Cheers, I'll give it a try. All the feedback on CKkeys I've read has been positive and I got my key pretty much straight away after placing order. Will post my thoughts once I've had a change to play it.
Cheers, I'll give it a try. All the feedback on CKkeys I've read has been positive and I got my key pretty much straight away after placing order. Will post my thoughts once I've had a change to play it.
I've played 150 hrs and I can't remember ever feeling quite so conflicted about a game.
MGS V has perhaps the most brilliantly cohesive set of systems working in relative harmony of any game. It's mind-boggling how a game can handle so many variables in stealth and combat options with the Ai in an open world environment.
Messing around with different approaches, equipment and buddies and the enemy Ai has never felt more fun. Unlike almost every game that claims you can tackle things your own way. Here that is actually the case.
Stalking through camps eyeing up potential recruits is extremely addictive and offers a compelling and fun reason to go non-lethal
But...
I can't understand some of the design decisions. Checkpoints in an open-world stealth game? Really? It's utterly obnoxious and idiotic.
Having only 2 locales really hurts the game. Rocky and sandy or green and mud. Why there were no western environments or at least some Interior bases is baffling. Also the open world is pointless if it is so devoid of activity.
The story is.... I really can't find an adjective. It starts with a really inspiring intro... which couldn't be less indicative of the rest of the game if it tried! Then it throws sporadic bits at you which never for one moment ever make for a compelling driver for the player to go through the game. The only reason I cared at all was to see Quiet's mystery resolved, and she was the only memorable character in the whole affair.
The other reason was to see the fall of BB which was ludicrously misleading in the trailers and come the end, the story was deeply unfulfilling and unresolved.
"Chapter 2" absolutely screams "we ran out of time/money"
Mother Base is just dead. Would it have been too much to ask to have Miller and Ocelot walking around that you could talk to? Or to have some interiors for you and your troops?
In the final analysis MGS V makes me sad. From a pure gameplay point of view this is close to my idea of perfection. But almost everything else that should be adding and supporting it, instead actively tries to bore and frustrate.
Is anyone else finding the whole base side of things a bit ermm.......overwhelming and confusing? I've been kinda guilty of skipping through some of the tutorial tips which popped up once you reach Mother Base for the first time and now that I'm back in the field again, I'm not really sure what I should be doing back at the base.
I've played 150 hrs and I can't remember ever feeling quite so conflicted about a game.
MGS V has perhaps the most brilliantly cohesive set of systems working in relative harmony of any game. It's mind-boggling how a game can handle so many variables in stealth and combat options with the Ai in an open world environment.
Messing around with different approaches, equipment and buddies and the enemy Ai has never felt more fun. Unlike almost every game that claims you can tackle things your own way. Here that is actually the case.
Stalking through camps eyeing up potential recruits is extremely addictive and offers a compelling and fun reason to go non-lethal
But...
I can't understand some of the design decisions. Checkpoints in an open-world stealth game? Really? It's utterly obnoxious and idiotic.
Having only 2 locales really hurts the game. Rocky and sandy or green and mud. Why there were no western environments or at least some Interior bases is baffling. Also the open world is pointless if it is so devoid of activity.
The story is.... I really can't find an adjective. It starts with a really inspiring intro... which couldn't be less indicative of the rest of the game if it tried! Then it throws sporadic bits at you which never for one moment ever make for a compelling driver for the player to go through the game. The only reason I cared at all was to see Quiet's mystery resolved, and she was the only memorable character in the whole affair.
The other reason was to see the fall of BB which was ludicrously misleading in the trailers and come the end, the story was deeply unfulfilling and unresolved.
"Chapter 2" absolutely screams "we ran out of time/money"
Mother Base is just dead. Would it have been too much to ask to have Miller and Ocelot walking around that you could talk to? Or to have some interiors for you and your troops?
In the final analysis MGS V makes me sad. From a pure gameplay point of view this is close to my idea of perfection. But almost everything else that should be adding and supporting it, instead actively tries to bore and frustrate.
I know exactly what you mean. I played it for about 40 or so hours now and I am close to the end and I really feel this game could have been so much more. It has so much going for it, but feels like it was rushed and maybe lack of budget towards the end. Perhaps if Kojima had 1 more year to work on it, it would have been his magnum opus.
Is anyone else finding the whole base side of things a bit ermm.......overwhelming and confusing? I've been kinda guilty of skipping through some of the tutorial tips which popped up once you reach Mother Base for the first time and now that I'm back in the field again, I'm not really sure what I should be doing back at the base.
I felt like that too even after like 10 hours of playing. Then slowly you get to grips with it and then you think, what was so confusing? lol.
It is a lot of fun going into camps and scouting out talent to add to your mother base. Very addictive
Then you got the FOB stuff which takes it to another level. Only just started going online and attacking other people's FOB's. Damn some of them are super hard. Anything over a level 30 FOB can be very difficult.
Pretty sure there are articles and youtube videos for it out there, I would check that out. Apart from that, just go though the menus experiment see what does what I suppose.
