Metal Gear Solid V - Ground Zeroes Launch Trailer

Ground Zeroes, the prologue to Metal Gear Solid V comes out today and I personally couldn't be more excited to delve into our first taste of the next game. Even though dectractors continue to remain fixated on the fact that the game is apparently 10 minutes long (It keeps getting shorter with every flamebait article that pops online regarding it's length), I think people miss the point of what this game is truly supposed to be, a taste of what's to come in Phantom Pain.

From what we saw Zeroes offers one story mission and a very large playable sandbox area, with an intent on being replayed multiple times. The story ties into the events of Peace Walker, following Big Boss and Miller in an attempt to extract Chico and Paz from a highly guarded facility. Other than that it seems like the game doesn't seem to be about the story, but more about showcasing the subtle gameplay changes that take a note from other modern stealth games. Cardboard boxes and rations are no more, replaced with a regenerating health bar and a more action oriented focus, including the ability to commandeer multiple vehicles, while still offering the option of CQC and stealth.

I will speculate that picking up Ground Zeroes will offer some sort of perk if there's some existing save data once Phantom Pain comes out, but will note that this title will definitely be more appealing if you're a fan of the series rather than a newcomer looking to get a first taste.

Metal Gear Solid V - The Phantom Pain Red Band Trailer (NSFW)

Back in February Kojima hinted that his next project would tackle some truly mature, controversial themes, but even with the release of the new trailer yesterday we were still unsure as to what he was referring to. As Kojima said a short few months ago:

"Over the past 25 years, I have tried to work with the Metal Gear series to try and introduce more mature themes, but really, it hasn't happened yet, compared to movies or books. There's still a long way to go. That's precisely what I want to try and tackle with my next project..

I'm going to be targeting a lot of taboos, a lot of mature themes, that really are quite risky," he admitted. "Honestly, I'm not even sure if I'll be able to release the game! And even if I did release the game, maybe it wouldn't sell, because [the themes would be] just too much. But as a creator, I want to take that risk."

A new trailer was released earlier today that finally put that to rest: Water boarding, child soldiers, torture, kindapping, prison camps reminiscent to Guantanamo bay - The ugly reality of war that we've rarely seen in such a visceral, in your face manner before in this franchise. The code name 'Punished Snake' all makes sense now, referring to the fact that his phantom pain (Narrated during those gruesome scenes) might be the result of torture at the hands of some unknown captor. This trailer is going to be highly controversial and offensive to some, but inevitably we feel that the overall message through this strong imagery is ultimately is anti-war. 

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain E3 2013 Gameplay Trailer - A Brave New World

I personally couldn't be more excited about another new Metal Gear Solid title, with Kojima Productions unveiling a brand new gameplay trailer. Set in Afghanistan, the game features a true open world aspect, with a realistic weather system, multiple modes of transport, day and night cycles and a completely new take on the concept of tactical espionage. Featuring Master Miller and Ocelot joining the newly voiced 'Punished Snake' (Kiefer Sutherland instead of David Hayter), this game looks absolutely stunning, and a true evolution of the franchise.

The trailer also announces an all new cast of characters old and new: Kazuhira Miller, Quiet, Eli, Skull Face, Code Talker, Emmerich and more. Considering the setting, date and the look of a few of these soldiers, I wouldn't be surprised if the game takes place amidst the real life Soviet invasion of the country and the western backed insurgency that arose against it back in 1984, mixed with that signature Kojima fiction many have come to love. Snake is back!

Metal Gear Solid V : The Phantom Pain Trailer

It's finally out. Following a few arduous months of relentless teasing by Hideo Kojima regarding the cryptic Phantom Pain project and Ground Zeroes, it turns out that the joke was on us yet again, as Metal Gear Solid V is both of those projects combined. You wily devil, Kojima.

Featuring a fitting song by Garbage called 'Not Your Kind Of People,' the 6 minute trailer features 100% in game footage showcasing the attention to detail that we've only come to expect from the folks at Kojima productions. Phantom Pain is supposedly slated for release on PS3 and Xbox360 at some point with similarities to Peace Walker's base building gameplay.

Whereas Ground Zeroes, according to Kojima will star Big Boss, best known for his role in the Metal Gear prequels. So in conclusion, the next gen game will be a prequel to Phantom Pain, which will also tie in to Metal Gear Solid V somehow. If you're confused at this point in regards to these choices, you're not alone..Answers will arrive in due time. Sit back and take in this stunning 6 minute trailer of everything that these games will have to offer, and ask yourself: 'How does Solid Snake play into any of these titles?' With all the mentions of comas, two Foxes coming from one and implied deaths...I'm going to throw out one word and theory: Clones.

Metal Gear Sunrising

We've seen FreddieW and his team do plenty of amazing stuff with his Aftereffects mastery, but nothing quite as amazing as this recent ode to Konami/Platinum Games' Metal Gear Rising. Based off of the chilling introduction scene to Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, this fantastically executed short features Raiden offering an inner monologue about his true nature, while going over his rather meticulous morning routine. I won't spoil it, but the concept is absolutely perfect from start to finish. Compare it to the actual scene it's based off of, below.

E3 2012 Most Satisfying Title: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Many people expressed their weariness with Konami handing off a Raiden themed iteration of the Metal Gear Franchise to Platinum following their inability to make the concept work, ourselves included. The studio, best known for its work on the ultra slick Bayonetta had their work cut out for them, but after having a chance to get some hands on time with the game at E3 we're incredibly excited for what Platinum has accomplished so far with Revengeance.

We both dubbed it as a fantastic stress relief simulator, with its incredible slicing tech, a key component of the game that will guarantee this title a spot in the best seller ranks. Even though we've all seen gameplay of the slicing mechanic, the feeling that overcame me when I first managed to slice a cyborg soldier into a 100+ pieces was indescribably empowering. And then I sliced a helicopter in half, followed by a half dozen vehicles that held up like cheap toilet paper against my nano blade, followed by a table of..fruit. The game set out to give players the feel of being a cyber augmented ninja killing machine, and it accomplishes that on so many levels that it kind of hurts. I already know months in advance which title I'll be reaching for when I come back home in an awful mood and need to blow off some steam.

With its promise of also resolving whatever happened to Raiden following the Patriots saga in Metal Gear Solid 2 and his appearance as a cyborg badass in Metal Gear Solid 4, this game will satisfy on many levels.

Konami And Mega64 Team Up For Some Revengeance

Mega64 must have definitely won the heart of Kojima over with their various collaborations, as this year they're actually taking it a step further with an official promo for the next installment in the Metal Gear franchise: Revengeance. Turns out that Raiden didn't fare so well at the employment agency.

We've all been anticipating the Metal Gear Solid interquel taking place between Metal Gear Solid 2 and 4, a project that might have never seen the light of day had Platinum Games (Bayonetta) not stepped in to save the day. The action heavy upcoming title, which is set to be playable at E3 will hopefully give more insight as to exactly what events led to Raiden losing most of his body and becoming a cyborg killing machine between the events of Sons Of The Patriots (MGS2) and MGS4. Check out the official gameplay trailer after the break!

We Want These Metal Gear Play Arts Kai Figures

Oh hell yes. Want.

After our E3 coverage of the various Play Arts Kai figurines from Square Enix, the official Metal Gear Solid: Rising facebook page released some new images of the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker figures coming out, and man...These are looking absolutely amazing. Hook us up Square! Check out after the break for more images of the Kaz and Snake figures!