Gaming Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain | Use Spoiler Tags for now

[swooshboy]

I'd rather have more meaningful content than endless repetition of identical side ops in an identical context. I also disagree sandbox is incredible, as it feels completely dead outside of the guard posts and bases. There's nothing explore, it doesn't feel alive and traveling is a bitch. As I said several times, the gameplay itself is excellent and I agree with you that it feels much more like a polished current gen title than most other games, but that didn't stop me from getting bored somewhere between the 50 and 100 hour mark. I pushed on far beyond 100 hours and completed all main story missions (including 45 and the elusive 46) and several of the higher difficulty missions, plus around 90% of the 157 side ops, but so much of it felt like a chore.

To me thats the difference between a sandbox, which is what I consider MGS to have, and a true open world in the GTA style. The open world has lots more going on, where the sandbox gives you the scope to approach more contained tasks in different ways etc.

EDIT - Just read this post on a forum - sums it up well for me:

Does the game have an empty open world? Yeah, sort of. But the world is intended to be a sandbox playground for you to execute missions around outposts (which are very well designed). It is not Witcher 3 or GTAV or RDR. There is no intention for getting the player to invest in the open world other than approaching defined missions with total freedom.

 

[shaggy]

I've played about 6 missions of this on ps4, don't get what all the hype is about. Graphics look terrible and the gameplay is nothing special so far.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Just finished it. Huge fan of the series and this is one of the harder ones to rate because while the gameplay is one of the best I've ever played, the story/production was a slight let-down by MGS standards.

The Good: Like I said, the gameplay is just fantastic. It takes all the good bits from the previous titles and takes them up a notch, tightens up the mechanics and delivers a final product that has the usual Metal Gear sense of tension and variation, as well as the refinement you usually find in third person action/first person shooter titles.

The Bad: This one lacked in two aspects that you generally love about this series if you're a fan - bosses and story. I don't think I enjoy bosses in any game more than Metal Gear. They usually require a certain level of tact. This one had one big boss fight but it's really a proper all-out battle. And the others were "situations" more than bosses. But this isn't that much of an issue given the gameplay is so ridiculously good.

The main let-down was the story, which came across as sloppily put together, either due to the project being rushed/not meeting deadlines, or just Hideo Kojima not putting things together as well he normally does. I'm guessing it's the former. Either way, the focus in the direction of gameplay was good but the story element seemed far too often like the neglected child who would be trawled out of his room once in awhile to show his annoying face to everyone before being told to study in a jiffy. MGS usually has these epic and "patient" cut-scenes that are very dramatically styled and directed, and I fricking love it. Alright, so they made a conscious effort to move away from that. I understand a shift in priorities. But the way it came together, even leaving aside the lesser focus on it, it just seemed a little off.

And the main twist didn't annoy me till I realised (maybe someone can comment):

Spoiler

How the feck do they take a medic, make him believe that he is big-boss, give him big-boss' memories, and most importantly, give him the abilities of the most legendary soldier ever? I mean, you could argue that they didn't, and he just turned out to be a fricking badass, but it's just a little unlikely, isn't it? He could have turned out, luckily, to be quite good. But building his own empire, taking down Sehelanthropus and all the other big boss type acts from a medic? Mmmkay.

All in all the end twist doesn't ruin it for me. In fact, I thought it wasn't a bad end at all. It's just a little hard to actually take seriously. All in all, a great experience, but slightly hard to judge right now.

So, after a mid-game hiatus (I was afraid I was going to burn out on it so took some leave) I finally completed this. It's a flawed masterpiece imo. The gameplay for me is just superb, I liked the story, or more to the point where it was going (but more on that in the spoiler) and although there were some great typical Metal-Gear-Solid moments it wasn't quite up there with the other games & that's what lets the game down slightly. But before I get to moaning about other stuff with the game, I have to say I really did have a blast playing this & I think it's the fastest I've ever clocked up 100+ hours game time in a game.

