Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6369 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4,905 out of 6369
  2. Mixed: 824 out of 6369
  3. Negative: 640 out of 6369
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  1. Bollywongaloid
    Sep 9, 2015
    7
    Really difficult for me to put a score on this... Mechanically, the game is near perfect and is a joy to play for the most part. Controls are intuitive, graphics are great, performs at a constant 60 FPS etc. It's a fantastic game. But, for some reason, as a huge MGS fan who's played the series since the 80's, I'm disappointed too. I hate the episodic structure to the game, the motherReally difficult for me to put a score on this... Mechanically, the game is near perfect and is a joy to play for the most part. Controls are intuitive, graphics are great, performs at a constant 60 FPS etc. It's a fantastic game. But, for some reason, as a huge MGS fan who's played the series since the 80's, I'm disappointed too. I hate the episodic structure to the game, the mother base metagame belongs on an iPad and the story is so bare bones I sometimes had to remind myself I was playing a metal gear game (twists are predictable too).

    In short, it makes too many concessions to the modern gaming world. A real shame.    … Expand
  2. Pandur
    Sep 11, 2015
    10
    To make one thing clear: 0 point reviews are mainly "sponsored" by opposing industry which is why they are mainly pointless. Some of the 10 point reviews may be "sponsored" too – but in case of MGS V 10 points are fully justified from an objective point of view. Simple as that. A modern classic as for me.
  3. AndyZ88
    Sep 8, 2015
    7
    As a new player to the MGS series, I gave into the pre-launch hype and I was excited about it, but ultimately I feel the game was overall a disappointment. The graphics are good and the lighting is masterfully done, but there's not a lot of other positive things I can say about the game.

    The world feels empty and feels like it's created just to tie together a bunch of outposts. The    As a new player to the MGS series, I gave into the pre-launch hype and I was excited about it, but ultimately I feel the game was overall a disappointment. The graphics are good and the lighting is masterfully done, but there's not a lot of other positive things I can say about the game.

    The world feels empty and feels like it's created just to tie together a bunch of outposts. The scenery looks really good, but I can't help think how lazy the devs were when 3/4 out of the surface of the Afghanistan map is made of corridors through rocks. Which, admittedly, look beautiful.. I was also surprised by how rigid the animations look, and what a lack of variety there is. They could've at least added some more animations to the close-quarters fighting & such..

    There really aren't many things to do in this game world, other than the "kill this guy" / "save that guy" repetitive missions, set in the same bases, over and over again. The gameplay is also not very deep, the whole game consists basically of crawling up to an enemy, interrogating him and extracting him with the Fulton device. There are gadgets you can use, but the open world and rigid nature of it prevent you from having any meaningful stealth takedowns & tactics. At some point I just gave up and played it as a shooter, but then I realised the shooting mechanics are also unimpressive.

    The AI is bad. Sometimes is spots you from miles away, during night time...Sometimes it can't see you a couple of meters away. Sometimes you are 20m away pointing the gun at them and they're just trying to figure out what's in front of them... Also it's very underwhelming, it's like the AI has no tactic, the enemies are just flocking to take cover where ever they can and that's it... No flanking tactics, very predictable, very easy to clean out entire bases, it makes you feel like you're the Terminator, not some special ops guy who still needs to be a ghost to survive a base full of soldiers...

    I'm not going to say anything about the story. As a first time MGS player, it obviously doesn't carry much weight for me, as it does for MGS fans. The storytelling style in MGS is not really something I enjoy, to me the cutscenes and character behavior is just weird. I'm just gonna leave it at "I don't get the artist's vision".

