Despite it's well known flaws and frustrations, Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain is still a masterpiece of a video game. The concluding chapter in the franchise looks and play beautifully, with a freedom not allowed in any previous MGS title.

The definitive edition also includes the prologue chapter Ground Zeroes, which is well worth playing before jumping into Phantom Pain as it sets up some of the stories complex strands (benefiting seasoned players and series newcomers alike).

If you haven't played any of the MGS series previously, I would however recommend starting earlier in the chronology, especially if you're keen to dive into the deep lore of the games. If so, before starting V I'd recommend playing MGS 1,2,3 and 4 (obviously) but also MGS: Peace Walker as chronologically in the series this is the prequel to V.

Enjoy! 10/10

I had to buy this to continue with my collection of MGS but I must say MGS5 is a failure to the series in terms of unique game play of MGS, movie like cut scenes, fun story telling and hollywood movie references in the game etc.

MGSV doesn't carry the feel of an actual Metal Gear Solid series at all. This installment introduced more game-play mechanics that improved over its predecessor but story wise it doesn't hold a water to past MGS series immersive story telling. This game severely lack meaningful story cutscenes, overly repetitive gameplay, no epic bosses like past MGSs and an ending twist that left a sour taste in your mouth like an incomplete game that it is, not even if Kojima included the infamous Chapter 3 that were cut from the game. Metal Gear Solid series should have ended with MGS4, ‘everything’ were nicely wrapped up already but they had to be greedy and dragged a legendary series through the mud.

At least now Snake can truly be free from this bloated series. Just as Otacon said, “Snake had a hard life, he need to rest”. Kojima should have left a classic alone.

Former MGS fan.