METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN

Players felt satisfied by the game's exceptional stealth action gameplay, open-ended missions, and innovative mechanics like the Fulton system. They also praised its engaging story, cinematic quality, excellent graphics, and high replayability, often considering it a masterpiece and a strong continuation of the series. The game's optimization, even on lower-end hardware, and the freedom to build a Private Military Company further contributed to this positive experience.

Disappointment stemmed primarily from the game's incomplete and often fragmented narrative, particularly in Chapter 2, which led to a feeling of an unfinished story and unresolved plot points. Repetitive missions, an empty open world, and cumbersome base-building mechanics also contributed to this sentiment. Players felt the game didn't live up to the series' traditional storytelling standards or its full potential due to perceived external development issues and cut content.

Admiration was frequently directed towards the game's unparalleled stealth action gameplay, tactical freedom, and deep mechanical design, often hailed as revolutionary. Reviewers praised its stunning visuals, cinematic cutscenes, and the FOX engine's performance. Hideo Kojima's vision and ability to redefine the stealth genre, along with the game's enduring quality and attention to detail, also inspired significant admiration.

Excitement arose from the game's engaging, open-world stealth mechanics, offering insane freedom and tight controls that led to a highly addictive experience. Players were thrilled by the gripping story, unexpected plot twists, and the abundance of customization options and companions. The high cinematic quality and replayability also generated enthusiasm for new and returning players.

Frustration was caused by repetitive missions, excessive grinding for resources and upgrades, and a perceived unfinished story. Players also cited issues with clunky PC controls, intrusive UI elements, and technical problems like game-breaking bugs or long loading times. Monetization practices, particularly related to MB Coins and FOBs, and the inability to play offline for a single-player game, further annoyed players.