Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Review – Faithful Remake With Safe Choices

Nostalgia continues to fuel the industry, and Konami’s Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the latest attempt to bring a genre-defining classic into a modern era. The 2004 original remains one of the most celebrated entries in the series, and Delta is positioned as both a tribute and an introduction for new players. With sharp visuals, faithful mechanics, and a careful respect for its source material, the remake achieves technical excellence. Yet at the same time, it sparks the question of whether remakes should simply preserve the past or build upon it with new creative ambition.

The review written by Zackery Cuevas for PCMag reflects this duality. Cuevas describes being torn between admiration for the game’s craftsmanship and disappointment at its unwillingness to take risks. His perspective underscores a broader industry conversation about the function of remakes. Should they exist solely to provide technical upgrades for new generations, or should they attempt to reinterpret, expand, and even challenge the original vision? Delta’s release puts that debate at the center of the conversation.

Hideo Kojima’s absence looms heavily over Delta. The auteur defined the series through inventive mechanics, theatrical storytelling, and a willingness to push video games into unconventional territory. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater stood out for stripping away player comforts, forcing improvisation through camouflage systems, survival mechanics, and environmental adaptation. It was bold, experimental, and in many ways ahead of its time. Delta replicates that framework precisely, but the lack of Kojima’s eccentric touches gives it a sterile quality. It feels like a high-resolution snapshot rather than a reimagining.

Also, GameSpot takes the opposite view, arguing that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater thrives precisely because it preserves the core brilliance of the 2004 original while modernizing its playability.

From the voice acting to motion capture and cutscene framing, Delta is nearly identical to its predecessor. Cuevas notes that this approach mirrors the release of The Last of Us Part 1, another high-profile remake that largely served as a visual update to coincide with a broader media strategy. In that case, the timing was tied to a successful TV adaptation. Delta’s purpose is less clear. Without an accompanying adaptation or a new entry confirmed, the remake exists in a strange limbo between preservation and franchise revival.

Konami’s history with remakes complicates this further. The series has been remade before, most notably with 2003’s Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, which took bolder liberties in reinterpreting gameplay and cutscenes. Twin Snakes, developed by Silicon Knights, reframed the original with stylistic flair, to mixed but memorable results. Delta, by contrast, chooses not to deviate. Its faithfulness is admirable to purists, but it raises the question of whether a remake that changes so little justifies its price tag when the original is readily available on modern platforms via the Metal Gear Solid Collection Vol. 1.

Delta’s success is also measured against other standout remakes. Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 established benchmarks by reworking design frameworks while preserving core narratives. Final Fantasy VII Remake took this even further, transforming itself into a new meta-narrative rather than a straightforward update. These projects proved that remakes can coexist with originals as companion pieces, standing on their own as artistic achievements. Delta, however, is a 1:1 reconstruction, with little to distinguish itself beyond its graphical polish.

Cuevas argues that this conservatism feels out of step with the series’ legacy. “Metal Gear is known for pushing the envelope, in presentation and in gameplay, and none of that is on display with Delta,” he writes. — Zackery Cuevas. His critique aligns with a common sentiment: that remakes should not only honor history but also contribute something new to the medium.

Despite these criticisms, Delta is not without merit. Its visual overhaul is impressive, particularly in environmental fidelity and character detail. The Cold War setting, jungle terrain, and iconic survival systems retain their potency, enhanced by modern lighting and animation. For players unfamiliar with PlayStation 2-era design, Delta offers an accessible entry point without the friction of outdated visuals or mechanics. It preserves the original’s blend of espionage, action, and melodrama in a package that is easier to approach in 2025.

The commercial reality also supports Konami’s strategy. The remake has already surpassed one million sales, proving the demand for Metal Gear remains strong. For new players, Delta represents an opportunity to engage with a landmark title. For returning fans, it provides a chance to revisit a classic in sharper detail. Konami has also teased additional features, such as the return of the original Fox Hunt multiplayer mode in a future patch, which could help broaden its appeal.

Industry context further reinforces why Delta exists. Remakes and remasters often serve as test runs for sequels or franchise revivals. Recent examples include Metroid Prime Remastered preceding Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Katamari remasters paving the way for Once Upon a Katamari, and Onimusha 2’s remaster arriving ahead of a new series entry. Delta may serve the same role, gauging interest in Metal Gear before Konami decides whether to proceed with new projects. Yet any continuation without Kojima raises concerns about whether the series can maintain its identity.

The broader conversation about remakes reflects a cultural pattern beyond games. Hollywood reboots, anime reinterpretations such as the Evangelion films, and even musical acts revisiting past albums illustrate the tension between honoring the past and recontextualizing it for the present. When executed well, remakes create fresh experiences that resonate across generations. When played too safely, they risk feeling redundant. Delta exemplifies the latter case, a product technically polished but lacking boldness.

Still, its value cannot be dismissed entirely. For many, the original Snake Eater remains locked to older hardware or tied to collections that require effort to access. Delta democratizes access to a classic, ensuring its relevance to players who may have missed it the first time. In that sense, the remake fulfills the preservationist role that remakes often play, even if it falls short of the artistic reinvention seen elsewhere.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater ultimately reflects the crossroads of nostalgia, commerce, and artistry. It is both a victory and a limitation. For purists, it is the definitive way to experience a legendary title with modern presentation. For critics and longtime fans, it is a missed opportunity to push the series forward in the absence of its original creator. Its sales confirm the appetite for Metal Gear remains, but whether Konami can translate that momentum into meaningful innovation remains uncertain.

As Delta settles into the landscape, the question lingers: should remakes stand as monuments to what once was, or should they strive to reshape familiar experiences for new generations? Konami’s choice here suggests preservation over reinvention. Whether that is enough to sustain Metal Gear’s legacy in the years ahead remains to be seen.