Definitely a vast improvement over Portable Ops. The game being mission-based rather than location-based makes it easier to decide what to do and when, the gameplay is much improved thanks to the better recruitment system and HD Edition's better controls, and the story is much more impactful and compelling. The improved Mother Base system and Outer Ops also make gaining new recruits much more impactful. However, the missions can get repetitive, especially in the endgame, the bosses are absolute damage sponges, especially the optional ones, and the best equipment takes way too long to develop. Still, definitely worth playing, and a good lead-in to MGSV.