10 Stupid Early Decisions That Ruin Entire Video Games
3. A Face Swap - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a game that feels like a seamless sequel to Peace Walker, 2010's PSP offering. The progression structure is similar, building out Mother Base, and the level design and enemies all serve the end goal of forging what would become one of the series' most iconic structures.
However, its story is one that ruffles the feathers of many Metal Gear Solid faithfuls, and it started with a subtle, yet lingering decision in the game's opening moments.
After the events of Ground Zeroes, Big Boss is in bad shape and finds himself in hospital and what would become a nine-year coma. After awakening, doctors ask players to reshape his face in an awkward, and unexplained character creator.
Following this, it's never mentioned until the end when it comes to pass that the game didn't revolve around Big Boss, but instead a medic who was injured at the same time, and was moulded to look like the character with the help of plastic surgery.
It's a decision that, when looked back at, makes the whole journey feel illegitimate. It stays in the minds of players as something that didn't make sense, and when it does, it's more frustrating than satisfying.