Spoiler: Game Ending Talk

That second chapter you could really tell that Konami pretty much forced Kojima to get the game out in 2015. If you believe what you read on the interwebs Kojima wanted another year to get the game fully completed but Konami came back and said the schedule is for this to be released in 2015 and that's what's going to happen regardless so get whatever you have done wrapped up for release. The falling out between them is making a lot more sense now though blame probably also lies with Kojima too for dithering/going over budget but I got the feeling that the ending was a massive 'Feck You' to Konami, in that it's not even Big Boss' story in the end. It also hammers home the sentiment that Konami don't really give a feck about their IP's or the people that work for them. This was supposed to be the grand finale and bring the Big Boss/Solid Snake/Ocelot storyline full circle and they just pushed it out the door unfinished. There's still a gap in the storyline & it leaves a bit of a bad taste especially where you see in the picture below the what real scope the game was intended to be, it really could have been one of the best games ever. If all that got done then there's no way the 'twist' at the end of game would have been handled the same.

This is actually a bit depressing. That's how it should have been to explain the transition of Big Boss. Maybe Hideo shouldn't have spent so much time in Afghanistan. The two areas of the game could have been halved and it would have been made up by those other bits really telling the final bit of the story properly.

 

[Ainu]

And the main twist didn't annoy me till I realised (maybe someone can comment):

Spoiler

How the feck do they take a medic, make him believe that he is big-boss, give him big-boss' memories, and most importantly, give him the abilities of the most legendary soldier ever? I mean, you could argue that they didn't, and he just turned out to be a fricking badass, but it's just a little unlikely, isn't it? He could have turned out, luckily, to be quite good. But building his own empire, taking down Sehelanthropus and all the other big boss type acts from a medic? Mmmkay.

All in all the end twist doesn't ruin it for me. In fact, I thought it wasn't a bad end at all. It's just a little hard to actually take seriously. All in all, a great experience, but slightly hard to judge right now.

Spoiler

The medic was supposed to be Big Boss' best soldier, so physically it's pretty believable that he was more or less his equal. Being trained CQC by Big Boss himself (or so I'd like to think) would make him extremely proficient in that area as well. And he was constantly in good company with Ocelot and Kaz. All things considered it doesn't seem that far fetched that he would be able to emulate the real Big Boss under those circumstances. It just wasn't built up adequately, which makes it seem pretty unbelievable at first thought. Throughout the story Kaz and Ocelot seem to the leading characters giving direction to the whole operation, with Medic Big Boss being the person having the final say but not coming across as the mind behind the empire. I'd say that's actually pretty consistent with the whole plot twist. As you say, it's not a bad ending, just not built up as well as it could/should've been.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Spoiler

The medic was supposed to be Big Boss' best soldier, so physically it's pretty believable that he was more or less his equal. Being trained CQC by Big Boss himself (or so I'd like to think) would make him extremely proficient in that area as well. And he was constantly in good company with Ocelot and Kaz. All things considered it doesn't seem that far fetched that he would be able to emulate the real Big Boss under those circumstances. It just wasn't built up adequately, which makes it seem pretty unbelievable at first thought. Throughout the story Kaz and Ocelot seem to the leading characters giving direction to the whole operation, with Medic Big Boss being the person having the final say but not coming across as the mind behind the empire. I'd say that's actually pretty consistent with the whole plot twist. As you say, it's not a bad ending, just not built up as well as it could/should've been.

