Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes launched in March 2014 simultaneously on both old- and new-generation consoles, so the PlayStation 3 version targeted a large part of the player base that hadn't picked up the new console generation yet. Content-wise, the PS3 version is identical to the other platforms – as Snake, the player infiltrates the Camp Omega base to rescue two prisoners, and also completes side missions scattered across the more open map that foreshadowed the direction Phantom Pain would take.

Technically, though, it's a noticeably weaker experience. The PS3 version ran at a lower resolution and with more limited texture and lighting quality than the simultaneously released PS4 version, and the game also had noticeably longer loading times and a lower frame rate in more demanding scenes. This reflected the series' transition to the new FOX Engine, which was designed primarily for the new hardware generation and only ran on older consoles with significant compromises, most noticeable in the densely built-up parts of the base and during fast vehicle movement.

For many players in 2014, the PS3 version was the only way to play Ground Zeroes without investing in a new console, so Kojima Productions adjusted the game's technical parameters so it remained playable even on hardware that was already seven years old. Still, the difference in smoothness and detail compared to the PS4 version is obvious at first glance. Game content, trophies, and the bonus mission Déjà Vu, initially available only on PlayStation 4, arrived on PS3 only later, so owners of the older console had to wait a while for the same package of content and ultimately enjoyed the full experience later than PS4 owners.

Why play: The PS3 version makes sense mainly for players who hadn't yet moved to the new console generation in 2014 and wanted to play Ground Zeroes without buying new hardware. Anyone with a choice should reach for the PS4 version instead – the content is the same, but it's a lot smoother technically.

Why play: For players who hadn't yet moved to the new console generation in 2014, it's a sensible choice that doesn't require buying new hardware – anyone with a choice should reach for the technically smoother PlayStation 4 version instead.