Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Review

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Fast Facts

A Fork In The Road

There are rare moments you are able to refer to Video Game series as iconic. As Industry defining. Utterly influential in the DNA of millennials across the globe. Yet I feel safe to say Metal Gear Solid is exactly this. Across the past 4 years we have heard many a rumbling that Konami and their in-house development studio Virtuos were hard at work reimagining the classic that is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

This is fundamentally an incredibly lofty prospect for Konami to bring to life. With the Developer/Publisher having an acrimonious parting of ways with Hideo Kojima back in 2015 for most it was a feeling that Metal Gear Solid was finished. I mean for those that are unaware of the stylistic choices of Hideo Kojima, this guy is Metal Gear Solid. He is the franchises creator, director, writer and producer and had his hand in absolutely everything the series represented.

Now with over 60 million sales in the History of Metal Gear Solid it must have just been impossible for Konami not to begin to think about how they could bring part of this special experience back into the present age of gaming. What they have gracefully landed on across these years, is a remake of incredibly careful and respectful precision. Albeit not enough to coax Hideo Kojima to play it. Nor bring character artist Yoji Shinkawa back to the fold.

We Go Back To Move Forward

When it comes to remaking other Metal Gear Solid games they have openly stated the door is open if fans want them. It’s important to recognise that Konami chose to start here, with the most cinematic and epic fan favourite in the series. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a remake of 2004 MGS3: Snake Eater. It follows FOX operative Snake in 1964 during the Cold War. His mission is to infiltrate the Soviet Union to rescue a defecting rocket scientist, Sokolov, and sabotage the Shagohod, a new nuclear-equipped vehicle and weapon. The mission becomes complicated when Snake’s former mentor, The Boss, defects to the Soviets, and he must confront her.

Now when I say incredibly careful and respectful precision, I truly mean this. Not just because Hideo Kojima is named at least 20 times across the opening credits reminding players this is based on his original work. When it comes to the game itself, it’s nothing like the Resident Evil remakes you may have experienced in recent years. This is truly a faithful representation of the original in so many aspects.

For all the old school MGS Super fans the game can be played in its original form with the new visuals through the Legacy control options, as well as a modern implementation that provides a more graceful over the shoulder combat solution than the FPS adaption of the past. In terms of the maps, and level design it so closely replicates the original game, in all the most intricate of dimensions. From level designs, to how on rails the outdoor locations feel. It’s almost to the detriment of modern gaming, that at time Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Review can feel a bit dated. Just not in how it looks of course.

When it comes to visuals, there’s not a huge amount to say. It’s Unreal Engine 5, it looks gorgeous as you’d expect. It truly shines in shadow and light and with rain effects that just couldn’t be created 20+ years ago. It tries really hard to retain the same stylistic approach as the original. Juddering frame rates in cut scenes, film grain effects and the most important part. The return of many of the original voice casting, and by that I mean the most important voice cast. David Hayter, Lori Alan, Josh Keaton et all. In fact all of the original voice recordings have been used, with some additionally recorded lines.

The mightily impressive part for me in achieving this, is that all of the cut scenes had to be designed and directed in the same style and way as the original to ensure the original sound casting would be compatible. If that’s not one for the fans, I don’t know what is.

Starting Here

In its quest to protect the legacy and history of Metal Gear Solid 3, Delta can feel a little dated. Even when using the Modern System. In some aspects you can’t help feeling this game is difficult to recommend for someone starting here with the series. If you’ve never played MGS, does this truly feel like a modern gaming experience? Fundamentally that’s a no. I’m ok with that, but there’s a good chance not everyone is going to be able to pick this up and feel the hooks sinking in. For example having to launch your Codec, and speak to someone to save your game borders on quirky and annoying even for me.

The question this game really poses is, can Konami still successfully make a Metal Gear Solid game in 2025. The answer being unequivocally yes. There is absolutely talent at work here, and although the brief was clearly, protect the legacy and don’t upset the fans. The bigger question I have, with now the Master Collection and MGS Delta out there, where could Konami go next with the series, and do they have the drive or ambition to break the mould, be creative and create something truly new.

I’m not so sure but for now. What I can say though, is this is an absolute recommend. I’m happy to dive back into what is one of the most visceral, cinematic and cheesy one liner filled games of all time. Built for a modern age visually, appeasing the 18 year old me in its playability, and respecting the adoring fans across the globe.

SNNNAAAAKKKKKEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Rapid Reviews Rating

4 out of 5

4

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is available now on XBOX and all other major platforms.