In-Depth at E3: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

The Metal Gear Solid franchise has well and truly solidified its place among the pantheon of gaming greats.

The series remains in the upper echelon of video games in spite of a near impenetrable story, the subtly of a starving lion in a children’s ward and the replacement of the series long time — and much loved — main voice actor. Metal Gear Solid is unlike anything else. It’s a totally unique experience and, despite The Phantom Pain following the “open world” trend, the series is set to remain alone in its uniqueness.

Watching somebody else play video games is usually a tedious and aggravating experience. They go right when you think they should go left. They kill someone you think they shouldn’t and they generally play the game “wrong”. I say, “usually,” because over the years, my friends and I have spent countless hours watching each other play Metal Gear Solid games. Perhaps the linearity of the titles lends itself to passive viewing or maybe it’s just how much my friends and I love the series. Whatever the case, watching somebody play Metal Gear Solid is something I’m quite comfortable with, so when I was ushered into Konami’s Phantom Pain theatre I was giddy with excitement.

As the hands-off demo began, it was immediately apparent that The Phantom Pain will be a gorgeous feast for the eyes. Snake sits on his horse atop a vista and looks out over the massive open world below, which appears to stretch on forever. The draw distance is impressive helped by a crisp and clear fidelity. The dreaded cross-gen nature of the game is unfortunately apparent (although it could be due to the early build) even though it’s gorgeous. It’s likely not a problem for most players, though I can’t help but wonder just how amazing the game would look if it was restricted to current-gen only.

Cutscenes transition seamlessly into gameplay as Snake heads out on his horse to rescue a hostage. Ambling down a goat track to the valley below the horse abruptly stops to defecate. That’s right folks, Kojima’s love of toilet humour appears to be back in full force. After the horse has done it’s business Snake continues on the path. The world around him is populated with vegetation, buildings, vehicles, soldiers and wildlife. The open world feels like a real and lived in world rather than an empty sandbox. It helps to lend credence to the narrative and fit in with the rich and textured Metal Gear history. A dynamic weather system also helps to keep players on their toes and includes rain, sandstorms, wind and more.

The Fulton Delivery System from Peace Walker makes a return in The Phantom Pain. Snake is able to send animals, equipment, vehicles and enemy soldiers back to Mother Base and use them for improvements, intel and even fast travel. Standing atop a shipping container while it’s being returned to base will take Snake with it, quickly returning him home if need be. Mother Base itself is fully explorable and is a resource that must be managed throughout the game. It can also come under attack from enemy forces requiring Snake to return and fend them off. The demo only showed a small section at the end in which Snake was fighting incoming forces, but attacks on Mother Base promise to be one of the most exciting new elements introduced in The Phantom Pain.

Without actually going hands on it’s tough to say how The Phantom Pain plays, but from what I observed it’s almost identical to Ground Zeroes. Snake can sneak, highlight enemies, take them out silently and interrogate them. Transitions between indoor and outdoor locations require no loading although they do require Snake’s eyes to adjust in what is a very cool visual effect. Snake’s trusty cigarettes are replaced by an E-Cigar which is used to pass time in game. In the demo I observed it allowed Snake to transition into night time for a more stealthy incursion.

Along with the Fulton and smoking I am very pleased to say that the cardboard box is back and better then ever. Snake can now pop out the top of the box to quickly take out enemies and can also use the Fulton from inside the box. If enemies become suspicious of a moving cardboard box, Snake can quickly dive out and into cover leaving the box as a decoy. It’s delightfully silly and pure Metal Gear. Everything about The Phantom Pain is and the open world simply opens up nearly infinite ways to play. Where Metal Gear used to offer some flexibility in how you played, The Phantom Pain lets you go wild.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain looks set to be a very worthy addition to the franchise’s stable and so far looks to be doing open world right. It’s still a long way off , but at this stage I can barely contain my excitement. By combining the best elements of the games that came before Kojima is creating a true and worthy successor. The story may be absolutely bonkers — and it should be — but the gameplay is hitting all the right notes.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be available for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.