We all know the game is short but it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that has looked up this game before purchasing it though. There is a fair amount of time you can spend with this game doing missions on Hard, collecting everything (XOF patches and cassette tapes) and completing specific challenges such as "Spot every enemy in the shortest amount of time" which does add some hours of replay.
    There is a funny Easter Egg which I won't spoil at the end of one of the side missions if you get an "S" ranking and it is classic Kojima. The thing I missed the most from MGS4 was the active camo, or any camo for that matter. It's just a rubber suit? Hopefully the Phantom Pain will address this and give us more than a cutscene at the beginning and one at the end.
    The only reason I'm not giving this game a 9 or 10 is not because of the length of the game... I knew it was short before I purchased it, but the price for the length. 30$ is 15$ too much. There are a few noticable clippings in the game such as when you're carrying somebody over your shoulders your arm tends to reach through their body and even though it's an "open world" it is very clear how the devs want you to play through the game... with a stun gun and on your belly. I enjoyed the game and you will to, but just know you're getting 15$ ripped off.
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  46. Mar 23, 2014
    9
    If this is a taste of things to come TPP will be absolutely epic. In my opinion MGS4 was one of the best games on PS3. Kojima was upfront about the content from the get go so if you bought this, then come on Metacritic to **** and whine you are the fool. If you are an MGS nut like me you will love this, the gameplay and mechanics are second to none. The production value is through theIf this is a taste of things to come TPP will be absolutely epic. In my opinion MGS4 was one of the best games on PS3. Kojima was upfront about the content from the get go so if you bought this, then come on Metacritic to **** and whine you are the fool. If you are an MGS nut like me you will love this, the gameplay and mechanics are second to none. The production value is through the roof as usual. Took me nearly 3 hours to finish the main mission, with the extra missions and replay value from leaderboards i should easily manage 10 plus hours. Expand
  47. Mar 22, 2014
    8
    People cry about the length, HOWEVER I promise they haven't beaten all the side missions, and haven't collected all of the patches to unlock the final mission, and are most likely NOT playing on hard. That is where the challenge is, and no doubt its short, but its 30$ and you you are not forced to buy it lol, the game did what they wanted it to for me, I CANT WAIT FOR PHANTOM PAIN
  48. Mar 21, 2014
    9
    This is a fantastic way to showcase. For Metal Gear Fans like myself, this is a definite must buy just to see how far the series has come. For other gamers who are curious about this game, wait for a price drop otherwise you might be surprised by the length. There is a lot of content after the initial campaign mission, which is a prologue, that kept me coming back including a lot ofThis is a fantastic way to showcase. For Metal Gear Fans like myself, this is a definite must buy just to see how far the series has come. For other gamers who are curious about this game, wait for a price drop otherwise you might be surprised by the length. There is a lot of content after the initial campaign mission, which is a prologue, that kept me coming back including a lot of different surprises that I loved and admired. All in all this is a very well made game for what it is, to showcase the next entry in the Metal Gear Franchise, and I can't wait to play The Phantom Pain when it releases. Expand
  49. Mar 19, 2014
    9
    The game is great. The ONLY reason it's getting low scores is because either people may have been unaware of the length and didn't research all the info about this prior to release or they're just trolling and didn't even bother playing the entire game and just want to use this as their soapbox. It's $30 and only $20 if you get the digital copy, to me that's a good value. The main missionThe game is great. The ONLY reason it's getting low scores is because either people may have been unaware of the length and didn't research all the info about this prior to release or they're just trolling and didn't even bother playing the entire game and just want to use this as their soapbox. It's $30 and only $20 if you get the digital copy, to me that's a good value. The main mission is real short but the side missions make it worthwhile. There's a lot of exploring and the map is much bigger than I expected it to be. You won't likely go through most the map in the first mission either if you just play through the mission. It's a real good game to get if you need a taste of MGS before 2015, so it is as advertised since that's basically what Kojima stated himself and why there is a price cut. Expand
  50. Apr 5, 2014
    10
    Every bit as good as every other Metal Gear and improves on almost every aspect. People complain about its length but I've put over 10 hours into it and am not close to 100% completion.
  51. Mar 22, 2014
    10
    Yes the campaign is short, and yes maybe it could have been just integrated into the phantom pain similar to MGS2, but there is so much replay value here, when you add in the side ops, difficulty options, and collectables, you could well clock over 10-15 hours (at least), plus its more user friendly than the previous games as in weather your a long term MGS fan or not its easy to get into.
  52. Apr 11, 2014
    10
    Game is short if you are not the type of gamer that likes to get good ranks or speed run or replay missions. Complaints are about length mostly, gameplay is great, and it is actually pretty replayable. I would recommend you do your research and see if this is a game you would want to 100% Took me 17 hours to 100% it so I feel really satisfied. But I also knew what I was I buying so noGame is short if you are not the type of gamer that likes to get good ranks or speed run or replay missions. Complaints are about length mostly, gameplay is great, and it is actually pretty replayable. I would recommend you do your research and see if this is a game you would want to 100% Took me 17 hours to 100% it so I feel really satisfied. But I also knew what I was I buying so no complaints here! Expand
  53. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    Is the campaign short? Sure. But this game is tons of fun. If you are a true metal gear fan get this game. If you enjoyed splinter cell, but never enjoyed the gameplay of metal gear games, get this game. The new controls are intuitive and refined. The new fox engine is a marvel and a sight to see while becoming familiar with the gameplay of the most anticipated Phantom Pain. The low scoresIs the campaign short? Sure. But this game is tons of fun. If you are a true metal gear fan get this game. If you enjoyed splinter cell, but never enjoyed the gameplay of metal gear games, get this game. The new controls are intuitive and refined. The new fox engine is a marvel and a sight to see while becoming familiar with the gameplay of the most anticipated Phantom Pain. The low scores are not justified and are solely about concerns from gamers that developers are beginning to gauge gamers for every dollar. I for one would much rather have this game now while waiting for the release of Phantom Pain instead of waiting another year and a half with nothing to play. Expand
  54. Mar 20, 2014
    8
    I'm a huge fan of metal gear solid ever since metal gear solid on the ps one although I was disappointed at the length of the main mission I was impressed by hideo kojimas attention to detail,how weather and time setting make the same area feel completely different , the stealth and mechanics wasn't on par with metal gear solid 4 it kind of felt like you were Sam fisher more than nakedI'm a huge fan of metal gear solid ever since metal gear solid on the ps one although I was disappointed at the length of the main mission I was impressed by hideo kojimas attention to detail,how weather and time setting make the same area feel completely different , the stealth and mechanics wasn't on par with metal gear solid 4 it kind of felt like you were Sam fisher more than naked snake, I was also disappointed with David hayter not reprising his role as solid snake it kind of felt like a cheap rip off but all of the complaints have nothing to do with gameplay I've put over 12 hours completing side mission and unlocking weapons and the game itself is very satisfying and worth the 30 dollars I spent on it I give it 8 just because David hayter was replace kiefer Sutherland Expand
  55. Mar 21, 2014
    8
    Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes is a great Game for everyone who likes Metal gear Solid. The game itself feels somehow like Peacewalker 2.0 and thats great.

