Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYes, if you want the story in order. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the prologue to The Phantom Pain, so playing it first gives you the preceding story setup. It is optional, though: you can start The Phantom Pain directly. Playing Ground Zeroes also gives you the option to transfer save data for bonuses, subject to Konami’s requirements.
Why Ground Zeroes comes first
Director Hideo Kojima described Ground Zeroes as taking place after Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and before The Phantom Pain. He called it a prologue meant to let players experience a portion of the story. In a 2013 PlayStation Blog interview, Kojima explained that the team wanted to release a prologue so players could get to know what was coming and experience a chunk of the story.
Konami’s retrospective description likewise presents Ground Zeroes as connecting Peace Walker and The Phantom Pain. If you are following the series’ timeline, it belongs before The Phantom Pain.
Can you skip Ground Zeroes?
Yes. Konami’s instructions explain how to import save data, but do not make owning or completing Ground Zeroes a condition for starting The Phantom Pain. Skip it if your priority is getting to the larger game; you will miss the prologue’s story setup and the opportunity to use its save-transfer bonuses.
#1 Best Overall
- What's included: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes + all DLC, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain + all DLC, Metal Gear Online + all DLC, $20 of Mother Base currency
- Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is the first segment of the Metal Gear Solid V experience and prologue to the larger second segment, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain provides players a first-rate gaming experience as they utilize tactical freedom to carry out open-world missions
- Metal Gear Online is built around a dedicated squad-based competitive multiplayer structure, which has been redesigned with the familiar gameplay and aesthetic styling of the Metal Gear Solid series
What carries over to The Phantom Pain?
Konami says save data from Ground Zeroes can be carried into The Phantom Pain. Its support instructions describe the bonuses and require access to Ground Zeroes and its save data, online access, and an installed online update. Check Konami’s save/import instructions for the relevant process and requirements.
Transfer does not mean every bonus is immediately usable. Konami’s The Phantom Pain FAQ notes that some transferred soldiers and features become available only after you reach particular points in the story. See Konami’s FAQ for those progression conditions. The PC manual also describes a menu option for downloading Ground Zeroes save data.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which choice makes sense for you?
- Play Ground Zeroes first if story continuity matters to you or you want the option to transfer its save data.
- Start The Phantom Pain now if you mainly want to reach the main game and do not mind missing the prologue’s setup and transfer bonuses.
If you decide to play the prologue, check the live listing for your platform before buying: current platform-specific stock and edition availability are not established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THE POWER OF FOX ENGINE - Ground Zeroes showcases Kojima Productions' stunning FOX Engine, a true next-generation game engine which revolutionizes the Metal Gear Solid experience.
- INTRODUCTION TO OPEN WORLD DESIGN - The first Metal Gear Solid title to offer open world gameplay. Ground Zeroes offers total freedom of play: how missions are undertaken is entirely down to the user.
- UNRESTRICTED STEALTH - Imagine classic Metal Gear gameplay but with no restrictions or boundaries. Players use intelligence and cerebral strategy to sneak their way through entire missions, or go in all guns blazing.
- MULTIPLE MISSIONS AND TASKS -Ground Zeroes boasts a central story mode and Side-Ops missions ranging from tactical action, aerial assaults and "covert" missions that will be sure to surprise.
- REDESIGNED INTERFACE - Ground Zeroes users will benefit from a clean in-game HUD that shows the minimal amount of on-screen data to give a more intense gaming experience.
Rank #4
- Open-World game design allowing players ultimate freedom on how to approach missions and overall game progression
- Fox Engine delivers photorealistic graphics, thoughtful game design and true new-generation game production quality
- Online connectivity that carries the experience beyond the consoles to other devices to augment the overall functionality and access to the game
Rank #3
![Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience (Playstation 4) [UK IMPORT]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Yvx2kAAML._SL160_.jpg)
- THE DEFINITIVE EXPERIENCE will give players an opportunity to play the complete MGSV experience
- Includes METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES
- Includes METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN
- Includes METAL GEAR ONLINE
- Includes a selection of DLC for each product, as well as additional Mother Base currency
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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