Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a remake of the 2004 stealth-action game originally created by Hideo Kojima. Konami, the company behind this remake, focused on keeping the game very close to the original while updating the graphics with Unreal Engine 5. The result is a game that feels familiar but looks modern, with a mix of old-school stealth gameplay and a dramatic spy story that still captivates.
A Faithful Remake
If you’ve played the original Snake Eater, you’ll recognize almost everything. The story, set during the Cold War, is full of political drama, quirky characters, and long cutscenes, just like the 2004 version. David Hayter’s iconic voice as Snake is back, delivering lines with his signature style. The locations, item placements, and level layouts are unchanged, keeping the game’s structure intact despite the visual upgrade. Short loading screens still separate areas, just like in the original.
The new graphics are stunning, with detailed jungles and mountains that make the game world feel richer. However, the high-definition visuals can sometimes make the ascendancy, the game’s over-the-top moments, like Ocelot’s howling or the Cobra unit’s strange powers, lose a bit of their charm in this polished look. Still, the upgraded cutscenes shine, making the game feel as impressive as you might remember it from the PlayStation 2 days.
Gameplay That Holds Up
The stealth-action gameplay feels refreshing in a world where games like Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell are rare today. Each area is like a puzzle, where you use limited gear, the environment, and creative tactics to sneak past guards. You can distract enemies with magazines, hide in cardboard boxes, or take them down quietly. The mix of planning and adapting when things go wrong is still thrilling, whether you’re evading guards or pulling off a perfect no-kill run.
Konami offers a “Legacy Style” option with the original top-down camera and controls for nostalgia, but the “New Style” over-the-shoulder camera feels smoother and lets you enjoy the updated visuals up close. Accessibility options, like customizable UI and a Legacy color filter, let you tweak the experience to your liking. The filter, in particular, brings back the original’s distinct aesthetic, which some players may prefer over the default modern look.
Classic Mechanics, Modern Touches
The camouflage system, where different outfits and face paint help you blend into the environment, is still a standout feature. It adds depth to stealth by making your choices matter in different settings. A new shortcut to switch camo presets without menus is a nice touch. The injury and hunger systems are back too—patching up wounds or hunting for food to keep Snake’s stamina up adds a survival element that feels ahead of its time. While the controls are mostly modernized, some clunky movement and interaction issues remain, which can be annoying but feel familiar to fans.
Story and Characters
The story is a highlight, with its mix of serious political themes and Metal Gear’s unique silliness. The Cold War setting, with its nuclear arms race backdrop, makes the conspiracy-filled plot engaging. The relationship between Snake and The Boss is emotional and ties the story together in a powerful way. Characters like Eva and Ocelot add charm, though some moments with Eva could’ve been handled better. The storytelling is brisk, blending historical footage and stylish art to create a cinematic feel. Iconic scenes, like the ladder climb with the Snake Eater theme or talks in a flower field, still stand out.
Boss Fights and Scope
The boss fights are hit-or-miss. Some, like The Pain or The Fear, feel repetitive, while others, like The End’s sniper duel or The Sorrow’s creative encounter, are memorable. The game’s scope feels smaller compared to modern titles, with fewer enemies and simpler challenges. It’s still fun to experiment and improvise, but the gameplay doesn’t evolve much as you progress.
Why This Remake?
Delta sticks closely to the original, which raises the question: was this remake necessary? Other remakes, like Resident Evil 4, took bigger risks to modernize their games. Delta doesn’t aim for that, focusing instead on preserving Snake Eater’s spirit. It’s not as expansive as newer Metal Gear titles, but its stealth mechanics and campy story still hold up. The emotional highs of the story hit hard, even if some quirks feel dated.
Verdict
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a nostalgic trip back to a groundbreaking 2004 game, now with modern visuals. It’s not as complex as today’s games, and some parts feel underwhelming if you’re used to newer titles. But the stealth gameplay is solid, and the story’s mix of drama and humor is unforgettable. This remake doesn’t reinvent Snake Eater, but it captures why it’s been loved for years. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time player, this is the version to play.
