Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain - PS4

In many ways Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an advancement of game elements introduced in its predecessor, Ground Zeroes, but for many this will feel like a grander realisation of the series' ambitions.

Taking place nine years after the events of the last game, The Phantom Pain kicks off with Snake awakening from his injury-induced coma. There's a tutorial as players are brought up to speed with what's been going on, then it's time to get on with the business of the game - taking revenge for the attack on Mother Base nearly a decade ago.

The Phantom Pain builds on the open-world setting of the last game with a dusty Afghanistan, complete with majestic vierws, roaming wildlife, its own weather patterns and enemy bases waiting for infiltration. While elements of this open world design were present in Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain expands it and offers tactical freedom not seen in the game before.

While there's a wealth of infiltration, stealth and combat for series fans to dig into, Mother Base returns from Peace Walker to deepen the tactical side of the game. Serving as a hub, Mother Base offers up options ranging from crafting weapons to deploying mercenaries on missions to boost your income. It's something you'll want to do, too, because hard-won resources can be used to enhance and customise the base. It's important to have the base up to scratch, because it's a focal point for the new version of Metal Gear Online launched alongside The Phantom Pain.

The Phantom Pain is likely to be series creator Hideo Kojima's last work on the game, and it looks set to earn itself a place in gaming history. more