The review embargo for Metal Gear solid is finally up. The game’s been out in Japan for a while, and is actually out today in much of the rest of the world, leaving many concerned that the late embargo means the game just isn’t very good. Are those fears unfounded? Here’s what critics think of Kojima’s latest game, which really is little more than a paid-for demo, showing what you can expect from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Joystiq: 3.5/5
The undoubtable quality of Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes feels carved from a bigger, better game, and perhaps that makes it a better showcase for players who don’t know their Snakes from their Otacons. Too good to be a cash-in, too calculated to be satisfying and too intriguing to spurn, Ground Zeroes is a fiscal test of patience. If you can’t wait for the next stage of Metal Gear Solid, I’m afraid you’ll leave this about the same as you went in.
Gamespot: 8/10
Unfortunately, if you hope to be entertained by an equal helping of Metal Gear’s typically perplexing and intriguing narrative, you’ll most certainly be disappointed. There’s some fat to savor here, hints of what’s to come in the next chapter of Metal Gear Solid V, but once you’ve digested the cutscenes that bookend the main mission, it’s a pure gameplay-driven experience from then on out. Though it’s unusual for everything to take place in a single location, there’s so much to do and see, and whether you take a stealthy or head-on approach, infiltrating Camp Omega is a thrilling experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Polygon: 5.5/10
It’s admirable that developer Kojima Productions was willing to toss long-held franchise tenets out the window in favor of re-imagined Metal Gear Solid gameplay. And it’s possible that in a more complete game, these additions might shine more brightly. But Ground Zeroes is hardly the right venue to demonstrate the future of the franchise. It’s staggeringly short and unsatisfying, feeling more like a cash grab than an honest-to-goodness installment in a beloved franchise.
Destructoid: 8/10
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is not for everyone. I can’t stress how underwhelming the game will be if you aren’t a huge fan of the series, or you can’t see yourself playing in the same sandbox enough to really get your money’s worth. But for everyone else can’t can’t wait to get even a taste of Phantom Pain, it’s worth the budget price of entry — especially on a current-gen console.
Gamesbeat: 55/100
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a demo being sold as a bargain-priced game. Pick up Ground Zeroes next year right before The Phantom Pain launches. By that time, it will have dropped in price, and the gap between games will be much more bearable. Even those that haven’t played Peace Walker are better served buying the HD version of that game online rather than sitting through dozens of minutes of plain audio tapes. Until we can get our hands on The Phantom Pain, this pick-pocketing by Konami is the only consequential bit of stealth to be had with Big Boss this year.
SixthAxis: 6/10
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.
Opinion seems to be pretty divided. Die-hard fans of Kojima’s overwrought drama will be delighted, and then feel real pain that the Phantom Pain is still so far away, while those who aren’t adherents will feel like they’ve just paid money for a demo. The game’s set for release here in SA this Friday, both as a digital and physical release.
Last Updated: March 18, 2014
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 10:31
Eurogamer gave it a 9/10.
FoxOneZA
March 18, 2014 at 10:34
Polygon wielding the wand of truth yet again.
Spathi
March 18, 2014 at 10:36
Polygon and truth in the same sentence doesn’t compute…
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 10:45
The lolygon strikes again.
FoxOneZA
March 18, 2014 at 10:46
You sentence doesn’t compute 😛
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 10:35
So, actually from what I see, it the shortness of the game that’s the major issue…people that gave it a high score actually scored the game itself(Gameplay, graphics etc)…From what I’ve seen, heard and read. Things are looking really good for MGS
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 10:36
Exactly. I’ve always thought it’s very unfair when my game gets scored on length & not the quality of those 3 seconds. Erm…. wait, what are we talking about again?
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 10:41
Oh you….I see what you’re doing!
RinceIsIngwer
March 18, 2014 at 10:55
3 seconds? So the pills are working then?
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:42
I can’t pay full price for a short MGS game. Same goes for MGS Rising
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 10:43
Feel the same way hey. But seriously…MGR….you need to play it man….or did you get that on +?
