METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,384 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES Game Cover
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Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a stealth action game set in 1975 featuring protagonist Big Boss. Players infiltrate a Cuban military base to rescue prisoners and uncover a conspiracy. The game is known for its open-world design and advanced stealth mechanics, providing a challenging and immersive experience. However, its short length has been criticized.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,384 reviews
story855 positive mentions
monetization44 negative mentions
  • story5,677 mentions

    The story of "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" serves as a brief prologue to "The Phantom Pain," focusing on Big Boss's mission to rescue two captured operatives, Paz and Chico, from a Cuban military base. While the main mission can be completed in about an hour, the narrative is enriched through various side missions and collectible cassette tapes that provide additional context and lore, although many players find the overall story too short and lacking depth compared to previous entries in the series. Overall, it is recommended primarily for fans of the franchise who seek to understand the backstory leading into "The Phantom Pain."

    • “The story is dark and engaging, but it's clearly a setup for the main game.”
    • “Ground Zeroes serves as a gripping introduction to the larger Metal Gear Solid V series.”
    • “The main mission, Ground Zeroes, is the prequel to The Phantom Pain, the side ops are extra missions that offer a more clear understanding of the different situations we will probably encounter in the full game release.”
    • “The main story mission can be completed in less than an hour, leaving players wanting more content.”
    • “This game is essentially a demo that is one mission long and is backstory for Phantom Pain.”
    • “The story is very brief and is meant purely as a prequel to the Phantom Pain, don't expect much here.”
  • gameplay1,912 mentions

    The gameplay of "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" is widely praised for its refined stealth mechanics, fluid controls, and impressive graphics, showcasing the capabilities of the Fox Engine. However, many reviewers note that the game is quite short, typically offering only 1-2 hours of main mission gameplay, with additional side missions that can extend playtime. While it serves as an effective introduction to the gameplay style of its successor, "The Phantom Pain," some players feel that the limited content does not justify its price, often describing it as a demo rather than a full game.

    • “Gameplay is a masterpiece; the freedom to approach missions how you want is wonderful.”
    • “The gameplay is tight—Snake moves like a panther, and the controls are super responsive.”
    • “Incredible, best stealth gameplay in the industry.”
    • “This game has 1 map and a maximum of 4 hours of gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay was as I mentioned repetitive and boring.”
    • “The gameplay is shorter than the cutscenes.”
  • graphics1,083 mentions

    The graphics of "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals and high level of detail, particularly in lighting and weather effects. The game is noted for its impressive optimization, allowing it to run smoothly even on lower-end hardware while maintaining a high frame rate. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, showcasing the capabilities of the Fox Engine and holding up well against contemporary titles.

    • “The graphics are astonishing; I am amazed by how well optimized the game is, potentially running surprisingly well on old hardware and still looking good.”
    • “The game's visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, with stunningly realistic character models, lighting effects, and attention to detail.”
    • “Ground Zeroes showcases the power of the Fox Engine with stunning visuals, and the graphics still hold up incredibly well even years after its release.”
    • “These issues include frame rate drops and minor graphical glitches, which can detract from the overall smoothness and immersion of the gameplay experience.”
    • “The graphics suck.”
    • “The game is so short, you can finish it in one hour or less, the graphics aren't that great, everything isn't impressive, it is just like any stealth game on the market.”
  • replayability444 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability despite its short main mission, primarily due to a variety of side missions, challenges, and collectibles that encourage players to experiment with different strategies and playstyles. Many reviewers highlight the depth of gameplay and the multiple ways to approach missions, making it more engaging than typical demos. Overall, while the main story is brief, the extensive additional content and replay options provide a satisfying experience for players willing to explore.

