Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an action-adventure game developed by Kojima Productions, and it’s widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time. The game’s massive open world, intricate storyline, and addictive gameplay mechanics make it a time-sink for gamers. But just how long does it take to complete Metal Gear Solid 5? In this article, we’ll delve into the game’s length and explore what affects its playtime.
Understanding the Game’s Structure
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an open-world game that consists of two main components: the story missions and the side content. The game’s story is divided into 31 main missions, each with its own set of objectives and challenges. These missions are the backbone of the game’s narrative, and completing them is essential to unlocking the game’s ultimate ending.
On the other hand, the side content includes various activities such as side ops, bounties, and base-building. These features add depth and replay value to the game, and they can take up a significant amount of time. The game’s open world is vast, with multiple environments to explore, resources to gather, and enemies to defeat.
Factors Affecting Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes to complete Metal Gear Solid 5. Here are some of the most significant ones:
- Playing Style : How you approach the game’s challenges can greatly affect your playtime. Do you prefer a stealthy approach, or do you like to go in guns blazing? The latter will likely result in longer playtimes, as you’ll need to contend with more enemies and prolonged firefights.
- Level of Difficulty : The game’s difficulty level can also impact playtime. On higher difficulties, enemies are more aggressive, and you’ll need to take more precautions to survive. This can lead to longer playtimes as you retry missions and adapt to the increased challenge.
- Completionism : If you’re a completionist, you’ll want to complete every side op, collect every resource, and build the ultimate Mother Base. This level of dedication can add dozens of hours to your playtime.
- Exploration : The game’s open world is full of secrets and hidden areas. If you’re the type of player who likes to explore every nook and cranny, you’ll spend more time playing the game.
Estimated Playtime
So, how long does it take to complete Metal Gear Solid 5? The answer depends on your playing style and level of commitment to the game. Here are some estimated playtimes based on different approaches:
| Approach | Estimated Playtime |
|---|---|
| Completing the Story Missions Only | 20-30 hours |
| Completing the Story Missions and Some Side Content | 40-60 hours |
| 100% Completion (All Side Content, Collectibles, and Base-Building) | 80-120 hours |
As you can see, the estimated playtime for Metal Gear Solid 5 varies greatly depending on your level of commitment. If you only focus on completing the story missions, you can expect to spend around 20-30 hours playing the game. However, if you’re a completionist who wants to experience everything the game has to offer, you can expect to spend over 100 hours playing Metal Gear Solid 5.
The Game’s Pacing
Metal Gear Solid 5’s pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of action-packed missions and slower-paced sections that allow you to explore the game’s world. The game’s story is engaging and well-written, with memorable characters and plot twists that keep you invested in the narrative.
The game’s pacing is also affected by the game’s mission structure. Each mission has its own set of objectives, and completing these objectives can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The game also features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, which adds variety to the gameplay and encourages exploration.
Tips for Managing Your Playtime
If you’re worried about sinking too many hours into Metal Gear Solid 5, here are some tips for managing your playtime:
- Set Realistic Goals : Set specific goals for each gaming session, such as completing a certain number of side ops or gathering a set amount of resources. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting bogged down in the game’s open world.
- Take Breaks : Take regular breaks to give your hands a rest and recharge your batteries. Metal Gear Solid 5 can be mentally taxing, so it’s essential to take breaks to avoid burnout.
Conclusion
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a massive game with a lot to offer. With its engaging story, addictive gameplay mechanics, and vast open world, it’s a game that can easily consume your life. However, with some time management and discipline, you can experience everything the game has to offer without sacrificing your social life or work commitments.
Remember, the game’s playtime is highly dependent on your playing style and level of commitment. If you’re a completionist, you can expect to spend over 100 hours playing Metal Gear Solid 5. However, if you’re content with just completing the story missions, you can expect to spend around 20-30 hours playing the game.
Ultimately, Metal Gear Solid 5 is a game that’s worth investing your time in. With its rich storyline, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay mechanics, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. So, grab a snack, settle in, and get ready to embark on an epic adventure.
How long does it take to complete the main story of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
The main story of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain can take around 20-30 hours to complete, depending on the player’s skill level and playstyle. However, this time can vary significantly if the player decides to complete side quests, explore the open world, and engage in other activities.
