As a dedicated fan, I’ve felt a sense of anticipation-tinged frustration for nearly a decade, ever since the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in 2015. While we may have had Survive in 2018, it was more of a distant relative to the core series than a true sequel. The strained relationship between Konami and Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind this epic saga, coupled with the company’s less-than-stellar reputation among gamers, had effectively put Metal Gear on ice, leaving many of us mourning its supposed demise. But then, miraculously, a glimmer of hope emerged.
In 2024, Konami, along with Bloober Team, produced what many consider one of the best remakes ever with Silent Hill 2. Just this year, Suikoden I & II Remastered was unveiled to great excitement. This has raised hopes that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater might also receive a similar remake.
Unlike “Silent Hill 2,” which underwent a significant overhaul similar to “Resident Evil 2,” “Delta” opts for a more conservative approach, preserving most of its original content while incorporating several user-friendly enhancements. Konami has been consistent about this since the game’s announcement two years ago, and considering the limited number of original “Metal Gear” developers at Konami, a drastic change, such as transforming “MGS3” into an open-world game with haphazard ideas (something that would have piqued my curiosity but also caused apprehension), could potentially have spelled the end for the franchise.
“Make no mistake, Delta: Snake Eater is an absolutely gorgeous game to look at.”
As a devoted gamer, I’ve got to say, even though there were a few hiccups and places where I yearned for more refinements, the remake of Delta: Snake Eater feels like a heartfelt tribute to us fans. It’s packed with updates and polish that truly shines!
In essence, “Snake Eater” serves as the foundational tale that kick-starts the epic narrative known as the “Metal Gear” series. Players find themselves assuming the character of Jack, also known by his code name Naked Snake, who is dispatched by FOX unit, a newly established team, under the leadership of Major Zero on a mission deep within the Soviet Union. The objective of this mission is to save Dr. Sokolov, a scientist working on the lethal Shagohod weapon, before he can finalize his research.
In Kojima’s portfolio, Metal Gear Solid 3 (MGS3) is frequently hailed as the pinnacle of his storytelling, sharing this accolade with Sons of Liberty as some of the most captivating narratives in the series. This game poses challenging questions about loyalty, adversaries, and the evolving essence of truth, offering answers that carry equal weight. Despite Konami not making any changes to the story in Delta, its impact remains undiminished over two decades later. Even after multiple plays of Snake Eater on the PlayStation 2, I felt like I was discovering something new when I played it through Delta. Although nostalgia may have contributed to this feeling, even without that factor, the story’s potency is such that I anticipate replaying it numerous times in the near future, further enchanted by the extraordinary production values that heighten every scene.
There’s no doubt about it, “Delta: Snake Eater” is a stunning game visually. The cutscenes are meticulously recreated from the original, yet they shine even brighter due to enhancements in lighting and art direction. Unlike the 2004 version, characters now move and react in a more realistic manner, voiceovers are properly synchronized with lip movements, and the overall atmosphere, including how light permeates through environments, has been beautifully executed. While graphical upgrades are standard when revamping a twenty-year-old title, Konami has outdone themselves, creating visuals that feel contemporary without compromising the original’s essence.
In the new version, most of the music and voice acting have been kept as they were originally, but it would have been ideal if these elements had been re-recorded. However, the performances from 2004 were exceptionally good. By increasing the bitrate in Delta, Konami has enhanced the audio quality, making it sound more vibrant and bringing a fresh feel to it.
The overall quality of the production is high across all aspects, however, there were occasional moments where it lagged slightly on the PS5 Pro. To my knowledge, there weren’t any graphical modes available to adjust this issue, given that Unreal Engine 5 has been quite taxing this generation. Nevertheless, I was mostly content with its performance. It definitely delivers in terms of visual and audio experience, but what truly matters is how it feels to play.
Although MGS5 is frequently regarded as one of the best stealth games ever created, Snake Eater offers a unique perspective, providing a raw and calculated gaming experience.
