Metal Gear Survive is actually a pretty ‘solid’ title. As far as
Survival/Crafting games go, it has some really interesting concepts. The Dust
environment is a high-risk/high-reward feature, made pretty tense by the change
in visibility – and the need to maintain your Oxygen tanks. The on-the-spot
crafting works well, and feels a lot less clunky than Fortnite. There is a
strong Survival horror buzz about it all, which I'm totally in to. The
hunger/thirst/stamina element adds constant tension, forcing you to be on the
look out for animals to hunt and sources of clean, drinkable water. Then there
are the ailments you can be inflicted with, ranging from vomitting due to
drinking contaminated water to burns/sprains/broken bones etc – a throwback
to Snake Eater. Combat is fast and fun, albeit a stick stabbing simulator (at
least until you craft better gear).
Plot wise it's just what it is, portal to hell scenario tied loosely into
the Ground Zero/Phantom Pain timeframe. But this is fine, if anything it adds to
the lore of some of TPPs weirder elements (Portals, the Parasite
units etc).
I think this game got a hella bad rap from all the MetalGear fanboys who
were bu** hurt after the media fallout of Kojima's exit, TPPs unfinished story,
lack of Snake and just general community toxicity. Oh, and the crying over
having to pay for an extra save slot- So what – play one character, I don't
see the need for multiple game saves personally. I haven't encountered any
other grotty microtransactional stuff as yet, the game is a bit of a grind but
what survival game isn't-
If this had been released as a fresh IP using the beautiful FOX engine,
I think it would have been better received.
Considering I picked this up for under $40, I consider it money
well spent.
I reckon if you can get it cheap, it's well worth a look. The beta wasn't a
good show of what the game has to offer (Co-Op isn't my thing).