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 takes place after Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker as a sub-series or prequel in the main franchise set long before Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots .
The game is set in 1975, with the protagonist Big Boss (Snake) infiltrating an American black site Camp Omega on Cuba. Snake works with Militaires Sans Frontières to free Cipher agent Paz and child soldier Chico, held captive within the base's large structure. The player determines their approach, but the freedom comes with limited tools from previous titles, such as the Soliton radar map.
The gameplay involves stealth approaches, where enemies can be knocked out or taken down with a knife. A pure third-action shooter approach allows for takedowns and discoveries of hidden items, including turrets and guns. Enemies have line-of-sight and Snake must use crouching to stay hidden, while observing changes in alertness indicators based on their suspicion level.
Additional side missions are available, unlocked before the main mission or by collecting XOF patches, with a different one available depending on the system used.