    There is only one aspect of the game that is negative and thats the shortness of the ground zeroes main Story Mission. Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes is for Trophy hunters and not for People who only interested in the main Story
    Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes is a great Game for everyone who likes Metal gear Solid. The game itself feels somehow like Peacewalker 2.0 and thats great.

    There is only one aspect of the game that is negative and thats the shortness of the ground zeroes main Story Mission.

    Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes is for Trophy hunters and not for People who only interested in the main Story Plot of Metal Gear Solid Phantom Pain. People who only interestet in story shouldnt buy this game any other Metal gear Solid Fan should buy it its worth it.
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  56. Apr 11, 2014
    8
    The game was 30 dollars. I have played it for at least 8 hours and I have 19% completion. I think that says a lot about the naysayers main gripes. Can you beat this game in minutes? Yeah, a small section of it. But to actually get a 100% completion, I can't imagine the time it will take.

    This is Metal Gear reimagined for a new system that is innovative and pushes the idea of what MG
    The game was 30 dollars. I have played it for at least 8 hours and I have 19% completion. I think that says a lot about the naysayers main gripes. Can you beat this game in minutes? Yeah, a small section of it. But to actually get a 100% completion, I can't imagine the time it will take.

    This is Metal Gear reimagined for a new system that is innovative and pushes the idea of what MG gameplay should encompass. A lot of series will try to reboot by adding things that don't mix well with previous concepts, or adding new features that are cheesy or worthless. Metal Gear Ground Zeroes seems like a very organic and natural progression of its predecessors and I love it so far.

    Don't complain about a 30 dollar game. Seriously. We get 60 dollar games that last 5-6 hours with horrible storylines, bad graphics, etc. This 30 dollar game is top notch and just a taste of what's to come.
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  57. Jun 5, 2015
    10
    got it for free from ps+ so cant complain about money value
    and yes, it is very short
    but it is how every single sandbox on ps4 is supposed to look like
    smooth gameplay, no fps drops, insta loadings, nice graphics

    cant wait for the 'full' mgs
  58. Mar 19, 2014
    10
    The gameplay is good as you would expected from a metal gear. but asking for $30,00 to a demo is a shame to konami who just want to cash in with their loyal fanbase, i advise to stay out of this game, it should be free, this is damaging the gaming industry, gamers do not buy this game.
  59. Mar 18, 2014
    8
    I don't understatnd what you all expected seriously a full game it was made clear that it wasn't going to be. I love this so much your getting a taste of the full game in which may take 2-3 years to realease so im sorry. but this is amazing and it gets me so pumped to play the new game and I highly recommened this for true gamers and hardcore fans of the series
  60. Mar 23, 2014
    9
    Yes, it only took me an hour and ten minutes to beat Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes... it may be short but oh buddy is it sweet! For starters this is probably one of the most gorgeous game i have ever played! Everything from the weather effects all the way down to the movements of the characters! As far as attention to detail goes this game is absolutely flawless! Now the Metal GearYes, it only took me an hour and ten minutes to beat Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes... it may be short but oh buddy is it sweet! For starters this is probably one of the most gorgeous game i have ever played! Everything from the weather effects all the way down to the movements of the characters! As far as attention to detail goes this game is absolutely flawless! Now the Metal Gear games have always been known for their stories and Ground Zeroes is no exception! It may only be an hour long but it has more emotionally gripping and badass moments then Rising had in the entirety of its campaign! Don't let what people say about the length of this game turn you away, along with the main story mission their are 5 "Side Ops". I have enjoyed all of these missions for well over 8 hours and I am still not finished! Bring on The Phantom Pain!! Expand
  61. Mar 21, 2014
    10
    Awesome little prologue to the MGS V. You really get used to the controls, everything seems fluent and the game looks fantastic. Can't find any cons to be honest, unless you bring up the fact that the game is very short... once again, it is designed for you to get used to for the lead-up sequel. It also explains where the story is heading so this is a definite buy for MGS fans and anyoneAwesome little prologue to the MGS V. You really get used to the controls, everything seems fluent and the game looks fantastic. Can't find any cons to be honest, unless you bring up the fact that the game is very short... once again, it is designed for you to get used to for the lead-up sequel. It also explains where the story is heading so this is a definite buy for MGS fans and anyone that wants to buy the sequel. Strongly recommend. Expand
  62. Mar 20, 2014
    10
    While a lot of people talk about this games lenght, there are a lot of games out there that do the same: are short, and have moderate prices (Gone Home, for example, a game I can't find what to like). The game is one of the most beautiful and refined Metal Gear Solid, with an amazing gameplay, fluid and modern.
    The side ops are like in Peace Walker, and they are really fun, some can be as
    While a lot of people talk about this games lenght, there are a lot of games out there that do the same: are short, and have moderate prices (Gone Home, for example, a game I can't find what to like). The game is one of the most beautiful and refined Metal Gear Solid, with an amazing gameplay, fluid and modern.
    The side ops are like in Peace Walker, and they are really fun, some can be as extended in lenght as the main mission.
    The story is compelling, the voice acting superb, and the easter eggs awesome.
    Before critizing the game for his price and lenght, play it and enjoy it to the full, because at the end you will see where your money went.
    I can assure you, it is worth it.
    For its price, I couldnt find ONE weakness in this game. Maybe something related to the story, but not something that would ruin the tense and thrilling experience the game offered me.
    It is your choice, wether to trust in biased reviews, with the only argument being the fact that the game is """""short""""", or to trust in your own experience and impressions, when you play it.
    As once Naomi (MGS1) said: "Like beauty, truth is in the eye of the beholder"
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  63. Mar 18, 2014
    9
    I finished the main mission in 70 minutes, but it felt like hours. The new gameplay mechanics took a while to get used to, so I died about three times. This is by far the most challenging a Metal Gear Solid game has ever been. After getting used to it, the game is pure stealth bliss. The five times I got caught were some of the most stressful and exhilarating moments I've ever played in aI finished the main mission in 70 minutes, but it felt like hours. The new gameplay mechanics took a while to get used to, so I died about three times. This is by far the most challenging a Metal Gear Solid game has ever been. After getting used to it, the game is pure stealth bliss. The five times I got caught were some of the most stressful and exhilarating moments I've ever played in a video game. While not much plot is there, the story is great, and the ending is especially fantastic. Despite its brevity, the great time I had with Ground Zeroes is worth the $20 alone, and I can't wait to play it over and over again. That goes without saying that I haven't even touched the other missions. Not sure if I'd pay $30 or $40 for it, but Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is well worth the $20 digital purchase on Xbox 360 and PS3. Expand
  64. Mar 19, 2014
    9
    The only reason why this title is getting so much flak is because of it's price. Considering how short the main mission is (around 1-2 hours) it should not be $30. Having said that, the mechanics of this game are amazing and I'm excited to see what The Phantom Pain will deliver to us. I'm still playing this game to go for all the trophies and try to S-rank all the missions. The story isThe only reason why this title is getting so much flak is because of it's price. Considering how short the main mission is (around 1-2 hours) it should not be $30. Having said that, the mechanics of this game are amazing and I'm excited to see what The Phantom Pain will deliver to us. I'm still playing this game to go for all the trophies and try to S-rank all the missions. The story is also receiving criticism because of it's controversial story elements. I personally think the story in GZ is pretty good. It's just the prologue mission a la tanker mission in MGS2 or the virtuous mission in MGS3. I highly recommend getting this game if you are a hardcore fan of the series. But, if you are just a regular fan or you are new to the series, I'd wait until this game drops in price to about $10 - $20. Expand
  65. Mar 23, 2014
    8
    While i think the price could have been cheaper, this game shows promise for the future of the metal gear series.

