Setting aside the flailing online servers, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is very much the game of the moment, with the industry at large enthralled by Big Boss’ trek to Afghanistan and beyond. Whether you’re a series stalwart or a newcomer to Hideo Kojima’s idiosyncratic (read: bat-shit insane) franchise, the controls and complex gameplay systems can take some time getting used to. But what better way to learn than from the creator himself?
Taking to Twitter, Kojima offered a word of advice for those who are pouring hours into the stealth sequel.
[Please] take a break time to time as this free infiltration exhausts you if playing for a long time. Go back to [Mother Base] between main missions, take a walk, or do the silly SIDE OPS to get mind reset.
Later in the week, the esteemed developer – who is to leave Konami later this year following almost three decades – touched upon The Phantom Pain‘s development and the way in which it evokes various play styles from the player.
During MGSV adjustment phase in the development, I tested various types of setting & play style over and over. But my favorable way is to take a break, set up MB, listen to the tape in the chopper after mission/SIDEOPS so that you get used to the rhythm of play. [By the way], I stay in blood and go back to MB occasionally.
At the time of writing, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain‘s online services are beginning to stabilize on a platform-by-platform basis, with Xbox One and PlayStation 3 users reporting that the servers were once again accessible. Up until then, the game’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) metagame had been practically unplayable.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is available now across consoles and PC. Its online component, Metal Gear Online, will be released at the beginning of October.