A Response to Samuel Roberts's Article "Why MGS5's ending is one perfect moment in a bad story"

Hey Guys, it's been a while since I mentioned anything about The Phantom Pain. First, I loved the game. It's easily a competitor for Game of the Year! I even gave the game a high score on my review of it. However, I did not give it a perfect score due to the story. Although I may not be a big fan of the story, I would not say it is bad.

I stumbled upon this article and have a mixed response to it. If you want to check out Samuel Robert's article, be sure to click here. If you did not already guess it, but this post will contain spoilers for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Please, do not read on if you plan on playing the game and/or are currently playing the game.

As my usual response posts, I will be breaking down some key quotes made in the article. I will not just be focusing on quotes that I disagree with, but this article does have some valid points that I need to address. Anyways, let me get started,

• "As someone who's followed the series very closely since the original Metal Gear Solid, though, I find so many of the creative decisions behind the story baffling in tone, approach and content". He does have a good point here, but I would not say that there is a complete loss of creativity is this game. A vocal parasite that effects the English language? That sounds pretty unique to me. However, I did feel that this game really did lack a lot of what made the previous entries in the franchise's story so good. 
• "Like a lot of observers I was onto this from the start of MGSV's story. In my review-in-progress piece in September, I called this version of Snake 'an anonymous action hero' and ‘an empty vessel'". If you're confused as to what he was talking about in the first part of the quote, he was talking about how most people were already aware of the fact that you were not playing as Big Boss. If you went into the game without knowing that you were not playing as Big Boss, then you would have already caught on to the fact that Big Boss really lacked in character in the Phantom Pain. Seriously, I think Big Boss had like 5 or 10 minutes worth of dialogue in the entire game. Why the decision was made for Big Boss to remain silent is beyond me, but I think it had something to due with the fact that this is not the real Big Boss.
• "Having lost nine years of his life to a coma, he then gives up his own identity to assume that of his ally for his protection, through both hypnotherapy and plastic surgery, then builds an entire army and forges relationships on an entirely false premise". The Medic is essentially a nobody. Mr. Roberts even addresses this later in the article. If anything, it really makes you want to feel bad for him since everything the Medic did means nothing since most people saw him as Big Boss including himself.
• "But the story feels deliberately unfinished—Quiet, Huey and Eli (Liquid Snake) all just vanish in various ways throughout chapter two, stripping more and more of Metal Gear’s lore away from The Phantom Pain". Honestly, the game does feel unfinished. Chapter 3 must have been cut from the main game because Chapter 2 was just painful to play through. Personally, I felt it was just filler at that point. There really was no closure to the game, but I feel there is as future DLC that will give this game a proper closing. 

In the grand scheme of things, Metal Gear Solid V is a great game. However, it is easily the worst game in the series in terms of story. Honestly, I do not feel the "ending" was great either. When I found out I wasn't playing as Big Boss, I felt so cheated. At the same time, it was still a genius ending as it was Kojima's way of giving the ol' tip of the hat to fans of the series.

We can't help but feel bad for the medic since his story is pretty tragic. Although we are not playing as the real Big Boss, it does not take away from core gameplay. As I said before, the story isn't bad in terms of video games in general, but I would say it's bad in terms of Metal Gear standards.

Till Next Time!!

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Review

Hey Guys, it's been about 3 weeks since Metal Gear Solid V released. Critics are praising this game like it was the second coming of Jesus. However, does the game really deserve perfect scores? To be completely honest, no it doesn't. Please, just be sure to hear me out and understand where I'm coming from. I will keep this Spoiler free as I'll have a spoiler talk in a separate article. Anyways, onto the review!

Story: 7 out of 10
That's right, I'm giving this story a "solid" 7 out of 10. You want to know why? Well, the game does have strong voice acting, despite the fact that Big Boss barely talks in the game, and the story rarely has a dull moment during Chapter 1. This game will keep you on the edge of your seat. However, this game lost 3 whole points due to the fact on how weak Chapter 2 was. Please, don't even get me started on that ending. If you've beaten the game, then you'll know what I mean. This has to be one of the most polarizing endings I've seen all year. The ending is both genius and disappointing. Essentially, the second half of the game is a huge slap in the face. Most of the missions are just challenges from older missions once you get to Chapter 2. Just enjoy Chapter 1 for as long as you can. The story will keep you busy though. I think I put in above 40 hours worth of gameplay once I finished the story.

Graphics: 10 out of 10
We all already know how awesome the Fox Engine looks! This has to be one of the best looking games on current-gen consoles. I played this the Xbox One version and I have to say that it can stack up the PlayStation 4's level of graphics.

