Reviewer's rating: 9/10

PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

MA, $49.95

Revered and indulgent gaming auteur Hideo Kojima has many talents, but isn't known for restraint. So when the credits roll so soon after getting hands-on with Ground Zeroes, it's a shock.

Fortunately, devotees need not fret. There is more than enough quality content in this prequel to justify a purchase.

Beyond the premature "ending", players unlock thrilling new missions, tools and challenges. The wonderful open environment also provides fantastic replay appeal. It's a toybox that is the antithesis of the overly passive and cinematic-heavy Metal Gear Solid 4.

What's most impressive is how the game offers an open-world experience brimming with options and possibilities, yet is hand-crafted to ensure a stimulating challenge. There's always a flaw to be exploited in enemy behaviour, a way to utilise every nook and cranny of the map to sneak around – the design is impeccable.

The solitary military base that is the game's grim playground will become very familiar, but the joy of replay is creating your own rules. You might choose to create chaos in a tank, charge yourself with extracting all prisoners, or try not to kill a single guard. Players can also relish the opportunity to play silent assassin, pyromaniac or deadly sniper.

Improved controls make going in all guns blazing a viable and enjoyable choice, and close combat is also now more refined.

Whichever way you play, making careful use of the binoculars to mark foes is crucial as the trademark enemy radar has been jettisoned.

Another innovation is "reflex" moments that provide a few seconds of slow motion to take down an enemy alerted to your presence before they can radio colleagues.

Who knows how long we will have to wait for the next installment, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, but Ground Zeroes suggests patience will be well rewarded.