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 prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain , set in 1975. The game features an open world design with a real-time day and night cycle, allowing players to approach missions differently. The protagonist, Big Boss (Snake), works with Militaires Sans Frontières to infiltrate an American black site on Cuba, where he must free two returning characters from previous games. The player determines the approach to complete the single objective of freeing them.
The gameplay offers a mix of stealth and action elements. Snake can use tools such as his binoculars to mark enemies, but there is no longer a camouflage system. Instead, players must take cues from their surroundings and the time of day to remain undetected. The game also allows for a more direct approach with guns and explosives, and features a variety of vehicles that can be stolen and driven.
Players can use stealth tactics to knock out or take down enemies with a knife, or take them into a chokehold to gather information. Alternatively, they can engage in third-action shooter combat, using turrets and guns found throughout the base to take out enemies. The game also features a slowdown feature when spotted directly, giving players a short time frame to lock on an enemy and take them out.
In addition to the main mission, four side missions can be unlocked in the same location, set before the main mission. A fifth side mission becomes available after collecting all XOF patches, with a different approach based on the system (PS4).
