I don't know if those games aren't good as recommendations because I personally played the first three (and maybe a few others outside the numbered series?) a while after MGS 5 was already out.
Of course I can't play MGS 5 because I haven't played MGS 4 yet, and I can't play MGS 4 because EVERY other game got rereleased for PC EXCEPT for MGS 4.....
You can definitely play MGS5/V before playing 4, if you've played 3 you'll have 60% of the context needed. Peace Walker and Ground Zeroes make up the last 39%. IIRC the only context you'll get from playing 4 is a few things involving the Les Enfants Terribles project.
EDIT: Thinking on it, if anything playing MGS4 after V might actually enhance your enjoyment of the series as it was fully meant to be a bookend to the series.
I don't know if those games aren't good as recommendations because I personally played the first three (and maybe a few others outside the numbered series?) a while after MGS 5 was already out.
Of course I can't play MGS 5 because I haven't played MGS 4 yet, and I can't play MGS 4 because EVERY other game got rereleased for PC EXCEPT for MGS 4.....
You can definitely play MGS5/V before playing 4, if you've played 3 you'll have 60% of the context needed. Peace Walker and Ground Zeroes make up the last 39%. IIRC the only context you'll get from playing 4 is a few things involving the Les Enfants Terribles project.
EDIT: Thinking on it, if anything playing MGS4 after V might actually enhance your enjoyment of the series as it was fully meant to be a bookend to the series.