MGS1 is a game that still plays almost perfectly. There are very few games with controls that tight and gameplay that well refined. The later games are cool in how much you can actually do and how expansive they are, but as a smooth refined play experience, none of them top the first game.

As for using CQC against the boss, I only know it can be done. I never bothered to do it myself, and as I understand it, she will counter quite a bit, but it can be done.