Where to Start with Metal Gear

Quick answer

There is no single correct answer, and most fans disagree. Two practical routes: release order (respects the timeline and how the story was told) or Vol.2-first (you already own MGS4 + Peace Walker, so just play them). Both work because the games recap their own context.

Play order around Vol.2

1. Peace Walker (Vol.2) – chronologically it follows MGS3 (2004) and precedes MGSV.
2. MGS4: Guns of the Patriots (Vol.2) – chronologically the latest story in Solid Snake's arc.
3. For more context afterwards, the 2023 Vol.1 collection covers MGS (1998), MGS2 and MGS3.

If you prefer release order: Vol.1 games first (MGS1 → MGS2 → MGS3), then Peace Walker, then MGS4. If you already have Vol.2 and want the quickest path, playing MGS4 before Peace Walker is also fine — MGS4 stands alone well.

What to know before starting

• MGS4 and Peace Walker are very different: MGS4 is a cinematic solo stealth-action game; Peace Walker is mission-based with a strong co-op and base-building loop.
• Peace Walker's story is the direct bridge between MGS3 and MGSV, told via mission briefings and cassette tapes.
• Each game includes its own tutorial; no prior Metal Gear knowledge is strictly required for either.

Verification note

Story placement follows the games' official descriptions (e.g. Peace Walker is set ten years after MGS3; MGS4 five years after MGS2). Deeper narrative details are left to the games themselves; this guide covers how to start, not spoilers.

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