Gameplay: 10 out of 10
It's clear as to where all the focus was at. This is an open-world stealth game. It's similar to Far Cry, but it's so much different in every way at the same time. You don't even have to play stealthy either! The game doesn't penalize too much for going guns-blazing other than making it more difficult to survive and a lower score, but most of us really don't care about the score.

I would also recommend taking full advantage of the buddy system. D-Dog and Quiet are especially helpful buddies that can really help you out if you're feeling stuck. D-Dog is more for stealth-players while Quiet is pretty much versatile. The more you use them on the battlefield, the more your bond with them grows. Once they reach a certain bond level, you can unlock new commands for them as well as new outfits.

How could I forget to mention Mother Base? It's amazing getting to upgrade Mother Base while progressing through the game. You have to gather resources in order to do this as well as recruit some soldiers for your base. You can even play as some of them as part of your Combat Unit! FOB Mother Base really isn't that good. I think it's just there just to be there. However, make sure to upgrade Mother Base as it allows you to develop new weapons and new weapon upgrades. The Fulton device is a huge help, so make sure to upgrade that, so you're able to capture vehicles and larger weapons such as turrets and mortars.


VGT Score: 9 out of 10
Look, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain does not deserve a 10 score. However, it doesn't change the fact that this game is awesome. This game has an insane value for only $60, so I would highly recommend that you get this game at full price. Trust me, it's worth it.
Till Next Time!!

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Impressions #2

**I just finished the game last night, but I will not spoil anything. I will have a review up soon on this game.**

Hey Guys, it's been a while since I made the first impressions post for The Phantom Pain. I finally finished Chapter 1 of the game, but I still have not completed Chapter 2.

For those of you wondering on how many missions there are in Chapter 1, there are exactly 31 main story missions that make up Chapter 1. I got up to mission 43 on Chapter 2 which has to be one of the most brutal, yet most emotional part of the game.

However, I don't like the fact that most of the missions in Chapter 2 are pretty much pointless. Seriously, a lot of them are just difficulty spikes of older missions while only a few of them actually continue on with the story.

My Mother Base has also been making some real progress as well. It might be a joke when compared to people who put in 70 hours or so into the game, but I still feel like I've been putting up more of an effort.

I still can't connect online. I'm really getting frustrated with this because I just want to transfer my save progress from Ground Zeroes into the Phantom Pain, but I have no idea if I will ever be able to do so.

Sorry I couldn't say much more, I can't a whole lot without spoiling the game to you guys. If you have not played the game yet, please go out and buy a copy. It's worth the $60.
Till Next Time!!

Kojima's name removed from The Phantom Pain's Box Art

Hey Guys, with Kojima Productions officially disbanded means that Konami has pretty much disowned anything having to do with Hideo Kojima. Want some proof? Konami has been reported to tell interviewers not to even mention Kojima's name as if he's some kind of evil being. Want even further proof? They removed his name from his own game. Take a look,

Image provided by IGN. I added in the circles to highlight where Kojima's name and his studio used to be

I actually find this really funny to say the least. Konami is trying really hard to get rid of any trace of Kojima. They even got rid Kojima Productions from their own website. This is just a childish move from such a good company.

Well, Konami used to be good company, but now that they officially got rid of Kojima they are pretty much over with. They are still going through and adding microtransactions into the game. What is wrong with you Konami? Once you transition into the mobile gaming market, you are pretty much over with. Nobody including myself is going to want to purchase games from a company that booted one of the greatest video game designers to ever live and canceled the highly anticipated Silent Hills.

I'm sorry Konami. However, you're just going to get knocked out of the market.
Till Next Time!!

Kojima Productions is officially closed

Holy Cow. Hey Guys, Konami has been in a lot of turmoil ever since they apparently gave Hideo Kojima the boot. Additionally, they gained even more controversy when they wanted to start branching off into the mobile gaming industry. However, this has got to be the final blow to Konami. Japanese voice actor for Solid Snake, Akio Otsuka , confirmed that Kojima Productions has finally disbanded.

Otsuka confirmed the news via his Twitter post. He even stated that Kojima Productions was "forced to disband".

The next question is. What's next for Konami? They are pretty much nothing with Hideo Kojima! Remember Silent Hills? Anyone who tries to argue that Konami can still be amazing without Kojima is a complete idiot! They canceled Silent Hills because Kojima was the only one who knew what to do with the project!

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be the final game from Kojima Productions. I bet that this game will be a masterpiece and would have shown how much potential Konami would have had in the future if they didn't get rid of Kojima. As a matter of fact, Silent Hills probably would have resurrected the survival horror genre had it not been canceled.

What's wrong with you Konami? After Metal Gear Solid V releases, I am no longer buying any product of theirs. They got rid of one of the most influential video game designers of all time and have nothing to show for it. I'm sorry, but Konami is pretty much done for at this point in time.
Till Next Time!!