Ground Zeroes seems like a rather confusing game. In fact the entire Metal Gear Solid V situation left me confused for months before Ground Zeroes actually released, with contradictory information about the link between Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain appearing seemingly weekly. I know it’s a situation somewhat akin to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, but Prologue had the advantage that it wasn’t narrative driven.
Confusion aside, the real problem for me is the length. While I’m on board with games of any length, the 90 minutes that Teflon pegs the game’s main mission at in his review does seem overly short. I mean you can lump in the cutscenes, that only seems fair given how much a Metal Gear Solid title relies on them, and add on the side missions, but even then it doesn’t seem like there’s really enough to justify the cost.
On the more positive side of things, Tef was impressed by the variety of ways you can “infiltrate and explore” Camp Omega, saying that the game’s “real joy will come [from] using this area as your personal playground”. He praised the way you’re given “multiple routes and options for getting from one place to another”, avoiding the various patrols and watch towers as you go.
The game’s graphical presentation received praise too, with Tef calling it a “graphical tour de force for the FOX Engine and PS4”. He also highlighted the way that the game’s time of day and weather, elements that shift in the side missions, really effect it’s look, as well as the way they alter how the game plays in these missions. Playing in “blazing sunshine as you go in to plant a series of explosives on some AA guns” obviously has a very different look to “the rainy darkness of the main mission”, and it seems these differences are really reflected in the gameplay.
However, it seems like the game’s length really held it back for Tef, as he only rated it as a 6/10. Here’s what he had to say as he wrapped up his review:
Splitting Ground Zeroes back into a separate release was always going to be contentious. Thankfully, there is a lot more gameplay and depth than the early reports of the main mission’s length suggested and it’s full of potential for exploration, fan service and Kojima’s particular brand of hackneyed allegories.
Unfortunately, there is still too little primary content to justify the £29.99 price tag or even the £19.99 digital pricing for PS3/360, so I can’t recommend this to anyone but a die hard MGS fan.
As per usual, it’s now time to ask you what you thought of this prequel to The Phantom Pain. Would you rather it was included with The Phantom Pain like the oil tanker sequence in Metal Gear Solid 2, or do you think that there’s enough here to justify a stand alone release? Are you getting value for money from the game, or do you think it needed to be a little longer for the money you paid?
If you want to share your opinion all you need to do is drop us a comment below, remembering to tack on a rating using our Buy It, Sale It, Plus It, Avoid It scale so that we can sum up the community’s opinion in Monday’s WeView Verdict.
JR.
I’m not going to vote because I haven’t played the game. Not because I didn’t want to but because I wont support this disgusting practice. Releasing what was basically a demo and charging excited fans (£20/£30) who were desperate to get their hands on the next installment, just doesnt sit right with me.
Foxhound_Solid
I’m the world biggest Metal Gear Solid fan. I’ve completed games like Ghost Babel and ran through Digital Graphic Novel.
I’ve completed them all hundreds of times. So I feel pretty well positioned to offer a viewpoint.
The Good
It’s Metal Gear, it’s beautifully presented, it plays very well and offers genuine atmosphere and tension as all Metal Gears do. Foundation and questions are laid to set the games president. It’s a glimpse into what the future holds for PS4 and Kojimas magical world.
The Bad
It’s tiny, it’s woolly in its story telling and in all honesty should have been dropped as a demo or at best a Metal Gear Chapter via the Psn for £4.99 all in. So this removes a lot of the good work already done. See what I did there? ‘Good’ work….I’ll get my coat.
The Ugly
I think the power struggle between Hideo and Konami clearly started with this offering.
I can’t say avoid as I love all the games. So I would say give it a whirl if you’re a huge fan. If not and you don’t want that financial commitment, either borrow it or watch it being completed on YouTube.
It’s been played and I chime in when I can, it’ll stay on my shelf so it can sit with Five when it drops.
TSBonyman
Apart from the fact that a paid demo is just wrong, playing said demo has only dampened my enthusiasm for Phantom Pain. Avoid It.
Eldur
I’m quite surprised that so many people are saying Avoid.
I remember the community got hung up on the game’s length at launch, although I’ve always seen that as missing the point. This is a game that’s about doing away with Kojima-san’s traditionally lengthy expositions, instead choosing to focus on dropping the player into a sandbox in which they can experiment with the game’s amazingly adaptable gameplay systems.