    All in all, I feel like if this game hadn't been called Metal Gear Solid, it would get far from the 10/10 reviews it's getting, and would receive far less attention. And it's sad to see a game with so many flaws and so many shortcomings, pull out these perfect marks in supposedly professional magazines, and get these "BEST GAME EVER" reactions.... No, it is far from a "best game ever", and it's far from GOTY 2015. In the year of the Witcher, Batman AK, Bloodborne, Dying Light, the upcoming Fallout 4, it simply doesn't have the quality to compete at this level.    … Expand
  4. deongun
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    I've been waiting for MGS 5 : TPP for more than 3 years. I was worried too much expectation could give the same amount of disappointment. However, that was groundless fear. Hideo Kojima exerted all of his talent, which makes the game exceed my expectation. I dare to say I respect Hideo Kojima as the best game director in the world. If you are having trouble deciding whether to play thisI've been waiting for MGS 5 : TPP for more than 3 years. I was worried too much expectation could give the same amount of disappointment. However, that was groundless fear. Hideo Kojima exerted all of his talent, which makes the game exceed my expectation. I dare to say I respect Hideo Kojima as the best game director in the world. If you are having trouble deciding whether to play this game or not, YOU MUST DO IT MORE THAN ONCE… Expand
  5. AngryRoach
    Sep 1, 2015
    9
    Great framerate, smooth gameplay, decent graphics. By far the best mgs yet. Kojima did a great job with this one, it's sad that he will probably never make an another mgs game.
  6. Tf-81
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    The best game I've ever played.
    All in this game is perfect.
    It's not just a fanboy's point of view, this game will change your future.
    Thanks Mister Kojima for this jewel.
  7. carlingtat
    Sep 4, 2015
    7
    I own all the major Metal Gear Solid Releases(1-5 & Peace Walker) and consider myself a huge fan of the series and I eagerly awaited the finale of the series but now that I've played over 25 hours I cant help be disappointed by what is the last true Metal Gear Solid game and the fact its finished with a whimper.

    Pluses: +The stealth and gameplay are without doubt the best they've ever    I own all the major Metal Gear Solid Releases(1-5 & Peace Walker) and consider myself a huge fan of the series and I eagerly awaited the finale of the series but now that I've played over 25 hours I cant help be disappointed by what is the last true Metal Gear Solid game and the fact its finished with a whimper.

    Pluses:
    +The stealth and gameplay are without doubt the best they've ever been and I really enjoy trying to complete each mission and side op with the perfect stealth & no kills bonus.

    +The game looks great with the new Fox Engine and for such a big game there are little to no bugs with some great optimization.

    +Extra objectives in Missions and Side Ops give the player so much to do. I've played over 25 hours and still at only 20% complete

    +Characters and Cinematic scenes are, as always, top-notch work

    +Buddy system allows for backup on missions and side ops. Quiet is very handy to have as cover fire.

    Negatives:
    - Huge open worlds are pointless if theres barely anything in it. Both Africa and Afghanistan are huge in area but little in content. Small outposts and bases are spread wide leaving the map with about 70-80% wasteland.

    -Side ops and Mother Base staff management become crucial without the game notifying you. I spent a long time defeating a boss only to find that I needed a Transport Specialist staff member to complete the mission, a fact the game did not inform me of. Another frustrating hour of searching the internet and the maps for this specialist ensued.

    -Narrative is badly paced. After the prologue it was hours before I progressed the story in any way. Metal Gear Solid has always been excellent example in a narrative driven game but TPP doesnt seem to have much story left to tell and it seems like its a side story to the missions.

    -Hiding is just pointless in this game. Another key aspect of previous MGS games has vanished. Once you've been discovered the only way of dodging enemies is by fleeing mainly because there are very few places to hide.

    This is really a 7.5 but for a whole number rating.

    -Health and Supplies are a huge annoyance in this game. There aren't many supplies around when you need them and the guns cannot hold a lot of ammo meaning you need to constantly call for supply drops. Old system of being able to have all the weapons is gone and replaced by a loadout of 4 weapons max. Also have to hide for long periods to wait for your health to recover instead of using rations while annoying blood spatters on screen reducing your visibility.

    -Micro-transactions. All that needs to be said about this. Anyone defending micro-transactions in a £40/€60 game is an idiot.    … Expand
  8. MadGear25
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    MGS v is a masterpiece, the prologue is so terrifying and great, the voice acting is awesome, and the visual is really excellent. You have many ways to finish the mission, many things to do besides doing mission, like collecting materials, animals and more. Upgrading your mother base and equipment also feels satisfying and rewarding. the day and night cycle made the mission feel differentMGS v is a masterpiece, the prologue is so terrifying and great, the voice acting is awesome, and the visual is really excellent. You have many ways to finish the mission, many things to do besides doing mission, like collecting materials, animals and more. Upgrading your mother base and equipment also feels satisfying and rewarding. the day and night cycle made the mission feel different and sometimes more challenging. This game is almost perfect for an open-world infiltration with the great action gameplay and nice story, MGS V is obviously the best MGS ever made by Kojima.… Expand
  9. Kujoman
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    V has come and so have I. Excellent presentation, amazing gameplay and a great soundtrack. Pick this up if you're a fan of the stealth genre or metal gear solid. RIGHT NOW
  10. YakubXen
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Just say thx for Kojima... this is amazing game... action,stealth, strategy , and make me fun for play..... se yaa later kojima for ur next game......
  11. SWERY_51
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    It takes it's time to really begins, but it's just freaking awesome. The gameplay is just the best you can find in that kind of game, the possibilities are incredible. The graphics are great, and the story is, if you reach the real final, just mind blowing. Whatever you are fan or not of the MGS franchise, it's a must buy. Certainly GOTY, it's gonna be one of the most memorable game ofIt takes it's time to really begins, but it's just freaking awesome. The gameplay is just the best you can find in that kind of game, the possibilities are incredible. The graphics are great, and the story is, if you reach the real final, just mind blowing. Whatever you are fan or not of the MGS franchise, it's a must buy. Certainly GOTY, it's gonna be one of the most memorable game of this new generation. Thank you Hideo Kojima !… Expand
  12. Regginrellik
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    This game honestly started off like a horror game. The atmosphere almost felt like dead space 2 and man was it awesome. The graphics of course are absolutely stunning and the controls are responsive as ever. Definitely a day one buy in my opinion.
  13. heisenberg88
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Ive never been so captivated by the start of a game.. It was like entering a movie that you were apart of.. not actually part of it ofcourse because that would horrifying added with extreme anxiety. But something Kojima does to turn a game into a whole cinematic experience has always been impressive. The graphics are the best ive seen but even if they weren't, everything about theIve never been so captivated by the start of a game.. It was like entering a movie that you were apart of.. not actually part of it ofcourse because that would horrifying added with extreme anxiety. But something Kojima does to turn a game into a whole cinematic experience has always been impressive. The graphics are the best ive seen but even if they weren't, everything about the experience adds to the game being a thrilling ride. Ground Zeroes was a sick little tease when it happened, and really left most of us disappointed, but I guarantee after people play this, you will never hear about that again.… Expand
  14. goga12309s
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    This game is perfect! MGS 5 The Phantom Pain is my favorite Metal Gear Solid. I recommend this game to all. If you like excellent games, then do not pass by Mgs 5.
  15. Sobako
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    A Hideo Kojima Game.

    Thx Hideo for great game, great gameplay, great story.
    Thx for greatest saga in the history of the gaming industry.

    MGS V - Game Of The Year.
  16. Countdown
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    A masterpiece in the eyes of those who game! I strongly recommend this game because of its thrilling story and in depth gameplay! Every second you are reading this review is another second that you are missing out on playing MGSV: The Phantom Pain!
  17. KsEgianma
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    A wonderful game that touches the heart of every metal gear fan out there. Great soundtrack, outstanding gameplay, a giant open world to take on in infinitely different ways. Kojima's last Metal Gear Solid is the game next in line to become not only a "game of the year" , but "game of the decade". This is a Day One Must-buy. Thank you Hideo.
  18. Stillmatic
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    There should be a rule about people giving a score of 0 because they are obviously made up. Seriously do some people have nothing better to do. Kojima has saved the best til last. Perhaps this is how he wanted it from the start but its been a journey. For Mgs fans and real gamers, this feels like the end of an era. Enjoy and as Naomi hunter once said. Live snake. Thank u Mr Kojima for allThere should be a rule about people giving a score of 0 because they are obviously made up. Seriously do some people have nothing better to do. Kojima has saved the best til last. Perhaps this is how he wanted it from the start but its been a journey. For Mgs fans and real gamers, this feels like the end of an era. Enjoy and as Naomi hunter once said. Live snake. Thank u Mr Kojima for all the years of Metal Gear.… Expand
  19. Solidosnake
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Fainaly METAL GEAR SOLID 5 I my hand - I played a great open world and stealth game but mgs v was a legend - exelant missons - legend story - great open world - great gameplay .
    Best MEATL GEAR SOLID EVER
  20. Crisis7
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. KONAMI! Reflect on yourself about your mistake
    look at this! This is KOJIMA game.
    Socrates left a famous saying, "The unexamined life is not worth living."    … Expand
  21. OttomanEmpire
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    An amazing game through and through. Kojima's last hurrah really proves to be his best one. Never have I played a game that pays this close attention to detail.

    The gameplay is unique and challenging. If you want to make change in your series, take a page from metal gear solid's book. Everything feels so new yet familiar at the same time. Sutherland's performance as Big Boss is    An amazing game through and through. Kojima's last hurrah really proves to be his best one. Never have I played a game that pays this close attention to detail.

    The gameplay is unique and challenging. If you want to make change in your series, take a page from metal gear solid's book. Everything feels so new yet familiar at the same time.

    Sutherland's performance as Big Boss is fantastic as is Troy Baker's as Ocelot.

    Play this game, it's amazing and proof that Kojima still has it.    … Expand
  22. Captiosus
    Sep 4, 2015
    7
    The game is structurally sound and plays as one would expect a modern Metal Gear Solid game to play. Graphically it's better than most and the gameplay is pretty good. I have a few quibbles about the play, such as Big Boss' movement - he feels sluggish, almost drunk - and some pretty unrefined gunplay, but these quibbles aren't really that big of a deal. The narration is ho-hum andThe game is structurally sound and plays as one would expect a modern Metal Gear Solid game to play. Graphically it's better than most and the gameplay is pretty good. I have a few quibbles about the play, such as Big Boss' movement - he feels sluggish, almost drunk - and some pretty unrefined gunplay, but these quibbles aren't really that big of a deal. The narration is ho-hum and sometimes absolutely annoying, especially when getting harassed a bunch at Mother Base. But I could list a dozen games that are infinitely worse in this aspect.

    The problem I'm having with the game is that I'm finding it all so dreadfully BORING. I've enjoyed every Metal Gear game since its inception back on the NES, including the movie-fest that was MGS4, but for some reason MGS5 just doesn't really make me want to keep playing. So far it's missing the "WOW! DID YOU SEE THAT!" factor. The game features large terrains but they're are mostly bereft of life outside of your side ops and main mission areas. 15 hours in and I'm already tired of the samey repetition of the game's mission designs.

    The open world design doesn't seem all that impressive because most of the time is spent just traversing to predetermined destinations. But it's sure beautiful to look at. Also, the microtransactions really grate my nerves. I don't understand how anyone can defend this behavior. I don't think this is a Kojima design - I'm almost certain this was forced into the game by Konami.

    (Sorry, posted this here when I meant to put it in the PC reviews.)    … Expand
  23. zairthebear
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Best Game of all time! Magnificent, immersive story that pull you along at a perfect pace. The gameplay is open, fluid and fun at all times, with many variables to play with and infinite replayability. At the ending of the game: Snake dies of bronchitis.

    P.S: A Hideo Kojima Game
  24. ghostliving
    Sep 2, 2015
    10
    Kojima-san made another masterpiece. Even the prologue of this game worth it for playing and cant explain the rest. Everyone must play this epic game.
  25. Dimov
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    I've been playing Metal Gear since the PSX, so undoubtly I had a great hype for the game. At firts, I thought it was going to be a bad thing, that the game would not be able to reach those expectations. I was so goddamn wrong. This game is AMAZING. It's a masterpiece. Though I'm very into the Metal Gear Saga lore, what really shines on this one is the gameplay. Everything seems conected,I've been playing Metal Gear since the PSX, so undoubtly I had a great hype for the game. At firts, I thought it was going to be a bad thing, that the game would not be able to reach those expectations. I was so goddamn wrong. This game is AMAZING. It's a masterpiece. Though I'm very into the Metal Gear Saga lore, what really shines on this one is the gameplay. Everything seems conected, and I always wished for a Metal Gear that put you in a real war situation, where mistakes can happen and you have to work things out. You can go shooting the hell out of enemies If you need to, meanwhile it gives a couple obvious negative scores, it rewards the feeling of a "Bad Ass Moment" on finding a way out of trouble alive. This game asks you to be smart and use clever maneuvers. So buy this freaking game, If you like challenges (the game itself and those that you make on your own, for fun), try **** just go buy it!!!… Expand
  26. NicoleCativa
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Perfect!! V has come to! Metal Gear Solid is the best game franchise ever! This is epic! My long wait is over and I'm loving the game!! In the first 12 minutes I got shocked, almost cried, got crazy and excited so much stuff, so much emotion!! GOTY no doubts!
  27. dharma
    Sep 1, 2015
    9
    A Hideo Kojima game....They tried to remove it...but when you pop in the disc, nobody can deny it. It is Kojima at his best, and while this review is based on the early hours of the game, Metal Gear Solid V gives me the same feeling it did with the original MGS many years ago on PSOne....a sense of awe and a true justification..HELL YEAH..this is the a game worthy of the next generation ofA Hideo Kojima game....They tried to remove it...but when you pop in the disc, nobody can deny it. It is Kojima at his best, and while this review is based on the early hours of the game, Metal Gear Solid V gives me the same feeling it did with the original MGS many years ago on PSOne....a sense of awe and a true justification..HELL YEAH..this is the a game worthy of the next generation of consoles. Other developers may have promised it...but here Kojima delivers, what may be Konami's 'last great game' after firing his chief developer and focusing on mobile gaming (?). No more rough mechanics...everything is smoothed out. Graphics are beautiful beyond belief...and of course, the crazy MGS plotline...still present. A candidate for game of the year...for sure. Bravo.… Expand
  28. Paranoik
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Basically on of the best games I played in my entire life. It may sound weird and suspicious, but damn, this game raise the plank so high that I don't think anyone can beat it. And if they can - I would be damn happy about game industry evolving so fast and becoming so great. Thank you, Kojima Productions and Konami. Keep doing a great job.
  29. vZeqk___
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    Honestly one of the best games i have ever played beautiful in depth story that respects the other Metal Gear Solid games but still manages to completely new and fresh.
  30. Bboy23
    Sep 1, 2015
    10
    All you gotta know its that this is not a GTA game, its an open world military infiltration game with awesome story, infinite replayability and lots of stuff to do, the reviewers who say the game is crap have rated the game crap already 3 times in a row within 3 hours, they are obviously trying to change peoples minds, but, please, give it a try, you won't regret it
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS4 Game of 2015
4
#4 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
3
#3 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 86 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 86
  3. Negative: 0 out of 86
  1. Polygon
    Dec 3, 2015
    90
    If this is where Kojima does finally leave the series he created, it will be a bittersweet send-off, both for Big Boss and one of gaming's most intriguing auteurs.
    Read full review
  2. Time
    Nov 10, 2015
    100
    The holy grail of world-building games, it’s argued, is a black box that lets players do as they like with minimal handholding. Pliability with just the right measure of accountability. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, a tactical stealth simulation wrapped in a colossal resource management puzzle inside a love letter to theatrical inscrutability, comes the closest of any game I’ve yet played to realizing that ideal.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Nov 5, 2015
    91
    There’s no denying the Game of the Year potential of The Phantom Pain. The campaign is absolutely massive, it’s almost too much to cope. That being said, Chapter II is a huge let-down and feels like artificial padding. Still, this is about as good as tactical espionage operations can get in a video game. [Oct 2015]
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