The Therapist Gamer

The Metal Gear series basically invented the stealth genre in gaming, and this is the eigth main game in the series. Calling it a game is a bit generous, though, because it is extremely short (and appropriately costs much less than a regular game). However, like all Metal Gear games, the quality is very high and it offers a lot of replay value.

In case you are unfamiliar with real stealth games (not just "stealth sections" of other games), let me provide some basic information. An underlying gameplay idea in Metal Gear is that it will always be easier and more effective if you can remain undetected. One way this balance is achieved in Metal Gear is that enemies will call reinforcements if they see you, thus making the situation much more difficult. Also, even though you have a wide variety of weapons and gadgets, the enemies are pretty smart and will usually take you down after reinforcements are brought in. 

I really like the Metal Gear series' focus on stealth for a variety of reasons, but mostly I think it adds a great sense of tension to gameplay that is rarely found in other games. I mean, getting in a heated gun fight in a First-Person Shooter can be tense, but trying to sneak past a guard by slowly crawling through tall grass is simply a different experience. 

Each Metal Gear game since Metal Gear Solid 2 has allowed players to complete the game without killing anyone, including boss characters. Recent MGS games have given you a rating at the end of each mission and subtract points for each person killed. The ultimate, of course, is to complete a mission (or even an entire game) without killing a single person AND remaining undetected. This play style is in line with the series' anti-war themes and messages.

The Metal Gear series is known for a variety of things: high-end graphics, attention to detail, variety of weaponry and gadgets, ability to hide bodies, long and verbose cut scenes, twists, and a wry sense of humor. All of these elements are present in Ground Zeroes, but the cut scenes aren't nearly as convoluted as in some MGS games.

Ground Zeroes has (only) 6 missions, and only the first mission is part of the storyline with the other 5 missions being side-missions. Kojima (the brains behind MGS) has explained that this was because the "real" Metal Gear Solid 5 - "The Phantom Pain" - is so much different than previous MGS games that we all needed Ground Zeroes to show us the ropes. I think the real explanation is that he hasn't come out with an MGS game in 4 years and his bosses told him he needed to bring some money in. 

But even with only 6 levels, I've spend well over a dozen hours playing the game, which is more than many full-fledged games can offer. The game takes place in 1975, immediately after the events of the previous game. The primary mission takes place in the MGS version of Guantanamo Bay, and you are tasked with infiltrating the camp and rescuing two comrades. 

To be fair to Kojima's PR explanation, the game does introduce many new gameplay elements to the MGS series. For example, you can now tag enemies in order to keep track of them, even through walls (which I don't like). The game also introduces "Reflex Mode," which dramatically slows time immediately after being seen to give you a chance to take out the person who saw you (which I don't like, but which can be turned off for increased accolades). You can now run and, though you can't jump on flat ground, you can jump across gaps and climb a much wider array of obstacles, making Snake feel more versatile. The primary mode of completing a mission is to call in and board a helicopter, which is new to the series. 

Though the game is very good, it just seems to be lacking slightly from other games Kojima has made - not by much, by it isn't quite the quality of previous MGS entries. Nevertheless, I would recommend giving it a go, and it's a must-play for fans of the Metal Gear series. After playing this game I'm definitely excited for The Phantom Pain!