On Wednesday, Konami released a pretty in-depth 30 minute video walkthrough of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, but focusing entirely on Mother Base gameplay. Turns out, managing and upkeeping Mother Base is a pretty huge undertaking.
Since you guys love bullet points, let's break down all the new gameplay elements of Mother Base in MGSV:TPP so you guys know what to look forward to when the game releases on September 1 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and hey, even PC!
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Building up Mother Base will act as an entirely separate mode to the game.
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Those who are familiar with Mother Base from Peace Walker will be familiar with the upgrade system, but this time the entirety of Mother Base is explorable.
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Expanding the base will unlock various support for Big Boss such as new weapons and items, and even field support in the form of intel, supply drops, first aid and medical treatment.
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Like Peace Walker, you'll use the Fulton Recovery Device to recruit new members, and even equipment like vehicles.
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Since Mother Base is fully modular, every player's base will be unique.
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You can manage the development of new items and weapons through R&D even in the middle of a mission using the iDroid.
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The weather will be dynamic at Mother Base, and will change randomly.
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The Combat Unit Platform will allow you to dispatch soldiers on missions, similarly to sending out your Assassins in AC: Brotherhood.
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You can also play Combat missions as other recruits, other than Snake, some which will have better specializations. A soldier with a Botanist skill will have an easier time identifying and gather plants and herbs.
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The Support Platform houses your support team, which will handle delivering supply drops that can range from weapons and ammo, to vehicles, as well as devastating air strikes.
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Your Support team will also be able to manipulate the environment when leveled, such as making a sandstorm happen to decrease the enemy's visibility, and allowing Big Boss to sneak by undetected.
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Players should visit Mother Base often, as various events can trigger.
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Recruited soldiers will salute Big Boss as he walks by, increasing their morale.
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Raw Diamonds act as collectibles around Mother Base and add to your currency.
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You'll have a wolf puppy on Mother Base named D-Dog, that will eventually grow up and will be able to assist you on missions.
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Portable showers are sprinkled across Mother Base that will clean Big Boss. Going on too long without a shower can lead to adverse effects.
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Your staff will notice if you haven't showered for too long and will comment on your smell.
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Posters also act as collectibles, but they also have an in-game use. We don't know what that is yet. Possibly distraction?
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You'll be able to familiarize yourself with various new weapons by partaking in Target Practice sessions scattered all around Mother Base.
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Drama will unfold on Mother Base, and sometimes you'll have to intervene.
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Mother Base will also be entirely customizable, from emblem to color scheme.
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Mother Base will eventually get huge. Traversal can be done with vehicles but there will also be a fast travel option via Cardboard Box, as well as a helicopter.
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Jam out to 80's tunes via the cassette player.
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Build yourself a Zoo in the Animal Conservation unit by Fulton recovering various wildlife across missions.
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Keep a lookout for warning signs across Mother Base, you never know what hazardous items can drop on Big Boss' head.
The second half of the video focuses entirely on the multiplayer aspect of Mother Base.
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Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) are entirely optional. Players who choose to not play online won't have to build any.
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FOBs can be built and used to automatically mine resources for you, greatly increasing the rate of development.
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FOBs are online versions of your Mother Base and thus are susceptible to invasions. They can happen at any time, even in the middle of a mission.
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Invading another players FOB will result in a one-on-one duel between invader and defender.
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Defenders will need to utilize their soldiers and defenses in order to stop the invader.
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Invaders will have to reach the FOBs core, as well as extract soldiers and containers using their Fulton Recovery device.
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Invaders spotted by the Defender's soldiers will automatically reveal their location to the Defender.
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It will be important for defending players to Fulton various defenses such as turrets during missions, and then install them across their FOBs for increased defense.
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You can manage your FOBs entirely through the iDroid.
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Upgraded Fulton can turn into a Wormhole, which can't be shot down by the enemy player.
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Zone of the Enders easter egg is an item called Hand of Jehuty, which can grab soldiers from a distance and teleport them to the player.
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Defenders don't lose by being killed. They can respawn and rejoin the fight.
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Defenders automatically identify the enemy's FOB, which means players can immediately retaliate and invade.
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You don't have to always participate in defending your FOB. As long as your defenses are high, you can let the AI do the job.
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Alternatively, if you have friends online, you can request their help.