In the game Delta, Konami offers two camera modes: one reminiscent of the original version and a contemporary third-person view. For this critique, I exclusively played with the innovative angle, finding it challenging to envision returning to the antiquated setup after investing countless hours into MGS5. To my surprise, the revised camera enhances the feel of MGS3, making it more akin to MGS5. Initially apprehensive about how it would work in settings created for the PlayStation 2, I soon grew accustomed to its intuitive fit. The combat experience is significantly improved, with shooting feeling more precise and reactive due to the enhanced controls. Consistent with Metal Gear Solid tradition, Snake’s vast collection of weapons and tools align flawlessly with the upgraded camera angle.
In the realm of stealth games, Metal Gear Solid 5 (MGS5) is frequently hailed as one of the best ever crafted. However, its predecessor, Snake Eater, veers off this path by presenting a rawer and more methodical gaming experience. The adversaries in Snake Eater are cunning in their utilization of the environment, often camouflaging themselves in spots that make them hard to find, prompting players to tread cautiously and strategize each move. Stealth in this game necessitates patience and precision, and when executed skillfully, it results in moments of high tension and gratification. For those who prefer a stealthy playstyle without detection, Delta offers some of the most fulfilling stealth gameplay you can imagine.
In the game MGS3, Snake can change his appearance using various face paints and uniforms to match his environment, making it tougher for adversaries to spot him. In Delta, Konami added a quicker way to switch suits, while keeping the original method as well. I greatly appreciate this improvement because it allows me to easily experiment with different outfits without disrupting gameplay. The codec system also has a new shortcut now, which I welcome since it can be accessed immediately instead of going through several steps. A fresh feature is the compass, though I feel it’s mostly extra for veterans like myself as MGS3 remains a fairly linear game.
As a dedicated gamer, I’m thrilled to share that while the core healing mechanism stays consistent in this latest update, Delta brings something fresh to the table – a dynamic battle damage system! This means the way my character gets damaged during combat will now vary depending on how rough things get. It adds an extra layer of strategy and realism to the gameplay experience, making each battle feel unique.
The movement animations for snakes have undergone a significant transformation, making the gameplay experience more akin to that of “The Phantom Pain.” Additionally, the new close-quarter combat (CQC) moves add an exciting element, and let me tell you, manhandling Volgin with the revamped CQC camera is always a delight. One aspect I found particularly impressive was the enhanced enemy AI behavior, which seems to be more astute compared to the original version. Enemies appear to be slightly more aggressive and have strategies that make confrontations more varied and engaging.
Although the AI here doesn’t quite match that of The Phantom Pain, it’s important to note that comparisons can be misleading due to differing game design constraints. However, there’s undeniably progress and it’s commendable. On the flip side, I encountered some bugs concerning enemy vision. At one point, it became frustrating when enemies spotted me through walls, suggesting a potential collision issue that disrupted my stealth strategy.
The AI isn’t as smart as in The Phantom Pain, but considering game design differences, there’s still improvement. Unfortunately, I found some glitches with enemy vision which led to aggravating moments where enemies saw me through walls, resembling a collision issue affecting my stealth approach.
It’s likely that such issues could be addressed in a future update, but for now, they were somewhat frustrating. Nevertheless, despite the occasional technical glitch, the gameplay systems in Delta are outstanding, offering a contemporary experience while maintaining the essence of the original.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that Delta has revamped the combat system with a fresh battle damage mechanic. Instead of just numerical hits, Snake now bears the brunt of each encounter with bruises, burns, and scars. The more punishment I take, the more noticeable these injuries become, and by the end of my playthrough, Snake looked like he’d been through hell and back. It might seem minor, but this detail adds an extra layer of immersion, making the high-stakes mission feel even more perilous.
In Delta, load times are remarkably swift, so swift that the level names shown during loading screens seem almost superfluous. It’s clear Konami aimed to maintain the original gameplay consistency when moving between areas, but considering today’s technology, it would have been preferable to eliminate those static transitions altogether and introduce something more fluid, like a brief cinematic sequence instead.
