Metal Gear Solid - Snake Eater Review

The third entry in the Metal Gear Solid series, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, is ranked as one of the best stealth games in history. Almost 20 years later, Konami decided to remake it from the ground up and released Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater. This remake brings the game to modern hardware with updated graphics, smoother controls, and gameplay tweaks—while keeping the storyline and characters the same.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about the remake’s different aspects, analyze what it gets right (and wrong), and explain why the game still matters today.

A Classic Story That Still Holds Up

The story of Snake Eater is a Cold War–era espionage thriller centered on loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice. The protagonist, Naked Snake (later known as Big Boss), is sent into the Soviet jungle to stop a nuclear threat and confront his mentor, The Boss.

The atmosphere is quintessential Metal Gear: a serious military drama that is also inexplicably funny and weird.

Few games balance heavy themes and absurd ideas as well as Snake Eater—and Delta doesn’t change a thing. The voice acting, story beats, and familiar characters like Ocelot, Volgin, and Eva remain untouched. It makes sense; the original story is already a masterpiece.

Stunning Visuals That Bring the Jungle to Life

The biggest change in Delta is the complete visual overhaul powered by Unreal Engine. On PS2, the jungle was impressive for its time, filled with animals, trees, and ambient sounds. Delta pushes this further with realistic lighting, highly detailed environments, and character models that look far closer to real people.

The jungle feels alive: wet stone walls, muddy paths, rusted metal, and lush greenery make every area authentic. Snake himself accumulates dirt, mud, and plants as he moves, which adds to the immersion. Weather and time of day also affect gameplay—for instance, hiding at night is tense, while moving during the day makes you more exposed.

Not all areas deliver the same impact. Indoor locations, like labs and research bases, look sharp but lack the atmosphere of the jungle. Still, the leap from the PS2 version is massive. This is the best the series has ever looked.

Modern Controls and Gameplay Tweaks

One of the biggest barriers for new players revisiting the original Snake Eater was the dated control scheme.

Delta solves this with smoother animations, an over-the-shoulder camera (similar to Metal Gear Solid V), and upgraded controls. Snake now transitions fluidly between standing, crouching, and crawling. Shooting is sharper, with precise aiming always available. The game is more accessible without losing the depth of the original.

That said, these upgrades make certain boss fights less challenging. Members of the Cobra Unit may feel easier, though The End remains as tough as ever.

Other Gameplay Updates:

Improved AI: Guards see and hear better, reacting to noises above or below them.

Weapon Tweaks: Tranquilizer darts now have bullet drop, and rifles feature stronger recoil.

New Stalking Mode: Move slower and quieter for stealthy takedowns.

Quality-of-life upgrades: Compass, quick-access menus for camouflage and codec, and clearer HUD positioning.

Some changes can feel clunky—for example, the new cover system sometimes sticks Snake to walls unintentionally. Still, the improvements outweigh the drawbacks.

Small Issues That Stand Out

Despite its polish, Delta isn’t flawless. Visual hiccups like hair artifacting and occasional cutscene stutters can break immersion.

Konami also re-recorded the iconic Snake Eater theme. The new version is fine, but longtime fans may find it jarring—especially since it alters the timing of the famous ladder sequence.

These issues are minor, but noticeable precisely because the rest of the game is so refined.

A Remake with Respect for the Original

What makes Delta work is its respect for the source material. Konami didn’t rewrite the story or replace the cast. Instead, they rebuilt the game so it looks and feels modern while still being unmistakably Snake Eater.

It even brings back fan-favorite extras like Snake vs. Monkey, new camouflage options, and the once-missing Guy Savage minigame. Longtime fans will appreciate these touches.

Of course, Hideo Kojima’s absence still looms large. Some players may never accept a Metal Gear title without him. But Delta proves Konami approached the remake with genuine reverence.

Final Thoughts

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is a remake that gets the balance right. The visuals are stunning, the controls are modern, and the jungle feels alive again. Minor issues with cover mechanics, re-recorded music, and occasional glitches don’t overshadow its strengths.

For newcomers, this is the best way to experience one of gaming’s greatest titles. For veterans, it’s the closest you’ll get to playing Snake Eater for the first time again.

Konami didn’t mess with the formula—and that’s the right call. Delta proves a good remake can refresh a classic without losing what made it legendary.