This past weekend, one of the most classic video game franchises returned with a remake of a fan-favorite title. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is a fresh take on the original 2004 game, introducing high-resolution visuals and revised controls while remaining a faithful recreation of what made the PlayStation 2 version so special. It feels like a triumphant homecoming, giving both new and old fans an upgraded way to revisit the game. Still, this remake carries one big caveat… it was made without the involvement of the franchise’s creator, Hideo Kojima.
For those unfamiliar with the series, the Metal Gear franchise began on the NES as a stealth game starring Solid Snake, tasked with sneaking through privatized military compounds to destroy a giant mechanical weapon known as “Metal Gear.” The series found new life in the late ’90s with Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation, which was groundbreaking for its cinematic storytelling, inventive gameplay mechanics, and (at the time) cutting-edge graphics.
From there, the franchise became massive, with critically acclaimed sequels arriving on the PlayStation 2, 3, and 4. The last main installment was Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in 2015. Shortly after, Kojima split from publisher Konami, going on to form his own studio, Kojima Productions, and create Death Stranding. The departure left fans heartbroken, especially since The Phantom Pain felt unfinished and Konami appeared to be erasing Kojima’s name from the series. While the split was presented as mutual, many fans believe Kojima was forced away from the series he created.
The remake, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, revisits the third mainline game, which serves as a prequel to the entire saga and is often regarded as a fan favorite. Not only did it refine mechanics from its predecessors, but it also delivered one of Kojima’s most cohesive and memorable narratives. While the original is still accessible via the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection, this new edition is a complete visual and mechanical overhaul designed for modern consoles and PC.
With no successful new entry since Konami’s failed continuation attempt in 2018, the series has been dormant. If any game deserved to be remade to reignite interest, Snake Eater was the obvious choice.
In many ways, the remake does the original justice. The story remains unchanged, items and maps are preserved, and the cast returned to re-record voice lines. The problem, however, lies in performance. Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game looks stunning on paper, but the engine’s heavy demands make it unstable on both low- and high-end hardware.
I tested the game on both PS5 and PC. On PS5 in “performance mode,” textures often looked muddy, and the framerate was inconsistent. On PC, my GPU handled foliage and environments far better, but the framerate issues persisted across both platforms. This means players everywhere will likely run into the same technical problems, which is disappointing for such a high-profile release.
That said, gameplay is where the remake shines. You can still use the legacy control layout from the PS2, but the modernized control scheme feels natural and makes excellent use of today’s button layouts. Levels allow multiple approaches, encouraging experimentation and replayability. Whether you sneak by unnoticed or go in guns blazing, the flexibility gives players plenty of reasons to revisit missions.
The story, of course, is what cements Snake Eater as a classic. Even 20 years later, it’s still considered some of Kojima’s best work. Its cinematic cutscenes—though long—remain captivating, blending Cold War-era spy thriller energy with character-driven drama. The set pieces are memorable, the character interactions feel rich, and there are countless iconic moments fans still talk about today.
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater is a worthy way to experience one of gaming’s greatest stories. Its improved controls and modern presentation breathe new life into the game, but the technical issues keep it from being the definitive edition it could have been. For now, I’d recommend fans either wait for patches or a sale before picking it up. At its core, it’s still Snake Eater, and that alone makes it worthwhile, but purists may understandably stick with the original 2004 version until this remake gets the polish it deserves.
Recommended for fans of: stealth-action, the Resident Evil and Silent Hill remakes, and classic cinematic adventures.
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