MGSV is a really cool if a bit trippy game. While I was a bit taken back by the lack of the usual cutscene heavy story, lack of a quirky backup squad, the usual brilliant boss battles of the series; the core gameplay changes really make it one of the most fun entries for me. The ending was also pretty cool, even if it did come out of nowhere. It certainly has the best opening sequence in the series and I would argue it was a great swan song for the franchise, much better than MGS4 despite having a few similar issues with overusing a certain piece of tech to hand wave all the supernatural stuff in the game.

I have a feeling this will be one of those entries where we'll still be digging up easter eggs and other elements for years to come. It's incomplete nature almost feels intentional and I've read some pretty convincing arguments supporting this theory.

In terms of overall quality, MGS3 is still my favorite. I feel MGS2 is more relevant now than it was when it was released, MGS1's gameplay hasn't aged as well for me but it's easily my number 2, though it's story and characters may be the best in the franchise.

MGS4 has joined FFX as one of those games I learn to dislike a little bit more with each new playthrough. It just tries to do too much with the story when it really didn't have to, and the gameplay changes never set well with me.

I've been warming up to Peace Walker a bit more, thanks to MGSV I feel. Ground Zeroes was still innovative and provocative but I stand by my belief that it should not have been released the way it was.