I would recommend you do learn it soon, as it will come in handy more you play on
Okay, I finally finished this game (at least story wise, now to crack on with 100% completion).
As much as I feel like there are bits missing, this game was still INCREDIBLE. Don't have to say much about the gameplay, we all agree thats fantastic.
But personally, I feel the story was great. When I get time tonight I'll do a write up of what made it shine for me (be warned it will be spoilerific) but thumbs up Kojima, you did it again.
It was an excellent way to wrap up BB's story before the events of MG1. Sure we could have seen more, but all is at least explained. Definitely a satisfying if bittersweet sense of closure.
I thought that was by far the most disappointing aspect of the game. We were promised it would be the missing link that would show us how BB turned from hero to villain hit it doesn't do that at all. I was looking forward to an epic story where BB would gradually turn.
The plot twist just complicates matters unnecessarily and in the context of the series is cheap and a major letdown.
I thought that was by far the most disappointing aspect of the game. We were promised it would be the missing link that would show us how BB turned from hero to villain hit it doesn't do that at all. I was looking forward to an epic story where BB would gradually turn.
The plot twist just complicates matters unnecessarily and in the context of the series is cheap and a major letdown.
Sad thing is, I still don't feel like I'm done with the game. I am still mopping up some side ops even though I have done all of the story. Another chapter would have suited me perfectly!
Also I would love to go through the game again with items unlocked. A lot of stuff you get too late. I have only just got the bandana.
Okay so my LONG thoughts on some of the story aspects in this game, and generally what Kojima has accomplished:
SPOILER HEAVY - SERIOUSLY DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T TRULY FINISHED THE GAME
Came away with an incredible feeling at the end, when I realised that I personally had become Big Boss. Go back through my post history to see that I really appreciated how I could chose my own way to handle missions, and generally tackle them in a supremely badass way (ie like Big Boss would). Add the combat/stealth gameplay to the fact that you were also building Mother Base and it really felt right. But what blew me away was the twist reveal at the end, that you were playing a body double for the real Big Boss the whole time. But thats not really true, the point isn't to think of controlling the medic that becomes Venom Snake... YOU are the one that becomes Venom Snake. You become Big Boss. This is clear when you make the avatar and get the cards/birthday messages that fit your real life details. Whereas in all the previous games, you played as Solid Snake as he went about some incredible events, which is why there was so many cutscenes as well. Instead of watching someone act... you act. It makes sense now that Keifer didn't talk that much, because it would have increased the disconnect.
That final cutscene where the real BB is talking to Venom Snake and informing him of what actually happened through the cassette take was also great. By this point, Venom is in Outer Heaven and Solid is on his way to battle and eventually kill him. You think, what has Venom gone through... all for BB.
Doing some of the more monotonous mission that were not particularly story heavy also personally allowed me to believe that this was a real world. If the whole game was like an episode of 24 it would feel like a serious Hollywood wild ride, but having more down time, simpler missions/visiting motherbase helped me build picture of a world grounded in reality.
Some expected BB to descend into madness as the world around him went to crap. Well, this was a nice bit of misdirection (pretty much as big as the double double twist). In fact, BB (and Ocelot) were the ones to stay cool the entire time, despite the fact that things got pretty rough at time. It painted a bittersweet picture on things, and put into perspective that they knew that pure bloodlust and vengeance wasn't the way forward. I'd like to think thats always been BB's way, and in fact it tied into how I think I would personally act as well.
I loved the dialogue that helped explain Zero and BB's relationship further. For me, this also helped tie up all the loose ends. Even if another game doesn't come, we know what happened inbetween TPP and MG1 now, Zero and BB go their separate ways, forced by 'fate' to eventually truely go to war. I'm not sure they ever truely hated each other, but took such imposingly different methods to try and implement the Boss's will that in was inevitable that they would end up enemies.
Paz's storyline was incredible as well. I was so suprised when I saw the second interpretation of the helicopter bombing, and it made me really question a lot of what was happening in the game. Having listened to the tapes in GZ, you start off with a bitterness towards Paz that fades as you realise her outer shell is slowly cracking and she may not be as bad as you think. Then we meet again in TPP and I am truely want to help her. Its crazy to hear the diary moments and rehear the same events of MSF, but in a happy positive way, I was grabbing the photos like crazy, hoping that the last one would help restore her memory and let her be happy. Then the crushing but beautiful finally, she was just a figment of my imagination. And the way she talked to you from the grave.. a figment of BB's imagination and yet real at the same time. Haunting.
Quiet's scene when she picked up the iDroid to call back was crazy powerful. Again, you experiences from 'your' own eyes, but helpless to do anything. ALSO DAMN. Bold decision for you to actually lose her in the game. She was ALWAYS my buddy, I naturally felt more of a bond with her as human being. Plus there were some nice subtle touches of chemistry between the two of them. But damn, she leaves and there is a real sense of finality to it. As much as I wish I had her from a gameplay perspective, from a storytelling one this was a great move. This was a real world that I experience, where actions had consequences. Quiet is gone.
