Platform(s): PS5 (version reviewed), Xbox Series, PC
Genre: Action, Stealth, Remake, Kojima Game

How do you recapture lightning in a bottle?

In Konami’s case, they went back to the source with the most advanced, sturdiest, fool-proof bottle in the market, ran through their troubleshoot notes and reassembled the team that received the lightning in the first place. In the case of Metal Gear Solid Delta -the 2025 remake of 2004 classic action stealth title Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (MGS3)- has lightning struck twice or has Konami been left grasping for thin air? Read on to find out.

Those who played the original over twenty years ago would attest; MGS3 is one of modern gaming’s greatest marvels. Easily deserving a place in the Mount Rushmore of iconic stealth action games, MGS3 not only redefined how games should be consumed, but it also revolutionised storytelling and world-building unprecedented at that time, and very rarely matched even by today’s standards.

To the uninitiated, MGS3 serves as the starting block of a convoluted yet intriguing world of espionage and spy thriller conjured up by video game auteur, Hideo Kojima. While more modern gamers would swear by Death Stranding and its sequel as Kojima’s crown jewel, all of its DNA can be traced back to Metal Gear, with MGS3 being his best work (in our books at least).

Delectably Sublime

It has to be emphasised that Delta is more than just a glorified remaster. It is a full remake where Konami stripped the game to its bones and fleshed it out with modern approaches and, shall we say, sensibilities.

Everything that worked in the original release has been polished to a mirror sheen that’ll make Snake, who gushes over shiny armaments blush. In 2004, MGS3’s graphics was considered cutting edge in 2004. To keep up with the times, Delta runs on Unreal Engine 5, and it did not disappoint. Ultra-realistic graphics ensure Delta stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any modern release and is a marked step-up from the already impressive graphics in the most recent game in Metal Gear franchise, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which ran on the Fox Engine.

Delta is a gorgeous game and pushed Unreal Engine 5 to the limit. From the dancing blades of grass in the wind to branches reacting to characters walking past them, each action taken interacts with the surrounding as if it was motion captured. You can even see petals of flowers and leaves falling of Snake’s back as he emerges from tall grass, or even the face paint on his cheeks crack as they dry up.

Gameplay-wise, while still retaining the “top-down, from 45-degree angle” synonymous with Metal Gear games, especially the original MGS3, or ‘Legacy Style’, Konami introduced the ‘New Style’ which is much more in-tune with modern games.

In this ‘New Style’, the camera is closer to Snake’s eye-level but also allows a wider field-of-view for players to better assess the area for more effective sneaking. Having completed MGS3 in numerous occasions, we can safely say that we are fans of this ‘New Style’ type of gameplay. It is much more intuitive, especially if you’re playing on home consoles.

Twin Snakes; Twice the Fun

These two playstyles differ more than just looks. Running the game on ‘Legacy Style’ would retain the aesthetics as seen in the original MGS3 release, but some subtle changes are implemented when switching to the ‘New Style’. For example the Japanese female idol posters which were peppered throughout the game remain as they were in ‘Legacy Style’ but receive a refreshed, modern look in ‘New Style’. As mentioned by the game’s Creative Producer, Yuji Korekado, the idols were ‘Super excited’ to make a return in the game and even gave updated photos of themselves to be used in Delta. Perhaps there’s a secret achievement to locate all posters, original and new for those who boot up Delta? We’ll leave it to Redditors to find out.

The iconic ‘Snake Eater’ theme song received a modern update and as revealed last year, Konami even brought back the original Snake voice talent, David B. Hayter, who delivered even the corniest of lines with the utmost bravado. We met the guy in person last year at Asia Pop Con. Great guy! Check out this video where he tried local Malaysian snacks.

Slithering, Stealth and Sleeping Darts

It’s not Metal Gear without spy-thriller tropes, cringeworthy and campy dialogues, predictable storylines, over-the-top cut-scenes – a staple of Kojima even back then – and plentiful of iconic characters; this game delivered tons of them. Replayability has always been a core strength of Metal Gear games in the past and this one is no different. We foresee unique and absurd ways of defeating the game which has never been attempted before. Speaking of “absurd ways”, the tried and tested ways of beating bosses in unconventional ways still work and players will be rewarded with non-stealth kills as well. Definitely worth the effort for future playthroughs.

Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain did not have the hunger mechanics and while Snake was able to change costumes in the 2015 game, its overall effect wasn’t as pronounced in Delta where Snake is put in several iconic and highly unique environments. There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ camo here, and players will be rewarded for experimenting various combinations. Exploration and experimentation reward the bold, you know.

For example, each camo equipped gives Snake a specific value of cover. Covering himself in mud by crawling in them, for example, adds to his camo value.

Completing the game unlocks the New Game+ mode, which carries over all the unlocked camos, face paints and other bonus items such as The Boss’ weapon and more. Capturing the elusive Tsuchinoko and keeping it in your inventory until the end unlocks the Infinity Face Paint and the Tsuchinoko Code Name, which is definitely worth boasting.

A secret mini game makes its return in the form of Guy Savage, which can be triggered after a specific sequence in Grozny Grad. This mode is also playable once you’ve beaten the game; accessible through the main menu and shows how much Konami put into acknowledging its legacy and returning players who probably last played a Metal Gear almost twenty years ago.

Acknowledging a legacy but also willing to innovate makes Delta a full-remake like no other. We hope more companies do this not just for old-time gamers, but also for new bloods who have never played the game before and just only be dipping their toes into the franchise.

An overall positive experience, we have a hard time nitpicking on what irks us, and if we are to be super pedantic, the game may not be for everyone considering the more measured and calculative pacing compared to many modern titles. Going guns ablaze may be a viable approach but for a game which shaped how modern stealth gameplay are made; it isn’t doing justice to a masterpiece.

Substance with Style

After spending roughly nine hours to complete my first play through of Metal Gear Solid Delta; and for the game, in essence, the bajillionth time, I cannot wait to jump back in again. Not many remakes can replicate this essence, yet Konami somehow pulls it off with flying colours, albeit in a safe-yet-surefire manner.

Pro

• A truly masterful full, modern remake of a classic.
• All the best bits remain and are enhanced.
• Very high replayability.
• New Style makes the game more intuitive for modern controls.
• Corny-ness remains (we love it).

Cons

• Some cutscenes may be a bit too long & drag.
• Radio conversation can be distracting to some.

Final Score: 90/100

Review code provided by Konami.