More than ten years ago, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain arrived not as a simple game, but as a promise, a testament, and, for many, one giant question mark. The final entry in the saga under Hideo Kojima's direction, it left its mark with revolutionary gameplay and a controversial story. In 2026, as the video game world has evolved at breakneck speed with AI and increasingly dense open worlds, the question arises: does this unfinished stealth-action monument still deserve a place in our libraries? We returned to the sands of Afghanistan and the jungles of Africa to find out.
Gameplay: Freedom of Action at Its Peak
From the very first minutes, MGSV reminds us just how far ahead of its time its gameplay system was. The freedom of approach is simply exhilarating. Whether we choose to infiltrate a base in broad daylight, using terrain and shadows to slip through, or prefer the cover of night, every mission is a giant sandbox. The gadget arsenal, from tranquilizer darts to Fulton balloons, offers an almost unlimited range of strategies. The "buddy system," with D-Dog, Quiet, or D-Walker, adds a welcome tactical layer, enabling even more varied approaches. Experimenting, planning, and then executing a plan never gets old—especially when everything unfolds exactly as intended.
Yet this freedom has a downside: the structure of the 50 main missions, and especially the 157 side missions, can quickly become repetitive. We are often asked to do the same things—infiltrate, extract, destroy—in environments that, while vast, eventually begin to look alike. The open world, although technically impressive for its time, sometimes lacks life and spontaneous events, turning long horseback rides into moments of forced contemplation. The game shines when it challenges us in specific ways, but loses some momentum when it asks us to "fill in" generic objectives.
Story: A Fragmented Narrative, Undiminished Emotion
Ah, the story of Metal Gear Solid V. This is where the game divides players most. After an anthology-worthy prologue of rare intensity, the narrative unfolds non-linearly, often through audio tapes to listen to along the way. While this fragmented storytelling allows for considerable freedom of progression, it also dilutes the emotional impact of certain key moments. We spend hours listening to crucial dialogue on our iDroid instead of experiencing it through grand cinematic scenes, a trademark of the series. The themes of revenge, identity, and war are explored with Kojima's usual depth, but the infamous missing "Chapter 3" leaves a bitter sense of incompleteness. To learn more about the details of the universe, you can consult the Metal Gear Wiki.
Even so, the characters are memorable, from the enigmatic Quiet to the relentless Skull Face and the charismatic Ocelot. The twists, although fewer and less impactful than in previous entries, remain effective. The atmosphere is heavy and mature, and the reflections on human nature in wartime remain as relevant as ever. Even incomplete, this is a story that stays with us long after we put down the controller. You simply have to accept its unusual structure and abrupt ending, the result of a chaotic production and Kojima's split from Konami—a drama that left its mark on the video game industry and was already being discussed at Gamescom 2014.
Mother Base and Multiplayer: A Unique Atmosphere, Missed Potential
Managing Mother Base is a central part of the MGSV experience. Developing our facilities, recruiting soldiers, and managing resources form an addictive strategy mini-game that fits perfectly with the stealth gameplay. It is also the heart of the asynchronous multiplayer mode, the "Forward Operating Bases" (FOBs). The idea of infiltrating other players' bases to steal their resources and soldiers, as IGN's video already demonstrated at the time, is brilliant on paper. It is a direct extension of the solo gameplay, where our infiltration skills are tested against real players—or at least their automated defenses.
However, this system can also become a source of frustration, with constant invasions leading some players to abandon the mode. As for Metal Gear Online (MGO), the true competitive multiplayer mode, it always struggled to find its audience despite a certain charm and updates such as the "Cloaked in Silence" DLC. Support ended in 2018, making it obsolete today. Mother Base remains an excellent idea, but FOBs and MGO failed to capitalize on their long-term potential, leaving a lingering sense of missed opportunity.
Technical Presentation in 2026: Timeless Beauty?
Ten years after its release, MGSV remains a visually impressive game, especially considering that it already ran very well on PS3 and Xbox 360. Konami's proprietary FOX Engine is a technical feat. Character models are detailed, lighting and particle effects are successful, and the environments, although repetitive, benefit from a strong art direction. Tested on PC in stable 4K/60fps with maximum settings via Steam, and on PS5 through backward compatibility, the game still holds up. The frame rate is solid, textures are generally clean, and the optimization is exemplary.
However, time has taken its toll. Some environmental textures, particularly on the ground or on certain secondary elements, can look a little dated. By its very nature, the open world sometimes lacks the richness of detail found in more recent games designed specifically for the current generation. But these details are minor compared with the overall quality of the presentation, and especially the incredible sound design, which is a character in its own right. Every footstep, gust of wind, and animal cry contributes to an exceptional audio immersion that is essential for a stealth game.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What we liked
The stealth gameplay, with unmatched freedom and depth—a true tactical sandbox.
The art direction and technical achievement of the FOX Engine—still beautiful in 2026.
The immersive sound design and soundtrack—essential to the atmosphere and stealth.
Mother Base management and the recruitment system—an addictive, well-integrated mini-game.
What we liked less
The fragmented narrative and sense of an unfinished story—the missing Chapter 3 weighs heavily.
The repetitiveness of some side missions—which slightly dilutes the overall experience.
The open world, vast but sometimes empty—with too few spontaneous events.
The abandoned MGO multiplayer and occasionally frustrating FOBs—underused potential.
Verdict
In 2026, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is still a game that cannot be ignored. It is a brilliant work of gameplay design, a stealth masterclass offering a freedom of action few titles have matched since. For genre purists and anyone who enjoys planning and executing complex operations with a multitude of tools, MGSV is an absolute must-play—a game you can return to again and again without tiring of its mechanics.
However, it must be approached with full awareness of its shortcomings: its story is incomplete, its structure can be repetitive, and its multiplayer is a relic. But if you are willing to accept these compromises, you will discover a game that, despite its scars, remains a giant. It is the swan song of an era, a reminder of what Kojima and his teams were capable of creating. Should you play it in 2026? Yes, without hesitation, for its timeless gameplay and unique atmosphere—provided you understand its flaws. It is both a masterpiece and a tragedy, which is what makes it so fascinating.
