I'll add zone of the enders to the list. It definitely is a love letter to the genre, and kojima loves his giant mech drama.

Fellow Ace here, still working through my own feelings. I had a good cry about it this morning. The people around me are playing a game I'm excluded from, I can only watch. When I see other Aces talk about both the good and the bad days I know I'm not alone. I hope you know you help.