Started this today! This is another game I think I'm unlikely to finish. It is very difficult on top of my own personal life getting really busy, so this might be as far as I get in Metal Gear.
Spent the first half hour basically playing in pacifist mode - made the mistake of not reading the manual first (again). I got to a dead end after dodging all the guards in the first section and THEN read the manual when I couldn't figure out how to progress.
So, like, pro-tip: you can go in the trucks from the back of them, and also if you catch a guard by surprise or from behind you can usually punch them to death before someone else notices you, if you time it right. Sneaking is fine for many of the screens but taking out a guy usually helps you navigate easier.
The second screen teaches you a very important mechanic
And a note about trucks - they can also move you to a new screen! I ended up going in a loop of truck rides for a little bit - so yes, they do loop! You aren't stuck if you went away from an area you needed to be in.
The game is pretty fun but definitely difficult! It absolutely can hit that sweet spot of "I feel so good or clever for figuring out this game" but it also has moments of "This is absolutely bullshit". No idea how kids without save states did this. Having nothing better to do, I guess. While sneaking around works most of the time, there are occasions where I have no idea HOW I got spotted or there is literally no way to enter the next screen WITHOUT alerting one of the guys.
ALSO an annoying thing about this game is the equipment switching. The worst example I have is that there was one screen I encountered where you needed a card to open a door and the door beyond is filled with gas that damages you. You cannot open the door and then equip the gas mask to go through the door on the same screen. The door closes if you equip the gas mask. This forces you to take damage on the next screen, which can result in you getting stuck until you can find a way to heal if you're low on health. So, the game isn't entirely fair, but given this game's reputation, I kind of expected that.
Another annoyance? Big Boss "forgetting".
I took that screenshot on the third or fourth time Big Boss called me, telling me he had forgotten to tell me something. I think this dude is trying to get me killed for real.
I didn't have a ton of time to dig into this game, I spent about 2 hours, maybe less playing. I had two cards and had gotten to the roof, where I needed an item I did not have to progress. I don't know how far in that is, but given the amount of equipment slots I had left to fill, and the lack of weapons I had found, I'm pretty sure I'm not very far at all.
Also I never contacted "Grey Fox". Big Boss said I should get in contact but I don't know where the guy is. Very possible I missed him.
#1: Legend of Zelda (NES) 
#2: Super Mario (And Wario) Land (GB) 
#3: Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (NES)
#4: Trip World (GB)
#5: Mega Man May (NES/GB)
<- Fergus.
