This is a batshit crazy game. I think I had to pick my jaw up off of the floor in the last 2 or 3 hours. Being on the internet for as long as I have, seeing bits of some of the later game cutscenes was unavoidable, but I am so happy that I dodged being spoiled on the entire twist, because holy shit. I was completely floored.

Aside from the plot, the gameplay is more of the same satisfyingly smooth stealth gameplay, albeit with some more tricky tactics required and a couple of kinda irritating segments, but I can't complain that much. Soundtrack, art direction, visuals, all amazing. Some standout awesome moments include the intro on the tanker and the last hour or so at Big Shell, especially the sniper section. That was lit.

It is genuinely astonishing how pertinent this game is today. The infamously long penultimate cutscene is worth its runtime in gold with how many modern day topics it hits a complete bullseye on, so much so that I had to pause the game to google this game to remind myself that it came out in 2001. 2001! This game is older than me and it has a completely accurate rendition of the current status of the digital information era in 2023. I cannot emphasize enough how incredible that fact is. This one will be replayed without a doubt.

Metal Gear is not a series everyone will enjoy, but I would consider this a must-play for anyone who likes gaming.