... That's how this game makes me feel every time I've had a chance to play it. I haven't had much time yet, but I'm loving everything about it so far.

It's shocking that this is a portable title. In spite of the visual and control limitations of the console, the game is unquestionably "post" MGS4 in terms of fidelity. It makes few sacrifices, and when it does it gives you something new to make up for it. For example: the complexity of CQC is really down from MGS3 and 4. You can't move while holding an enemy, for example. Irrelevant. Thanks to the game's AWESOME new chain-throw system and streamlined controls, I find that it is by far the most practical and enjoyable implementation of CQC in the whole series!

At first when I read about aiming and camera control being mapped to the face buttons, I thought it sounded awful. But so far I'm having no trouble with it.

Also, yeah, HOLY STUFF TO DO BATMAN! A Metal Gear title with tons of things to level up? Pinch me, I'm dreaming!

Lastly, I feel it worth mentioning that I think, at least thus far, that this is the best pure stealth title in the series. Even though MGS4's mechanics are bliss, I think the Drebin system and the level design really encourage a shooter mentality and, taken that way, I feel that MGS4 is the best and most flexible shooter I've ever played. Peace Walker is not a shooter, however. So far I have yet to kill a single soldier, and I'd like for that to continue. So many things about the game, such as the Fulton Recovery system, the streamlined CQC, the level design itself, are designed to encourage the player to play it as stealthily as possible. And because of the near MGS4-level of fidelity of the controls, I find it infinitely more fun (and less exhausting) to sneak through than MGS1, 2, or 3.

So yeah, I'm freaking floored.