The return of Metal Gear Solid 3 brings a faithful remake of the original work, adding exciting new features.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater marks the comeback of Metal Gear Solid 3, aiming to stay true to the original while introducing several interesting updates.
In the past, Konami faced complicated issues with Kojima during the development of Metal Gear Solid V. These tensions stemmed from the company’s decision to focus on the more profitable Pachinko market, a shift that significantly impacted the game’s release, which arrived heavily scaled down from the original plan. Following this challenging period, Kojima left Konami to start his own studio, Kojima Productions. Over the years, Konami lost the trust of its fan base, and attempts to reuse iconic franchises to boost profits, like Metal Gear Survive, struggled, leading to mixed reception.
Recently, Konami reentered the AAA gaming scene with the remake of Silent Hill 2, crafted by Bloober Team, a project now enjoying wide success and strong sales. Currently, Metal Gear Solid 3’s remake is in the final stages of development. This major project is challenging, as the Metal Gear Solid IP remains complex to manage given the high expectations of fans and its iconic place in gaming history.
Core Elements of Metal Gear Solid 3 that the Remake Should Preserve
Metal Gear Solid 3 presents many intricate mechanics that make it especially complex to restore. Unlike other entries, this title centers on survival and adapting to hostile environments. The original game relied on experts and consultants to meticulously craft every detail, including close-quarters combat through CQC, a technique used by military forces to quickly disarm and neutralize enemies.
Survival hunting is essential; like a true SEAL, the player needs to maximize initial resources and gather new food using a knife or firearms. Eliminating animals like alligators, rats, and snakes while gathering natural resources becomes crucial.
Additionally, players must account for food spoilage: eating spoiled meat will poison the character and lead to progressive health loss. However, this mechanic can benefit players in certain boss fights, particularly against Volgin in the first encounter and The Fear, who will weaken more easily after consuming spoiled food.
The camouflage system plays a vital role in gameplay. Recent presentations of the remake show that the developers have integrated this system seamlessly, enhancing interactions with the environment. This mechanic feels more natural and streamlined than before, allowing players to switch camouflage with a single button and interact with their surroundings, such as applying mud to improve stealth.
The map still operates on a macro-area system, with loading screens between areas, which allows more focused control over each section. The iconic “Kojima moments” should remain intact to preserve their importance, such as:
- The option to change the viewpoint in cutscenes by pressing a button to reveal hidden details.
- Skipping the boss fight with The End by advancing the console’s clock by a week.
Furthermore, the latest trailer suggests that the cutscenes retain their original detail without cuts. We especially hope the torture sequence, a pivotal story point in Metal Gear Solid 3, remains uncensored.
A Closer Look at the Latest Trailer
The recent trailer showcases impressive quality in graphics and intricate detail. Each scene has been recreated with painstaking attention to the original. The lighting is somewhat brighter than the original film-style filter, but every character design remains incredibly faithful to the original models.
Eva’s design, for example, stays true to the original without censorship, unlike certain alterations seen in Silent Hill 2’s remake as Maria’s new and controversial style and other censored sections. Naked Snake’s design is commendable, and The Boss posed a major challenge to recreate given her strength and the depth of emotion she conveys through a single glance. Volgin and Ocelot’s designs are equally impressive, both capturing the characters’ expressiveness well. However, a deeper evaluation of these intricate characters will come only with gameplay.
Two Gameplay Modes
Metal Gear Solid Delta offers two gameplay modes:
- A modern mode, with an over-the-shoulder camera, updated controls, and a higher difficulty.
- A second mode (Legacy) that retains the original camera with a lower difficulty.
Players choose their mode once and cannot switch during gameplay. This setup brilliantly showcases the care taken in remaking the title.
Release Period and Future of the Series
Metal Gear Solid Delta represents a complex and important project, with the team determined to take the time needed to complete it. Though the launch date remains uncertain, development seems close to completion. Recently, Konami announced plans to revive the entire Metal Gear Solid saga for a new audience through remakes and the master collection, with Volume 2 already underway. Discussions have also begun on how to approach a remake of Metal Gear Solid. This move shows promise, but its success will hinge on Metal Gear Solid Delta’s reception.
Konami seems back on track…
Stay tuned for updates!