    Great environments,atmosphere, and gameplay.
  66. Mar 18, 2014
    8
    If i go to the movies, i don't complain that i paid the same price for a 90 minute masterpiece than a 2 and a half hour borefest.

    That's the case with Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. Yes, the main mission (NOT the whole game) is very short. Also, the ending is disappointing and unfulfilling. However, those are the only two flaws in a game that has some of the best stealth mechanics
    If i go to the movies, i don't complain that i paid the same price for a 90 minute masterpiece than a 2 and a half hour borefest.

    That's the case with Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. Yes, the main mission (NOT the whole game) is very short. Also, the ending is disappointing and unfulfilling.
    However, those are the only two flaws in a game that has some of the best stealth mechanics in recent memory. It's fun, challenging and engaging. Also, contrary to what people say, if you are one of those people that likes to get 100% in games, then you get a bang for your buck here. The missions are varied and getting the best rating demands a lot of replays.

    So yeah, i liked this game. I can assure you, if this was a $15 downloadable game, everyone would be giving it 10's.
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  67. Mar 20, 2014
    8
    Short and sweet. I got the game because I was sure I could find a million things to do differently despite how short it was. I was right. The gameplay alone will have me hooked long enough to justify the purchase. If I had went by reviews, I would have skipped it. Rent or buy, you could do worse when it comes to playing this game.
  68. Mar 22, 2014
    8
    Ground Zeros is a game that I will never forget, when I played Ground Zero, it gave me a nice throwback to the MGS series, I was exploding with excitement when I launched it and saw a familiar face, I felt like crashing a plane into a building.
    I honestly think this game deserves a 9/11, but the price felt like a terrorist attack in my wallet, but that doesn't change gameplay, I think it
    Ground Zeros is a game that I will never forget, when I played Ground Zero, it gave me a nice throwback to the MGS series, I was exploding with excitement when I launched it and saw a familiar face, I felt like crashing a plane into a building.
    I honestly think this game deserves a 9/11, but the price felt like a terrorist attack in my wallet, but that doesn't change gameplay, I think it should of been around $7.47.
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  69. Mar 20, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Metal Gear solid V: Ground Zeroes is a great game. The reason I am giving the game an 8 is because of the lack of depth in the story. The reason I say lack of depth is because i feel like more of the story could have been explained or some new material could have been introduced. Aside from the story issues the game is AMAZING. The graphics, mechanics, the AI of the enemy is just GREAT. I just played a general run through just to see the story line but I plan on putting in a lot of time into this game with the side missions along with the main story. If you are a long time fan of the series you need to purchase this game. If you are a new comer start with Peace Walker and then Snake Eater. If you are not a fan of backtracking then just wait it out for Phantom Pain. Expand
  70. Mar 21, 2014
    9
    This Game is Worth Every Penny, and Here is Why:

    Story & Value/ Replayability Kojima was able to fit an amazing amount of content into this simple package. Despite it being a prologue, there is a deep story hidden here that takes @ least 10 hours to uncover and much more to fully appreciate. for those who are used to 10 hours of pre-made cutscenes, you may miss out on the meat of
    This Game is Worth Every Penny, and Here is Why:

    Story & Value/ Replayability

    Kojima was able to fit an amazing amount of content into this simple package. Despite it being a prologue, there is a deep story hidden here that takes @ least 10 hours to uncover and much more to fully appreciate. for those who are used to 10 hours of pre-made cutscenes, you may miss out on the meat of Ground Zeroes which is spread out much like Peace Walker both in cutscenes as well as audio cassette tapes. The tapes offer a realistic way of receiving more story information as you are listening to them as big boss would be, and Wow the story they tell really add a lot of depth and impact to the main mission. The fact that Kojima was able to fit such a compelling story into such a brief time frame is impressive in and of itself and if you're wondering if 2-4 hours of game play is worth $30, I'm inclined to say that 2-4 hours of story THIS powerful IS worth it although I will say that it is DEFINITELY worth $20. At the same time I really don't want to encourage publishers to start splitting their games up or charging this much for what is essentially pre-DLC, but it's Metal Gear in prime form and is such high quality (possibly the best case of storytelling in the series) that were you not to pick this game up, you would be severely be missing out on something great. I haven't been effected by a game like I have been by Ground Zeroes in a Long Time. People saying this game is 30 mins only played the main campaign once and didn't play it the way it was meant to be played. Listening to the audio cassettes adds context to the main mission and gives you reason to replay it. You see its not just rescuing Chico from point A and bringing him to point B, Once you see what all lead up to that you understand the weight of WHY you must save him and that adds a lot of meaning to this mission as opposed to games like Assassins Creed where you are just completing mundane tasks via waypoints

    As for the

    Gameplay:

    A great leap forward for the series. I'ts a revamping that was needed and its awesome. Its new enough that it felt completely foreign my first time picking up the controller but many things that you may have learned as a long time fan still work, like crawling to avoid detection and other things that are uniquely Metal Gear. At first glance it may look as though this "open world" format looks like Splinter Cell as I have heard many people say and I myself thought, but I assure you that it is a singular experience that feels like its own thing. The best addition to the gameplay is the fact that you finally feel like the badass supersoldier Big Boss is supposed to be as opposed his skills mainly being showcased in cutscenes. You can go in Gunz Blazing and CQC or shadowbox enemy soldiers in pure combat bliss. Combat has never been at the forefront of the MGS series but in this game its actually a viable way to play the game and complete missions. It is intense and fulfilling. You can also change the settings to aim in first person view for throwback MGS2/MGS3 fans if you want

    Stealth is still the main focus and the obvious choice for any true MGS player though. It really does feel like a typical MGS game with a full 360 degree environment as opposed to the more linear level design of past titles. The reflex mode and enemy tagging helps with that fact as it is a lot harder to keep track of enemies now. All of this can be turned off of course although I found the reflex mode growing on me a bit even as an long time MGS player. And thats another great thing about the game is the ability to customize the options to your liking or even the button layout

    Visually:

    Stunning, even on last gen. I don't have to say too much here as you can see for yourself how good the game looks, but I will say that it's very immersive. The camera is zoomed in a bit closer so you can appreciate the graphics, and the draw distance is impressive. One of the best looking games out right now especially for PS4. The top notch graphics add to the realism which is also present in the narritive creating one of the most engrossing games I've ever played.