It’s worth noting that the game’s story is structured into two main parts: the first part focuses on building Mother Base and completing mandatory missions, while the second part involves more open-world exploration and optional objectives. Players who focus solely on the main story can expect to complete it in around 20-25 hours, but those who want to explore every aspect of the game can easily add 10-20 hours to their playtime.
What about the side quests and optional activities in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
The side quests and optional activities in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain can add dozens of hours to the overall playtime. These activities include completing Side Ops, rescuing prisoners, and exploring the various outposts and areas of the open world. Each Side Op can take around 10-30 minutes to complete, and there are over 150 of them in the game.
Completing all the Side Ops, collecting all the resources, and exploring every nook and cranny of the game’s world can easily add 50-100 hours to the overall playtime. Additionally, players can also engage in other activities like playing as different characters, trying out different playstyles, and experimenting with the game’s various systems and mechanics. Overall, the game offers a massive amount of content that can keep players engaged for hundreds of hours.
Can I complete Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in a single playthrough?
While it’s technically possible to complete Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in a single playthrough, it’s not recommended. The game’s story is structured in a way that encourages players to revisit previous areas and complete side quests and optional activities. Additionally, some of the game’s systems and mechanics are not fully available until the player has completed certain story missions or Side Ops.
Replaying the game or completing certain sections multiple times is actually an integral part of the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain experience. Players will need to revisit previous areas to complete Side Ops, rescue prisoners, and collect resources, and the game’s story is designed to reward players for exploring the world and completing optional activities. Therefore, it’s best to approach the game with the understanding that multiple playthroughs will be necessary to fully experience everything it has to offer.
How does the game’s difficulty affect the playtime of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
The difficulty level of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain can significantly affect the playtime. Players who choose to play on higher difficulty levels will need to spend more time completing missions and Side Ops, as the game’s enemies will be more aggressive and challenging to defeat. Additionally, some of the game’s systems and mechanics may be more difficult to master on higher difficulty levels.
On the other hand, players who choose to play on lower difficulty levels may be able to complete the game more quickly, as the enemies will be less aggressive and the game’s systems and mechanics will be more forgiving. However, playing on lower difficulty levels may also reduce the sense of challenge and accomplishment that comes with completing the game on higher difficulty levels.
Can I complete Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain without killing anyone?
Yes, it is possible to complete Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain without killing anyone. The game offers a variety of non-lethal options for completing missions and Side Ops, including the use of stealth, tranquilizers, and non-lethal weapons. Players who choose to play the game in a non-lethal way will need to be more strategic and patient, as it may require more time and effort to complete objectives without killing enemies.
However, it’s worth noting that playing the game in a non-lethal way may also limit the player’s options and make certain missions and Side Ops more difficult. Additionally, some of the game’s story missions may require the player to kill certain characters, so a completely non-lethal playthrough may not be possible. Nevertheless, the game’s non-lethal options offer a unique and challenging way to experience the game.
Is it necessary to complete all the Side Ops and optional activities in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
No, it is not necessary to complete all the Side Ops and optional activities in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. While completing these activities can add depth and variety to the gameplay experience, they are not required to complete the main story or achieve 100% completion. Players can choose to focus solely on the main story if they prefer, and still enjoy a rich and rewarding gaming experience.
That being said, completing the Side Ops and optional activities can provide a range of benefits, including unlocking new weapons and items, earning additional resources, and gaining access to new gameplay mechanics and systems. Additionally, completing these activities can also provide insight into the game’s story and characters, and offer a deeper understanding of the game’s world and themes.
Are there any post-game activities or DLC available for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
Yes, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offers a range of post-game activities and DLC. After completing the main story, players can continue to play the game in a free-roam mode, where they can complete remaining Side Ops, explore the open world, and engage in other activities. Additionally, the game offers a range of DLC packs that add new missions, characters, and gameplay mechanics to the game.
The game’s DLC packs include a range of new content, including new story missions, multiplayer modes, and gameplay mechanics. Some of the DLC packs also offer additional story content that expands on the game’s narrative and characters. Overall, the post-game activities and DLC available for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offer a range of new challenges and opportunities for players who want to continue exploring the game’s world and mechanics.