The reviews are out for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and they are overwhelmingly positive.
The batch of first reviews for the game suggest that this might be one of the most well-received games of the past decade, with critics hailing it as Metal Gear Solid series creator Hideo Kojima’s best game yet.
IGN, who gave the game a full 10 rating, stated: “The Phantom Pain is the kind of game I thought would never exist – one where every minute gameplay detail has true purpose.” Gamespot also gave it a perfect score, noting: “The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is.”
The game currently sits at a Metascore of 95 on Metacritic, with 15 positive reviews having been counted and plenty more to go. While its gameplay is being widely praised and it is being branded the perfect swansong to Kojima’s time with the series, its “incomprehensible” story remains the strongest criticism of the game so far, with it being suggested that diehard fans of the series may be left a little disappointed by how disjointed its plot is.
Nonetheless it’s looking likely that the game will prove to be a huge success both critically and commercially, which will be big news for Konami after the company’s reputation has recently been tarnished following reports that they are guilty of upholding a hostile work environment, in which game developers are monitored both on and off site.
The revelations about Konami’s loathsome corporate culture followed the removal of Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions from Konami, another hugely divisive incident that has led to Konami becoming one of the most reviled companies working in the video game industry today. However, it is unlikely that this will deter many from purchasing Kojima’s final entry in the Metal Gear series, meaning that Konami’s pockets will be lined with gold this year despite them arguably not deserving such wealth given what we know about the inner-workings of the company.
With that being said, it’s difficult to abstain from purchasing a new Metal Gear game, especially one that is being branded the very best in the series. Those with a stronger adherence to their principles may decide to opt this one out, but the rest of us who really want to play it will still begrudgingly give Konami our money despite us not wanting to advocate their behavior as a company.
