Highlights

  • Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater may take creative liberties with the story, potentially deviating quite a bit from the original game's formula.
  • The use of "Delta" in the title suggests changes or differences without altering the core structure, but it's unclear how far the changes will go.
  • The remake could learn from Final Fantasy 7 Remake's controversial story changes and handle its own story changes carefully to avoid mixed reactions from fans. Flashbacks and playing as different characters could offer new perspectives.

Remakes and remasters of classic titles have become a popular trend in the gaming industry, and fans of these games are being treated to some great modern adaptations of their favorite games. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is in the spotlight with its release coming later this month, many fans are quietly awaiting more information on Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, the remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 that was announced at a PlayStation State of Play last year. However, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater may follow a controversial route taken by the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy.

Square Enix's Final Fantasy 7 Remake project is a massive undertaking, warranting the original title being split into three separate releases that started with Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and will continue when Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth releases later this month. As part of this remake project, these entries have expanded the world and story of the original Final Fantasy 7, including some controversial new plot elements involving the arbiters of fate known as Whispers, who exist to correct those who deviate from fate's path. While Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater isn't a trilogy-worthy remake, it might make similar changes to the original game's story.

mgs-delta_in-engine-gameplay (2)
Related
Metal Gear Solid Delta is Walking a Tightrope with One Feature

The upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has some very big shoes to fill when it comes to one iconic aspect of its gameplay.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Might Change Story Elements from the Original

The Metal Gear series is infamous for its somewhat convoluted story that involves clones, nanomachines, and a shadow government that controls the world. However, fans of the series expect that the core story of Metal Gear Solid 3 will remain intact for its Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake. The "Delta" in the title suggests that some elements of the game will change, since delta is used in mathematics to represent change, meaning that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater might take more creative liberties with the original's formula than some fans might expect.

Although Konami has confirmed that the use of the delta in the title represents changes or differences without changing the core of its structure, it's unclear what they consider to be the original game's structure and how far the changes in this remake will go. Without Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima to ensure the game remains faithful to the original, there is the potential for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater to deviate quite a bit in its story. It's also important to note that Metal Gear Solid 3 is the earliest entry in the series' timeline, so any serious changes to the game's story could affect future series remakes.

How Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Can Learn from the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Project's Mistakes

Final Fantasy 7 Remake faced some controversy for its story changes and introduction of Whispers when the game was first released. While these changes help set up the remake project to be a trilogy that can appeal to newcomers and fans of the original, some major changes like the revelation that Zack appears to still be alive in an alternate timeline or the final boss fight against Sephiroth in Final Fantasy 7 Remake coming at a point in the game where the villain hadn't appeared yet in the original, were met with mixed reactions from longtime fans. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater runs this same risk if it can't handle its story changes carefully.

A great way the game could add new story elements from the original while keeping its overall structure intact is by offering players the chance to play through flashbacks to shake up gameplay while offering a new perspective on events. Similar to how Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will feature sections with a playable Sephiroth, perhaps Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater could let players take on the role of the Boss for certain sections of the game. With how heartbreaking the final showdown against the Boss is in the original game, this remake could make her even more sympathetic by putting the player in her shoes periodically.