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Get ready for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain! Understand the story's timeline, mission structure, Mother Base development, and collectible locations with our expert guide.

Hey there! So, you're diving into Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, huh? Awesome choice! This series is legendary for its storytelling, and MGSV is a huge part of that. By March 2015, the series had already sold over 41.2 million copies worldwide, which just shows how massive its following is. To really get the most out of the story, it's a good idea to have played Metal Gear Solid 3, Peace Walker, and Ground Zeroes first, as they all set the stage for what happens in this game. Everything else in the main series fits in chronologically after MGSV.

This guide is going to be your best friend as you play. We'll walk you through every single main mission, making sure you can nail all the mission tasks. Plus, we'll cover all 157 Side Ops missions, so you won't miss a thing. We're also going to help you build up your Mother Base into an absolute powerhouse. You'll find detailed stats for building different platforms, a breakdown of staff skills, and tips on how to develop the best equipment available. And for all you completionists out there, finding every collectible – like Cassette Tapes, Memento Photos, and Blueprints – will be a breeze with our super-detailed help.