The Legend Returns With Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Konami has finally tapped into its treasure trove of dormant IPs, reviving classics like Suikoden and Silent Hill. Now, one of its most iconic franchises takes center stage with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. As the first major remake of the legendary stealth espionage series, Konami’s decision to revisit Metal Gear Solid 3 feels deliberate — it’s both a fan-favourite and the chronological beginning of Hideo Kojima’s complex saga.

At a media preview event in Tokyo, we spent two hours with the opening chapters. The multiplayer mode Fox Hunt wasn’t available, but the hands-on demo showed how Konami is modernizing Snake Eater while keeping its soul intact

Built on Unreal Engine 5

Konami has fully rebuilt Metal Gear Solid Delta using Unreal Engine 5, enhancing character models, environments, and effects. Snake now carries permanent scars, clothing degrades over time, and dust storms or explosions create a more visceral battlefield.

Despite the upgrades, Konami resists over-modernizing. Motion capture adds subtle improvements to facial animation, but characters retain their restrained, cinematic tone—preserving what fans loved about the original.

Authenticity Preserved

Cinematics, quirky details, and classic mechanics like the Fake Death Pill or defeating The End early remain intact. Konami even brought back the original English voice cast, including David Hayter as Snake, a move sure to resonate with longtime fans.

One small but touching detail: background posters now feature high-definition images of the original models as they look today — something Konami says was warmly embraced by the cast.

Modern Gameplay Enhancements

Gameplay modernisation is equally significant. A Quick Menu allows instant gear swaps, while two control schemes — Legacy Style (top-down camera) and New Style (third-person aiming) — let players choose how they experience the game. Switching styles resets patrols, encouraging replayability.

New Tips help beginners grasp stealth and boss mechanics in Metal Gear Solid Delta, while optional systems ensure veterans can play unaided. Some balance tweaks, like easier boss duels but trickier enemy hold-ups, suggest Konami is carefully calibrating the experience.

Secret Theater & Bonus Modes

The remake also introduces Secret Theater, a mode unlocking hidden cutscenes through specific enemy interactions. Classic side content like Snake vs. Monkey returns, though multiplayer Fox Hunt remains under wraps.

Our First Impressions

In just two hours, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater proved itself both faithful and refreshing. The iconic duel with The Boss still carries cinematic weight, now rendered in breathtaking fidelity. With additions like Quick Menu, Secret Theater, and modernised controls, the remake respects the past while embracing the present.For veterans, it feels like coming home. For newcomers, it’s the perfect introduction to one of gaming’s greatest sagas.