Why You Don’t Want the Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake to Sneak Past You [Review]

2004’s Metal Gear Solid 3 has been given the remake treatment, which is frightening to think that the original is now more than 20 years old. The remake from Konami upgrades the classic stealth action game with gorgeous Unreal Engine 5-powered visuals, a host of modernised gameplay improvements, and some more subtle changes. There are some quirks to it (whether intentional or not), which bring back a dose of nostalgia while also highlighting how far games have come in the last two decades.

Remember, you can buy your copy of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater from Nexus Hub.

From a story perspective, nothing has changed. The remake is set in 1964 and follows a CIA operative codenamed Naked Snake (essentially the OG Snake that becomes Big Boss) who has to infiltrate a secret base hidden deep in a Soviet jungle. For those out of the deep Metal Gear lore loop, it’s essentially the origin story of a lot of the characters and goings-on in the MGS world.

The shiny and spiffy visuals do a sublime job of delivering the story in a new and refreshed way. While the voice acting hasn’t changed — and is admittedly brilliant, campy and downright silly at times, leaning into Power Rangers villain-level goofiness — the new visuals pair well with them. The technology and presentation of the Metal Gear Solid games have always been a bit behind creator Hideo Kojima’s cinematic vision for the series; and thanks to Unreal Engine 5, they’re finally paired in harmony. Quirky and dramatic poses and facial expressions from the rogue’s gallery of bizarre enemies land a bit better than they did in the original, as the finer details and gestures can finally be appreciated in all their glory.

MGS 3 tried a more survival-action approach to the usual sneak-and-strangle gameplay formula, which works even better with this remake, as menus and inventory management are a lot easier with the more fluid UI and engine. Combat is the biggest beneficiary of the updated mechanics, though, as players now have a full over-the-shoulder camera akin to Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, bringing shooting and working your way through stealth sections up to speed with modern games.

Of course, there are some remnants of the time period that can’t be ignored. Most Metal Gear games are broken up into sections, with each part of a level loading after you go from one portion to the next or through an interior door. This is still present in the remake, and while it does deliver some nostalgia and quick-save opportunities, it does feel a little weird in a modern game and breaks the illusion that you’re in a giant open jungle setting. To be fair, the work and logistics to stitch all these level segments together would probably have been too much to expect, so it’s understandable.

On top of that, climbing and interacting with certain objects (like opening lockers or climbing trees) can feel a bit clunky, ala early 2000s, but it’s nothing that breaks the experience.

Ultimately, though, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is the perfect blend of new gameplay mechanics and old sensibilities, delivering a game that runs well, looks gorgeous, but has a dramatic and somewhat ridiculous tone which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Old fans will know and love that this aspect is still present, and new fans shouldn’t miss out on one of the defining MGS experiences around, albeit in an even better, more evolved form. Don’t let this sneak past.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

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