I have ALWAYS loved stealth games. Ever since Thief: The Dark Project, I've not found a more satisfying genre. More recently, I've adored the Dishonored series (particularly the first as it mirrored Thief so clearly), the Tomb Raider reboots, the Metro series and I've always opted for stealth options in the likes of Fallout 4, Horizon Zero Dawn and RDR2.
What I've never understood is the appeal of Metal Gear Solid. Many years ago, I was surprised by the fact that it actually came out before Thief...yet when I played it, I didn't get the appeal. Those tight corridors made it feel more like one of those platformers from the early days of gaming that required pixel-perfect jumps. It was just tedious.
A few years ago, I picked up the PS Vita along with a series of MGS games and it made me wonder if I'd been too harsh. Apparently not. I just found it tedious again...and difficult in a way that failed to thrill. Whereas Thief was drenched in atmosphere, this was some big tough guy killing folk. Presumably it got creative about it but the truth is that a military modern-day storyline appeals as little to me as a character that has no vulnerabilities (Thief's Garrett was the opposite). Even the later version just felt the same...and, judging by some reviews, I may be wrong about the storytelling...but I couldn't get into it long enough to tell. The improved graphics and more rounded 3D approach were good but it still felt like the same game.
Now that I'm looking for my latest stealth fix, MGS V keeps coming up again as a strong recommendation...but is really worth bothering with?
Am I correct in my presumptions about this series...or very, very wrong? More importantly, has #5 moved on to the point that someone who enjoyed all the games mentioned previously can't help but enjoy this too?
TIA for your thoughts.
@Ibsen3 MGS5 is apparently £3.99 on PSN right now so really at that price you should just give it a punt. The story is crap but the gameplay is excellent - until you get into the routine of abusing the silenced sniper rifle.
@Ibsen3 I played V on a whim this time last year. Enjoyed it so much that I’ve since played the whole series. They really are something special, so glad I gave them a go.
@Ibsen3 If you play MGSV first, you'll be experiencing the ultimate refinement of the series' gameplay, and will absolutely find it more difficult to go back and play the others at a later date, because they're nowhere near as freewheeling... so, in some ways, it might be your best shot at forming a connection, but it also might be a terrible mistake because, if the exploits of Snake suddenly "click" with you, it might be too late to fully appreciate the series' history.
Sometimes, however, we simply don't "get" stuff, and that's totally okay. If you've still got your copies of the older games lying around, why not give them another try before throwing fresh money at what might turn out to be another potential misfire?
"We want different things, Crosshair. That doesn't mean that we have to be enemies."
Playing the Metal Gear Series from MGSV would be a sour mistake... most of the characters and context just wouldn't resonate as well. Salldy the series hasn't reached PS4/PS5 however I can recommend the best way to play the series:
MGS1 - PC (PS3/Vita version is fine)
MGS2 - MGS HD Collection 360 version on later Xbox systems (PS3 version is fine)
MGS3 - MGS HD Collection 360 version on later Xbox systems (PS3 version is fine)
MGS4 - PS3 is the only way sadly...
MGS5 - Then play this!
The MGSHD Collection offers the original MSX versions too MG1 is okay but MG2 is actually a very decent game in it's own right but I think MGS1 references this enough to not be essential.
Thank you for your thoughts, folks. I'll be mulling it over during the holiday period. The reduced price on MGSV lasts for a good few weeks yet...and I agree it sounds like good value.
Hitman is certainly an option too.
@Ibsen3 Go play MGS5 if you want a great stealth game. I'd consider MGS3 to be an option if you care more about story than stealth action.
Some will probably call it sacrilege to start at V, but I think that game can be played on its own fine. I love the series' world and characters, but I don't think the order of play matters. Yeah, you'll miss some references along the way, but if you'll end up loving the series at all eventually, you'll happily replay Phantom Pain.
Phantom Pain is my favorite PS4 game. Don't rob yourself of a possibly great experience!
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Topic: Is it time for me to play MGS?
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