It does blow my mind how this is a substansial gameplay improvement and expansion of 2, which was a substansial gameplay improvement and expansion of 1. More engaging stealth stuff and new survival elements that balance a fine line between simple and complex make me feel like going back to 1 will be very weird. And I haven't even made a lot of use of the CQC interrogation stuff, so I kind of do need a replay.
In terms of story, this one is also great but I think a bit weaker than 2. It still had a whole lot of great moments and beats and then the ending is just gut punch, hilarious Ocelot moment, gut punch and gut punch.
This having better gameplay but a slightly weaker story than 2 makes me understand why either of those are usually someone's favourite within the series. Right now I cannot tell which one I prefer, I just know I finally experienced some of the best classics ever made.
In terms of story, this one is also great but I think a bit weaker than 2. It still had a whole lot of great moments and beats and then the ending is just gut punch, hilarious Ocelot moment, gut punch and gut punch.
This having better gameplay but a slightly weaker story than 2 makes me understand why either of those are usually someone's favourite within the series. Right now I cannot tell which one I prefer, I just know I finally experienced some of the best classics ever made.