Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1535 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 736 out of 1535
  2. Mixed: 433 out of 1535
  3. Negative: 366 out of 1535
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  1. Chops
    Mar 18, 2014
    5
    I beat this game in 23 minutes. It's $30. That's more than $1/minute.

    Don't buy this game. Rent it for a day. I own every MGS and every game Kojima has ever made (including Policenauts, Snacher, etc) Now that we've covered the fact that this is a $30 demo and a shameless cash-grab that will undoubtedly be a huge tarnish on the otherwise amazing reputation of our beloved Kojima,    I beat this game in 23 minutes. It's $30. That's more than $1/minute.

    Don't buy this game. Rent it for a day.

    I own every MGS and every game Kojima has ever made (including Policenauts, Snacher, etc)

    Now that we've covered the fact that this is a $30 demo and a shameless cash-grab that will undoubtedly be a huge tarnish on the otherwise amazing reputation of our beloved Kojima, let's move on to all of the changes to the game itself.

    0.) NO CODEC! - You know that little communication radio? The small feature that let you call people, save games, get help, get hints, hear funny conversations, etc? You know, the little thing that has been in EVERY major MGS release? Well now it's in ALMOST every major MGS release. The codec is gone.

    1.) No more camo - You remember that small "active camouflage" mechanic in MGS4? You know, the little mechanic that basically defined the series? Yeah, well that's gone. And not just it, the entire camouflage concept all together.

    2.) Inventory - The simple, streamlined inventory that was perfected over generations of MGS' is just gone. Period. The simple HUD inventory that would momentarily paused the game while you accessed it has been replaced with an ultra-generic D-PAD option we've seen in so many other games. It also doesn't pause the game. This is a lot more irritating than you'd think.

    3.) Health/Stamina gauges - It turns out that we didn't need these either. MGS has now joined the ranks of health-less, stamina-less, auto-regenerating shooters. How progressive.

    4.) Rations/Drugs - Naturally, without a concern for health or energy, we don't really need rations or medications anymore, right? So if you're looking for that fix of Diazepam and a warm can of rations, you've come to the wrong place.

    5.) Combat - Among other things, the CQC system we've gotten used to over the years has also been modified with an unusual *MENU* that appears when subduing an enemy in combat. The ability to stick to walls has also been altered.

    6.) No more mini-map - This is a bigger deal than it sounds. If you remember, the mini-map showed you the visual field of the enemies in addition to navigating complex areas. Now to access your map it requires going into an entirely different screen.

    7.) No Hiding - No more hiding in trash-cans or closets. If you're trying to get away from an enemy your only option is to run.. or lay on your belly.

    8.) No easter-eggs - This is a huge one. This is an ENTIRE GAME without any obvious/interesting easter-eggs, funny messages, clever conversations, entertaining posters or weird magazines.

    9.) Super-Generic Level - There is only ONE TINY MAP IN THIS ENTIRE GAME. It's a generic, open military base with no buildings, no interesting hiding spots, nothing.

    10.) No saving - Autosaves only.

    11.) No more money - This means no more Drebin, no more purchasing guns or items and no more upgrading.

    12.) No card-board box - What more do I need to say about this one?

    I hate to use the word "fanboy," but the people who are saying things like "the negative comments clearly come from people who have never played a metal gear game in there life" [sic] or operating on the "if you don't agree with me you're wrong" -mentality might have a *tiny* bit of bias :).    … Expand
  2. the_goat37
    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.
  3. Munchychoochoo
    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
  4. 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.
  5. komaschwarz
    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!
  6. Rhyzak
    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
  7. Kaniya
    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
  8. Zer0xPoint
    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
  9. WarX
    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,
  10. capiroto123
    Mar 18, 2014
    0
    Too short and too expensive. Doesn't deserve a great score. The game uses old animations, dated physics and is too damn short. I've played better demos.
  11. BuyukBurak
    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.
  12. Kaprawiec
    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.
  13. SillyRukus
    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.
  14. badgerryan19
    Jun 19, 2017
    6
    This one is hard to say. Is it a good game? Yes, Very much. Is it worth $30 hell no. That's all I need to say on this one. It's a glorified DLC. I have to score whats there.
  15. HTGamer
    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.    … Expand
  16. SwiftReviews
    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
  17. PurpatraitorMGS
    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.
  18. MelkorMorgoth
    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    … Expand
  19. kapsool
    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
  20. OwtDaft
    Feb 14, 2020
    6
    + What little you get for your money is a lot of fun.
    + The controls are 'solid'.
    - Quality is more important than quantity, but this game really is just too short.
    - The story was too short to make much sense.
    - Sub mission offer extra length but they're in the same location and aren't anything special.
  21. Yajuu
    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
  22. Abhaygamin2002
    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.
  23. KeefRiffards
    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
  24. thethethe
    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.
  25. terminus84
    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
  26. Razv
    Mar 22, 2014
    6
    The only reason why this review isn't a major 10 is because of the length.