    Verdict:

    All in all its a top notch game and easily worth $20. $30 is a bit much but at the same time less than $15 for this product seems unreasonable on MY end as this is NOT a demo and one of the boldest experiences I've had in a Video Game. Give it a chance, listen to the cassette tapes and soak up the full experience and you will see that this is a far more reasonable package than ppl are giving it credit for. Its some of Kojimasan's Best work so don't miss out because of the $30 price which is the only bad thing I can really say about the game and is the only thing keeping me from rating it a 10/10. But even if you have to find a way to get it for $15 (which at that price it's a steal), you definitely don't want to miss this one
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  71. Mar 25, 2014
    10
    *Revised Review*
    After having Ground Zeroes for a week now, I can say with confidence that this is the best game yet on PS4. This game is graphically phenomenal and the gameplay is great. Although the main mission will only last somewhere between 1-3 hours depending on how you approach it, the 5 side ops that you unlock (4 of them by beating the main mission and 1 by collecting all the
    *Revised Review*
    After having Ground Zeroes for a week now, I can say with confidence that this is the best game yet on PS4. This game is graphically phenomenal and the gameplay is great. Although the main mission will only last somewhere between 1-3 hours depending on how you approach it, the 5 side ops that you unlock (4 of them by beating the main mission and 1 by collecting all the XOF patches in the main mission) keep you entertained for hours on end. The ranking at the end of each mission (S,A,B,C,D,F) keeps you wanting to get the best ranking possible. Also, the story pushes the boundaries in video games. Not to spoil anything, but the ending will have you clenching your fist! In conclusion, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes is a great game by itself and makes me even more excited to get my hands on The Phantom Pain!
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  72. Mar 19, 2014
    8
    What an amazing experience even though there is only 1 main mission and a few side-ops its fun as hell. amazing graphics, amazing gameplay, amazing replay. I'm going to try my ass off to get a s-rank in all missions.
  73. Mar 20, 2014
    9
    It is a single mission but you have a huge playground to explore and you can go about the mission several ways. there are side objectives and the Visuals are stunning. game play is great. sound is good. and it has replay-ability.
  74. Mar 19, 2014
    9
    Short, yes. Perhaps the most effective teaser ever released and the best demo. The question is content versus quality here and one is abundant while the other is not. I can understand why someone would be upset at purchasing this, especially if they didn't know what they were getting into. Is it worth 30$? The answer depends on whether a sneak peek at MGSV is worth 30$ to you.Short, yes. Perhaps the most effective teaser ever released and the best demo. The question is content versus quality here and one is abundant while the other is not. I can understand why someone would be upset at purchasing this, especially if they didn't know what they were getting into. Is it worth 30$? The answer depends on whether a sneak peek at MGSV is worth 30$ to you.

    Taken as a game, it's a FANTASTIC mission and if this is what MGSV wants to be, then hell yes I'm on board. The side ops really show the diversity Kojima is going for here, and even the basic mission lends itself to a lot of replays through difficulty modes and unlocks, and even score if you are into it. However, that's all it is. One mission and a few variants thereof, and as robust as the interaction with it is, it simply isn't more than that. The PS version is the one to get if you decide to spend though, as it has an additional mission and in pickings this slim that really is to your benefit.

    Want to whet your appetite for V? This will do it. But if you wanted a game to tide you over, or to provide bang for your buck, this simply is not it. Quality here simply cannot gloss over how little of it there is.
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  75. Mar 19, 2014
    9
    I'm giving it a 9!
    The gameplay is phenomenal, the story is awesome and the cutscenes are better then some whole games... Yes it's shorter than most games, but you don't pay the full price and if it's still too expensive for you, just don't buy it. I enjoyed it a lot and I can recommend it to all stealth fans!
    If this would be a demo, then other game publishers would have to be
    I'm giving it a 9!
    The gameplay is phenomenal, the story is awesome and the cutscenes are better then some whole games... Yes it's shorter than most games, but you don't pay the full price and if it's still too expensive for you, just don't buy it. I enjoyed it a lot and I can recommend it to all stealth fans!

    If this would be a demo, then other game publishers would have to be ashamed, because then a demo would be better then some games...
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  76. Mar 25, 2014
    8
    Ground Zeroes works like a good aperitive for the fans who can't wait the main dish The Phantom Pain. It is not the best game, but neither is the worst game.
  77. Apr 1, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. [Condensed Version]

    Truthfully, I'm not surprised- after having played Ground Zeroes, that it disappointed many fans and even some newcomers to the series. I think newcomers especially expected something truly engrossing and phenomenal, and they simply didn't get that. Fans of course expected an overarching, huge experience- and they didn't get that either. However, what Ground Zeroes does deliver on is excellent, polished gameplay and mechanics, thrilling new tweaks and special, well-thought out additions to stealth action (see reflex mode, a mode giving you precious seconds of reaction when suddenly spotted), and skipping the traditional codex screens in favor of on-the-fly commentary from Kaz (with a simple button press). I'll leave it up to you whether or not you deem this game worthwhile to place, based on what information I've provided you and attempted to explain in the easiest possible way without fear of spoilers. Despite the short showing here, I definitely think that everything (mechanics-wise) here and an added progression system and beefed up story could really make Phantom Pain a phenomenal, polished title.

    While sadly the special pre-order and console specific content limits you in which version of the game you choose to buy, if you have the opportunity I heartily recommend either of the next generation consoles as the way to go- obviously the look and perform the best of all of the versions of the game, due of course to hardware advances. Whether or not you choose a Sony touted console though or a Microsoft one further complicates matters, as each offers a different additionally packaged mission. However, as neither of these missions is really anything special, you can feel free to choose relatively without fear, which version you'd like to buy if you have both or all systems. What a lucky person you'd be if that were your only dilemma whilst thinking of purchasing the game... Anyway, I guess it's time to move on to our final segment here.

    Concept: Provide a prologue to the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V and showcase the new darker, grittier world that Boss Snake and his compatriots inhabit, as well as a flashy next-generation engine and some innovations in the classic gameplay. What it doesn't mention however is the shameful content versus price index on the box, however that can be tackled as you see fit- either with torches and pitchforks outside Kojima's office or hope for the full-length game soon coming.

