Remakes and remasters are extra frequent than ever. One recreation, 2004’s Steel Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater, deserved the remake therapy greater than most, and that day is lastly amongst us with the aptly named Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater, which is well the definitive approach to take pleasure in one of many best video video games ever made.

Hideo Kojima’s fractured relationship with Konami is well-documented, leaving Steel Gear followers questioning if Steel Gear Survive could be the final time we expertise something associated to the franchise.

Fortunately, that’s not the case with the arrival of Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater, a trustworthy remake and basically a love letter to Kojima’s authentic masterpiece.

Modernizing A Traditional

Supply: Konami / Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater

Not many video games can evoke uncooked feelings out of me as soon as I hit the beginning button, however Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater is a kind of uncommon exceptions.

When taking over this gargantuan activity of bringing again one of the beloved video video games ever made, Virtuos not solely modernized Snake Eater, however they dealt with the job with the utmost care in order that they wouldn’t damage one in every of Kojima’s opuses, including new options to carry a recreation from 2004 into the brand new age of gaming.

Visually, Steel Gear Strong: Snake Eater is gorgeous; the Soviet Union jungle setting seems to be gorgeous, and the brand new options on prime of the unique groundbreaking ones, like Snake’s camo getting muddy or choosing up leaves whereas crawling on the jungle flooring, are a pleasant contact.

The restoration system from the unique recreation returns, however with an added twist: the harm accomplished to Snake is now seen throughout cutscenes and lingers with him for some time.

Supply: Konami / Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater

Should you select to play within the new fashion, and never the Legacy Mode, which retains the sport in its authentic 2004 fashion, the digicam is now free, aiming is finished over the shoulder, making it extra of a contemporary third-person shooter.

It’s also possible to crouch now; crawling is best, and you may goal and transfer on the identical time. Different high quality of life enhancements embody a compass to stop getting misplaced, and the D-Pad now brings up the camouflage menu. The codec has additionally been added to the D-Pad, permitting you to name folks shortly.

It’s Nonetheless Steel Gear Strong 3

Supply: Konami / Steel Gear Strong ∆: Snake Eater

Even with a recent coat of Unreal Engine 5 paint and modernized controls, that is nonetheless the identical Steel Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater. The cutscenes that had you on the sting of your seat, the twists and turns, gripping dialogue, and unbelievable voiceover work from the likes of David Hayter, the OG Snake, are all there, however solely made higher.

Moments like first listening to the traditional Snake Eater theme carried out by Cynthia Harrell nonetheless tug on the heartstrings. The enduring second of the track enjoying as Snake ascends an extended ladder is faithfully recreated and nonetheless slaps as if I simply skilled it for the primary time.

The boss fights are simply as enjoyable and inventive as you bear in mind, although with the addition of the fashionable controls, they don’t seem to be fairly as difficult, however if you wish to restore that feeling, you possibly can at all times play in Legacy Mode.

I nonetheless had a blast participating in a harmful recreation of cat and mouse with The Cobra Unit’s legendary sniper, The Finish. It’s nonetheless haunting listening to him say “that is the tip for you” after he will get you in his scope and takes his shot.

It was additionally nice to see particular methods, easter eggs, and home windows of alternative to impression future moments from the unique recreation return.

Ultimate Verdict

Supply: Konami / Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater

Remakes don’t get any higher than Steel Gear Strong Delta: Snake Eater. Initially, I used to be amongst those that have been deeply nervous that this wouldn’t dwell as much as the 2004 recreation, however I’m comfortable to be fallacious on this occasion.

Virtuous did a masterful job not solely preserving what made Snake Eater a traditional, however delivering what’s now the definitive approach to expertise this recreation.

Sure, Kojima is now not concerned with this franchise, nevertheless it’s clear that the mandate was to maintain his essence all through this expertise, good and dangerous, intact.

If there are any flaws, they arrive on the efficiency aspect, particularly with dips in framerates, however I can actually say it didn’t have an effect on my gameplay in any form or type.

What a thrill it was to expertise Snake Eater in a brand new means, and hopefully, we will get different MGS titles introduced again in the identical style.

Steel Gear Strong: Snake Eater is an distinctive remake that may get a number of playthroughs out of me, and I’m for positive that I’m not alone on this feeling.

*Evaluation key supplied by the sport’s writer*