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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a 2015 action-infiltration video game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a 2015 action-infiltration video game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. Set in 1984, it follows Venom Snake as he rebuilds a mercenary force and seeks revenge after the destruction of Mother Base. The game was released on September 1, 2015, for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Windows.

Gameplay

The Phantom Pain is an action-infiltration game that emphasizes stealth, player choice, and large open-world mission areas. Sources describe it as allowing players to enter and leave enemy territory more freely than earlier series entries.

Plot

The story begins in 1984 after the events of Ground Zeroes, with Snake awakening from a nine-year coma and pursuing the group responsible for the destruction of his forces. The campaign takes place in Afghanistan and central Africa.

Development and release

The game was developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami using the Fox Engine. It launched in 2015 on home consoles and Windows.

Place in the Metal Gear series

The Phantom Pain is part of the main Metal Gear timeline and is set before the events of the original Metal Gear. It is commonly described as a prequel within the series chronology.

Key facts

  • The game is set in 1984, nine years after Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.
  • The player controls Venom Snake, a mercenary leader operating under the codename Punished "Venom" Snake.
  • Its story spans Soviet-occupied Afghanistan and the Angola–Zaire border region.
  • The game features open-world gameplay and mission-based structure.
  • It was released on multiple platforms in 2015 and remains popular with a substantial Canadian gaming audience.
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Canadian context

The game was released in Canada on major console and PC platforms in 2015, and it remains part of a globally popular series with a substantial Canadian gaming audience.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
It is an action-infiltration video game with stealth-focused open-world gameplay.
Who developed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain?
Kojima Productions developed the game, and Konami published it.
When was the game released?
It was released on September 1, 2015.
Who is the main character?
The player controls Venom Snake, also identified as Punished "Venom" Snake.
Where is the game set?
It is set in 1984, mainly in Soviet-occupied Afghanistan and the Angola–Zaire border region.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_V:_The_Phantom_Pain
    Supports: Setting, plot overview, timeline placement
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2370518/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and protagonist information
  3. Metal Gear Wiki — https://metalgear.fandom.com/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_V:_The_Phantom_Pain
    Supports: Gameplay structure and mission-based design
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_V:_The_Phantom_Pain
    Supports: Developer, genre, platforms, engine, mode, chronology, sales
  5. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/287700/METAL_GEAR_SOLID_V_THE_PHANTOM_PAIN/
    Supports: Title, developer, publisher, genre, release date, plot blurb