And I beat the game! The Metal Gear REX battle, fistfight with Liquid Snake, and final chase sequence were amazingly epic finishing touches, and there was also Liquid Snake revealing his ultimate motive: rebuilding the "Genome Army" which was being decimated in the years leading up to the game's events.
I don't really feel like writing up a full review right now. Like I said, however, Metal Gear Solid had pretty much no flaw that really got in the way of my enjoyment, and then the game does a lot exceptionally well. Pretty much an easy 10/10.
Bring on Sons of Liberty! I'll see if I can get the MGS HD Collection soon - I did see it in a local Gamestop once.