Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions builds its entire identity around the 300 discrete scenarios packed onto the add-on disc, each designed to hone your stealth, reflexes, and problem-solving skills. Rather than following a linear campaign, you’ll jump straight into bite-sized challenges that range from simple training drills—like sneaking past guards or disarming mines—to elaborate puzzle-style operations that require precise timing and creative use of your equipment.

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The variety is striking: some missions task you with reaching an extraction point undetected, others with neutralizing targets under strict conditions, and a handful even introduce unique gimmicks—such as timed bomb defusals or hostile vehicle infiltrations. This mission-based structure allows players to tackle obstacles at their own pace, replaying sections for faster completion times or stricter stealth ratings. Leaderboards and grade thresholds add a competitive edge for completionists and speedrunners alike.

Controls mirror the original Metal Gear Solid’s fluid stealth mechanics, but the focus on short bursts of gameplay demands precision. You’ll lean on crouch-walking, wall-hugs, and night-vision goggles to evade enemy sightlines, while your trusty Tranq Gun and cardboard box remain essential tools. The challenge ramps up quickly, forcing you to master guard patrol patterns and utilize every gadget in your kit. For fans of methodical infiltration, these VR Missions provide a relentlessly engaging workout.

Graphics

Though VR Missions runs on the same engine that powered Metal Gear Solid on PlayStation, the stripped-down environments emphasize clarity over cinematic flair. Training areas are rendered in simple corridors, open courtyards, and range fields—each polygonal surface crisp enough to read patrol routes and floor textures at a glance. The cleaner visual presentation ensures that nothing distracts from your primary goal: staying hidden.

Enemy models and player animations have that signature low-poly charm of late-’90s 3D, complete with stiff turns and basic ragdoll reactions. Yet the minimalistic VR setting transforms these limitations into a stylistic choice, reinforcing the “simulation” theme. Lighting is functional and flat, though spotlights and ambient shadows still play their crucial role in alerting or obscuring enemies.

Cutscenes are virtually non-existent outside of mission briefings, so the graphical emphasis remains on gameplay clarity. Text overlays and simple 2D art deliver your objectives, keeping the interface uncluttered. While you won’t find the dramatic camera angles or high-resolution textures of the main game, the graphical package here is perfectly suited to the fast-paced, retry-friendly nature of VR Missions.

Story

Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions is not intended as a narrative sequel, and indeed there is no traditional overarching plot to follow. Instead, each mission is framed as part of FOXHOUND’s Virtual Reality training program, with Colonel Campbell and other familiar voices providing context in briefings. This loose framing gives just enough context to keep you invested in achieving higher stealth ranks and tackling tougher objectives.

Between exercises, you’ll catch snippets of banter, mission debriefs, and occasional humorous commentary—offering a playful nod to Solid Snake’s training regimen without delving into geopolitical conspiracies. If you’re hoping for a direct continuation of the main Metal Gear Solid storyline, you may be disappointed; here, the emphasis firmly remains on honing skill rather than unraveling a complex plot.

That said, the mission variety sometimes hints at narrative themes: recovering sensitive data in a mock communications center, preventing simulated nuclear leaks, or pursuing phantom terrorist operatives in a controlled environment. These touches deepen the immersion and tie the exercises back to the series’ signature espionage tropes—serving as enjoyable vignettes rather than a cohesive storyline.

Overall Experience

For newcomers curious about stealth gaming, VR Missions can feel like an intensive—and occasionally unforgiving—boot camp. Its compartmentalized mission design encourages repeated practice and mastery, making it ideal for players who relish the satisfaction of incremental improvement. The grading system and time trials fuel a constant drive for perfection, and the large volume of missions means there’s always a new challenge to tackle.

Longtime Metal Gear aficionados will appreciate the chance to revisit iconic mechanics in a fresh context, flexing their knowledge of guard patterns and gadget tricks. While the lack of narrative depth may limit mass appeal, the sheer breadth of mission scenarios provides tremendous replay value. Tackling all 300 challenges can occupy dozens of hours, especially if you aim to secure A-rank or better on each.

Ultimately, Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions stands as a compelling supplementary package for fans of the series and stealth veterans looking to sharpen their cloak-and-dagger prowess. It’s not a standalone adventure, but its specialized focus on training exercises makes it a worthwhile add-on for anyone who craves precise, skill-based gameplay and a seemingly endless array of stealth puzzles.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10