Metal Gear Solid: Ranking The Series From Worst To Best

3. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Ironically, Phantom Pain is both the most feature-complete Metal Gear of all time - thanks to a staggering amount of weapons, items infiltration options and combat animations - whilst also being the only one to have substantial chunks of content held back.

The end result is something that plays absolutely spectacularly, honestly when it comes to the weighty feel of being a skilled operative deploying to rescue hostages and take down country-threatening mechs, there's nothing better. The thing that doesn't sit too well though, is the story - which in stark contrast to the other entries in the canon, has its biggest emotional beats reconciled to cassette recordings you must opt to listen to, rather than through cutscenes or upfront exposition.

In fairness they still work very well, but you can't shake the notion that the narrative side of things is undercooked, despite still having some of the best twists and thematic messaging of them all.

The cutscenes you do get are absolutely impeccable, and that's why this doesn't drop too many points as one of the best. Kojima's clearly been watching the likes of Alfonso Cuaron or Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu, as he's developed a fantastic 'one constant take' style that fits the intensity of MGS perfectly, emphasising the tone of MGS V and giving it one hell of an identity.

Taken as a whole, Phantom Pain is still an immaculate game. Its graphical wallop and overall presentation are second to none, there's a seamless Dark Souls-style dynamic multiplayer that (optionally) will keep you on your toes, the perfected version of Portable Ops' soldier-rescue formula, and a story that's rather brilliant - yet just not showcased as best as it could've been.