Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is a third-person action game with a focus on stealth, part of the long-running Metal Gear franchise. It is a prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and takes place after Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker as a part of a sub-series or prequels in the main franchise set long before Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The game is set in 1975, with the protagonist being Big Boss (Snake), who works with Militaires Sans Frontières to infiltrate an American black site Camp Omega on Cuba. The goal is to free Cipher agent Paz and child soldier Chico, who are held captive in the base.
The gameplay focuses on stealth, but also offers a more direct approach using guns and explosives. Snake can use various tools, such as his binoculars and an iDroid device, to help him navigate and take down enemies. The game features a day-night cycle and an open world design, allowing the player to choose their approach.
Enemies have a line of sight, and Snake can stay hidden by crouching or using his surroundings to evade detection. When spotted, a slowdown feature is activated, giving the player time to lock on and take out the enemy. The game also features a system for tracking enemy movements and patterns.
Four additional side missions are available in the same location as the main mission, with a fifth one unlocked after collecting all XOF patches. Players can access these additional content through a companion app on their mobile device.