Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater review

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater brings back a game that shaped stealth action for an entire generation. The original hit PlayStation 2 back in 2004, and for a lot of people it’s the one that defined the series. It mixed Cold War espionage with survival and a cast of characters that stuck with you long after the credits. Now, Konami has rebuilt the game in Unreal Engine 5. They didn’t scrap what worked before. Instead, the remake sharpens up the visuals, smooths performance a bit, and adds updated controls.

At its core though, it’s the same game. You play as Naked Snake, who later becomes Big Boss, sneaking through Soviet territory during the 1960s. That story shaped everything that came after, and jumping into it again hit me just as hard now as it did back then. Remakes are everywhere, but Snake Eater has a weight to it that most don’t. Back when it first released, its mix of stealth, survival, and tactical combat felt different from anything else. Delta brings that back while asking the one question fans care about most: can it stay true to the original while still feeling modern?

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater gameplay video

Watch the gameplay video from Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, highlighting refined stealth mechanics, intense combat, and the visually enhanced jungle environments of this highly anticipated remake.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater details

Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
Developer(s):  Konami, Virtuos, Konami Digital Entertainment
Publisher(s): Konami
Genre: Stealth, Action-adventure, shooter, adventure
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Legacy and betrayal

The story in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater pulls you back to 1964, before the events of the later games. You play as Naked Snake, sneaking into Soviet territory on a mission that quickly turns personal. At the centre of it all is his bond with The Boss, his mentor, now turned enemy. That clash of loyalty and betrayal still drives one of gaming’s most powerful stories.

Even after twenty years, the story still works. It blends espionage, survival, and personal conflict in a way that holds up. The Cold War setting mixes with character drama without ever feeling too much. Some lighter parts, like Snake’s reactions to Eva, definitely feel dated now, but the bigger themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and identity still hit the mark. The original voice performances return too, and they still hit with the same weight they always had.

For me, going through this story again brought back the feeling I had on PlayStation 2. I remember being floored by the mission itself, but it was the ending that stayed with me. Facing The Boss never felt like a victory. It felt like a burden, and that hasn’t changed. Playing Delta reminded me why Snake Eater became such a defining moment in the series.

Stealth in the jungle

Gameplay in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater stays true to the original while adding some welcome changes. The remake offers two control options: Legacy mode, which recreates the original top-down view, and a modern third-person setup. Switching between them gives you the choice to relive the past or enjoy smoother controls that feel more natural today.

Stealth remains at the centre of the experience. You manage camouflage, monitor your surroundings, and move carefully to stay unseen. A quick-access system for camouflage makes it easier to blend in without constant menu diving. Crouch-walking is another small but helpful change, giving you more options for sneaking through tight spaces.

Combat never feels rushed, and the game makes you think about every move. The over-the-shoulder aiming helps during firefights, especially during boss battles where accuracy matters most. The Cobra Unit battles are some of the most memorable parts, with each one pushing you to play differently. The End’s sniper battle still feels like a chess match, while The Fury’s flamethrower fight keeps you moving carefully with every step.

One moment I’ll never forget happened in the swamp. Patrols were everywhere. I swapped camouflage, crouched through the grass, and used a silenced shot to pull one guard off. Sneaking past the rest felt great, the kind of payoff that makes Metal Gear’s stealth so addictive. Some gameplay mechanics definitely show their age, but the refinements make everything easier to enjoy without losing the tactical feel. Delta keeps the same core that made Snake Eater special while giving you tools to approach stealth more comfortably.

A new look for a classic mission

What hits you right away in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the look. It’s running in Unreal Engine 5, and the jungle feels fuller. Characters look sharper, the plants are thicker, and the lighting changes the mood completely. The PlayStation 2 could never pull this off. Even with all that polish, the game’s structure is basically the same underneath.

Not every upgrade works perfectly. The decision to keep original animations means some scenes look stiff compared to the new models. Mouth movements during dialogue sometimes feel off, and the higher fidelity can highlight quirks that were less noticeable before. Cutscenes that once felt powerful with lower resolution visuals can come across differently now.

I played on PlayStation 5 and encountered some performance issues. Frame drops occur during busy sequences, and stutters occasionally break the flow. They aren’t game-breaking, but they’re noticeable, especially if you expected a steady 60 frames per second. Hopefully, stability improves with patches. The audio holds up just as well as ever. The original voice recordings are here, and the delivery still works. Hearing David Hayter as Snake instantly took me back, and it felt right with the new visuals. The soundtrack hits hard too, with themes that carry the same impact they always did.

Between the upgraded visuals, occasional hiccups, and timeless audio, Delta’s presentation captures the old and new in different ways.

Replay and extras

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater includes plenty of extras that give you reasons to return once the credits roll. Hidden throughout the environments are Kerotan frogs and GA-KO ducks, collectibles that encourage you to pay closer attention to every corner of the map. Hunting them down adds a fun challenge if you like poking around beyond the main mission.

Classic bonus modes also return. On PlayStation, Snake vs Monkey makes its comeback, where you chase down mischievous apes in lighthearted missions. Xbox owners get a Bomberman crossover instead, which offers a similar break from the main campaign. These side modes don’t last long, but they’re a nice break after spending so much time sneaking around.

Another inclusion is Guy Savage, a side mode that feels completely different from the rest of the game. It leans into hack-and-slash action and works as a quirky extra for anyone wanting something outside the usual Metal Gear formula. Beyond these diversions, Delta also tracks your collectibles and stats in a detailed menu, making it easier to monitor progress across multiple saves.

Replay value also comes from difficulty levels, with rewards tied to pushing through harder settings. Beating the game on harder settings unlocks bonuses and gives you reasons to try again. The main story is still the big draw, but the extras help make it worth coming back to after you’re done.

Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater is a faithful remake that stays true to the original

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is still the same game at its core, and honestly, that’s fine with me. The story still hits the way it always did. Snake facing The Boss hasn’t lost anything. Loyalty, sacrifice, betrayal… it’s all here, just like before. Yeah, a few parts feel old, and you notice it. But the ride itself is still powerful and still worth going through again.

For me, the gameplay felt exactly like I remembered, only smoother. The tweaks made stealth easier to enjoy while still keeping that slow, careful pace. The boss fights were easily some of my favourite moments. Each one pushed me to handle things a little differently. I also liked having the extra control options. You can go with a modern setup or stick with the classic if you want.

Here’s a snapshot of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’s pros and cons:

The remake looks great, with detailed jungles and character models, but the older animations don’t always fit with the new presentation. I ran into some performance issues while playing, but they don’t overshadow the strong mix of visuals and timeless audio. Hearing the original voices again, especially David Hayter as Snake, feels like the right choice.

Overall assessment of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.3/5 (86%)

Replay value is solid, with collectibles, bonus modes, and multiple difficulty levels giving you reasons to come back. Online content like the upcoming Fox Hunt mode isn’t available yet, so the full package isn’t complete. Still, the core game alone offers plenty to dig into. For me, returning to this story brought back the same weight I felt on PlayStation 2. Facing The Boss again reminded me why Snake Eater left such a mark the first time I played it. Delta doesn’t reinvent the classic, but it preserves it in a way that feels respectful and worth experiencing again.

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