I have a lot of beef with how this story/plot plays out.
Trying to get 100% currently.
Anybody play online?
I've just rescued Code Talker (probably the most fun mission so far, loved the mansion setting and the old feel of infiltrating a building) and am beginning "Chapter 2" I guess.
I love love love the gameplay loop, it's constantly satisfying and rewarding you as a player. It helps that the day to day gameplay (even if you're not doing missions) is satisfying and fun too.
Re: The narrative design, I'm not sure whether the more "optional" aspect of backstory and dialogue (mostly of Big Boss) is a result of the game being interfered or edited by the developer/publisher in the late stages of the game's development. It seems like (from my experience with the game as well as the spoiler-free reviews/articles and analysis I have read) the game has been curtailed and heavily edited in a way. That's the main feeling I get from the story and the way it is told.
If the reliance on cassette tapes was a conscious decision in an attempt to experiment with narrative and how it is given to the player (instead of the standard -gameplay / cutscene and / or linear story). It certainly is interesting and a novel idea to make the player gave to go out of their way to listen to most of the salient points of the plot. In terms of pacing, it has left this game feeling all over the place as its narrative beats are oddly doled out.
As I type this, I've just finished Mission 29, Codetalker seems to be Exposition Talker right now....