Metal Gear Solid 5… Minutes Long?

The highly anticipated and newest installment in the popular Metal Gear Solid series, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, struck store shelves like a flint yesterday, igniting flame wars and mixed reviews across the Internet. Concerns regarding the game’s length, or rather lack thereof, were already worrying consumers leading up to the launch. Early reports by Game Informer suggested that the game, which retails for $20 or $30, could be completed in roughly two hours. Now Eurogamer has published a (spoiler heavy) video showing that the game’s main plot can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.

Of course, this is done by ignoring every open world element, side story, cinematic and specific feature unique to this Metal Gear title. However some consumers can’t help but question whether or not a game lacking such depth in its story is worth their coin. The creator of the series, Hideo Kojima, responded to the Game Informer reports explaining how the games non-linear design allows it to contain greater depth than the more structured titles leading up to it. Going on to clarify that simply rushing from start to finish causes one to miss all that makes Ground Zeroes a special installment to the beloved series.

Beyond the Call of Duty

“Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes includes the main mission alongside five Side Ops,” the developer said on Twitter last month.

“All missions include elements such as ‘Trial Records,’ where players can compete against each other online. This is not a linear game like the past. GZ offers freedom of approach & play style, which we hope players will enjoy over and over again without boring [them].”

“I believe people will be satisfied with the ‘Play Time’ of GZ and will not stress the ‘Clear Time,’ which is a standard for linear games.”

Preparing for the Pain

As an avid fan of the Metal Gear Series, having played each title several times over, I’m intrigued and excited to see firsthand how the new approach to telling Snake’s story will play out. I’m also quite aware that this game, retailing at a third of the price of a full feature game is just the prologue to what I anticipate to be the best and biggest game of the year, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

Unfortunately, this in turn makes the game seem like a pre-DLC, which unless I’m mistaken is a first of its kind. From that angle, is this simply the most expensive DLC in history being played off as a full game? So far I’ve yet to get my hands on a copy and can make no formal opinion beyond what I’ve read.

What I can tell you from speaking with friends and fellow fans alike is that this might be the game which separates the Metal Gear fan from the casual gamer. A true Metal Gear fan knows that the beauty of the game is in replaying it over and over, each time trying new approaches and attempting to complete missions as quickly and as stealthily as possible. This game offers players the ability to approach the scenario that confronts them from a multitude of angles, with several challenges and achievements to unlock. Just the sort of thing which cries out to the heart and soul of all those who love the 27 year old series.

Snaaaaaaaake!

A casual gamer or a critic with something to prove may simply play through the plot in a few hours and wonder why they wasted money on the title. I honestly believe a true Metal Gear Solid lover will find themselves engulfed for days attempting to approach each element of this game from 360 degrees.  Simply writing this has my mouth watering at the thought and I’m afraid I have to stop and go purchase the game this instant. I know as a fan, $30 for a chance to jump into my “Snake Suit” once again and unveil more of the legendary Big Boss’s story is not a daunting price. I’m excited to see what Kojima has in store for us next, I trust it will be nothing short of mind blowing.

Article by: Steve Payne
Photo Credit: Eurogamer.net