Personally, I actually don't think this is a "major design accomplishment" of GTA3. See my post on the matter, last one on the first page of this thread, and subsequent discussion.

Interesting to see a Metal Gear Solid title back in something like the original Metal Gear jungle setting. Playing the old NES titles will probably give a loose indication of what MGSIII gameplay would be like. Except that I hated the old NES Metal Gears. Ah, well, that's just my problem. I've faith in Kojima now; he hasn't led me wrong in years.