    • “Though a very short game itself, this game is very well done and gives lots of replayability.”
    • “You could finish the main mission in about an hour, but there’s a ton of replay value if you're into trying different tactics or completing side ops.”
    • “While the main mission may be brief, Ground Zeroes encourages replayability through multiple side missions, challenges, and collectibles.”
    • “The game's short length may be a drawback for some, but the replay value and unlockables make it worth playing through multiple times.”
    • “While additional side missions and challenges provide some replay value, some players may find the overall package lacking in content compared to previous entries in the series.”
    • “Although the story is very short, I think that the replay value is very high for this.”
  • optimization394 mentions

    The optimization of "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players noting its ability to run smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including older and lower-end systems. The Fox Engine is praised for delivering impressive graphics without sacrificing performance, achieving stable frame rates even at high settings. However, some users have reported minor issues, particularly with controls and occasional stuttering, but these do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are astonishing, I am amazed by how well optimized the game is, potentially running surprisingly well on old hardware and still looking good.”
    • “The game runs smoothly enough as the engine is quite capable and optimized.”
    • “This game is simply awesome; I got the PS3 version too and I must admit they did a great job with the PC version, not to mention the great optimization it has.”
    • “The game is horribly optimized; you can't play with a controller without a mouse cursor in the middle of the screen, you can't alt-tab, and the game constantly makes Snake go right when you don't want him to.”
    • “It's not the game itself that puts me off; it's just the lack of optimization for PC that triggers me.”
    • “Unoptimized piece of shit.”
  • music188 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the experience. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from notable composers like Harry Gregson-Williams and Joan Baez, is described as both impactful and fitting for the game's themes, although some players expressed disappointment over the lack of custom music options in the PC version. Overall, the audio design, including sound effects and voice acting, is considered top-notch, contributing to a highly immersive gameplay experience.

    • “The soundtrack, by Harry Gregson-Williams, is a masterpiece of tension and suspense.”
    • “The music in Ground Zeroes effectively complements the tension and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The game sounds great with an orchestral score that accompanies the action perfectly and period-appropriate songs that I hummed for days afterwards.”
    • “The music has more of a bombastic Hollywood tone to it, and I can't say it impressed me all that much, but that is why I really appreciated the music available in the Walkman and licensed for other uses.”
    • “There isn't much of a soundtrack to go with anyway, as the Harry Gregson-Williams orchestral pieces are gone in favor of more somber, mysterious music stings.”
    • “The worst feature that is absent in this version is the custom music for the helicopter: you can only use the music used in the game, not custom tracks on your computer.”
  • stability111 mentions

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with many users reporting that it runs smoothly on various systems, achieving solid frame rates and impressive visuals. However, numerous players also highlight persistent bugs, glitches, and occasional crashes that can disrupt gameplay, suggesting that while the game performs well technically, it suffers from significant stability issues that detract from the overall experience.

    • “Overall everything was very stable and there were no glitches.”
    • “The game runs great, looks great, and plays great.”
    • “It looks and runs great (I really need to stress how solid this port job is), it's easy to control with both gamepad and keyboard/mouse, and what's most important is that it provides the player with a solid stealth experience.”
    • “It lacks features that it should have, and has bugs and glitches that were present from day one and never fixed.”
    • “The game won't play; it freezes at the loading screen while there's a circle rotating halfway at the right corner, and the game is just dead. I tried to restart the game, but Steam says it's already running. It's annoying for such a great game; please fix this issue.”
    • “This game is a bug-ridden mess.”
  • atmosphere76 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, enhanced by superb audio design, atmospheric lighting, and detailed environments. Reviewers highlight the game's darker tone and unique stealth gameplay, which effectively create a sense of unease and tension throughout the experience. Many consider it a standout in atmospheric design, even feeling it surpasses the full-length sequel, "The Phantom Pain," in this regard.

    • “The game's environments are beautifully rendered, from the intricate design of Camp Omega to the atmospheric lighting that sets the mood perfectly.”
    • “Ground Zeroes is one of the most atmospheric and tense games that I have ever played.”
    • “The eerie atmosphere and cryptic puzzles mirror the depths of Big Boss' subconscious, as he grapples with the consequences of blindly following orders and witnessing the demise of his mentor.”
    • “What really sells Ground Zeroes, however, is the atmosphere—the incessant rain, the cold military floodlights cutting through the night, the shadows layered upon shadows that feel like they could betray you at any moment.”
    • “It's the kind of atmosphere stealth games were made for, and the tension I felt crawling past silhouettes of guards and navigating across looming buildings was palpable, perhaps even more palpable than any tension the full game later presented.”
  • humor65 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of dark and quirky elements, with players noting both hilarious moments and glitches that add to the fun. While some feel the game lacks the classic comedic features of the series, others appreciate the blend of serious themes with lighthearted touches, such as funny side missions and meta-humor. Overall, the game maintains a sense of humor true to the Metal Gear Solid franchise, despite its darker tone.

    • “This game is hilarious; they charged $40 for like 2 hours of story.”
    • “The emergency evacuation side mission where you rescue Hideo Kojima was a blast, and if you collect all the badges around the island, there’s a funny scene of Snake catching them—it's nice to see these little touches throughout the game.”
    • “It's amazing how much there is to do in just a 'small' map, and while the game is darker, it still has a wonderful sense of humor that is true to MGS fanboys out there.”
    • “Some funny bugs.”
  • emotional53 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely recognized as deeply impactful, with players reporting experiences of heartbreak, guilt, and intense emotional highs and lows throughout the narrative. The voice acting and music significantly enhance the emotional depth, leading to moments of profound connection and reflection, while some players noted the game's ability to evoke strong feelings of anger and vengeance. Despite its short length, the game is praised for its poignant storytelling and the emotional weight it carries, making it a memorable experience for fans of the series.

    • “The voice work by the talented cast brings the characters to life, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative.”
    • “The narrative's tension and emotional weight lay the foundation for the profound guilt and trauma that haunts our protagonist.”
    • “I rarely get emotional over games, but I got so angry over what happened at the ending; I haven't felt such emotion out of any other series.”
  • monetization46 mentions

    The monetization of this game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, primarily serving as an advertisement for "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain." Many reviewers express disappointment over the game's short length and lack of content, feeling that it is overpriced for what is essentially a demo or teaser. While some acknowledge it can be enjoyable at lower prices, the consensus is that it fails to provide value, with many recommending players skip it in favor of the full game.

    • “I am so happy that this fun $20 demo has no ads at all.”
    • “In summary, we all know it, it's a cash grab, fast and easy to prop up funds for the Phantom Pain, but it's still some really good fun if you can get it for 5 bucks. I got my copy for 2, but I would not pay 20 dollars for it.”
    • “This is just a quick and rushed cash grab made for the die-hard fans who don't know other video games exist, and they are milking every last nickel, even the ones we forgot about under our couches.”
    • “You are paying a certain amount of money for a demo and advertisement for the next game.”
  • grinding38 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, often requiring significant time investment to achieve 100% completion. While some enjoy the challenge and rewards associated with grinding, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of missions and the need to replay them multiple times. Despite the grind, fans of the series may still find value in the experience, though it can be a major turn-off for others.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It can get real grindy when aiming for 100%.”
    • “100% is pretty tedious though since you have to play each mission like 4+ times, which sucks.”
    • “Sometimes it's a patch location, sometimes a cassette; it is very tedious. I found 2 patches on my own and didn't want to spend another 10 hours or so playing the mission over and over again hoping the guards would tell me, so I looked up a guide.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many players feeling disconnected from the characters due to a lack of growth and backstory. While the character designs are visually appealing, the absence of meaningful development leaves players struggling to engage with the characters or understand their roles, often relying on prior knowledge from earlier titles in the series. Overall, the game fails to provide a compelling narrative experience through its characters.

    • “Not as cerebral or involved plot-wise, but still has good character development and twists.”
    • “Graphically, it looks great with lighting and textures being on point, and the character designs themselves are really impressive too.”
    • “There was no character development between these two, so I couldn't care about any of them, or anyone for that matter.”
    • “You'll be lost as to who the characters are and what roles they play, as there is no character development in this game; you had to learn about them in the previous Metal Gear titles (Peace Walker notably).”
    • “The character design is basic, nothing out of this world; however, this doesn't mean that it's bad, but it could be better.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
69hAverage play time
3-17hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 117 analyzed playthroughs

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