Quote Originally Posted by Pete for President View Post

Those encounters are still boss battles. I don't think a single normal enemy features CQC counters, hence I feel like the game doesn't give you a chance to learn proper CQC duels. Please enlighten me if this is not the case.

As mentioned before I think boss battles should be tests where you use skills you have mastered. Entering the boss fight I use what I have learned and in MGS3's case there are many more situations teaching you smart camo, gunplay, long range sniping, and sometimes even throwing food as opposed to almost no CQC duelling. Heck, they even waste two perfect opportunities to learn by making the first two Boss encounters cutscenes. If only these were playable and unbeatable, at least we'd get a chance to get the hang of it. Considering the ratio it's no surprise that I use poisoned food for the Fear, a shotgun for Volgin and sneaky camo for the boss.

On a side note I totally agree that sniping the Boss = cheese, but I was discussing efficiency and not fun or challenge.
I don't see how being able to pull this off on the other bosses doesn't count as practice against the Boss herself since you are kind of building up to her, not to mention the game and story both show the player that she can totally school Snake in CQC for most of the game so finally being able to turn the tide is actually really fun, besides if you keep getting killed by her as you learn how to properly beat her with it, then you will eventually get the hang of it which is also part of the boss fight formula of arcade or old school games. She's honestly one of the most fun fights when you take her head on except maybe fighting The End in a fair sniper duel.