Spoiler

It does fall in line with the rest of the Metal Gear plot with there being "two big bosses" but the idea that this medic even if he was one of the more promising soldiers (why was he a medic then?) is as good as the legendary big boss, just doesn't sit well with me. The whole fantasty of Metal Gear is built around Boss and Big Boss being the two legendary soldiers and the latter being so good that they cloned him thrice, which led to the main hero Solid Snake, who went on to bigger greatness, and his enemy Liquid. Suddenly saying "well, this medic of Big Boss' is also as just as good and can do all those heroic stealth stuff thats part of MGS lore", for me, sort of messes with it.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Spoiler

In fact, just to add to that I'd have preferred if towards the end (whilst giving subtle hints throughout) they had used a story element to weaken or put into context your achievements during the game, and given a certain space to those of the real Big Boss in the fag stretch of the game where you get play as him or at least see what he achieves for the last 3-4 hours. It's not so much about playing Big Boss as it is about preserving his own place in the story.

Or alternatively, the downward spiral of big boss himself would have been absolutely fascinating.

 

[Ainu]

Spoiler

You're right that there is a risk of diminishing the real Big Boss' achievements, but I like to imagine there are certain differences between Medic's ordeals and those of Big Boss and Solid Snake. Medic's infiltrations aren't as complicated as what Big Boss had to do in the jungles and bases of Russia in Snake Eater or Solid Snake at Shadow Moses. He doesn't have as many memorable, gruelling boss battles as those two and he never had to withstand the same hardships. Big Boss and Solid Snake both had far longer and more demanding singular missions that required more sheer will and determination than Medic's loose missions in Afghanistan and Middle Africa. Just think about Big Boss' survival and torture or Solid Snake's own torture at Shadow Moses or his horrific crawl through that micro-wave in MGSIV. Medic's toughest ordeal was getting out of the hospital at the start of his adventure, and he only managed because the real Big Boss was helping him.

I like to think that this justifies Big Boss and Solid Snake's superiority and legendary status while still considering Medic Big Boss a great soldier.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Spoiler

You're right that there is a risk of diminishing the real Big Boss' achievements, but I like to imagine there are certain differences between Medic's ordeals and those of Big Boss and Solid Snake. Medic's infiltrations aren't as complicated as what Big Boss had to do in the jungles and bases of Russia in Snake Eater or Solid Snake at Shadow Moses. He doesn't have as many memorable, gruelling boss battles as those two and he never had to withstand the same hardships. Big Boss and Solid Snake both had far longer and more demanding singular missions that required more sheer will and determination than Medic's loose missions in Afghanistan and Middle Africa. Just think about Big Boss' survival and torture or Solid Snake's own torture at Shadow Moses or his horrific crawl through that micro-wave in MGSIV. Medic's toughest ordeal was getting out of the hospital at the start of his adventure, and he only managed because the real Big Boss was helping him.

I like to think that this justifies Big Boss and Solid Snake's superiority and legendary status while still considering Medic Big Boss a great soldier.

Spoiler

That's fair. Most of the missions were straight up short stealth mission rather than long standalone missions with crazy "bosses" to defeat in between. The one that bucks that trend, and in a big way too, is taking down Sahelanthrapus. That's a seriously big feat I imagine.

 

[Woodzy]

Bought this today. Opening scene was exceptional - even my Mrs was gripped by it. Although with having no idea what MGS is she found some of it bizarre.

I've got to the first village and left it at that for now, but even then I can tell the gameplay is going to be a bit special.

Any tips early on? The guards leading up to the village ended up with a knife in their neck. What are the downsides to this as opposed to knocking them out? I don't want to leave these bastards alive!

 

[Shane88]

Bought this today. Opening scene was exceptional - even my Mrs was gripped by it. Although with having no idea what MGS is she found some of it bizarre.

I've got to the first village and left it at that for now, but even then I can tell the gameplay is going to be a bit special.

Any tips early on? The guards leading up to the village ended up with a knife in their neck. What are the downsides to this as opposed to knocking them out? I don't want to leave these bastards alive!

You'll end up knocking out and fultoning about 90% of the soldiers you come across. You'll need them to upgrade your base and unlock gear.

Can't think of any downsides really except for being unable to unlock stuff and a slight visual change to Big Boss over time.

