Review Roundup: Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is everything you hoped it would be

Reading reviews of a game that you have been foaming at the mouth for is a tricky thing, you never know when you're going to come across a spoiler. Sometimes the spoiler doesn't even come in the form of a story spoiler, but in how new features change the game's play style — either way, this isn't something you have to worry about here.

We took the time to comb through reviews for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain to give you a bit of a round-up, without the spoilers.

Every review is written in such a way that it sounds like each author is either falling in love or finding a new hobby or passion. All the reviews even out to one thing, the game is amazing and it might even be the best game in the series.

Metal Gear Informer:

 As I grew older, the franchise grew older with me, taught me lessons of life I couldn’t get in any other form. And this game is no exception. When you put it down, the story will stick with you. It could easily stand up against any TV or movie. When I started playing the game I told myself every time something happens that totally blows my mind I’ll make a note of it.

10/10

GameInformer:

A series can’t survive this long without evolving, and The Phantom Pain is a testament to the importance of taking risks. An open world, a customizable base, a variable mission structure – these are not traditional aspects of Metal Gear, but they are what makes The Phantom Pain such an exceptional game. The gameplay, storytelling, and protagonists in Metal Gear may shift with each new installment, but Kojima’s ability to surprise and enthrall gamers remains unchanged.

9.25/10

Destructoid:

Despite the fact that I hit a few snags along the way, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain feels like a simultaneous celebration of the series, and a decidedly new chapter. It's equal parts tough and flashy, and it's fitting that if this is Kojima's last Metal Gear, he goes on a high note.

9/10

IGN:

The Phantom Pain is the kind of game I thought would never exist – one where every minute gameplay detail has true purpose. Its lack of story focus is sure to be divisive for the Metal Gear faithful, but the resulting emphasis on my story, my tales of Espionage Action, easily make it my favorite in the series…Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain doesn’t just respect my intelligence as a player, it expects it of me, putting it in a league that few others occupy.

10/10

GameSpot:

When defining the best Metal Gear game, things get trickier, but with The Phantom Pain, that problem is finally resolved. There has never been a game in the series with such depth to its gameplay, or so much volume in content. The best elements from the past games are here, and the new open-world gameplay adds more to love on top. When it comes to storytelling, there has never been a Metal Gear game that's so consistent in tone, daring in subject matter, and so captivating in presentation. The Phantom Pain may be a contender for one of the best action games ever made, but is undoubtedly the best Metal Gear game there is.

10/10