I guess my big question is: Does it actually finally bridge the gap between the Big Boss and Solid Snake stories at this point in the timeline? And do so successfully?

Pending this is indeed the last game in the series...In my mind this game would end with the building of Outer Heaven, which then Solid would then…

Sony had this in production for PS3 originally...more than 2 years ago actually...sorry bud.

So..uh...no reference to this being a thing from How I Met Your Mother for years?