Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Critic Reviews

It is surprising, and not a little depressing, that all people want to talk about with this game is the running time.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a small appetizer for what could be one of the greatest meals on this generation of consoles. It’s true the initial mission in the game is short, but the extra content, missions, items and a first-look at the visuals more than makes the $29.99 price tag worth it. Definitely don’t miss this.

As a precursor to Phantom Pain, it suggests that greatness awaits, but even on its own terms Ground Zeroes is something special. In the purity of its systems and the focus of its action, it's not just an antidote to the glut that had begun to weigh down Metal Gear Solid but also to the bloat that weighs down so many of the series' big-budget peers.

If you can overlook the price tag and the fact that there’s DLC out there for other games that provides more bang for your buck, then this is absolutely worth picking up.

If it’s a demo, Ground Zeroes is the best demo ever; if it’s a prologue, it sets up the story so well you’ll spend the next year thirsting for revenge; and if it’s a tutorial, the systems it teaches are so intriguing that the prospect of spending an entire game with them is irresistible. Ground Zeroes is a resounding success in every respect bar its price tag, but value is relative. Fourteen hours in, we’re still learning.

Yes, it's very short, but it's also very er... solid. Yeah, we went there.

Although I do feel the main mission is too short, it feels like a stand-alone experience that will connect to something much greater in the future. My only gripes with Ground Zeroes, a prequel, is its length, so you can only imagine the game changer The Phantom Pain will be.

So here we have a glorified prologue which showcases the new generation with aplomb and makes the mouth water at what Kojima Productions can do over the course of a full game.

Unless you’re determined to only go through the main mission once, there are plenty of things worth seeing. The greatest achievement in Ground Zeroes is how bold it feels. There’s so much new, and none of it obfuscates what originally made Metal Gear Solid special. There’s still thrilling stealth and an attention to detail that’s rarely seen, but all of it is smarter and streamlined.

Ground Zeroes is a great slice of stealth-action gaming, filled with heaps of content and strategic value -- even if it isn't quite the epic adventure some had hoped for.

So yes, Ground Zeroes is a triumph: a wonderful introduction to Metal Gear Solid V that will whet people’s appetites for the main game while giving them plenty to play with as they wait. Still, the fact remains that it is far too expensive. For £20, this would be an easy recommendation, but £30 is simply too much. Still, judged as an isolated experience, Ground Zeroes is excellent. Whether you choose to wait for a reduction in price is another matter.

Ground Zeroes is the bannerman of new generation. Powered by photorealistic graphics, immersive atmosphere and its conveyance. Through short, it paints a spectacular picture for the future of the new generation of gaming and The Phantom Pain.

This entry is a huge accomplishment which makes the argument that the Metal Gear series isn't just still relevant in the world of modern open-world action games, but that it has the chance to be at the forefront of them.

Short but oh so sweet!

It's a prologue, but it's also a big surprise. Metal Gear shows its evolution with Ground Zeroes, a little, but a high quality experience.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a highly accomplished, technically impressive introduction to a brave new world. Even the most legendary franchises have to adapt and assimilate eventually, and Ground Zeroes is an example of a long-running, established IP embracing new technology and trends while still retaining its core.

After the credits roll on the main mission and a handful of side activities unlock, the best part of Ground Zeroes is just getting started. With a dearth of secrets to find, and new challenges to master, chasing the endgame will keep you entertained for hours on end.

Ground Zeroes is a short but challenging game, and those willing to cast aside conventional expectations will find a lot more here than first glance might suggest.

Ground Zeroes offers a couple of evenings of essential PS4 stealth. And really, who could put a price on that? Other than Konami… who plumped for the overly stingy one. Rich in depth and quality, if not quantity, this prologue provides an exciting peak into a potential PS4 classic. Just steel yourself for a bite-sized Big Boss.

No, MGS5 Ground Zeroes is not 2 hours long. And yes, that would be a shame to just talk about the length of its main mission. Technically and artistically stunning, it offers an excellent stealth game experience and a story that all the fans will love... We can't wait for Phantom Pain now.