Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Review

Metal Gear Solid 3 became one of the most highly regarded games following its initial release on the PlayStation 2. Over the span of more than twenty years, it has received numerous ports and HD remasters, but only now has it finally been given a true remake. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater delivers exactly what long-time fans hoped for: a modernized rebuild that respects the legacy of the original while introducing it to a completely new generation of gamers. Let’s face it — Snake Eater was already a near-perfect game. Hearing that Konami would re-release it with vastly improved graphics, updated controls, and modernized systems felt like a dream come true, especially for younger players who have only heard about why the Metal Gear Solid series is so revered.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remains deeply faithful to its source material. Those expecting major story changes or new plot content will quickly find that this remake stays true to the original vision. Only a very small portion of dialogue was re-recorded by the original voice cast — minor codec lines here and there — and these changes don’t affect the plot at all. When compared side by side, the story and its structure are essentially identical. This is an undeniable strength: MGS3 has long been considered a narrative and mechanical masterpiece, and any attempt to rewrite it would have risked damaging its legacy.

For newcomers unfamiliar with the story, the game throws players into the height of the 1960s Cold War, putting you in the role of an elite operative sent on a covert mission deep within a hostile jungle. This isn’t about spraying bullets; it’s about stealth, survival, and resourcefulness. You’ll have to camouflage yourself, forage for food to keep your stamina up, treat wounds manually, and navigate dangerous terrain filled with both enemy patrols and deadly wildlife. The remake refreshes this legendary tale with modern controls and visuals while keeping its espionage-thriller tone fully intact. For first-time players, it’s a perfect entry into one of gaming’s most iconic sagas without needing prior experience with the series.

Gameplay remains as tense and methodical as ever. Rather than rushing headlong into combat, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater rewards patience, precision, and clever thinking. Players stalk through dense jungle, blending into the environment, observing enemy movements, and using creative tactics to remain undetected. The survival elements — managing stamina, hunting food, healing injuries — make every encounter feel personal. This remake smooths out these mechanics with more responsive controls and polished movement, elevating the original’s “tactical espionage action” into a format that feels modern without losing its depth.

To accommodate different audiences, the game offers two control schemes: the “Legacy Style” top-down perspective, faithful to the original release, and the “New Style” over-the-shoulder camera aimed at players accustomed to modern third-person games. This new control option introduces features like crouch-walking, tighter aiming, and improved animation flow — refinements inspired by later series entries such as Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

Quality-of-life improvements are another welcome addition. Codec navigation has been streamlined — simply press the D-pad up to quickly access recently contacted characters, cutting down on menu-digging. The camouflage system has also been modernized. Instead of opening multiple menus to switch Snake’s uniform and face paint, players can now bring up a quick-select HUD menu and change gear on the fly. These upgrades save time without compromising the tactical depth that defines the experience.

As far as content goes, veterans will find everything exactly as they remember. Boss fights, set-pieces, and story beats remain untouched. That said, some of the easier exploits from the original have been removed. Tricks like defeating The Fear in under thirty seconds by draining his stamina with an AK-47 no longer work. While this may disappoint players who enjoyed using shortcuts, it also makes boss battles more challenging and authentic to their intended design. However, certain creative methods — like eliminating The End early in the game — are still possible.

Optional content returns as well. Collecting all 64 Kerotan frogs to unlock the Stealth Camouflage is back, as are fan-favorite side modes like Snake vs. Monkey. The upcoming Fox Hunt multiplayer mode will be added shortly after release, though it wasn’t available during the review period.

Graphically, the remake is nothing short of breathtaking. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the jungle has been transformed into a living, breathing ecosystem. Light pours naturally through dense foliage, mud and rain cling to Snake’s gear, and every vine, tree, and puddle is rendered with photorealistic precision. Character models have been completely rebuilt with expressive facial animations that add cinematic weight to every scene, whether during cutscenes or quiet moments in the field. This is not just a simple visual facelift — it’s a full sensory overhaul that elevates the entire experience into a showcase for modern hardware.

To experience the game at its absolute best, I played Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on PC using an RTX 5090. With every setting maxed out, the game looks phenomenal and maintains a rock-solid 60 frames per second, delivering both stunning visuals and silky-smooth performance. For those considering playing on a handheld PC like the Legion Go S with the Z1 Extreme, the game is absolutely playable at a stable 30 FPS — though you’ll need to push the TDP to its maximum to ensure the smoothest experience possible.

[Editor’s Note: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater was reviewed on PC, and a copy was provided to us for review purposes.]