I've been getting into the Metal Gear series recently, and I didn't find out until just now that the PS3 version of The Phantom Pain was actually still released. I still need to catch up to the rest of the series (I only have MGS1, but I plan on getting the Legacy Collection soon), although now that I know that there's a PS3 version of The Phantom Pain, I figured I might as well ask: What are the differences between the PS3 and PS4 version? I don't have a PS4 yet, and might not be able to get one for a long time (As in at least a year or two), so if I can catch up to the series sooner, I might end up wanting to get it on PS3. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be missing out on anything. I should note that graphical settings really aren't much of a deal breaker for me, since the content of the game is, in my opinion, far more important than how it looks. I just wanted to know if there were any features cut from the last-gen versions. I did want to be able to easily access every important game in the series on one system, so getting the PS3 version would help a lot with that, but I'd really like to make sure I wouldn't be missing out on anything if I took the PS3 version over the PS4 version. I heard that the PS4 version of Ground Zeroes had an extra mission, and while I don't know that I'd mind missing out on one little mission in a demo, I definitely want to get the complete package for The Phantom Pain. So, anyone able to tell me if there are any major differences between the two versions outside of visual changes?

Well if you want a whole package, then the PS4 version is the way to go, sorry to say. I will say that as far as I know there are no significant gameplay experience differences. But I will say that even if the graphics are the only difference, they ARE the most significant difference to consider. If you feel that graphics don't matter, then good for you. Personally, I prefer supurb graphics, it doesn't replace the gameplay in terms of importance, but video games are still a visual medium, so I always think they should look as beautiful or as creative as possible, just like what we expect from movies, be it CG, live action with CG, or just straight up live action. But graphics aside, there is another significant difference between the two: hardware. Technically speaking the PS4 is superior to the PS3, so the PS4 version is built to play smoother. This means that you will be playing with 60 frames per second on the PS4 version far more than you will on the PS3 version, which will likely run at 30 frames per second most of the time. And trust me you can notice the difference between those two, and it is HUGE. This means that the PS4 game will run smoother most of the time while the PS3 might be a bit slower in several instances. Whether or not you care about how a game looks, I would think you should care about how it moves, so keep that in mind. Also, as far as gameplay goes I think it's pretty close to the PS4 version, the only notable difference will probably be that there will be fewer players on the MGSV Online component, but if you don't care for the online thing as much I doubt you'll really be bothered by it.

 

So yeah, the main argument I have towards getting the PS4 version pretty much is the graphical superiority and the more efficient appealing frame rate. And even if you don't care about graphics in games in general, keep this mind, they were REALLY gearing this thing towards the PS4. Everything they put into it was dedicated to bringing the most realistic and true to life looking experience the MGS series has had yet. Everything from the way characters' faces and emotions are captured to the intelligence of the AI to the beauty of the open environments you are in have all been made with the intent of being seen in the best quality possible. A lot of love was put into the PS4 version, and I feel that getting it is the equivalent of staying during the credits after a movie. You don't have to do it, but it is a nice gesture to respect all the hard work and passion that went into making it (plus never know if there's something extra to catch). But I will say that it might still look pretty amazing for a PS3 game, so it's likely that most of that love and care still went into the PS3 version too. So really it's up to your discretion. I will say though, I'm in a similar position as you in that I only have a PS3 currently, but I just bought the PS4 versions of Ground Zeroes and Phantom Pain, so I feel that it speaks where my investment lies. Plus, KH3 will be on the PS4 anyway, so I figure if there was ever a point to feel motivated to start saving for a PS4, this game makes for a real enough incentive. But it's up to you. I'm just telling you how I see it.

The PS3 versions runs the game in 30fps while the PS4 version runs the game in 60fps. So there really isn't much of a difference between the two versions asides from fps differences.

Edited October 16, 201510 yr by Tails

The PS4 version will look, run and sound much better. Shouldn't be anything else though.

The PS4 version will look, run and sound much better. Shouldn't be anything else though.

Exactly this.