 

[Woodzy]

Ahh okay. It would be cool to unlock stuff as I go. I don't think I have the option to Fulton yet.

With that being said, I'd love to just leave a trail of carnage behind me by killing everyone with a knife to the throat.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

If there are dumpsters or toilets in the vicinity, you can dump their bodies inside.

Although there are no repercussions if you've captured the guardpost. It's only an issue if there are still guards about who can spot the body. The post will reload later anyway.

And you're right, the gameplay is truly special. One of the best I've played in terms of that. feck, I miss playing it already.

 

[Woodzy]

I absolutely love it! I've played about 6 hours today and barely scratched the surface (two missions, and two side ops). It keeps the feel of Metal Gear Solid buts add unbelievable immersive element with the sandbox, and no longer feels like you are punished for not taking the stealth approach.

I spent about an hour on the mission to extract Miller, simply because I was taking my time, getting things done cleanly. I had 3 enemies left however, all stood next to each other and didn't know how to approach the situation... then a truck with one solider turns up (had it marked so saw it coming, but love how it can just happen randomly). Anyway, after all the taking care of the fine details (dumping each dead body in one specific location next to my horse ) and slow approach to make sure it's done perfectly... I killed the driver, grab the truck, drive straight into the outpost and run them down. It felt amazing.

I love and hate the fulton system. I like the idea of sending soldiers back to mother base, although i've reached the point already where I no longer want to any old crap back. Can I just fire all the shit ones and leave room for the elites? It also break immersion a little... the littlest sounds of movements can alert an enemy, but you can fulton them right next to an enemy and they don't notice?

I can see how this game could get repetitive after a while, but i'm certainly going to get my money worth up until then.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

I absolutely love it! I've played about 6 hours today and barely scratched the surface (two missions, and two side ops). It keeps the feel of Metal Gear Solid buts add unbelievable immersive element with the sandbox, and no longer feels like you are punished for not taking the stealth approach.

I spent about an hour on the mission to extract Miller, simply because I was taking my time, getting things done cleanly. I had 3 enemies left however, all stood next to each other and didn't know how to approach the situation... then a truck with one solider turns up (had it marked so saw it coming, but love how it can just happen randomly). Anyway, after all the taking care of the fine details (dumping each dead body in one specific location next to my horse ) and slow approach to make sure it's done perfectly... I killed the driver, grab the truck, drive straight into the outpost and run them down. It felt amazing.

I love and hate the fulton system. I like the idea of sending soldiers back to mother base, although i've reached the point already where I no longer want to any old crap back. Can I just fire all the shit ones and leave room for the elites? It also break immersion a little... the littlest sounds of movements can alert an enemy, but you can fulton them right next to an enemy and they don't notice?

I can see how this game could get repetitive after a while, but i'm certainly going to get my money worth up until then.

If you fulton someone within 30 ft of the enemy they get alerted, also you can discharge recruits from mother base from the iDroid but it will reduce your team levels so I suggest hanging onto the crappy ones if you are in the initial missions. When you get better ones and exceed mother base capacity, the crappy ones automatically get discharged.

Be aware to lock down specialists who might have crappy ratings but have a specialty.

 

[Woodzy]

If you fulton someone within 30 ft of the enemy they get alerted, also you can discharge recruits from mother base from the iDroid but it will reduce your team levels so I suggest hanging onto the crappy ones if you are in the initial missions. When you get better ones and exceed mother base capacity, the crappy ones automatically get discharged.

Be aware to lock down specialists who might have crappy ratings but have a specialty.

I swear I tried it right next to another guard and it didn't alert him. I also tried it to a guard in a watchtower (which provided comical results) and that didn't alert the guards below.

That makes sense in that case. I'll keep the crappy ones for now. I've upgraded my scope so at least I can get an idea of who I shouldn't bother with from the start now.

