Question: 10 Years On: What do you think of MGSV?

[Aragorn]

Honestly, playing through Delta with quasi MGS V controls - it makes me realize that even MGS V’s supposed strong suit (freedom) has a lot of weak points.

Compare Groznyj Grad to any level in V - there are a lot of different ways to approach the former; and there is an intentionality to the different paths you can take. Sneak through the southeast? Front door? Use the box? It’s open ended but at the same time it feels more satisfying taking an unconventional route because it feels like you found a secret, if that makes sense.

With V - it’s so open ended (and mostly outdoors and barren) that you don’t really get that feeling. The game throws so many resources and weapons at you that it becomes very clear what the optimal play style is (snipe with your lethality slider of choice) and there is rarely any hard tension. Sure, you can self impose certain challenges on yourself - and V is a better sandbox than it’s predecessor, but what makes a strong open ended game isn’t just throwing different options at you; it’s creating enough friction where taking an unconventional path feels rewarded.

V doesn’t really do that. It just lets you do whatever and hopes the novelty of your dog or inter dimensional fulton will carry you through.