    Graphics: There's no question that this is a next generation title and boasts a very impressive and detailed, strong engine in Konami's Fox engine, as Ground Zeroes looks and plays mighty fine and smoothly throughout.

    Sound: The ambient noise and the low-key soundtrack of accompanying bowings and chords meshes well with the stealth and surprise encounters Boss finds himself in, but are easily overshadowed by a fantastic (if new) performance by Kiefer Sutherland- who has since replaced Daid Hayter as the voice of Snake, at least for the time being. Personally, I think both men have excellent talent in voice acting, so I wasn't terribly torn when I heard someone new was voicing the character, weird a time as it was.

    Playability: There are the occasional hiccups when you're getting used to the control scheme, but aside from initial issues, the controls and the encounters they save your life in mesh perfectly and run smoothly and well for the duration of the game. No matter how hectic the gameplay gets, I constantly found myself able to get out of sticky situations so long as I knew the correct buttons to press and the limits to which I could push the Boss.

    Entertainment: Now, this is going to be the sticker right here. What content there is proves to be highly entertaining, as short on story and time consumption as that is. However, I just can't get past the fact that there isn't enough to go around, meaning for all its solid mechanics and things Ground Zeroes does correctly, this section takes the hardest hit to the score. It could've been a lot worse, and I've been very kind with my score, but even I can't overlook this.

    Replay Value: Moderate.

    Overall Score: 8.0
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  78. Mar 25, 2014
    10
    The gameplay is simply some of the most compelling in existence. There's no other game quite like it, and it is endlessly satisfying in this regard. The AI is nearly flawless- they feel like real people you're trying to sneak past. The controls are incredibly fluid, the music and sounds are excellent, the graphics some of the best yet. I cannot stress enough how well done the gameplay is,The gameplay is simply some of the most compelling in existence. There's no other game quite like it, and it is endlessly satisfying in this regard. The AI is nearly flawless- they feel like real people you're trying to sneak past. The controls are incredibly fluid, the music and sounds are excellent, the graphics some of the best yet. I cannot stress enough how well done the gameplay is, the sheer joy of playing it. The story is powerful if you're a fan of the series, I can't imagine newcomers will really get caught up with it.

    As for the length- the way I see it, it's priced like DLC, but with way more content than any DLC. If you don't care much for the improved graphics, get the PS3/360 version for $20. The Last of Us: Left Behind, my favorite DLC out there, was only 2 hours long and 15 dollars, and I would say it was well-worth my money, as does every critic. This game has a 2 hour main mission, 5 30-minute side-missions, and all of it stuffed with replay value for 5 more dollars. Just set your expectations in the right place- this isn't a full-blown game, it's essentially a DLC, and is priced as such.
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  79. Mar 30, 2014
    8
    I've finished the main story on Ground Zeroes in around a couple of hours. First off; I would carefully consider dropping money on getting this unless you have money saved for a rainy day. £20-30 depending on what system and how you buy it is quite a lot of money for what's on offer but fans with a dedicated interest in the series and The Phantom Pain should definitely experience it.I've finished the main story on Ground Zeroes in around a couple of hours. First off; I would carefully consider dropping money on getting this unless you have money saved for a rainy day. £20-30 depending on what system and how you buy it is quite a lot of money for what's on offer but fans with a dedicated interest in the series and The Phantom Pain should definitely experience it.

    Graphically, this game looks absolutely fantastic. The cinematics and general in-game effects are brilliant for what is an early game in the current generation. The atmosphere unfortunately lacks tension thanks to the typically shoddy AI that has become a part of MGS over the years. You begin overlooking a military base and have two hostages to rescue; it's really that simple. The base is fairly large; not quite Groznyj Grad from Snake Eater but there's lots to do and explore. It's not linear and there are many ways you can approach situations. Once again the AI doesn't do itself many favours and some scenarios can be worked around with ease but if you want to score high; taking care and planning your moves by tagging enemies takes some skill to execute perfectly. The controls and the combat are pretty much as expected from past games and the touchpad is also introduced for a couple of functions.

    The main problem with this game is largely the length of the story but another couple of issues that seem to strike me based on past games is the lame scripting, weak characters and awful voice acting. These were the pinnacle positives of past games. Getting used of Keifer Sutherland as opposed to David Hayter wont take long to adjust but there didn't seem to be any really dramatic or intriguing characters. A couple of them sound like the actors were reading their lines with a cactus pointed precariously close to their colon. The dialogue isn't as gripping as I would have hoped for a MGS V introduction and the characters don't seem memorable or powerful at all. The ending is a major let down too and doesn't really set up The Phantom Pain in a blaze of glory.

    After you've experienced the main story; you can try the Side Ops missions. These take place on the same military base but each one involves different objectives such as hostage rescue or disarming anti-air missiles on the ground. This add a bit more to the package and along with the Ground Zeroes mission; they offer multiple play-through opportunities to improve leaderboard scores and the chance to change your play style. There is no meat to the stories in these operations but they are fun nevertheless.