 

[Woodzy]

Had an enemy truck accidentally run over its own soldier Had a perfect view of it and it was hilarious. Shame it didn't react to it properly. The soldiers in the truck still acted like someone else had killed him ...they were deemed not worthy for mother base as a result and received a swift bullet to the head each.

It's also a massive pain in the arse (but more dynamic, and therefore fun) when you clear an entire outpost, only to leave the outpost on your horse and find another two guards have turned up since

 

[Haddock]

Finished playing Uncharted (the remastered collection) and MGS V (3 months back). Two completely different games. One is a video game desperately trying to recreate the feel of action movies complete with hokum dialogue , the other is brilliantly plotless for long periods. The best bits of Phantom Pain felt like a sandbox version of games like Pac-Man, where you play solely for the gameplay in absence of any story.

 

[Woodzy]

10 hours sank into it and only 8% complete.

I spent a bloody hour on the Quiet boss fight, which I thought was an incredible environment.

 

[Kraftwerker]

Just got to Africa and strangely losing interest having loved it up to then.

The environment just isn't as stunning or engrossing as Afghanistan (looks a lot more last gen) and that has taken the shine off.

I read a bit through the thread and seems that eventually I'll just have to go back to Afghanistan which isn't ideal either. I loved it but I've compartmentalised it now!

Judging by the camo options available to me I was expecting some city and rainforest locations to also play a big role. Disappointing if this is essentially the limit of what I'll experience.

Spoiler: Quiet

Just got the option to use Quiet on missions too. Seems a bit too easy to have her popping heads from afar. Might just use her for the side quests to get them done, but leave her out of the main stuff and stick to the dog. Will that feck me up? Someone mentioned something earlier about losing her

 

[Woodzy]

I don't think i'm far from Africa. It has been mentioned just after I rescued the doctor but I still have lots to do in Afghanistan.

What I would personally like to see is some big interior missions, like the old classic ones. The outdoor stuff is great but the mission where I had to extract robot legs made me realise how great a big classic interior would be.

I have to say though, as far as classic MGS bosses and cutscenes go, I am not at all disappointed so far. It's all there, I just don't see why it got so much criticism in that respect. Quiet was a great boss and the atmosphere and environment for the fight was exceptional, and the Metal Gear 'battle' at the power plant was also intense. I'd love to see that thing chase me through the whole of Afghanistan.

 

[BigDunc9]

Spoiler: GIF

 

[shaggy]

I killed quiet in about 1 minute. didn't realise she was supposed to be a proper fight. Also got bored in Africa, pretty good game overall though, I'd give it 8/10

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Metal Gear 'battle' at the power plant was also intense. I'd love to see that thing chase me through the whole of Afghanistan.

Keep playing.

 

[Twigg]

Cleared the first 45 missions in about two weeks, and haven't played it since. It's weird because I was really enjoying it, but I've no motivation to clear the final mission now. Will probably watch a Youtube playthrough of it to see how the story goes.

 

[b82REZ]

Cleared the first 45 missions in about two weeks, and haven't played it since. It's weird because I was really enjoying it, but I've no motivation to clear the final mission now. Will probably watch a Youtube playthrough of it to see how the story goes.

Ditto. I put it as my GOTY but I have no desire to go back and finish it.

 

[Big Andy]

Having completed tomb raider, is this worth a buy, or should I go fallout 4 instead?

So I got this for christmas, and have played a few missions, I've just done the Honey Bee mission, and a few side ops...

I like it, all the sneaking about, sniping, etc...but it all seems a little bit "samey", in each mission...

Also, wtf is the Doris in the gas mask and straight jacket that keeps floating about...?

Do I need to actively assign staff at the base, or just let them auto assign? Do I also need to keep up with expanding my base as much as possible, rather than developing my weaponry? I basically just use the Tranquliser gun, sniper rifle, and the machine gun...

 

[Ainu]

So I got this for christmas, and have played a few missions, I've just done the Honey Bee mission, and a few side ops...

I like it, all the sneaking about, sniping, etc...but it all seems a little bit "samey", in each mission...

