I'm a diehard Metal Gear fan and Snake Eater Delta is the perfect remake of my all-time favorite game

I don’t want to get overdramatic, but it almost feels like my entire career as a games journalist has been leading to this moment. I’ve reviewed hundreds of games over the past 13 years, but I’ve never taken a crack at reviewing my absolute favorite game of all time — Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Now, thanks to the Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, my time has come.

I initially balked at the idea of an MGS3 remake, fearing that Konami would change too much of what made me fall in love with the original. Even something in the vein of the fantastic Resident Evil 4 Remake wouldn’t be acceptable. Again, this is my all-time favorite title, and any changes could have potentially ruined the game for me.

But now that I’ve completed it, I can say that my fears were unfounded. Metal Gear Solid Delta is an exemplary remake/remaster that honors the original while being palatable for modern gamers. It’s easily the best way to experience this classic. Whether you’re a veteran like me or a newcomer, you’re going to love what this game has to offer.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater: The basics

• What is it? Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, featuring all-new graphics, modernized controls, and various quality of life updates.
• Who is it for? This game is for fans of the franchise or anyone who enjoys stealth-based gameplay and cinematic storytelling with compelling plots and characters.
• How much does it cost? Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater costs $69 and is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
• What other games has the developer made? In addition to the Metal Gear franchise, developer Konami has also created the iconic Castlevania and Contra series, among others.
• What games is it similar to? Metal Gear Solid Delta is similar to games like Splinter Cell and Hitman, only with a greater emphasis on action and storytelling.

From Russia With Love

One of the reasons Metal Gear Solid is so great is that it’s a self-contained story that doesn’t require you to have played other games in the series. Sure, you might have better context for certain narrative elements or character dynamics, but if you’ve never played a Metal Gear game, you won’t feel lost.

Set during the height of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, you play as a CIA agent codenamed “Snake.” What starts with a mission to rescue a Soviet defector from behind enemy lines quickly escalates into a situation that could turn the Cold War hot, with the Soviets getting the upper hand in a nuclear conflict. As Snake, it’s your job to contain the threat by any means necessary.

The political plot driving the narrative is interesting on its own, but what truly makes this game so legendary is its memorable cast. Characters like the stoic Big Boss, the villainous Colonel Volgin, and the sultry Eva are all well-rounded, with believable motivations driving their actions. Snake is the most static character compared to the others, but he also undergoes an intriguing transformation as the game unfolds.

I could go on, but I don’t want to give too much away to those who haven’t played Metal Gear Solid 3. Suffice it to say that you’ll be entertained by the engaging story, which never fails to surprise you with twists and turns. Metal Gear Solid Delta is one of the best movies you’ll ever play.

You Only Live Twice

The Metal Gear franchise popularized the stealth game genre, and those elements flourish in Metal Gear Solid Delta. Like the original game, you’re able to camouflage yourself by wearing various uniforms that appear like your surroundings. You can also use silenced weapons, or items like smoke bombs or empty ammo cartridges, to distract foes. And as is typical for the series, you can sneak around while hiding inside a box. Crawling through shrubbery or under vehicles is another great way to remain undetected.

These elements are carried over faithfully from the original Metal Gear Solid 3, but they’ve been streamlined to make things smoother. For instance, you can now switch your camo on the fly by using the controller’s D-pad instead of going into a sub-menu. You’re even able to walk while crouching, which wasn’t a feature before. Aiming weapons is also easier since you can do so in either third or first-person mode.

Navigating jungles and fighting soldiers drains stamina, which you replenish by eating animals, plants, or rations. This game isn’t called “Snake Eater” for nothing! To eat food, you’ll go into a sub-menu to select the food items you’ve found or hunted for. “Hunting” requires little more than shooting an animal and collecting it after it becomes an item. You can also trap live animals, which keeps them fresh for longer periods. Eating food might sound tedious, but it’s oddly satisfying.

Speaking of survival, you’ll have to heal injuries; if you don’t, your life gauge or stamina will drain fast. Like eating, you’ll have to enter a sub-menu to perform actions like using a knife to pull out bullets or using a splint to mend broken bones. This is done by selecting the appropriate healing item for the injury. Like eating, this mechanic is also very enjoyable.

Since this is a stealth game, you’ll want to avoid combat whenever possible. That said, you’ll gain a good assortment of era-appropriate weapons, like AK-47s and SVD sniper rifles to deal with threats—especially bosses. Engaging foes in this remaster feels great thanks to the updated controls. The ability to quickly switch to first-person mode to get precise shots is a literal game-changer. However, you can’t run, so if you decide to engage enemies, prepare to take (and heal) damage.

I want to talk about the boss battles since they’re all an absolute highlight. You’ll mostly fight a group of commandos called the Cobras, who each have strange abilities. For instance, The Fear can turn invisible, while The Pain uses hornets for weapons and protection. My favorite is The End, a 100-year-old sniper with uncanny sight. If you’ve never played this game before, you’re in for a treat when facing off against the bosses. They’re still among the best in all of gaming.

Though Konami has done a lot to streamline the experience, there’s still some clunkiness left over from the original game. Sure, you can now change camo on the fly, but for things like healing, eating, and equipping weapons and items, you’re forced to effectively pause the game to enter a sub-menu. This isn’t a deal breaker since I like performing these actions, but having to stop the game to heal or swap equipment is the only thing that prevents this from being a completely fluid experience.

A View to a Kill

Utilizing Unreal Engine 5, Metal Gear Solid Delta looks absolutely stunning on the best gaming monitors or the best OLED TVs. Everything from dense jungles, oppressive military bases, and Soviet weapons looks real enough to touch. The characters have the same level of detail and realism.

The enhanced graphics also help the game feel more immersive and alive. For instance, elements like leaves, mud, and blood stick to Snake’s clothing, which can affect the effectiveness of his camouflage. There is now a day night/cycle and dynamic weather, which can either hurt or help as you sneak around. Other touches like seamless transitions between gameplay and cutscenes, and smoother animations, also enhance your immersion.

While the visuals are definitely improved from the original PS2 game, Konami didn’t wildly alter the overall style. Cutscenes still play out as they did before, with the same camera angles and slow-motion effects. The default realistic color filter looks fantastic, but you can switch to one with the green tint of the original. Regardless, the game looks the way my mind remembers, which is a great accomplishment.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater: Verdict

There’s more I could say about Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, but I want you to play it for yourself. Rest assured that you’re not only getting a full cinematic experience, but a ton of extras—especially after you’ve completed the campaign once.

Konami pulled out all the stops with this release, and as a long-time fan of this game and franchise, I couldn’t be happier with the overall package. Right now, this is the definitive way to play Metal Gear Solid 3. It’s worth your time to try it out to see why this game is so highly regarded. It’s a thrill!