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:44
Won it on LG last year and then got it on + 😉
Last boss was epic. MURRICA
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 10:44
Damn, awesome man!! and yeah lol so totally Murrica!! But was damn epic as hell
Rock789
March 18, 2014 at 10:47
Not quite full price – R349. Add to that a pre-order bonus and you’re looking at around the R299 mark… Not too bad, me thinks, even if it sits at around the 10hour mark to finish all side quests, main mission, collectibles, etc.
And you haven’t played MGS Rising? You need to make a plan… I too was a skeptic, but I picked it up at a CNA sale for R199 (thought “why not”) and it is a really fun action game. With some MGS references thrown in for the fans. Nothing like it’s MGS cousin, but still a really good game. 🙂
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:50
No I have played Rising. Never paid for it though. R300 is manageable If that is indeed the price.
Rikus
March 18, 2014 at 11:15
I missed something somewhere. What is this about a pre-order bonus?
Rock789
March 18, 2014 at 11:50
Some places offer pre-order bonuses (in terms of price) making it R50 or more cheaper as an incentive… I’ve seen it on offer for R299 for pre-order (limited stock and the ad has since been removed), so I know it’s out there.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 10:38
I like the point about it being a paid demo. So much of painful truth, especially with that price.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:41
Yes!
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 10:42
Is spending $20 on a 6 hour slice of new AAA MGS that much worse than say, spending $20 on 6 hours of indie Outlast?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 10:44
Yes.
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 10:45
Its worse because its not called an indie which makes everything pardonable?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 10:45
It’s worse because I paid $5 for Outlast.
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 10:50
I’m sure if you wait long enough you will pick up MGS:GZ for $5 as well.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 10:56
No thanks, I don’t pay for demos.
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 11:05
I suppose you can look forward to playing GZ when the full game releases.. oh wait.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 11:17
or, I can play something else. Wow. Mind = BLOWN!
But you go be a happy consumer.
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 12:23
Hahaha that one went straight over your head. Wow you really are one grumpy gamer huh. The big bad gaming industry out to get out? Your preferred platform wouldn’t happen to be PC would it?
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 12:34
Well done, finally got it.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:45
MGS set a standard. Ground Zeros is not up to that standard.
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 10:50
Spot on 🙂 As with my example above. Gone Home is 2 hours long and $20
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:46
Free on PS+ hehe
FoxOneZA
March 18, 2014 at 11:17
PS fanbois have a habit of paying for demos :/
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 11:20
And yet… Titanhype is a demo. A demo of the future of always-online brogaming
Rikus
March 18, 2014 at 11:23
And Xbox fanboys have the habit of paying for lower quality products
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 10:46
I’m keen to give it a try but the price is an issue for me. Maybe they should have given this one out for free?
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:46
Exactly. I will rather wait for the proper game.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 11:00
It’s bound to be a free + title later this year, so all we have to do is wait. But on the other hand, I do want to show support to konami. They’re one of the few companies that haven’t tried to nickle and dime gamers through stupid microtransactions and superfluous DLC (Here’s looking at you Capcom)
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 11:09
True, I will probably buy this. After Seconds Son and DS2
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 11:16
Definitely, I still need to get my hands on Dark Souls 2, but Infamous is definitely on my list.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 11:26
Already on the wiki page for DS2. Soul Arrows doesn’t cut it anymore.
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 10:48
http://www.howlongtobeat.com/game.php?id=4010
I just want to leave this here. For $20 you get Gone Home which is 2 hours long and has no real reason to replay….but oh mighty Polygon gave it 10/10 … lol so yeah…don’t complain too much okay
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 11:19
It all boils down to consistency, and for a publication like Lolygon that apparently prides itself on bringing “proffersalisnms” to “Gamez jurnalism”. It actually makes them seem like hypocrites. You can’t mark one game down for something that you pass on another. That’s nonsense. If you’re stance is that games are too short then stick with it, or if the length of a game doesn’t matter than remove that from your scoring system.