As a gamer, stepping into the world of Marvel’s Spider-Man, I’ve gotta admit, the seamless fast travel using subway rides was a game-changer for me. It felt so natural and immersive, unlike those abrupt black transition screens here that seem to serve no real purpose. In an otherwise flawlessly polished presentation, they feel a bit jarring, leaving me yearning for a similar intuitive solution in this game.
On my PS5, I got to experience Snake vs Monkey, a fun diversion with approximately a dozen stages that offers a break from the main narrative.
In every Metal Gear game, the boss encounters are a key feature that I believe could have been enhanced further in Delta compared to its initial release. It might be due to my familiarity with the original version, but I found several of these battles to be noticeably simpler this time around. Originally, these fights were designed for the older camera system, and with the new third-person perspective, it’s much easier to keep tabs on and hit the bosses. This change makes the challenges less daunting.
I recall an instance with the game “The Twin Snakes” facing a similar challenge. Although adjusting these combat encounters for a modern rendition would have been preferable, increasing the overall difficulty could help counterbalance this issue. Despite this disadvantage, the majority of the boss fights remain thrilling, memorable, and rewarding to conquer, much like they were twenty years ago, offering that same feeling of achievement.
Delta offers additional features such as the Demo Theatre where you can re-watch cutscenes, similar to the original version. However, contrary to rumors before its launch, it does not include brand new cutscenes featuring characters like Skull Face or XOF making unexpected appearances at the game’s end. MGS5 fans will understand this reference.
The Secret Theatre reappears, presenting fresh video snippets that can be acquired as collectibles. In addition, the Kerotan frogs are back, accompanied by new Gako collectible ducks, providing a thrill for completionists. Timeless unlockables like stealth camouflage return, but what truly excites me is the comeback of the Savage Guy mini-game from the PlayStation 2 edition, now completely reimagined and still an enjoyable play after so many years.
On my PS5, I enjoyed playing the game Snake vs Monkey, a side feature offering about a dozen stages that offers a cheerful diversion from the main narrative. Despite its simplicity, it’s incredibly engaging and the conversations between Snake and Campbell always bring a chuckle. The monkeys are surprisingly charismatic and their playful actions make the entire mode feel like an amusing, endearing bonus.
In an ideal scenario, I’d be thrilled to witness a reboot of Snake Eater, modeled after The Phantom Pain. The prospect of traversing an open-world Tselinoyarsk is truly enticing, but we must acknowledge the practical implications of such a remake. Metal Gear is one of Konami’s prized assets, and its longevity depends on how successfully Delta performs. Altering too much could have upset longtime fans, while making insufficient changes might not appeal to newcomers. With Delta, Konami has struck the right balance, much like Kojima did with MGS3, by harmonizing gameplay and cinematic storytelling.
“Welcome back, Snake. We truly missed you.”
The final product beautifully recaptures the charm of old-school gaming, offering a captivating adventure that one could easily immerse themselves in for a whole weekend. This reboot effectively continues the series’ legacy and is recommended for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy. Many delightful nods to the past and amusing features have been carefully maintained, such as the iconic trick to make Snake vomit. Additionally, FOX Hunt is planned for release later this year, which, if delivered as promised, will further enhance an already impressive collection of content.
This masterpiece wonderfully evokes the spirit of classic video games that could keep you captivated for a weekend. As a continuation of the series, it has lived up to expectations and is worthy of play by both longtime enthusiasts and novices. Several nostalgic elements and entertaining features have been thoughtfully preserved, including the famous trick to make Snake vomit. Furthermore, FOX Hunt will be coming later this year, and if it delivers on its potential, it will only add to an already enticing collection of content.
The fresh squad at Konami should take great pride in their achievements so far, and if the game succeeds, future remakes could be even more daring and imaginative. For the time being, Delta serves as a powerful debut, a clear indication of purpose, and a touching revival of a series that has been missing for far too long. With the exceptional reimaginings of Silent Hill 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Konami has demonstrated their return in earnest, and I’m eagerly anticipating what they will deliver next.
Welcome back, Snake. We truly missed you.
This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
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2025-08-22 10:44