Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Review

I’ll be honest I never thought I’d be writing about a new Metal Gear Solid game again, at least not an entry that has anything to do with the mainline games. When Hideo Kojima split from Konami, I, along with most, assumed the series was finished for good, frozen in time with The Phantom Pain. As a lifelong fan who grew up sneaking through Shadow Moses, unraveling conspiracies, and quoting codec calls way too often, that was a tough pill to swallow. So when the long rumoured Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater was revealed to be real, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years, hope.

And now, after finishing the game, I can say it’s been surreal. Not just because it’s been over two decades since Snake Eater first dropped on PS2, but because getting to revisit the series’ chronological beginning through a modern lens really drives home how timeless it is.

Let’s get one thing straight, this isn’t a reimagining in the same sense as last year’s Silent Hill 2 remake. Konami has been very clear about that. MGS Δ is more of a “faithful reconstruction.” The entire backbone of the 2004 original remains intact. Cutscene framing, voice acting, motion capture these haven’t been replaced. Instead, the remake rebuilds everything visually, adds modern gameplay refinements, and syncs the old performances with beautifully rendered new models.

It’s a unique approach. Some fans will love the one-to-one faithfulness, while others might feel it doesn’t push far enough. For me, once I understood what kind of remake it was aiming to be, I appreciated the restraint. There’s a respect here, like Konami knew this was a sacred game they couldn’t risk mangling.

For those unfamiliar, Snake Eater is set in the 1960s during the height of the Cold War. You play as Naked Snake, the man who would eventually become Big Boss, tasked with infiltrating the Soviet Union to rescue a weapons designer and eliminate a weapon of mass destruction. Things spiral quickly, with Snake facing betrayal, political manipulation, and his own mentor, The Boss, in one of the most iconic and heartbreaking rivalries in gaming.

Even twenty years later, the story hits hard. The cutscenes are as cinematic and gripping as anything in a modern AAA title, sometimes even more so. Watching them now, fully lip-synced with lifelike models and dynamic lighting, really shows how ahead of its time Kojima and his team were in 2004. The pacing, the performances, the mix of espionage thriller and personal tragedy, it all holds up really well.

On PS5, MGS Δ is stunning. The jungle environments are lush with detail, every leaf and blade of grass shifting with the wind and reacting to Snake’s movements. Water ripples naturally, sunlight filters through trees, and character models are strikingly lifelike. It’s not just a texture upgrade; the lighting and atmosphere breathe new life into familiar spaces.

One neat touch. Konami included an optional visual filter that overlays the yellow-green hue of the original PS2 release. It’s a nice nod for purists who want the “authentic” vintage look, though I stuck with the clean new presentation most of the time.

The original Snake Eater shipped with a top-down style camera, which at the time was divisive but made sense for its design. MGS Δ offers two options: Legacy, which replicates that style, and New Style, a more modern over-the-shoulder third-person view.

I spent most of my playthrough using New Style, and honestly, it feels like how Snake Eater was always meant to be played. The perspective makes aiming smoother, sneaking more intuitive, and the whole experience far more immersive. Still, I love that Legacy mode is there, it’s a great way for new players to understand the game’s roots, and for veterans to indulge nostalgia.

If you’re worried this might feel like a PS2 game wrapped in shiny new skin, don’t. Konami’s tweaks to controls and mechanics go a long way. Movement is smooth, aiming doesn’t feel clunky, and even simple actions like crawling or transitioning between stances are more responsive.

The stealth gameplay remains the star. Using camouflage paint and uniforms to blend with your surroundings is still brilliant, and the game constantly challenges you to adapt. Disguises, decoys, and patience are all part of the toolkit. If you love high-stakes stealth where mistakes mean scrambling to survive, MGS Δ delivers in spades.

One of Snake Eater’s most unique features was the Cure system, where you had to treat Snake’s wounds manually. Everything from bullet holes to broken bones required the right bandages, sutures, or medicine. The remake keeps this intact but adds something new, persistent scars.

Every injury leaves a mark, and by the end of the game, Snake’s body tells the story of everything he’s been through. It’s a small detail, but it makes the journey feel grittier, more grounded. You’re not just playing through scripted missions, you’re surviving.

Metal Gear has always been as much about characters as mechanics, and Snake Eater’s cast remains iconic. From the haunting presence of The Boss to the bizarre yet memorable Cobra Unit, The Pain, The End, The Fury. Every encounter feels unique and loaded with personality.

Boss battles still stand out as some of the most creative in gaming. The sniper duel with The End is legendary, and it’s just as intense now with modern visuals amplifying the tension. This is a game that doesn’t just throw enemies at you, it gives you rivals, each reflecting some piece of Snake’s journey.

It wouldn’t be Snake Eater without some of the weirder extras, and Konami has preserved them. The Snake vs. Monkey minigame returns, offering a goofy change of pace where Snake captures hyperactive monkeys. The Guy Savage mode also makes a comeback, giving players more challenges outside the main story. These inclusions reinforce the series’ trademark mix of dead-serious drama and ridiculous self-awareness. It’s part of what makes Metal Gear special and I love that it’s here.

For all the polish, MGS Δ isn’t flawless. The most noticeable issue is occasional framerate drops. They aren’t constant, but they do pop up in busier environments or during intense sequences. It’s jarring, especially when the game otherwise runs smoothly.

Another limitation is inherent in its design. Because the remake is so faithful, certain dated aspects like the slower pacing compared to modern action games or some specific level designs might not click with new players. It’s not a reimagining, and anyone expecting something on the scale of Resident Evil 2’s remake may feel underwhelmed.

Final Thoughts

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is a safe remake, but it’s a successful one. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel or take bold creative risks, but it doesn’t need to. What it does is preserve one of the greatest stealth action games of all time, bring it up to modern visual standards, and make it accessible for a new generation.

For longtime fans like me, it’s a gift, a chance to relive the origin of Big Boss with a fresh coat of paint. For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to experience a story that remains unmatched in its blend of espionage, tragedy, and larger-than-life characters.

More importantly, it feels like Konami testing the waters. If this remake finds success, maybe it opens the door for remakes of Metal Gear Solid 1 or 2. Maybe it shows the publisher that this series still matters, still has a passionate audience.

I never thought we’d get here again, but I’m glad we did. Sneaking back into the jungle after all these years reminded me why Metal Gear has stayed with me for so long. And even if this remake played it safe, sometimes safe is exactly what you need.

A PS5 review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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