Following the extensive success of the first phase of Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zero or commonly known as MGS 5, the second phase of the game is coming out this year named Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain. The story is preceded by MGS 5: Ground Zero, which was a brief introductory chapter released in 2014.
The game is characterised as an open world, action-adventure stealth experience developed by Kojima Productions and directed, designed, co-produced and co-written by Hideo Kojima.
It is expected to be out for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
The Phantom Pain establishes in the fallout of the events of Ground Zero and the destruction of Militaries Sans Frontiers or often called MSF, after Big Boss falls into a coma. Nine years later, he awakes and helps lead a new mercenary group called Diamond Dogs. Adopting the codename Venom Snake, his pursuits lead him to Afghanistan during the Soviet war, to track down the men responsible for the MSF destruction. Down the path, he familiarises his former rival Ocelot and encounters a unit of warriors robbed of their past, present and future. While he and Kazuhira “Kaz” Miller are initially driven to revenge, snake gradually realises that there is a plot by the Cipher Organization to develop a weapon with the probable capacity to excel even the Metal Gear System.
In the game, players will take the role of Punished “Venom” Snake, also known as Big Boss, which is his alias. The game is intelligently designed and allows you to explore throughout the map which is not restricted to any zones. Unlike the previous MGS 5, the players can tour themselves into the various parts of the map. One can use different means of travel in their journey. The game offers cars, tanks, planes, helicopters or even horses for their diverse expeditions. It also offers a few more new features, for example healing your injuries by holding down the action button. However, after every mission you are given a rank but the ultimate use of this rank is still unknown. Moreover, to provide the players with some actual tenderness of the real time set in 1984, the soundtracks are mostly picked up from 80s music.
Snake can craft support items using materials picked up on his journey. During a mission with a partner, relationship grows, which enables more extensive commands to them. During the time of need, friendly helicopters and commandos can be called out for attacking the enemy force. But you have to choose wisely as the computer's AI is at an advanced level. They will eventually take out the helicopter and the commandos if you are not careful enough. The commandos can also be used for scouting a target area. The enemy will improve in terms of situational awareness. If one keeps on using a similar tactic to take out the enemy soldiers, the enemies will eventually use counter tactics to overcome you. Snake can also call on Al Companions for assistance, including Quiet, a female soldier.
The character Quiet has been a subject of controversy. Kojima has stated that he directed The Phantom Pain’s art director to make some of the game’s character “more erotic” in order to promote cosplay and figurine sales. He stated that he misspoke and that “sexy” would have been the better word to use.
The game also developed its stealth feature quite well, allowing the players to pass their enemies quietly.
MGS 5: The Phantom Pain is one of the most anticipated games of the year and the expectations of the gamers are also quite high. It is likely to create a huge impact on the gamers, and is a must to try for all MGS fans.
