Following years of mostly multiplayer gaming, I believe this was the first single player game I had actually completed all the way through. A couple points that stand out to me years later-
Combat - Despite weapon variety adhering to the time period, gunplay is engaging, as each firearm packs a punch (think Django Unchained shootout scene). Hand to hand combat is also a step up from previous Rockstar titles. Also, it doesn't get much better than hog-tying your enemies and dragging them through the mud, rocks, and dirt as you ride your trusty steed. Combat is by no means a challenge, but it is fun.
Morality System - While simple, it is a nice feature that just makes sense in a game where you play as an outlaw during the tail end of the wild west. It also makes sense when you consider the larger themes the game is conveying.
Story- This game rises above many others through its story and characters. Thanks to the writing, the main characters throughout the narrative are fully realized , compelling, and bounce off of each other well.
NPCs- Realistic and I liked talking shit to them
Vibes- Nothing is cooler than outlaw gunslingers robbing banks and trains, firing off rounds in every direction towards a seemingly endless wave of lawmen, Pinkertons, and rival gangs.
In conclusion, I want to ride a horse (like in Red Dead Redemption 2)

after getting used to the controls, this game hits. The sorrow floating around with his cheeky smile. Ocelot constantly flipping his guns around and waving his hands for no reason. Being confronted with the souls of everyone you murdered. The ladder. Pressing a button too hard and accidentally slitting an enemies neck. Real life cold war era history forming the base of the setting and story. Double agent espionage. Triple agent espionage. Movie talk with Para medic. The cutscenes with energetic camera work. A title screen with style. An intro theme song that slaps with James Bond inspiration. Various gadgets and weapons at your disposal. Disguises. Johnny Sasaki scene. The end dying of old age. Snakes arc. This is my first metal gear solid game and im excited to experience more characters and the story in chronological order.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. Snake helping the Sandinistas is fitting knowing what they would become in Nicaragua. Reminds me of what the boss said about changing tides and enemies becoming friends and friends becoming enemies. I love that real history is mixed with fiction, as CIA led coups in Central America lay the foundation for the story. Snake creating MSF goes perfectly with his character arc. He does not answer to anyone and is more grizzled and tortured after what happened in Snake Eater. I enjoyed outer ops and building equipment and preparing for missions in mother base. Building mother base as the game progresses is satisfying and shows how far MSF and outer heaven have become. The gameplay is much smoother than MGS3, as crouch walking is added (but no crawling???). The la la la AI song is haunting but repetitive. Kojima joining MSF. Everyone thinking Snake is Che Guevara. I enjoyed the story but its a shame Chapter 5 is hidden behind repeating boss fights for Zeke parts and waiting for Kaz to tell you there is a new mission. I would rate this higher if not for the chapter 5 unnecessary grind. The boss fights were also not that enjoyable. They were not difficult but were time consuming. The quick time events and button mashing during cutscenes also sucked imo. Finally, Kaz Miller is HIM. Cant wait to continue with Ground Zeros and Phantom Pain.

This is peace walker ALMOST perfected. I loved this game besides the pacing issues and unresolved storylines in chapter 2. Again, I love the real world history being interwoven with the narrative. The blood diamond trade and child soldiers in Africa as well as the Mujahideen in Afghanistan (reminds me of Boss' sentiment that one day friends will become enemies) help to ground the game and give a point of reference. Moment to moment gameplay is perfected. The game builds tension so well that at times this felt like a horror game and I was genuinely scared. The writing and character progression is really gripping. Kaz is definitely the most compelling character for me. His quest for vengeance is really the driving force for the story and its themes. I loved his progression into this angry and jaded man who is willing to go to extremes to get retribution for what was taken from him, and where he finally ends up once he gets it. He also gives the coolest lines in the game, my favorites being-

"Why are we still here? Just to suffer? Every night, I can feel my leg... And my arm... even my fingers... The body I've lost... the comrades I've lost... won't stop hurting... It's like they're all still there. You feel it, too, don't you?"

"Still, doesn't feel liike this is over...and I'll never be whole again."

"Cipher sent us to a hell but we are going even deeper. Take back everything that we have lost."

Also the fact that smoking a cigar makes time go by faster is such a funny game mechanic.

This game is so close to being a masterpiece. Such a shame the second chapter isn't fully realized.