Leaving behind the linearity and corridor-based action of previous entries in the series, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is primed to introduce fans to a whole new world – quite literally – when it debuts in September.
On the one hand, it’s a world big enough that Konami is able to debut an extensive 40-minute gameplay clip without batting an eyelid, but it also means that the developer chose to implement micro-transactions for the first time in the franchise for those players who perhaps don’t have the spare time to invest in The Phantom Pain‘s sprawling open-world.
[zerggaming]Per IGN:
While it is true that a few micro-transaction options do exist, the entire game has been carefully balanced to be fair and enjoyable with or without using these options. There’s no pay-to-win option. Rest assured that every single item, weapon, and mission in the game is available to all players without paying a single cent.
However, due to the sheer scale of the game and the time required to explore it all, micro-transactions were added as a completely optional feature for players who might not be able to spend as much time with the game. Nothing more, nothing less.
This rather frank explanation precedes the aforementioned gameplay demo, which not only showcases the game’s stunning visuals, but also some of the gameplay elements making their way over from both Ground Zeroes and PSP cult favorite Peace Walker. In terms of the latter, that similarity will arrive in the form of Mother Base, an encampment that allows Big Boss to recruit soldiers, manufacture weapons and stockpile supplies. After all, the Militaires Sans Frontières is anything but a one-man operation.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will bring an end to Hideo Kojima’s tenure at the helm of the series when it arrives for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on September 1.