Oh snap, confirmed that Ocelot killed Kaz in the woods just before MGS1? didn't we all think this was liquid?
I don't know, this was a real ramble but its difficult to make this cohesive since my thoughts are still all over the place. But yes, it fits together so perfectly, both within the game and in the whole series. So satisfying. Sure I would have loved more of it, but really happy with what I got.
Okay so my LONG thoughts on some of the story aspects in this game, and generally what Kojima has accomplished:
SPOILER HEAVY - SERIOUSLY DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T TRULY FINISHED THE GAME
Came away with an incredible feeling at the end, when I realised that I personally had become Big Boss. Go back through my post history to see that I really appreciated how I could chose my own way to handle missions, and generally tackle them in a supremely badass way (ie like Big Boss would). Add the combat/stealth gameplay to the fact that you were also building Mother Base and it really felt right. But what blew me away was the twist reveal at the end, that you were playing a body double for the real Big Boss the whole time. But thats not really true, the point isn't to think of controlling the medic that becomes Venom Snake... YOU are the one that becomes Venom Snake. You become Big Boss. This is clear when you make the avatar and get the cards/birthday messages that fit your real life details. Whereas in all the previous games, you played as Solid Snake as he went about some incredible events, which is why there was so many cutscenes as well. Instead of watching someone act... you act. It makes sense now that Keifer didn't talk that much, because it would have increased the disconnect.
That final cutscene where the real BB is talking to Venom Snake and informing him of what actually happened through the cassette take was also great. By this point, Venom is in Outer Heaven and Solid is on his way to battle and eventually kill him. You think, what has Venom gone through... all for BB.
Doing some of the more monotonous mission that were not particularly story heavy also personally allowed me to believe that this was a real world. If the whole game was like an episode of 24 it would feel like a serious Hollywood wild ride, but having more down time, simpler missions/visiting motherbase helped me build picture of a world grounded in reality.
Some expected BB to descend into madness as the world around him went to crap. Well, this was a nice bit of misdirection (pretty much as big as the double double twist). In fact, BB (and Ocelot) were the ones to stay cool the entire time, despite the fact that things got pretty rough at time. It painted a bittersweet picture on things, and put into perspective that they knew that pure bloodlust and vengeance wasn't the way forward. I'd like to think thats always been BB's way, and in fact it tied into how I think I would personally act as well.
I loved the dialogue that helped explain Zero and BB's relationship further. For me, this also helped tie up all the loose ends. Even if another game doesn't come, we know what happened inbetween TPP and MG1 now, Zero and BB go their separate ways, forced by 'fate' to eventually truely go to war. I'm not sure they ever truely hated each other, but took such imposingly different methods to try and implement the Boss's will that in was inevitable that they would end up enemies.
Paz's storyline was incredible as well. I was so suprised when I saw the second interpretation of the helicopter bombing, and it made me really question a lot of what was happening in the game. Having listened to the tapes in GZ, you start off with a bitterness towards Paz that fades as you realise her outer shell is slowly cracking and she may not be as bad as you think. Then we meet again in TPP and I am truely want to help her. Its crazy to hear the diary moments and rehear the same events of MSF, but in a happy positive way, I was grabbing the photos like crazy, hoping that the last one would help restore her memory and let her be happy. Then the crushing but beautiful finally, she was just a figment of my imagination. And the way she talked to you from the grave.. a figment of BB's imagination and yet real at the same time. Haunting.
Quiet's scene when she picked up the iDroid to call back was crazy powerful. Again, you experiences from 'your' own eyes, but helpless to do anything. ALSO DAMN. Bold decision for you to actually lose her in the game. She was ALWAYS my buddy, I naturally felt more of a bond with her as human being. Plus there were some nice subtle touches of chemistry between the two of them. But damn, she leaves and there is a real sense of finality to it. As much as I wish I had her from a gameplay perspective, from a storytelling one this was a great move. This was a real world that I experience, where actions had consequences. Quiet is gone.
Oh snap, confirmed that Ocelot killed Kaz in the woods just before MGS1? didn't we all think this was liquid?
I don't know, this was a real ramble but its difficult to make this cohesive since my thoughts are still all over the place. But yes, it fits together so perfectly, both within the game and in the whole series. So satisfying. Sure I would have loved more of it, but really happy with what I got.
Damn nice post there chef. Enjoyed reading your take on it
I completed all the story missions today, just some sideops left. Had bandana for a while pighardia, you must have a ton of sideops left to do. I did not want to rush through the main missions, so did lots of side ops along the way. Nice way to get lots of recruits and unlock things to enjoy as you play along
Overall I am still left feeling like the story could have been stronger. The repeat missions in chapter 2 messed with the immersion and were out of place. They make no sense being there. They should have been just a separate section once game is complete. The game has a unfinished feeling about it. Shame really, as gameplay apart from a few bad choices like auto saves and maps is excellent.
Will stick to original preliminary review and give the game a 9 out of 10. Easily the best game of the year for me. But not good enough to say make my top 10 best games ever list for example due to mistakes made I mention above.
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And it's £28.90 now.
