Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Review: Konami’s Remake Often Feels More Like a Remaster Instead

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My preferred Metal Gear Solid game, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, ranks among my all-time favorites. Playing it on my PS2 at the age of 13 in 2004, thanks to Hideo Kojima’s masterful stealth-action design, left a lasting impression on me. Over the years, I’ve revisited Snake Eater multiple times, and each playthrough has continued to captivate me as much as the first one did. Learning about the upcoming remake of MGS3 titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater filled me with great excitement.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to admit, I was pretty stoked about diving back into the world of Metal Gear Solid with Delta. But, unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations as a remake. It manages to preserve the essence of Snake Eater, which is a major plus, and it runs beautifully on modern platforms. Frankly, it’s the best version of the game available today, and I can see myself revisiting it in the future. However, I can’t shake off this feeling that Metal Gear Solid Delta could have been so much more than just a polished-up classic.

Konami Doesn’t Go Far Enough in the Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake’s Gameplay

As a devoted fan, I can say that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater essentially follows suit in terms of gameplay mechanics when compared to its predecessor, Metal Gear Solk 3 (MGS3). The significant change lies in the introduction of a new camera system called the “New Style.” This innovative feature alters the perspective to position me, Snake, more squarely in view. Interestingly, for those who hold a soft spot for the original isometric camera style seen in MGS3, fear not! Konami has graciously reintroduced this option as a “Legacy” choice, allowing us to switch back to the familiar view if desired.

The “New Style” presented here may not seem entirely novel, contrary to Konami’s claims. Although this particular perspective was not present in MGS3, it is reminiscent of viewpoints from games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Solid 5 within the Metal Gear series. While this isn’t an inherently bad thing, it does make the more dramatic stylistic changes made in Konami’s Silent Hill 2 remake stand out even more.

In my opinion, it would be more engaging if the camera in Delta was adjusted to follow Snake more closely and adopt a classic third-person shooter style. This unique approach could have given Delta a distinctive feel and perspective, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Additionally, such a change might have initiated Metal Gear’s evolution beyond its previous versions, which Konami has been reluctant to pursue since Hideo Kojima’s departure from the company.

Despite these words, playing Metal Gear Solid Delta remains enjoyable. Sneaking around adversaries, adjusting camouflage for a better fit with surroundings, and trapping animals for food maintains its charm as an engaging gameplay cycle that never gets tiresome. Delta retains the feel of a PS2 title, but it doesn’t appear quite as outdated as other games released in the early 2000s, reflecting the enduring quality of its core gameplay.

Snake Eater’s Outdated Audio is Disappointing

One point about the remake of “Metal Gear Solid Delta” that I was excited about before playing was the choice to retain the original voice acting. The classic cast from “Snake Eater,” including David Hayter as Snake, Jodi Benson as EVA, and Lori Alan as The Boss, delivered performances that stand out not just within the Metal Gear Solid series but also in gaming as a whole. Given their exceptional work, it felt almost necessary to include these voiceovers in the remake.

After playing Metal Gear Solid Delta, I find myself viewing it differently. The main factor behind this change is the dated quality of the game’s audio. Although it has likely been upgraded to some extent, the voice acting is distinctly low-fi and stands out significantly against other audio in Delta. This discrepancy results in certain cutscenes, which are crucial in Snake Eater, feeling disjointed at times.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the visual upgrades in this new version of Delta are nothing short of impressive. The characters and environments just pop off the screen. However, something seems amiss – the audio hasn’t kept pace with these improvements. It feels like we’re playing a remake in name only.

Now, I know it would’ve been a contentious decision, but perhaps it would have been wiser to re-record all the voiceovers from scratch. Whether we brought in fresh talent or called back the original cast, it might have given Delta that authentic, complete remake feel that we’re looking for.

In the game “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater”, the lack of modern motion capture technology affects the facial animations. Instead, older methods are used, making the characters’ expressions appear less lifelike compared to games from the past decade or more. As a result, the game seems to harken back to the PS2 era, giving it a nostalgic feel, but at the cost of detracting from the promised remake experience.

The Visuals are Where Metal Gear Solid Delta Really Shine

Despite a few letdowns that come with playing MGS Delta, the game’s most attractive feature lies in its improved visuals. In this aspect, Konami certainly hit the mark. The game boasts an impressive appearance, whether it’s during action sequences or cutscenes. Colors are vivid, environments are meticulously detailed, and character models (especially when they’re not speaking) truly excel.

It’s evident that most of Konami’s efforts during the development of Delta were concentrated in this particular area. What enhances it further is that Snake Eater hasn’t deviated significantly from its initial appearance when transitioning to a higher resolution. Although a yellow glow on characters and surroundings isn’t as noticeable as it was in the original, the art style of MGS3 is still quite recognizable in this update.

Missing Content at Launch is a Big Drawback

One innovative feature in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is its exclusive Fox Hunt multiplayer mode. I was eagerly anticipating testing this out personally, but unfortunately, it’s not available at launch. Konami plans to include the mode later in the fall; however, it’s disappointing that Fox Hunt isn’t immediately accessible upon release, considering its unique nature could significantly impact the game’s lasting appeal for Metal Gear Solid Delta.

Fortunately, the beloved “Snake vs. Monkey” mode from the PS2 edition of “Metal Gear Solid 3” has made its way into “MGS Delta,” a surprise that I find hard to believe but am genuinely thrilled about. Reliving the excitement of pursuing and capturing monkeys, originally from the PlayStation’s “Ape Escape” series, is still as entertaining as ever and offers an opportunity to break personal high scores. Konami didn’t forget to include some fresh surprises in this mode (especially for die-hard PlayStation fans), which caught me off guard. While “Snake vs. Monkey” doesn’t make “MGS Delta” a must-play on its own, the fact that it was revived for this remake highlights Konami’s commitment to ensuring this version of the game is comprehensive and appealing to fans.

Snake Eater” isn’t a terrible game, but it doesn’t quite reach the expectations I had when they mentioned “remake.” Although some parts of the game are indeed remade, other sections seemed like shortcuts taken by Konami. The gameplay is still enjoyable and possibly the best way to experience “Snake Eater” in 2025. However, with the original version of “Metal Gear Solid 3” easily accessible on modern systems, I wished they’d take more risks with “Delta,” making it a complete overhaul to set it apart from its predecessor.

RATING: 3.5/5

For the sake of this critique, I received a complimentary version of the game from the publisher. I played the game using a PlayStation 5 Pro system.

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2025-08-22 10:11