Also, wtf is the Doris in the gas mask and straight jacket that keeps floating about...?

Do I need to actively assign staff at the base, or just let them auto assign? Do I also need to keep up with expanding my base as much as possible, rather than developing my weaponry? I basically just use the Tranquliser gun, sniper rifle, and the machine gun...

Use auto-assign. You'll end up with personel in the hundreds so you'll lose your mind if you try to assign manually. Only develop weapons you absolutely want/need and ignore the rest. Expanding the base is far more beneficial. Be sure to develop some rocket launchers and general explosives though.

 

[Brocky]

So I got this for christmas, and have played a few missions, I've just done the Honey Bee mission, and a few side ops...

I like it, all the sneaking about, sniping, etc...but it all seems a little bit "samey", in each mission...

Also, wtf is the Doris in the gas mask and straight jacket that keeps floating about...?

Do I need to actively assign staff at the base, or just let them auto assign? Do I also need to keep up with expanding my base as much as possible, rather than developing my weaponry? I basically just use the Tranquliser gun, sniper rifle, and the machine gun...

Use auto-assign. You'll end up with personel in the hundreds so you'll lose your mind if you try to assign manually. Only develop weapons you absolutely want/need and ignore the rest. Expanding the base is far more beneficial. Be sure to develop some rocket launchers and general explosives though.

There are a few staff members that you'll want to keep an eye on, though. Specialists. Usually the people you rescue in missions. They will have speciality traits that will make different weapons available for development. However, as they are going to be low skilled, once you get further into the game, Miller will auto dismiss them to make room for higher skilled staff and you will lose their speciality.

Make sure you put these guys on direct contracts, so Miller can't bin them.

 

[Big Andy]

There are a few staff members that you'll want to keep an eye on, though. Specialists. Usually the people you rescue in missions. They will have speciality traits that will make different weapons available for development. However, as they are going to be low skilled, once you get further into the game, Miller will auto dismiss them to make room for higher skilled staff and you will lose their speciality.

Make sure you put these guys on direct contracts, so Miller can't bin them.

I went through last night and put all my specialist on direct contracts...I was wondering what that meant to be honest, as I thought it said "direct contact" as in, I can talk to them, so I kept pressing it, and a lock kept coming up, so I thought I'd have to unlock something to be able to talk to them...

 

[.Rossi]

Quick bit of advice please!

I don't own a PS4 and probably won't either until near the end of March and this game is available in a shop near to me for 25 quid for PS3, brand new.

Would it be worth getting for PS3? Or will I wait another two months?

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Quick bit of advice please!

I don't own a PS4 and probably won't either until near the end of March and this game is available in a shop near to me for 25 quid for PS3, brand new.

Would it be worth getting for PS3? Or will I wait another two months?

It really depends on how important graphics are for you. It's looks and runs remarkably well for a PS3 game, but of course PS4 game is far sharper, faster, smoother and what have you.

And how big a fan of the series you are. I would probably have gotten a PS4 in 6-8 months time, but I just couldn't wait to play the latest MGS game given how big a fan of the series I am.

 

[swooshboy]

Quick bit of advice please!

I don't own a PS4 and probably won't either until near the end of March and this game is available in a shop near to me for 25 quid for PS3, brand new.

Would it be worth getting for PS3? Or will I wait another two months?

I would wait. Playing the game in 1080p/60fps is well worth waiting for. When I play, I like to plan my attacks on each objective - so you spend time spying the base and locating and identifying enemey soldies from distance. To that end, having the extra sharpness, resolution and clarity on the PS4 really helps and definitely immerses you more.

 

[.Rossi]

It really depends on how important graphics are for you. It's looks and runs remarkably well for a PS3 game, but of course PS4 game is far sharper, faster, smoother and what have you.

And how big a fan of the series you are. I would probably have gotten a PS4 in 6-8 months time, but I just couldn't wait to play the latest MGS game given how big a fan of the series I am.