    Overall, MGS V: GZ is a worthy purchase for hardcore fans of the classic series. It's a decent introduction to the exciting prospect of The Phantom Pain but the length of the game and lack of a thrilling story may make people feel a bit stitched up for their hard earned cash. Chasing 100% completion and earning trophies is the real challenge here but this game wont last until the main product is on the shelves. Highly recommended but a hefty price to pay for what is no more than an extended demo and training mode.
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  80. Mar 26, 2014
    10
    Lol,5.7,really!!!.When does the game lenght affect to the game quality ??.And Kojima has said:"This game is for MGS fan",so why **** up.The game main mission maybe short (yeah,it's short),but there are plenty things to do after you finish the main mission.If you try to complete the game(or demo like some dumb says )100%,it'll consume you the time equal to final fantasy game.So who's theLol,5.7,really!!!.When does the game lenght affect to the game quality ??.And Kojima has said:"This game is for MGS fan",so why **** up.The game main mission maybe short (yeah,it's short),but there are plenty things to do after you finish the main mission.If you try to complete the game(or demo like some dumb says )100%,it'll consume you the time equal to final fantasy game.So who's the real fan of metal gear solid,plz raise the score bar,and those who not plz **** off and don't be a troll here @@ Expand
  81. Mar 24, 2014
    10
    Don't buy this game unless you are already a metal gear solid fan. Fans will get a lot more out of this game then just an average gamer. I personally think the game has the best story in a video game so far for 2014 even though its only about an hour and a half ride. But the real seller of the game is its replay value. There are so many cassette tapes and trophies and trials to unlock (ifDon't buy this game unless you are already a metal gear solid fan. Fans will get a lot more out of this game then just an average gamer. I personally think the game has the best story in a video game so far for 2014 even though its only about an hour and a half ride. But the real seller of the game is its replay value. There are so many cassette tapes and trophies and trials to unlock (if you're into that sort of thing, i sure as hell am). Also a little example of the replay value, I bought infamous second son on the day it came out and got the platinum trophy for it two days later. I am still only 79% complete with ground zeroes and the gameplay is addicting and never gets old. BUT, if you aren't a metal gear fan, you may not appreciate this so just wait for the price to drop or wait for the phantom pain itself which is promised to be 200 times bigger. Still, this is an amazing game alone and its been one of the only things on my mind since its release on tuesday. Expand
  82. Mar 26, 2014
    10
    Absolutely magic. The story is very short which was widely reported so I'm sure your aware. Can i just say the game mechanics are as solid as ever. Not just a pretty game but an absolutely sublime showcase of the new fox engine. There is pretty much unlimited ways to infiltrate the base and approach the different missions giving the user a lot of game time, not to mention when you crankAbsolutely magic. The story is very short which was widely reported so I'm sure your aware. Can i just say the game mechanics are as solid as ever. Not just a pretty game but an absolutely sublime showcase of the new fox engine. There is pretty much unlimited ways to infiltrate the base and approach the different missions giving the user a lot of game time, not to mention when you crank up the difficulty things get even more challenging and it feels even better when you complete a mission fully stealth with only a tranquilizer gun. I understand the complaints about length but seriously this game is a teaser to how amazing the full game is going to be. 200 times the size of this and i've spent about 10 hours playing already only 38% complete. I would pay £24 for this again no problem. The quality is unbelievable. As for people expecting this on ps plus for free good luck with that you will be waiting a hell of a long time (forever). The Phantom Pain is truly going to be the net gen seller. I wouldn't even waste my time with this on last gen consoles as it won't do the game justice. Expand
  83. Apr 4, 2014
    10
    This game was known to be super short, thats not the point. This is supposed to introduce the new game mechanics and Fox Engine. A lot of the MGS "fans" complaining things from previous games are stupid, Kojima himself said they are testing gameplay mechanics and many familiar things from previous games will return to the Phantom Pain. Exactly what was said of this game by Kojima, is whatThis game was known to be super short, thats not the point. This is supposed to introduce the new game mechanics and Fox Engine. A lot of the MGS "fans" complaining things from previous games are stupid, Kojima himself said they are testing gameplay mechanics and many familiar things from previous games will return to the Phantom Pain. Exactly what was said of this game by Kojima, is what we got. All these "butthurt fans" are ridiculous. YES, the game IS short, very short in fact. I beat it in 1 hour and with all the side missions add another 2 hours. As of right now I spent about 20 hours and hit only 90% of the game completion (unlocking all it has to offer). Now with the game's price, that is something you have to judge because for me, spending $30 for an open sandbox-style game to play around in (great gameplay mechanics) is worth it TO ME. Most people here just disregard this for being SHORT and EXPENSIVE, but if you are able to see it past that (wait for a sale and ACKNOWLEDGE the fact that game's creator SAID this is SHORT) you will find an AMAZING game. Now imagine The Phantom Pain!

    tldr: Game is awesome in its gameplay, however only thing that many are arguing about is its price. Its a fact that it is a short game, but worth it? Well thats up to you!
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  84. Jul 17, 2014
    9
    Duration
    This game has been criticized a lot for its’ duration, with some claiming that the game can be finished in less than 1.5 hours. Personally, I did not have any issues with Ground Zeroes’s length. I think it all depends on how you play this game. If you intend to stop playing this game after the end credits, you may indeed finish the game in about 1.5 hours and get very poor value
    Duration
    This game has been criticized a lot for its’ duration, with some claiming that the game can be finished in less than 1.5 hours. Personally, I did not have any issues with Ground Zeroes’s length. I think it all depends on how you play this game. If you intend to stop playing this game after the end credits, you may indeed finish the game in about 1.5 hours and get very poor value for money. However, the end credits are not the end of the game. In fact, you have officially completed only about 8% of the game at this point. The main story line is just one of six missions. Playing the other five extends the game’s duration to at least 5 to 6 hours. Replaying these missions at the higher difficulty setting that you unlock by completing them extends the lengths further to more than 10 hours. Competing the many secondary objectives and challenges in the game can even increase the duration to 20 hours and beyond.

    Gameplay
    Metal Gear Solid 5 completely reinvents and revolutionizes the stealth genre. This is probably the most important and revolutionary stealth game since the original Metal Gear Solid. It feels completely fresh, while also maintaining everything that made Metal Gear Solid games great in the past. A trailer promised us “unparalleled strategic freedom” due to the newly created open world gameplay. This game really delivers on this promise. For example, there is one mission where you have to find and assassinate two targets. Not only do you have limitless opportunities to approach this in the open world setting, but every time you play the mission the targets may be in a different location on the map and therefore require a different strategy. Because of this, no two playthroughs will ever be even remotely the same. Furthermore, you can earn a trophy for replaying this mission and capturing the targets alive instead of assassinating them. This requires you to completely change your strategy all over again. In sum, the new open world gameplay mechanics create great strategic depth and freedom while also creating a huge replay value.

    Graphics and audio
    This game looks great. Like all Metal Gear games, the artistic design of Ground Zeroes is very stylish and realistic at the same time. I also appreciated the rock-solid 60FPS framerate on the Playstation 4. However, you can still see that this game was developed primarily for the previous generations of consoles. The audio is also great, with very realistic and beefy sound effects and music that lives up to the high standards set by previous Metal Gear games.

    Story
    Apart from its’ length, the most controversial aspect of Ground Zeroes is probably its’ dark and gritty story. The game takes place in an American prison facility on Cuban soil. The game really seems to make a statement on the horrors of war by including things like executions, torture, and even rape. The soundtrack is a song on the execution of innocent people that was used by the pacifist moment in the 1970’s and the game ends with a reference to Barack Obama’s plans to close Guantanamo Bay. Personally, I appreciate that the game tries to cover such relevant and serious themes on the horrors of war. However, others may not appreciate seeing such horrible things in a videogame.
    Clearly, this game’s heavy theme does not go together well with some of the over-the-top silliness from previous Metal Gear Games. In Ground Zeroes, you won’t see things like enemies pooping their pants, vampires running up the walls, characters incarnating in somebody else’s body, or even giant robots. This is probably the most down-to-earth Metal Gear game, certainly since Metal Gear Solid 1. Despite its’ heavy theme, Ground Zeroes is still very much a Metal Gear game. For example, Snake still smokes a cigar and the villain still looks surrealistically evil.
    The voice acting in this game is also very good and contributes to the more believable and down-to-earth feel compared to previous Metal Gear games. Kiever Sutherland does a great job at making Snake sound less cartoonish and more like a real emotional human being. What I did regret though, is that most of the gameplay takes place in side-missions outside the main storyline. This is a petty, since integrating gameplay into a deep story has traditionally been a strength of the Metal Gear series.

    Summary
    In sum, I found this game highly enjoyable and very much worth my 25 euro’s. I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Metal Gear games (or stealth games in general), as long as you are willing to keep (re)playing the game after the end credits.

