Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Preview – A Playstation Classic Transformed

Here at GameMinr, we're looking forward to the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Konami’s highly anticipated remake of the 2004 PlayStation 2 classic. This reimagining of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, developed by Konami Digital Entertainment, brings Naked Snake’s Cold War-era origin story to modern platforms with some absolutely incredible visuals, courtesy of Unreal Engine 5. Set in 1964, the game follows CIA operative Naked Snake on a mission to rescue a Soviet rocket scientist, sabotage the nuclear superweapon Shagohod, and confront his mentor, The Boss. Thanks to the amazing graphical overhaul, and the quality of life tweaks to gameplay, Metal Gear Solid Delta is shaping up to be a stunning remake that should excite both veterans and newcomers.

Welcome to the Jungle

As you can see from the screenshots, the Unreal Engine 5 visuals are nothing short of breathtaking with lush foliage, shimmering water, and detailed character models that make every scene pop. The jungle areas feel oppressive and alive, with insects buzzing and sunlight filtering through dense canopies. Compared to the original’s distinctive brown-green palette, Delta opts for a more neutral, realistic aesthetic, which sacrifices some of the retro charm but delivers a cinematic experience that rivals modern blockbusters. The character models, especially Snake, The Boss, and Ocelot, showcase intricate details like weathered clothing and expressive faces, elevating the already stellar cutscenes.

Faithful Gameplay with Smart Enhancements

At its core, Metal Gear Solid Delta retains the stealth-action gameplay that made Snake Eater a legend. You’ll sneak through jungle and military environments, evading enemies, navigating traps, and using an arsenal of melee weapons, firearms, and gadgets. Of course, since this is a Metal Gear game, it is heavy on cutscenes and codec calls, but the gameplay segments still shine. The level design is meticulously recreated, with trees, enemy patrols, and item placements (like the SVD Sniper and XM16E1) exactly where fans remember them. However, Konami has introduced modernized controls inspired by Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Pressing circle to crouch, holding it to go prone, and moving with a smoother third-person camera feel intuitive, though purists can still opt for the original top-down controls if they like.

Other quality-of-life features help to smooth out the edge without breaking the formula. A quick-select menu for camouflage lets you swap outfits on the fly, streamlining the original’s clunky menu navigation. Similarly, a quick-access radio speeds up codec interactions. There are also quirky GA-KO ducks, collectible rubber ducks in gilly suits, alongside the classic Kerotan frogs, adding a touch of Metal Gear’s wacky history. These tweaks make the stealth feel fresh while preserving the nostalgic challenge of avoiding detection.

A Double-Edged Sword of Fidelity

From what we have seen so far every cutscene is faithfully recreated, and this commitment to authenticity ensures the story’s emotional weight. However, the decision to keep the segmented level design, complete with frequent loading screens, feels like a missed opportunity. Unlike Resident Evil 2’s seamless remake, Delta retains the PS2-era structure of small, self-contained maps, which can break immersion in 2025’s open-world-heavy landscape. Producer Noriaki Okamura emphasized preserving the nostalgic experience to avoid the series fading into obscurity, but it will remain to be seen how this plays out in practice.

A Stealthy Return Worth Waiting For

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is shaping up to be a faithful take on a stealth masterpiece. The game's stunning visuals, smooth controls, and nostalgic charm make it a must-play for Metal Gear veterans, while its modern touches, like the updated control scheme and quick-select menus, open the door for newcomers. Though there may be questions around the segmented level design, the core experience of sneaking, strategizing, and soaking in the Cold War drama remains unmatched. With a release date of August 28, we won't have to wait too much longer to get our hands dirty crawling in the mud with Snake. Stay tuned to GameMinr.com for our review roundup when Delta drops.

Snake? Snake?! SNAAAAAAKE!