The Metal Gear series never ceases to amaze. Each game has managed to stand out from last entry, bringing new, innovative new ideas to the table and delivering well written stories. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (which will be referred to as Ground Zeroes from now on) once again continues the trend of quality games for the series. Ground Zeroes serves as merely a prologue chapter to the next game (to be later released), Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Being a prologue chapter, Ground Zeroes is relatively short, with one story mission that takes roughly two hours to complete, followed by five side missions, each taking anywhere from 15-45 minutes. Although this may not seem like much for a 30 dollar game, that could not be any further from the truth. Those willing to explore everything Ground Zeroes has to offer will manage to sink countless hours of intensely satisfying gameplay.

The king of Ground Zeroes is its overhaul and improvement of gameplay from previous games in the series. The Game flows very smoothly and is the best it has ever been. Controls are intuitive and responsive, and really allow for all types of play styles. Whether you prefer to play total stealth, or go in head on guns blazing, the game makes it fun and relatively easy to play either way, and openly encourages you to do so. Another key aspect regarding gameplay that must be mentioned is the A.I. (artificial intelligence). Enemies are smart, and work together very effectively to eliminate threats. They quickly overpower you will their vastly outnumbering firepower, adding for a heightened sense of realism and challenge. Compared to older entries, this is a major step up from before.

With the introduction of a new engine, called simply the Fox Engine, Ground Zeroes is simply one of the best games I have seen to date. The photorealistic graphics provide detailed lighting and shadow effects, combined with realistic physics (such as bullet drop, flags waving in the harsh wind and destructible elements) create a truly believable world that is just begging to be explored. In one instance I was trying to hide from an enemy attack in a watchtower, only to be flung out as it blew into thousands of pieces by an explosive. This is seriously some jaw-dropping and impressive tech.

Metal Gear is a series well known for its complex stories of human drama, antinuclear themes and political drama, and Ground Zeroes is no exception. Although this game includes only one story mission, it tells a truly dark tale. Listening through cassette tapes (hidden over the map) reveal even more disturbing content. Ground Zeroes shows that the series is growing up, and covers some seriously dark, gritty and controversial material. It is also worth mentioning that in order for Ground Zero’s story to truly be enjoyed, one should [at least] play Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

Ground Zeroes is a game that shows that sometimes less can be more. It vastly improves its gameplay mechanics, while creating a highly replayable game with many ways to play and plenty of collectables. However, there are a few minor adjustments to gameplay that could make for better flow within the game, but it certainly is nothing severe. The game manages to push a considerably dark tale in its two hours, especially rewarding those who have played the series previous games. Ground Zeroes is an exceptional start to the future of the Metal Gear franchise, and is a testament to opening new levels in videogame storytelling.

9.6/10