What Substance was to Metal Gear Solid 2 and Subsistence was to Metal Gear Solid 3, Definitive Subsistence now becomes for Metal Gear Solid V — though this time, it’s a fan-made passion project.

Metal Gear Solid V already offers countless ways to tackle open-ended stealth encounters, but players often stick to their favorite loadouts once they find a setup that works. The Subsistence system was Hideo Kojima’s original way of countering that problem: it let players replay missions without preset gear, forcing them to scavenge weapons and tools in the field. Yet for modder Mohtalgear, this wasn’t quite enough. To celebrate the game’s tenth anniversary, he decided to take the idea to the next level.

Definitive Subsistence adds fresh content and gameplay mechanics that make it feel like experiencing Metal Gear Solid V all over again. The mod dramatically expands the Subsistence system and other core gameplay features. The biggest change is a complete overhaul of on-site procurement: weapons found during missions are now far more diverse. For instance, interrogating an enemy may cause them to drop a random support weapon, and a second interrogation yields a support item. You can now collect sidearms from captured enemies, pick up tranquilizer weapons in the field, and face opponents equipped with all standard weapons — including those previously off-limits to them, such as grenade launchers.

The mod also reworks The Phantom Pain’s dynamic “revenge” system. Instead of evolving over the entire game, adaptive enemy responses now occur on a per-mission basis and reset at the end. Attack the first checkpoint guns blazing, and the next convoy you meet might be heavily armed and armored. Get spotted while sneaking, and the next outposts you encounter will have guards on high alert. The goal is to unleash The Phantom Pain’s full potential, ensuring that every mission feels unpredictable and alive.

It even incorporates the hard mode from Ground Zeroes — The Phantom Pain’s standalone prologue — updating enemy vision, sleep duration, player health, and camouflage detection. Players can also take control of Ocelot and Quiet. Ocelot can’t dual-wield, but he still has access to the Tornado-6, while Quiet, true to her name, cannot interrogate guards.

The result is a deeply ambitious fan project that breathes new life into Metal Gear Solid V, refining its systems and delivering a tougher, more dynamic experience — a heartfelt tribute to Hideo Kojima’s legacy.

Source: PCGamer, Nexus Mods