For me, this approach made this iteration of MGS feel much tighter and more dynamic than many of the previous entries – once I’d gotten past the story the game suddenly opened up and I became obsessed with setting goals for myself, rather than accepting the rote script of the narrative. Do I speed-run or concentrate on stealth? Kill everybody on the base or avoid engagement entirely whilst rescuing the all of the hostages? Forbid myself from using firearms or use the rocket launcher to get the biggest multi-kill possible? It’s a game that revels in supporting and providing for the player, no matter how they might choose to approach the relatively modest setting – a feature that is becoming increasingly rare in triple A games.
Ground Zeroes is so wonderfully open and empowering that I literally cannot wait to get my hands on The Phantom Pain – a ringing endorsement for a game that is essential for any fan of the MGS franchise or stealth combat in general.
…Or even just those that like to see how many guards can be thrown off watchtowers before people start noticing.
Buy it.
PARKER94!
First time ive actually logged in to drop a comment, after see’ing all the negativity i feel as though the game needs somebody on their side.
Although this game isnt the one ive played the most on PS4 (due to length) It remains my most enjoyed. It truly showcases the power of the PS4 and is a great little fix of Metal Gear Solid. For completion’ists there was, in my opinion, enough to keep you occupied for the mere £10-£15 it goes for on the shelves these days.
Its definately a BUY IT from me
MrJimmy
Thx Parker, after seeing yours above mine, I would have tried at 15 quid, but didn’t. Now I think I’ll wait for the full fat version
PrebbLord
It’s £5.79 on the ps store Easter sale starting today. Well worth picking it up!
MrJimmy
I’m a massive MGS fan, I even wear a limited edition MGS4 watch most days to make me feel all snakey, but I wasn’t going to waste nearly full price money on 5% of a game. Don’t want it!
cam_manutd
Mgs ground zeroes is at its core is a very good game and shows immense potential of what will come in phantom pain this year. From its wonderful graphics, voice acting to the gameplay the foundations have been set for phantom pain. But those foundations were not needed. This chapter of the game could have been included in the main game (watch out for a bundle in the future). It’s running time is very short and it’s action brief. I liked how it set events but it could have been included with the main game. The side and extra ops are okay but nothing to shout about particularly. The game could have done with a multiplayer and cooperation mode to show off more of the game. Hell why not bundle a remaster in there to bulk the value or something-anything to make it necessary. Because despite enjoying the game it isn’t worth the time and it’s disheartening to say that about an mgs game. Wait for mgs5 and the inevitable bundle in the future. Avoid it from me.
CrawFail
I’ve bought this game twice, on PS3 and PS4. Firstly because I’m a massive MGS fan and secondly because I felt this game deserved buying for the PS4 upgrade.
It’s short, yes..but it’s also pretty bloody good. One mission which will take you short of two hours to get through but the infiltration methods can vary hugely with each play through.
Yes, it’s basically a demo and I did feel a little underwhelmed for the money I have paid for it but in my opinion, there are much worse ways to spend £20. Hell, there are much worse ways to spend even double that these days..on consoles and on PC.
I look at it as an investment. Similar to Kickstarter. The main game is still a way off but staffing a development costs still need covering. They put out a game to satiate us for a little, but to also put some cash back in the Phantom Pain kittie.
You can get this game for very cheap these days. And it’s worth every penny.
BUY IT. Close your curtains. Turn up your sound system/headset and immerse yourself in a brilliant little environment for a while.
psychobudgie
I want to say avoid as Konami pulled a fast one with it, but as demo’s go it is a pretty good one, but then PT was free to those with PS+ and it’s on a par with it in what it delivers so I’ll probably say plus it. I certainly wouldn’t recommend parting with any actual money for it unless you are intent on building up a collection of MGS inspired drink coasters.
PrebbLord
I absolutely love Ground Zeroes. There’s lot of freedom on how to approach each mission and a massive improvement for the series gameplay-wise. For a MGS fan, it provided me with plenty of hours of fun. I would say sale it since for most people it wouldn’t last too long, but since it’s so cheap everywhere now I’m gonna have to go with BUY IT! It’s on sale on the ps store right now but I highly recommend at least playing MGS3 and Peace Walker first.