Among the many fascinating missions found in Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, few are as unique or nostalgic as Déjà Vu. This special mission is more than just a bonus for fans it’s a celebration of the franchise’s roots. Originally released as an exclusive mission for PlayStation platforms, Déjà Vu throws players into a highly stylized recreation of classic Metal Gear Solid moments, complete with references, familiar poses, and even low-poly textures reminiscent of the original PlayStation title. For long-time fans of the series, it’s a dream come true, blending stealth action with meta commentary and interactive homage. But for newcomers, it’s also a playful introduction to the series’ layered history and rich legacy.
Understanding Déjà Vu in Ground Zeroes
A Mission Steeped in Nostalgia
Déjà Vu is unlike the standard missions in Ground Zeroes. Rather than following the grounded military realism and dark narrative themes of the main game, it offers something more whimsical and referential. Players take control of Big Boss (Snake), but with the added twist of emulating the original Metal Gear Solid version of Solid Snake through both visuals and gameplay nods.
The mission is set on the same Cuban blacksite as the main game, but the objective changes dramatically. Instead of a rescue or infiltration mission, Déjà Vu asks players to recreate iconic scenes from the original Metal Gear Solid, each one serving as a puzzle of memory and location. These reenactments range from posing under searchlights to interrogating soldiers and recreating cutscene moments, all of which will be familiar to fans of the 1998 classic.
How to Access the Mission
Originally, Déjà Vu was a PlayStation exclusive, while Xbox users had access to the ‘Jamais Vu’ mission starring Raiden. Over time, Konami made both missions available on all platforms through updates. To access Déjà Vu, players must complete the main mission in Ground Zeroes and then select the Extra Ops menu. From there, Déjà Vu becomes available to play as a standalone experience.
Gameplay Features in Déjà Vu
Classic Aesthetic
One of the first things players notice is the change in visuals. While the Fox Engine powers the core game with advanced lighting and detail, Déjà Vu overlays the experience with classic UI elements, character models, and low-res textures. Snake’s appearance mirrors his polygonal form from the PlayStation era, complete with blocky arms and simplistic facial expressions. These intentional downgrades are a loving tribute to the limitations and creativity of early 3D gaming.
Iconic Scene Recreation
The primary objective in Déjà Vu is to recreate scenes from Metal Gear Solid. Each successful recreation adds to your completion rate and contributes to a final quiz that tests your knowledge of the series. Players are given clues through still images or quotes, and must then figure out where on the map and how to mimic those moments. Some of the recreated scenes include:
- The searchlight avoidance sequence from the helipad
- The famous vent entrance cutscene
- The chopper escape from Shadow Moses
- Snake using his Codec behind a wall
Solving each puzzle not only brings a sense of satisfaction but also deepens your appreciation for how far the series has come. The mission cleverly contrasts old mechanics with new ones, letting players re-experience these moments through modern controls and systems.
Trivia Quiz Finale
After completing all the scene recreations, players unlock a final challenge: a trivia quiz focused on Metal Gear Solid history. The quiz features questions about characters, events, mechanics, and even voice actors. It’s a clever way to reward longtime fans and add an extra layer of engagement. A perfect score unlocks the Classic Snake skin, allowing you to play the mission wearing Snake’s PS1-era model in all its low-poly glory.
Déjà Vu’s Role in the Metal Gear Legacy
A Bridge Between Eras
Déjà Vu isn’t just fan service it serves as a narrative and thematic bridge between the old and new Metal Gear games. In a franchise known for its layered timelines, alternate identities, and mirrored storylines, this mission emphasizes the cyclical nature of the series. The title itself, Déjà Vu, reflects this idea: the feeling of having experienced something before, even as the environment and context have changed.
It also reinforces the blurred line between Solid Snake and Big Boss. Though the mission stars Big Boss, the player’s actions emulate Solid Snake’s original adventure. This overlap speaks to the central themes of identity and legacy within the Metal Gear universe, reminding players that characters may change, but their missions, challenges, and philosophies often echo through time.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
As with many Metal Gear moments, Déjà Vu doesn’t shy away from breaking the fourth wall. The trivia quiz directly addresses the player, asking questions about external production details. The use of retro visuals, familiar music cues, and even the title screen mimicry all point to a meta-awareness that has long been part of Hideo Kojima’s signature style. It’s this combination of storytelling and self-reference that gives Metal Gear its unique flavor, and Déjà Vu embodies it perfectly.
Why Players Love Déjà Vu
Pure Fan Appreciation
For players who grew up with the original Metal Gear Solid, Déjà Vu is more than a bonus mission it’s a heartfelt tribute. It shows that the developers respect the franchise’s roots and understand the emotional connection players have to it. From Snake’s movements to the grainy textures and dialogue callbacks, the mission feels like a personal thank-you to the community.
Replayability and Challenge
Despite its nostalgic charm, Déjà Vu also provides genuine challenge. Recreating the scenes requires attention to detail and exploration, especially for those who don’t have every Metal Gear moment memorized. The trivia quiz adds an extra layer of difficulty, ensuring that completionists and lore-enthusiasts have something to strive for. Moreover, the mission can be replayed multiple times with different approaches, rewarding creativity and experimentation.
Educational for Newcomers
For players who were introduced to the series through Ground Zeroes or The Phantom Pain, Déjà Vu serves as a compact history lesson. It gives newcomers a taste of what made the original game so iconic, and may even encourage them to explore earlier entries. The mission functions as both a tribute and an invitation a gateway to deeper appreciation of the franchise’s storytelling and evolution.
Déjà Vu in Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes stands as one of the most memorable and meaningful bonus missions in gaming. It’s not just a nostalgic callback it’s an interactive reflection on the legacy of a genre-defining series. By blending stealth gameplay with clever puzzles, retro aesthetics, and direct player engagement, the mission pays homage to the past while reinforcing the thematic depth of the Metal Gear universe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, Déjà Vu offers a unique experience that stays true to everything that makes Metal Gear unforgettable.