"Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" has just been released, and staying true to form, the current installment of Konami's big-name role-playing title is complex to play at times, even for those who grew up playing the previous "Metal Gear" titles.

To help gamers understand not just the story but the gameplay and design of "The Phantom Pain," there are numerous tricks, cheats, and Easter eggs that players can exploit. 

• Extra items – When a new game starts, players are asked for their birthdates. Rather than just a gameplay quirk, a player's birthday serves as a period point for the game. The system will remember the date and will prepare some presents, including a birthday cake and cigars, when the player logs in on their birthday. 
• Find a dog companion – Players can find D-Dog on the landing site north of the Spugmay Keep. Arriving in free roam mode in the daytime, players will hear the puppy barking. They would need to listen and pinpoint the location and use the Fulton system to scoop the puppy. While not on missions, they can check up on the puppy and when the dog grows up, D-Dog can then accompany them on missions and can be helpful in sniffing out enemies. 
• Be flexible in combat – Enemies now adapt to player combat styles. For instance, when a gamer favors headshots from a distance, the story will progress with enemy soldiers donning helmets; players who always go for center mass will find it difficult in succeeding missions since enemies will be wearing heavy flak armor. 
• Check out Rough Diamond locations – Aside from boosting staff morale, asking base personnel questions will also net players the locations of Rough Diamonds. 
• Use the box effectively – The Cardboard Box developed in "Episode 2: Diamond Dogs" will be particularly helpful during missions, and attaching different posters and decals to it will provide different effects for enemies. The box can also be used to fast travel around the Mother Base. 

"Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" was released on Sept. 1 for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.