    -Groundbreaking stealth gameplay with huge replay value
    -Great visuals and audio, though still primarily designed for previous-gen consoles
    -Lengthy enough, though only if you are willing to (re)play content outside the main storyline
    -An interesting and daring story, though it unfortunately doesn’t cover most of the missions
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  85. Sep 7, 2014
    10
    People consistently complain about its length, but here's something, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You can beat it in 18 min! So should we shun it and call it the devil? No, its an amazing game and doesn't deserve it! Just because you CAN beat a game in 10 min doesn't mean you SHOULD beat it in 10 min!
  86. Mar 25, 2015
    10
    MGS V: Ground Zeroes is a phenomenal game, and anyone saying it "is a demo" obviously does not understand how to play video games. Yes, the main story is short. But it is open ended; you can complete it when and how you see fit. Also, there is a large amount of additional storyline and content available by completing the side missions and challenges. You are able to get a lot of substanceMGS V: Ground Zeroes is a phenomenal game, and anyone saying it "is a demo" obviously does not understand how to play video games. Yes, the main story is short. But it is open ended; you can complete it when and how you see fit. Also, there is a large amount of additional storyline and content available by completing the side missions and challenges. You are able to get a lot of substance and storyline if you do all of the stuff and get all the collectibles.

    Also, the graphics and lighting are stunning; FOXEngine is amazing and produces the best lighting, shadowing, and graphics in console gaming to date. I highly highly recommend this game and series.
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  87. Oct 29, 2016
    8
    Even though it is short the soundtrack, graphics and gameplay are amazing! Frustratingly difficult and requires patience if playing stealth. Struggled a lot but sense of achievement when finished.
  88. Nov 18, 2017
    9
    I give it a near perfect 9.5 as being a standalone demo.

    Where phantom pain sucks, this demo did it right. It allows you to go straight to the story without having to complete tons of fetch quests...(kill target, extract...rinse repeat..). The objectives simply to PUSH the story forward. So in the name of being allowed to skip filler content and go straight to the story.
    I give it a near perfect 9.5 as being a standalone demo.

    Where phantom pain sucks, this demo did it right.
    It allows you to go straight to the story without having to complete tons of fetch quests...(kill target, extract...rinse repeat..). The objectives simply to PUSH the story forward.

    So in the name of being allowed to skip filler content and go straight to the story.

    STANDING OVATION!!!

    P.S I got this game free from PS plus. I would be pissed if I paid 40$ for it. That's for sure. No matter how excellent it was, it's unethical to sell 2 hours of gameplay for that price.
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  89. Jun 2, 2018
    9
    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is honestly a fantastic game. The story was great (albeit very short) and the graphics were flawless. Kiefer Sutherland was perfect as Big Boss. The controls and gameplay was amazing. My only problem with it was the absurdly short length. In the end, this is a fantastic game.
  90. Oct 29, 2014
    9
    You can complain about feeling ripped off by a perceived length issue, but with gameplay variety like Ground Zeroes has, you'd be playing it very very wrong to rate it poorly on that basis.
  91. May 22, 2014
    9
    Fantastic! I'm sort of new to Metal Gear having just recently played 3 and 4 and have to say I have become a fan. I'm pleased to say that this continues the quality from those two games. Yes it's just one main mission but you get more than enough entertainment for the money; what with the open nature of the environment and the different side missions and tasks to complete - so far I'm atFantastic! I'm sort of new to Metal Gear having just recently played 3 and 4 and have to say I have become a fan. I'm pleased to say that this continues the quality from those two games. Yes it's just one main mission but you get more than enough entertainment for the money; what with the open nature of the environment and the different side missions and tasks to complete - so far I'm at 50% complete at about 10hrs playtime.

    I can't wait for Phantom Pain to be released, i'll be there day one. You have a new fan Mr Kojima, Thank you! :)
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  92. Oct 15, 2015
    8
    I love the franchise and i've played almost every MGS title. When i started to play this game yesterday, after finishing PW, and i thought "ok, this will be a short game for introducing TPP". And I have to say it... DAMN IT what a prologue!
    The gameplay is fantastic! Here too i thought it'd bad for autohealing but... it isn't the case. I mean, i hate autohealing, but here works great. The
    I love the franchise and i've played almost every MGS title. When i started to play this game yesterday, after finishing PW, and i thought "ok, this will be a short game for introducing TPP". And I have to say it... DAMN IT what a prologue!
    The gameplay is fantastic! Here too i thought it'd bad for autohealing but... it isn't the case. I mean, i hate autohealing, but here works great. The gunplay is awesome! It's similar to PW, but adapted for a nextgen console. And this is pure stealth. An awesome evolution for the saga.
    Just a little mention to the ost. It has just a few tracks, but very good! Here's to you is AWESOME, even if it isn't a song made for the game, but in that circumstances it was played, it was perfect.

    I'd recommend this game only if you find it under €15/$15, because in an hour you'll finish it.
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  93. Sep 1, 2015
    9
    I think a lot of the bad reviews are stemmed from unreasonable expectations and the pricing...which isn't wrong, you are supposed to take the pricing into consideration for reviews.
    That said, I got this game on PS Plus for free, and I only played it recently in order to prepare for Phantom Pain. It was great. It's not designed for gamers that get games just to 'beat it'...there's a lot
    I think a lot of the bad reviews are stemmed from unreasonable expectations and the pricing...which isn't wrong, you are supposed to take the pricing into consideration for reviews.
    That said, I got this game on PS Plus for free, and I only played it recently in order to prepare for Phantom Pain. It was great. It's not designed for gamers that get games just to 'beat it'...there's a lot to do and much to experiment. Having recently finished Peace Walker, the story and cassette tapes were much more significant to me than to someone who didn't. This review is kind of irrelevant now because Phantom Pain is launched, but thought I should jot down my appreciation for this demo.
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  94. Mar 21, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I put a 8 and not a 10 because of the duration of the game.

    But besides that, the game it's simply perfect the better stealth experience that i have during all my life.

    The graphics are the best that i seen in so many time!.

    And even it's a ahortly history, i was schocked when i see Mother Base destroyed, the Miller reaction and all the Paz thing was simply perfect.

    After you play this, the only thing you want is that the Phantom Pain comes quickly to your PS4 to play it!!!
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  95. Apr 6, 2023
    8
    Впервые наблюдаю что бы в играх кто то касался таких жестких тем, как тюрьмы вне юрисдикций и законов, на подобие Гуантанамо, пыток, причем пыток детей, главная история развивается внутри игры, через аудио дневники, поставленные так что веришь их участникам, очень атмосферно и жестко, но что бы их собрать нужно как минимум пройти все задания да еще и знать условия получения некоторыхВпервые наблюдаю что бы в играх кто то касался таких жестких тем, как тюрьмы вне юрисдикций и законов, на подобие Гуантанамо, пыток, причем пыток детей, главная история развивается внутри игры, через аудио дневники, поставленные так что веришь их участникам, очень атмосферно и жестко, но что бы их собрать нужно как минимум пройти все задания да еще и знать условия получения некоторых кассет или их местонахождение, и подозреваю многие до этой части игры не добрались.

