Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima may not be slinking along the halls of E3 2015, but his legacy is present in the form of MGS 5: The Phantom Pain. I got my hands on the game for the first time today after seeing it over a year ago in Tokyo for our MGS V cover story. I've completed MGS V: Ground Zeroes a few times in the meantime, so I was ready to take those skills into the open world of Afghanistan on the hunt for one of Big Boss' comrades.

5. Grenade Communications Arrays Around Enemy Bases

Getting spotted is frustrating in the moment, but Big Boss is more than capable of eliminating a single alerted soldier. Problem is, sometimes those nosey enemies call in backup before the legendary soldier can take them out. Even the most skilled players can find themselves on thin ice when trucks of reinforcements roll up. Prevent this by taking out the communications dishes around smaller bases, which will sever their lines with enemy headquarters. Long-distance grenade tosses do the trick nicely. Once they're out, you should be able to clear out bases without worrying about clown cars filled with bad guys showing up.

4. Kidnap With Care

One of MGS: Peace Walker's coolest features is building out Mother Base by kidnapping guards using the Fulton Recovery System. Basically, you attach a big balloon to unconscious guards, they float up from the battlefield, and an aircraft flies by to snatch them away to Mother Base where they'll hopefully become a new disciple of Big Boss. Fulton also works for acquiring useful military equipment. If Big Boss' means of apprehending soldiers and goods sounds brash and crude, that's because it is. This less-than-subtle process will attract the attention of nearby guards, so always remember to carry knocked-out involuntary recruits to a secluded spot before using Fulton, or you'll find curious guards sniffing around the spot they last saw your balloon. The game will give you a percentage chance of a successful recovery before you use the system, so be mindful of that, and whatever you do don't try to Fulton indoors!

3. Enemy Vision Is Impressive, But Not Flawless

The number one rule of any stealth game is to never be seen. The enemies of The Phantom Pain have some of the best vision in the series, likely a balancing shift to compensate for the vastness of the open-world. When Big Boss is sprinting through the Afghanistan desert in the broad daylight, he's likely to be spotted by a sentry even if they're so far off they're difficult to see. However, their vision isn't perfect. Enemy guards' peripheral vision is on par with a pony wearing blinders, so take advantage of their narrow focus. Understanding the optic limitations of your opponents is crucial for closing the gap and grabbing them for stealthy kills or interrogations.

2. Glue Those Binoculars To Your Face

It's a big, harsh world out there, filled with soldiers that want to take down the infamous Big Boss. Nobody likes rounding a corner and coming face-to-face with an angry guard, so prepare yourself by taking out your binoculars and doing some recon. Try to get some leverage and then scan the horizon or a nearby village for sentries and patrolling vehicles. These marked enemies will remain indicated on your U.I., making it easier to evade them and break line-of-sight as you infiltrate bases. Don't get lazy, though. Odds are you'll miss a guard or do while scouting, meaning you should always be cautious for bogeys left unaccounted for.

1. Play Ground Zeroes A Lot

Seriously. I replayed through Ground Zeroes right before leaving to cover E3 this year, because I knew I'd have hands on with The Phantom Pain. The control scheme, gunplay, and overall stealth mechanics are identical in the full game. I recommend playing through Ground Zeroes at least two times right before The Phantom Pain releases in September. Make one playthrough super stealth-focused, where you try to completely avoid detection, sneak up on guards, and generally get a feel for your enemies' range of vision. Understanding when it's time to slither across the ground or run freely and loudly is important for survival. On the flip side, try being reckless for another playthrough. Go in guns blazing so you can work on managing your rifle's recoil and lining up headshots. Additionally, bust heavy ordinance like grenades and rocket launchers to see what it takes to topple guard towers or destroy vehicles. Being discovered in The Phantom Pain's open-world isn't the death sentence some may be used to from previous games. Practice getting good at being tactically stealthy and brutally aggressive.

Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain arrives on 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, and PC September 1.