METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER Review — A Gorgeous, Flawed Remake
A faithful, often breathtaking remake of MGS3 that keeps the story and charm intact — but be warned: PC performance and some archaic mechanics still trip it up. Great for fans, best bought on sale.
I jumped back into Snake Eater with all the nostalgia turned to eleven — the remake is a love letter to the original: same wild Cold War story, now rendered in Unreal Engine 5. If you loved the PS2 classic, this scratches the itch; if you didn’t, the old quirks sometimes still bite.
Core gameplay remains stealth-first with a healthy dose of campy Bond-meets-Kojima storytelling. There are two control schemes: the modern, over-the-shoulder style that makes aiming and inventory swaps feel contemporary, and a Legacy mode that tries to recreate the original camera and inputs. Camo management, stamina and survival mechanics still matter and are easier to handle thanks to QoL additions like quick camo change and radial menus. Boss fights land with the same dramatic flair as before, though some were clearly tuned around older camera rigs and feel a little awkward with the new view. New extras (Snake vs Monkey, Fox Hunt multiplayer, Guy Savage Δ, Secret Theater) add replayability, but Fox Hunt feels thin on PC player count. Visually the jungle, faces and battle-damage system are stunning — scars and grime tell your playthrough story — but expect shader stutters, a 60 FPS cap without tweaks, and occasional crashes on some setups. If you want the classic MGS3 vibe with modern polish (and can tolerate a bumpy PC launch), this is that package.
METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER is a loving, occasionally brilliant remake that renews classic moments — just don’t expect a perfect technical launch. Fans should play it eventually; everyone else should wait for a discount or fixes.
Pros
- Fantastic visuals, audio and character presentation — makes old moments feel new.
- Faithful storytelling and voice work; Kojima’s weirdness preserved in all the right ways.
- Modern QoL and control options plus a Legacy toggle — pick your comfort level.
Cons
- Spotty PC performance, shader stutters and crashes on some rigs — optimization needs work.
- Some mechanics still feel clunky or inconsistent (tranq pistol arc, occasional menu/controls annoyances).
Player Opinion
Players praise the visual overhaul, faithful story and added convenience features — many say it feels like experiencing Snake Eater with fresh eyes. Criticism centers on poor PC optimization, crashes and that the remake is sometimes too faithful (offering little new beyond graphics and controls). If you loved classic stealth epics like the original MGS3 or want a cinematic Cold War stealth drama, you’ll probably enjoy this; if you need a rock-solid, modern rework with redesigned levels, wait for patches or a sale.