The Ground Zeroes Prologue to The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a single-player action-adventure stealth video game that is the standalone prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and the eighth game in the famous Metal Gear series that was directed, written, and designed by Hideo Kojima. Set in 1975, a few months after the events of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, the story follows protagonist Big Boss or Snake as he infiltrates an American black site in Cuba called Camp Omega to rescue hostages who may endanger his own faction. It’s a short game because of its original purpose as a mission in The Phantom Pain, but it’s still good enough to be separate from it and act as its teaser demo.

Every Story Needs a Prologue

The story is just a small part compared to the sequel’s, but it offers enough details to warrant a good experience. Snake, also known as Big Boss in Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) must infiltrate an American black site on Cuban soil called Camp Omega. Snake’s main objectives are the extraction of Paz Ortega Andrade, who has information regarding the whereabouts of the person or persons known as Cipher; and Ricardo “Chico” Valenciano Libre, a former child soldier. This mission preludes the destruction of MSF and sets the grand stage for The Phantom Pain.

New Looks

Due to its part in The Phantom Pain’s overall production, Ground Zeroes showcases various new gameplay mechanics such as new sneaking and traversal methods to highlight this new game world for the fifth MGS game. First off, the game now uses a new next-gen game engine that fluidly captures combat animations and sleek textures, rendering high-definition graphics that revolutionizes the Metal Gear Solid experience. The in-game HUD is now pristine for this, no longer blocking your precious view from this gorgeous world and the gripping action. 

Freedom is Great

Second, this game is the first MGS title to offer open-world gameplay. You have total freedom of play—how missions are undertaken is entirely up to you. You can even choose when the story events will take place by selecting missions in any order. With open-world play comes an even bigger pool of options when it comes to tackling missions. You get classic Metal Gear gameplay but with no restrictions or boundaries—either go the tactical stealth way or go in with guns blazing. These choices will affect how the story will proceed. 

Short but Sweet

To top it off, Ground Zeroes as a standalone game offers a central story mode and Side-Ops missions of various types. From tactical action to aerial assaults, there’s no shortage of engaging entertainment despite its short length compared to other MGS titles. However, because of its very shortness, it’s highly recommended that you just take Metal Gear Solid: The Definitive Experience altogether, since it bundles Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain with each other along with additional content.

Can’t Miss Out

Overall, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a prequel that no MGS fan should skip. While its length of gameplay leaves much to be desired, its mechanics, voice acting, story, and graphics were heartily praised and that’s nothing to scoff at. This game even has alternative methods of play, like a companion app for iOS and Android that helps players access the in-game map. For something so small, it sure packs a punch in the franchise.