    А ведь там весьма жесткая и тяжелая история падения и предательства разворачивается, где главные герои дети. Не простая тема взята. Геймплейно играется вполне интересно и вариативно. Прошел с интересом. 8 из 10.
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  96. Apr 2, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I bought the game knowing it's short, but it still surprised. Luckily it has many kinds of missions you unlock after beating the game and you unlock more of them as you play through them, so you can't just judge the games length based on only the main mission length.

    I reduced 2 points because of the price and shortness. Otherwise the game deserves something between 9 and 10;
    - visuals are perfect
    - sounds are good even though I'm not entirely sure if Snakes new voice is better than before
    - gameplay is better than before. There are new moves and things you can do. I can only complain about not being able to select hard difficulty from start. Playing on normal requires no sneaking as its that easy.
    - and last the mission area is big enough for the missions
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  97. Jan 2, 2015
    9
    It may be one of the shortest games this year but that doesn't mean that it is not a great game. The gameplay is amazing, it is probably the smoothest running metal gear solid game ever, the gameplay feels fresh and new but still keeps it's metal gear style. For any shooter, stealth or open world sandbox fan, this is worth the purchase especially when it is on sale. (sometimes it can go asIt may be one of the shortest games this year but that doesn't mean that it is not a great game. The gameplay is amazing, it is probably the smoothest running metal gear solid game ever, the gameplay feels fresh and new but still keeps it's metal gear style. For any shooter, stealth or open world sandbox fan, this is worth the purchase especially when it is on sale. (sometimes it can go as low as $6.50) Expand
  98. May 5, 2014
    10
    this is the best game that has been released for ps4 it is a game you must get because once you play it, you see that it's worth doing options that you didn't do before.
  99. Feb 22, 2019
    8
    A pretty decent prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. It's only one map but there's a decent amount of replayability. Isn't the longest game but considering it's not a full price game, I can get over it. Pick it up if you intent on playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
  100. Apr 16, 2014
    9
    To figure out the value of this game, it is key is to figure out whether you fit within the "fun" parameters that Hideo has optimized his effort for or not. If you are, I hope reviews have not scared you off because MGSV-GS can be a great game. I have always been attracted by the MGS franchise but was always dissapointed when trying the games. So I cannot be considered an MGS or Hideo fanTo figure out the value of this game, it is key is to figure out whether you fit within the "fun" parameters that Hideo has optimized his effort for or not. If you are, I hope reviews have not scared you off because MGSV-GS can be a great game. I have always been attracted by the MGS franchise but was always dissapointed when trying the games. So I cannot be considered an MGS or Hideo fan but rather a newcomer to the series. I do love stealth and tactical games however: Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, Rainbow Six, Dishonored, Hitman, ... you get the picture. I got the last MGSV-GS trophy yesterday, the effort took me 18 hours of actual gameplay and I enjoyed every minute of it. I will still come back to the game but now I felt compelled to drop a review. 18 hours is what many full-price titles put on offer, so value is good unless those hours are repetitive or lack diversity. That is the key question to ask yourself.

    What turned me off mostly in earlier efforts were the clunky controls. This time around, these are spot on. You are controlling an Action Man with rewarding capabilities, including ability to take weapons from enemies to hold them up, surprise them and force them to the ground, force them to call their friends, interrogate them for information, choke them, ... Very rewarding close quarter combat system and the weapon mechanisms feel right once gotten used to. When going prone, something needed in MGSV-GS, the game solves some of the normal "movement restriction" problems in a very nice way.

    What is the biggest turn-off for many is that the whole game takes place in a single military camp. The term "open world" has been brought up but it really isn't. The area isn't larger than mission areas found in e.g. newer Ghost Recon games and one of my dissapointments in a tactical game like this is that enemies still tend to pop out of nowhere when using the binocular even if they should be visible to the naked eye. This is true even on the PS4 hardware and is one of the flaws of the game that had actual impact on gameplay. Otherwise, the graphics are really great and immersive but for graphics-buffs it does not fully compare to the output of engines that were optimized for the PS4 even if it meets the 60fps holy grail mark.

    Rather than thinking of open world one should think of this game as having "large tactical freedom and with many ways that missions may play out". For instance, when observing your enemies conversations, you will discover multiple paths to your objectives and a perfect stealth strategy may be suddenly voided by an uncareful moment which means that the rest of the mission plays out quite differently. All approaches are fun, and compared to other stealth games where one would often reload checkpoints to continue the planned strategy, it is rewarding to continue and see how the game now turns out. You observe and you plan continously which is rewarding for patient types. Or you go in with guns blazing which also has some chance of success provided it is done in a skilled manner. You can ride trucks to your advantage, you can steal armored vehicles and jeeps to escape the base to complete a mission, you can call in a support helicopter to get you out of tight spot, etc. Lots of tactical freedom.

    There are six missions. Main mission is a search and rescue mission which also has some side-missions. Other missions have you eliminate certain enemies, acquire intel, destroy anti-air emplacements, and then there is a bonus mission depending on what platform you are on. On PS, this is a sneaking mission that has you re-create scenes from earlier MGS games. A different mission has you sit on the helicopter, providing air support to rescue a special intel operative from the base. All missions provide some diversity, and the trophy system is well made to guide the player through different play styles. Once one has eleminated the two soldiers on the base, the next challenge is to neutralize them and extract them via chopper without having them killed (including stray gun fire). Each mission plays out at different times of day, ranging from bright daylight to deep and rainy night missions. These parameters impact the gameplay in fairly realistic and rewarding ways.

    So overall, MGS is a well implemented game. The drawing and view distance does occasionally impact the gameplay which is the biggest technical flaw I found in the game. The game offers a lot of diversity in game-play options, in approaching missions, and in mission objectives. In my case, 18 hours of continuous fun to accomplish all the defined game-objectives. However, the game offers nearly no diversity in scenery and the military base that forms the platform for the game is quite small. One will have to decide what type of diversity one needs from a game to conclude whether it is worth the money. If scenery is everything, the game can be completed in 15-20 minutes.
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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 70
  2. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. Jul 3, 2014
    60
    There might be an interesting game in this engine, but it’s not here, not yet, and as a result Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is at best a very expensive demo that should only be approached with the lowest expectations.
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    May 16, 2014
    60
    Newbies will be lost, veterans not satisfied. It’s firing on all cylinders but the rounds don’t last. Nice showcase of the new engine, though. [Issue#241]
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    May 11, 2014
    85
    Short but oh so sweet! [Apr 2014]