MGS series is my favourite so I'm kind of itching to play it.

While I'd love to have the full experience (PS4) I have very little patience But, if people here, who know more than me, say it's worth waiting for, I'll wait

 

[amolbhatia50k]

MGS series is my favourite so I'm kind of itching to play it.

While I'd love to have the full experience (PS4) I have very little patience But, if people here, who know more than me, say it's worth waiting for, I'll wait

The thing is, that if you've seen the PS4 version then it might have already ruined it for you on the PS3 because you'll be getting a much worse looking game.

But for me A) I'm a huge MGS fan and B) Graphics are always secondary to me, to the experience. I just wasn't going to wait 6-8 months for it.

Waiting till March isn't really that big a deal. Do you have some free time now which you wont then? Because that was also a factor for me. I was completely free for 2 months so it was a no-brainer.

 

[Brocky]

MGS series is my favourite so I'm kind of itching to play it.

While I'd love to have the full experience (PS4) I have very little patience But, if people here, who know more than me, say it's worth waiting for, I'll wait

I would wait, tbh. If you don't already have it, maybe pick up Ground Zeroes for PS3 to give you a MGS fix until you get your PS4...?

 

[VeevaVee]

Been playing this recently. On to the Honey Bee mission but done a load of side ops to get more money/base monkeys/gear.

Really let down by the base to be honest. Thought it would be a nice RPG element, but totally lacking in every way. Well every way apart from the insane distance to each section (guessing this is one of MGS's ways of fecking with you that I've heard about).

Also, as mentioned by a million others, the open world is lacking too. Some civilian life would have been interesting. Could've worked well with the enemy, with random clashes and interactions that you could choose to interfere with or otherwise. There could also have been some nice side missions available from them which might've added some variety.
They could have even been useful to send home to base with certain traits.

Other than those (let's be honest - almost game killing points), the general gameplay is very good, repetitiveness aside.

I'm already doubting I'll finish it to be honest though.
It's a shame, because it could have been so much more.

 

[Brocky]

Been playing this recently. On to the Honey Bee mission but done a load of side ops to get more money/base monkeys/gear.

Really let down by the base to be honest. Thought it would be a nice RPG element, but totally lacking in every way. Well every way apart from the insane distance to each section (guessing this is one of MGS's ways of fecking with you that I've heard about).

Also, as mentioned by a million others, the open world is lacking too. Some civilian life would have been interesting. Could've worked well with the enemy, with random clashes and interactions that you could choose to interfere with or otherwise. There could also have been some nice side missions available from them which might've added some variety.
They could have even been useful to send home to base with certain traits.

Other than those (let's be honest - almost game killing points), the general gameplay is very good, repetitiveness aside.

I'm already doubting I'll finish it to be honest though.
It's a shame, because it could have been so much more.

Fwiw, you can use the cardboard box delivery points to fast-travel on base.

 

[VeevaVee]

Fwiw, you can use the cardboard box delivery points to fast-travel on base.

Yeah, I've seen that but not tried it yet.

Is it ever worth travelling around base though? Place is even deader than the map.

 

[Brocky]

Yeah, I've seen that but not tried it yet.

Is it ever worth travelling around base though? Place is even deader than the map.

Not really. It's worth exploring a bit, as there are diamonds knocking around on each platform. Your guards should be able to inform you where they are.

There's also a 'secret' room, which reveals a bit of a side-story.

Visiting Quiet is an option, you can throw magazines for DD to chase and there will eventually be a zoo that you can populate. All-in-all, nothing overly exciting, but worth a look.

Oh, and you can take a shower to remove fatigue effects.

 

[NinjaZombie]

One thing I miss from the old games were those codec conversations you had where Snake and his friends would talk about stuff like the guns he had equipped, or other topics like nukes, history of warfare, little random facts etc.


^This video reminded me of all those things.