Five years ago, one of the most anticipated games and what would ironically be the last collaboration between Konami and Hideo Kojima before the well documented controversy became public was released - as the long awaited "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" hit stores and shelves internationally on September 1st, 2015 for the Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC. As a follow up to the stand alone prologue chapter that was "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes", The Phantom Pain was the true full MGSV experience and the first open world game in the series - utilizing the proprietary FOX Engine and putting players in control of Punished "Venom" Snake.
Set primarily in 1984 and with the theme of vengeance at its core, Snake wakes up from a nine year coma and embarks in a journey of revenge and reestablishment following the loss of the Militaires Sans Frontieres. Reunited with Kazuhira Miller and joining forces with his old nemesis Ocelot, the man with the codename "Big Boss" leads a new mercenary army in "Diamond Dogs" - setting on missions in Afghanistan and the Angola--Zaire Border to track down those responsible for their misfortunes - the XOF, Cipher, and the mysterious Skull Face. Being an open world game, The Phantom Pain utilized familiar mechanics used in past MGS games but also allowed for near flawless movement in the environment - utilizing stealth and plotting your actions carefully to achieve goals and capturing enemies and bases in order to succeed in the mission.
Coincidentally, The Phantom Pain was released on September 2nd in Japan - the day Big Boss' mentor and mother figure was killed during the events of Operation: Snake Eater (MGS3)
