The Biggest Differences Between Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater And The Original Game
With the release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, there is yet another version of MGS3. This one is a full remake that is perhaps the best version of MGS3 ever. It's also one of the more distinct ones.
While the story, characters, locations, and dialogue are much of the same, there are plenty of other differences between this game and the original. These changes range from really big to quite minute. Naturally, the most important differences are the biggest ones, so here is a look at them.
Improved Visuals
Snake Looks Much Better
Of course, when you have a new remake or remaster of a game, you expect improved visuals. Not all remakes succeed in this regard, but there have certainly been improvements in Delta.
Everything looks smoother and more realistic, from the character models to the environments. That said, it does take a bit of time to get used to some of the new character faces. Snake looks just like an updated version, but the likes of Ocelot and Eva look very different in this game.
On-Screen Tips
For those Who Need Help
Older games are known to include less hand-holding than current titles. As a result, games like the original Metal Gear Solid 3 didn't have big tips popping up on screen, telling you what to do next. If you needed clues on how to proceed, you had to call your support team on the radio, hoping they would give you the information you desired.
Delta is a bit more user-friendly and welcoming to players who are used to the hand-holding in modern games. You can turn these tips off, though, if you want a more old-school experience.
Over-The-Shoulder Aiming
Makes It Much Easier To Shoot People
The shooting mechanics in the original Metal Gear Solid 3 are pretty rudimentary. In third-person, you can only shoot directly in front of you, which means you're almost required to switch to first-person to get accurate shots off.
Thankfully, Delta has added a true, over-the-shoulder aiming system that makes use of the more pure third-person camera system. So, you have a much better view of what you're aiming at, and you even get a reticle that allows you to be more accurate. This means shooting in third-person is a far more viable option in the remake than it is in the original.
Crouch Walking
Speed And Stealth In One
Crouch walking isn't a new addition to the Metal Gear Solid series as a whole, but it wasn't in the original Snake Eater. Back in the 2004 game, you could perform a stationary crouch, but could only move by crawling on your stomach or walking and running.
Since this is a stealth game, you don't want to walk or run that much unless the coast is completely clear. Therefore, you spent most of the original title crawling around, which can make the game pretty slow. Crouch walking is the perfect middleground, as it's still stealthy but also fairly quick.
Button Prompts
Don't Need To Worry About Accidentally Slitting Someone's Throat While Interrogating Them
Old games often required you to remember all of the controls they taught you, or had you look them up in the manual if you forgot. Modern games, however, attempt to make life easier by giving you button prompts. Delta has changed with the times by adding them to MGS3, too.
So, if you go near a tree, you will see the 'climb' button pop up, and when you sneak behind an enemy, you get a 'CQC' prompt. The new system is most helpful when grabbing enemies, as there is a lot you can do with them, so it's easy to forget which button does what. The inclusion of button prompts makes this much easier. However, the prompts can ruin immersion.
New Controls
Triggers Can Be Used For Aiming And Shooting Now
Once upon a time, when using a controller, you typically had to use the face buttons to shoot. The use of triggers for aiming and shooting didn't become popular until years later. As a result, the square button is the one you use to shoot on the PS2 version of MGS3. And you aim by clicking a single button to bring up your weapon.
In Delta, you have a more contemporary control system where you use the triggers to do your shooting. Plus, the action button is X or A on a controller, instead of triangle as it is on the PS2's MGS3. So, overall, the controls are more modernized and feel easier to use.
Switching Camo On The Fly
No Need To Go Into The Menu
Camouflage is a big part of both the original game and Delta. However, in the original, you could only change your camo by heading into the menu and selecting your uniform and face paint. In the remake, though, you can switch on the fly by bringing up a small camo menu mid-gameplay.
From there, you can select between the camo combinations that either the game or you created. It's a quality-of-life change that saves you a lot of time, especially if you frequently switch between camos.
Addition Of A Photo Mode
Get Some Pretty Pictures
These days, there are plenty of games with exciting photo modes that allow you to capture all sorts of different pictures. That wasn't the case back when MGS3 originally released, though. So, the mechanic couldn't appear in the original Snake Eater, but it features in Delta.
You can access it from the pause menu while playing. With it, you can capture some impressive shots of Snake, enemy guards, the environment, or anything else you find noteworthy. It really allows you to take advantage of the picturesque jungle.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Shooter Adventure Stealth Systems Released August 28, 2025WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL
