Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Presentation

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain continues the events of Ground Zeroes in 1984, nine years after the destruction of Snake's military organization. Now surrounded by the Diamond Dogs, he begins a campaign of revenge against those responsible for his downfall, with Skull Face and the XOF organization at the center of his investigation.

The game significantly changes the traditional structure of the series by introducing large open areas set mainly in Afghanistan and the border region between Angola and Zaire. The same mission can be approached through several routes and methods, allowing the player to choose between stealth, non-lethal takedowns, long-range support or direct combat.

The day-night cycle and weather also influence operations. Waiting until nightfall can make infiltration easier, while a sandstorm or changes in patrol patterns can disrupt a carefully prepared plan. Enemies can also gradually adapt their equipment to tactics Snake uses frequently.

Stealth relies on observation, marking enemies, suppressed weapons, CQC and a wide range of equipment. Missions offer considerable freedom in how to reach an objective, extract a target or leave an area.

The Fulton system becomes one of the central elements of progression. Soldiers, prisoners, animals, vehicles and resources can be extracted from the field and sent back to Mother Base. Recruits are then assigned to different units to improve intelligence, support or research and development.

Mother Base evolves alongside the campaign. Building new platforms and recruiting personnel unlocks weapons, gadgets and upgrades that in turn expand the options available during missions.

Snake can also enter the field with a Buddy. D-Horse helps with transportation, D-Dog can identify certain threats, Quiet provides long-range support and D-Walker combines mobility with firepower. Their effectiveness and available abilities improve with continued use.

Main missions are complemented by side operations and optional objectives. This structure encourages players to return to the field with new equipment or a different approach rather than follow a completely linear progression.

The Phantom Pain therefore preserves the stealth principles of Metal Gear Solid while placing them inside a much more open structure where preparation, improvisation and Mother Base development are directly connected.

Key points

• A story set in 1984, nine years after Ground Zeroes.
• Snake leads the new mercenary organization known as the Diamond Dogs.
• Large open areas in Afghanistan and Central Africa.
• Considerable freedom of approach when completing missions.
• A day-night cycle and weather system that can alter infiltration conditions.
• The return of CQC, lethal weapons and non-lethal solutions.
• The Fulton system allows soldiers, vehicles and resources to be extracted.
• Mother Base grows through recovered personnel and resources.
• New research unlocks weapons, equipment and upgrades.
• Several Buddies can accompany Snake in the field.
• Skull Face and XOF play a central role in the campaign.

Conclusion

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain places the series' stealth gameplay inside an open structure that gives players unusual freedom in how each operation is prepared and carried out.

Mother Base and the Fulton system extend the consequences of field actions directly into progression: recruiting a soldier, recovering resources or extracting equipment contributes to the development of new capabilities for future missions.

This structure makes preparation, experimentation and adaptation central to the experience while continuing the story begun in Ground Zeroes around Snake, XOF and the consequences of their conflict.

Good to know

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami Digital Entertainment.

The game was released worldwide starting on September 1, 2015 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.

It uses the FOX Engine, also used for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes serves as the prologue to The Phantom Pain. It takes place in 1975, while the main story of The Phantom Pain begins in 1984, nine years later.

The main campaign is a single-player experience, complemented by separate online features such as Forward Operating Bases (FOB) and Metal Gear Online.

A Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience edition was released in 2016 and includes Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain and various additional contents.

This entry focuses on the main campaign, open-world stealth, Mother Base and the core systems of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, without detailing the multiplayer modes and additional content separately.