Big Boss looks off in the distance with his night vision goggles. (Photo courtesy of Konami)
The "Metal Gear Solid" franchise has always had an exceptional record. If you were to search for all of the games on Metacritic, you would find that all of the main, numbered entries rest at a 94 percent average with critic reviews and other franchise spin-offs have an 80 percent average.
"Metal Gear Solid" also has firm roots in game history, stretching back to 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System. It's one of "the most influential series in the game industry," according to Gameinformer editor Tim Turi.
You could rationally conclude that the release of "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes" yesterday would have been met with glowing reviews from critics as well. However, the opposite happened.
The PS4 version of the game currently has a 74 percent average on Metacritic with review scores ranging from 50 to 90 percent. It's clear that the latest installment in this highly-revered series has fallen short of its standard, but how?
The primary culprit of this failure is the game's length, which became a major concern among gamers because of its price. On the PS3 and Xbox 360, the game costs $20 digitally and $30 at retail, and on the PS4 and Xbox One, it costs $30 digitally and at retail.
The original price of the retail version on the PS4 and Xbox One was originally $40, which the publisher, Konami, lowered when it received widespread backlash.
What exactly is wrong with this price in relation to the game's length? This was revealed in the Gameinformer cover story for the game, where the author, Tim Turi, states that it took him less than two hours to finish in one sitting. Compared to past "Metal Gear Solid" titles that provide 25-40 hour-long stories, its understandable that so many people complained about this.
This is footage of the FOX Engine's beautiful graphical rendering in action as Big Boss stares into the camera and says his classic line: "Kept you waiting, huh?" (Footage courtesy of Konami)
When the Gameinformer editorial staff heard this from its readers, Turi clarified his remarks on the game's length with this article.
"Konami is including an undisclosed amount of extra missions that feature
different objectives that take place in the same game world. We played a
mission set during the daytime that Konami has previously shown, a side mission where Snake rescues a VIP, and the console-exclusive Déjà Vu and Jamais Vu modes," he said.
"We don't know how much playtime will be added by all the extra missions
altogether. We know there will be more side missions than the ones we
were shown."
This news satisfied some while others were still not convinced. Now, with dozens of critic reviews to read, the latter group has had good reason to remain skeptical.
"Beyond offering a sampling of some of the enhanced gameplay systems being added to the series, 'Ground Zeroes' is hardly worthy of the franchise moniker,"
Polygon editor Russ Frushtick said.
Gameinformer editor Joe Juba gave the game a seven out of 10, who's concerned for how "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" will turn out when it comes out next year.
"Ground Zeroes looks and plays like Metal Gear in some ways, but it feels hollow in others," he said, "resulting in a disappointing and unsatisfying glimpse into the future of this series."
Despite all of the negativity about the game's length, nearly every critic praises its mechanics and graphics.
"We really can’t fault what little we played – as far as the mechanics and design are concerned," Push Square editor Ben Potter said.
In addition, Kotaku editor Kirk Hamilton describes the game as "an often beautifully constructed game that for all its good ideas and slick execution remains quite obviously a sliver of a larger, more complete game."
Critics have drawn their lines in the sand when it comes to whether or not "Ground Zeroes" has enough content to justify its price, but will consumers think it's too expensive? Time will tell when the sales numbers for the game will sneak into the wild.
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