    I don't find it acceptable to launch basically a demo for 30$. If it was free, I would've praised them continuously until the launch of the full game. But this, this is just being greedy. Yes, it may take a few hours if you do side-missions, and it will probably take even 10 hours if you spend 8 hours looking    The only reason why this review isn't a major 10 is because of the length.

    I don't find it acceptable to launch basically a demo for 30$. If it was free, I would've praised them continuously until the launch of the full game. But this, this is just being greedy.

    Yes, it may take a few hours if you do side-missions, and it will probably take even 10 hours if you spend 8 hours looking at the sky, however, at the end of the day, it's a approx. 1 hour game, and it should be called a demo (and be free) if you ask me.

    The game is amazing. The gameplay is well designed and complex, the graphics are flawless, and the story is interesting.    … Expand
  27. Azingbo
    Mar 23, 2014
    6
    As good as this 'preview' was I cant help but have a sour taste in my mouth.

    I paid £30 for this and while it sure was a good snapshot of whats to come, it still is a glorified demo.already its trade in value is £12 so even that is not an option to try claw back any cash. Its one of those games that if Netflix still rented games, I would get it just for this. My message is borrow    As good as this 'preview' was I cant help but have a sour taste in my mouth.

    I paid £30 for this and while it sure was a good snapshot of whats to come, it still is a glorified demo.already its trade in value is £12 so even that is not an option to try claw back any cash.

    Its one of those games that if Netflix still rented games, I would get it just for this.

    My message is borrow this from a mate, dont buy it. Worth a play but dont pay!!!    … Expand
  28. irishedd
    Mar 22, 2014
    5
    excellent demo, 24 pound for a demo is way to expensive . looks amazing on the ps4 . i was well gutted when it was over . i would wait for the completed edition when phantom pain is release. penny pinching. avoid
  29. DangoFett
    Jun 3, 2014
    7
    As a huge fan or the Metal Gear series I couldn't wait to finally get a glimpse of what the next main installment of the series, The Phantom Pain, will be like and Ground Zeroes met my expectations. First of all, the game is beautiful and runs at a constant 60fps at 1080p on the PS4.

    In terms of content, there has been much controversy and honestly it is understandable to an extent    As a huge fan or the Metal Gear series I couldn't wait to finally get a glimpse of what the next main installment of the series, The Phantom Pain, will be like and Ground Zeroes met my expectations. First of all, the game is beautiful and runs at a constant 60fps at 1080p on the PS4.

    In terms of content, there has been much controversy and honestly it is understandable to an extent however I have had my fair share of hours put into the game and still haven't quite finished with it yet. There is a lot to do in Ground Zeroes and yes the main story can be finished in 10 minutes but if you're going to buy a game to rush to the end and then leave it why bother buying it in the first place.

    I was a little disappointed to see that knocking on walls had been removed from the game but there are also new features that have been added to the series. Vehicles can be driven for the first time and still contribute to the stealth factor. The codec conversations are still missing, as they were in Peace Walker, but again this is understandable as they wouldn't fit the tempo of the game as they did in other Metal Gear games.

    Metal Gear fans will love this game and will find more to do than those alien to the Metal Gear series so this really is just fan service for Metal Gear fans, such as myself, and I wouldn't recommend Ground Zeroes to people that are new to the series.

    My only real quarrel with Ground Zeroes is not the length and content but the price. Honestly, at release, the game should've been at least half of the price that it was retailed at. But other than that I really enjoyed Ground Zeroes. Hopefully we'll see more of the same in The Phantom Pain and be taken on another ruse cruse by Kojima.    … Expand
  30. Stafmeister
    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.
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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best PS4 Game of 2014
15
#15 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2014
33
#33 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. Thunderbolt
    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.
    Read full review
  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]
See all critic reviews »