STACK #250 August 2025

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GAMING FEATURE

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MONKEYING AROUND

The PS5 release features the Snake vs. Monkey minigame from the original, based on PlayStation’s Ape Escape series, while the Xbox Series X take delivers Snake vs. Bomberman .

One of the most revered games in the Metal Gear canon is making a return this month, with a Hideo Kojima masterpiece remastered and rejigged for the latest consoles. Let’s take a quick look at what we should expect when Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater hits... Words Amy Flower HAVE YOUR SNAKE AND EAT IT TOO!

add some additional dialogue here and there. General sound design is also enhanced, with the atmosphere of the jungle locations in particular set to benefit greatly.

The original Launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2004, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater combined rich storytelling, elaborate stealth mechanics, and impressive world-building. Set within the Cold War period, players stepped into the boots of Naked Snake, an elite soldier assigned the task of stopping rogue Soviet group The Patriots from setting off a nuclear weapon. It set a new benchmark in combining cinematic storytelling with stealth and action, that many have aspired to match ever since. The remake With Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater , Konami’s intention is to remain faithful to all that made the original such a magical experience for players, while taking full advantage of what modern hardware can accomplish. The game features enhanced graphics, some additional voice work, and more refined mechanics, while maintaining the spirit of the much-loved classic. There are also two ways to play – old school fans can go overhead view via Legacy Style, while those more used to modern shooters can opt for New Style, with an over-the-shoulder camera view.

The visuals Twenty-one years is a very long time in video game time, so the most noticeable upgrade in Snake Eater in in how it looks: in a word, incredible! While the original garnered high praise for its graphical wizardry at the time, this update takes full advantage of the latest hardware generation’s capabilities with Unreal Engine 5. Character models, environments, and lighting effects have all been completely overhauled, with the lush jungle landscapes coming to life in exquisite detail. The original introduced a dynamic weather system, as well as day-night cycles, which were groundbreaking at the time. They now look even more impressive, with elements such as rain, fog, and sunlight adding a whole new atmospheric layer. Then there are the extra little details, like everything from inflicted cuts and bruises to

The gameplay The meat and potatoes of the Metal Gear games is stealth, and Snake Eater honed this formula to perfection. This remake remains true to the original's core mechanics, but players can expect improvements thanks to the availability of newer tech. Modern AI offers more intuitive enemy behaviour, from guards reacting more realistically, to having more nous when searching for Snake. Speaking of our slippery hero, the importance of camouflage remains - environmental factors like mud, leaves, and shadows are your survival friends. It’s refined in this update, however, with a more intricate camouflage system allowing players to blend more seamlessly into the environment, via adjustments to their outfit, equipment, and positioning. The combat Snake Eater was loved for its close-quarters combat, which returns in enhanced form. While the basics such as stealth takedowns and enemy grappling naturally remain intact, the mechanics are more fluid and responsive. While the game isn’t about gunplay, it’s still a popular feature, and it too has been given a decent spit and polish, with modern physics and weapon customisation options. The multiplayer Want to play with friends? An entirely new stealth survival hide-and-seek mode called Fox Hunt has been added for online multiplayer play, set in the same world as the main story.

DYK?

The original Metal Gear , for the MSX home computer, was Hideo Kojima’s first game as director, designer, and writer.

mud stains and even bullet holes remaining constant throughout Snake’s journey. That’s not all though, for the in-game cinematics are more cinematic than ever, further enhancing the emotional heft of Snake’s tale. The audio

• Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is out Aug 28

The original game featured some truly memorable voice acting, and Snake Eater remains faithful by using the classic recordings, including David Hayter voicing Snake. It will all come through to our ears in improved fidelity, with the original voice actors brought back in to