Metal Gear Solid V brings all the greatness of Metal Gear onto these new consoles and lemme tell ya, the hype was real!! Not only does MGSV: Phantom Pain live up to the legendary status of the ones that came before, it may even surpass them and trust me it takes a lot for me to say that. I have been a huge fan since MGS released on PS1 in 1997 or 1998, and I have followed the series loyally and loved every single game thus far but MGSV offers even more. Not only can Snake (Big Boss) now traverse freely as he sees fit and explore the vast world Hideo Kojima has brilliantly laid out for us, but he can do so and still maintain the badass MGS style stealth and shooter-fanatics. He definitely took a huge risk in choosing to expand and sort of make an espionage-RPG, cuz previous MGS titles confined you either in an area, or jungle or facility of some sort. But now, Snake can take and acceprt side missions, recruit new members, liberate enemy bases and expand his own base and earn money to upgrade weapons and gear that you will need to take down tougher enemies. And yes I was skeptical of the whole idea at first, but I am very pleased to say Kojima and Konami knocked it out of the park. There is so much to do, and so many scattered fun Easter Eggs that Kojima has laid out for you, that alone could entice you to continue. And there are tons of eggs for players who have played any of the previous games and the answers he provides on some topics is much appreciated. The shooting is great. same MGS style battling and stealth espionage style combat returns with all the stuff we loved about it added in the mix with a huge open world to sneak around in. And if your new to Metal Gear, even if sneaking isn't your style, Kojima makes it fit to your needs as well as you will have the full control over whether to not be seen by enemies and take them out silently one by one and covering your tracks by hiding the bodies of the NPC's you subdue or if you prefer you can go in guns a blazing and have every enemy in the Middle East after you at once. The 2nd option is not always possible however, and is much more difficult and I would advise assessing the situation before you commit. The enemies are tough Also, the epic bosses and superhuman abilities they possess make a return and its a joy ro have another chapter in the MGS saga of ultimate boss encounters. I wiont give it away but fans of the series will be pleased. MGSV also sports the best looking scenery in the series up to date, beautiful, well designed locations. Even Afghanistan (which is where you will begin the story), a vast wasteland of desert sand and sun scorched wildlife somehow manages to look beautiful and alluring. The nights in the desert are also stunning in their own ways and you can tell their was passion put into creating it. You will go to many other locations and all looked and felt just right!! The story of MGSV is true to the roots of other MGS titles and may seem a little far fetched to some, or unbelieavable even. But one thing that MGS has done from day one is tell a grand story of serious relations but does it in a creative and not so serious way. The content of the plot and the world that has become is all very harsh, brutal and cold. Yet, Kojima manages somehow to craft it in a way to make it enjoyable and not seem so serious and driven like games such as Call of Duty. MGS gives ppl a break of that and allows you to enjoy this ride and lets you ride it the way you want to. Needless to say,the story is full of surprises, betrayal, and old friendly and not so friendly faces of the past and is indeed a story done well and a perfect way to cap off MGS!!! And u don't have to be literate with MGS series at all to enjoy or understand, MGSV has Ocelot your instructor break it down to u as the story goes on. Although, it is much better having knowledge of the other games as there are tons of references, old familiar faces and stones unturned and Kojima really does well in leaving old fans of the series rewarded and satisfied. So, I'll cap it off with saying not only did Hideo Kojima and his (former??) company Konami manage to make a great open world stealth/rpg/action journey, but they managed to add Metal Gear in the mix of all that and its a formula hard to accept at first but man foes it work wonders. Snake has access to way more weapons, build his own unit of men and expand his home base, decide whether or not to let foes live to join your squad or kill them, have access to TONS of side missions that are all so rewarding in their own right that I did nothing but side quests for a solid 2 weeks. And to top everything off, Kojima threw in a banging 80's soundtrack cassette tapes as goodies you can find and have access to the musicas you going on your missions or whenever you want. So, lemme be the first to say that I have had a blast playing Metal Gear over these years, and that I believe this to be the greatest one yet. I know the whole sort of rpg elements and free to explore world may be too big a pill to swallow for some fans of the genre, but I got over it and accepted it and ended up being grateful for the change. It was time to bring Metal Gear into this age and by doing so, it opens a lot of doors and creates massive opportunities that weren't there before so before you condemn it, go try it!! I can only hope that Kojima and Konami can work things out and that isn't truly the last Metal Gear Solid game!! Its been much fun!!! A must have for even the slightest fans of Metal Gear and even newbies who just like shooting or exploring worlds!!