Metal Gear Solid Delta preview wrap-up: controls, visuals, credits and what comes next

Here’s our Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater preview wrap-up, bringing together the details we reported in August 2024.

Development, credits and release plans

The new Metal Gear Solid team combines veterans who worked on MGS3 with new talent. Producer Noriaki Okamura described a team effort, with no single person taking over the creative-director role.

Kojima and the original team’s credits remain, with wording such as “Original Directed by Hideo Kojima” used in places to distinguish the original work from the remake.

A release-date announcement was expected later in the year. We were watching the upcoming Tokyo Game Show for news, a possible playable demo at the event and the prospect of a wider demo afterwards.

Graphics and performance

The preview demo ran in a locked 30fps fidelity mode, while Konami said a 60fps performance mode would be included. Previewers described an MGSV-like feel with the visual fidelity of a PS5 game built in Unreal Engine 5.

The detail was impressive, from the environments to Snake’s skin: the camera could be zoomed during real-time cutscenes close enough to see his pores. Wounds acquired during missions would remain visible through the game, with Okamura confirming that the battle-damage system would noticeably affect Snake.

Controls, movement and menus

Modernised menus and accessibility options aim to make the game easier to play for a wider audience. New quick menus were shown for the camo index, Codec and radio.

Weapon and equipment controls have been revised, including removing the need to hold a button while grabbing an enemy. Rolling has a dedicated Triangle button, Snake can dive from standing, and crouch-walking returns after its earlier appearance in the 3DS version.

Visual options include colour correction and the centre-dot display. Preview reports described little noticeable loading, while transitions between areas retain the original game’s pacing.

Camouflage and collectibles

Covering Snake in dirt and mud significantly affects his camo index, making him practically invisible to nearby crocodiles in the demonstration.

Alongside the returning Kerotan frogs, a camouflaged GA-KO duck appeared wearing what looked like a ghillie suit. At this stage, its purpose and any collectible reward were unclear.

The opening favourite-game survey also returns. Choosing “I like MGS2!” still gives Naked Snake the Raiden mask. New options include Peace Walker, MGS4 and MGSV, expanding the possible effects and rewards, much as the 3DS version had expanded the original choices.

Preserving the original and looking ahead

Delta includes the historical-context disclaimer also used in the Master Collection. The original game’s outdated elements are retained to preserve its context and creative vision; Okamura described this as respect for the original creator.

Asked about an online mode like Subsistence’s, Konami gave no comment. That left the question open at the time of these previews.

On Portable Ops and Metal Gear Acid, Okamura encouraged fans to express demand for those games on modern hardware, while emphasising that the team was proceeding little by little.

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Sources

PlayStation Blog hands-on report

Our original preview wrap-up on X