Umar Praise The Golden Sun
March 18, 2014 at 11:27
Indeed, length didn’t matter to Gone Home, so why here now? ….I never believe Polygon….They’re too biased with too many things
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 10:51
So why didn’t Titanhype get the same treatment? Marked down because of price and being light on features? This is exactly why the games media is still the ugly step child of the greater entertainment media.
It lacks consistency!
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:52
VERY good question.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 18, 2014 at 10:52
Gavin did mark it down for that in his review didn’t he?
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:53
Yeah, but EGM saw fit to give Titanfall 100
Weanerdog
March 18, 2014 at 11:44
Titanfall has MP so that’s all the features you need Right? Because that means potential unlimited gameplay forever and ever. (sarcastic face)
Mathias
March 18, 2014 at 13:24
You can’t compare a multiplayer only game with a two hour campaign with some replayability. I agree that Titanfall is too overrated AND that it should have been cheaper, but this game succeding means other companies might embrace this money grabbing format too. And that sucks.
But, hey, you can’t seem to see a bad review for a multiplatform title that was a Sony exclusive without having to whine about a MS exclusive.
Never change, banana.
Sk3tz0
March 18, 2014 at 10:52
As long as its not Metal Gear Rising.. and that poof Raiden is not featured in the game i’ll get it and happily play it..
RinceIsIngwer
March 18, 2014 at 10:54
Wow, those are some pretty varied scores.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 11:21
Either means it’s an amazing experience or someone forgot to pay the piper 😛
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 10:54
Whats so bad about paying for demo anyway? I used to spend shedloads of money on magazines just for demo discs.
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:55
You can read the game on the bog. Magazines in itself had value
iAmWeasel
March 18, 2014 at 10:56
True, but the only reason why I bought the magazines in the first place was for the demos.
Sk3tz0
March 18, 2014 at 10:56
u can use ur PS3 control on the bog too.. just need to adjust ur tv so u can see 😛
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:57
Using my Vita for that (kidding off course)
RinceIsIngwer
March 18, 2014 at 10:59
Haha!
Weanerdog
March 18, 2014 at 11:41
That is why they invented hand held gaming.
Sk3tz0
March 18, 2014 at 10:55
From reading games spot piece there.. i’m confused how they can give it 8/10
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 18, 2014 at 11:02
I haven’t read it (generally avoid reviews unless they’re on LG), was it a positive piece or a negative one?
TiMsTeR
March 18, 2014 at 10:56
What did IGN have to say about Ground Zeros?
Hammersteyn
March 18, 2014 at 10:57
8/10
Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)
March 18, 2014 at 10:59
Am I the only one that thinks “Ground Zeroes” sounds like some kids cereal? O_o
Rags
March 18, 2014 at 11:54
Ground Zero is taken 😛
Norm
March 18, 2014 at 14:09
That video brings back memories of playing Q2. :<
Francois Knoetze
March 18, 2014 at 12:10
Still going to play it none the less.have every MGS game in my collection and grew up with Kojima’s work as a kid. won’t miss this for anything.
Jimi
March 19, 2014 at 21:57
The game is fine. It was already advertised by Kojima himself as a small sample of what’s coming. It’s been worth the $30 bucks so far ($20 for digital copy). There’s actually more land to explore than I expected and the side missions make a world of difference and are real fun. Plenty of replay value for the price. I’ve been playing since about 7pm yesterday off & on thru a little after midnight and still playing now since I woke up and I’m only 14% done and plan on replaying the missions again. People are acting like $30/$20 games are common, to me, that’s not a lot of a game like this. It’s worth it as long as you paid attention to the fact it’s a sample sizing of what’s to come in 2015 (or maybe even 2016) with TPP. I was going to let my friend borrow it after I beat all the missions but he might have to wait a little longer so I can explore all the map and replay the missions a little more. People pay $20 got an indie game that’s 2hr of gameplay (maybe) with less detail and replay value all the time, GZ is definitely worth it’s price imo. The fun it’s over once you beat the main mission, that’s for sure.