Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a highly acclaimed series entry. Developed and published by Konami Studios, it was released for PlayStation 2 in 2004. The game sets players in the early 1960s during the Cold War in the role of Naked Snake (later known as Big Boss) on a high-stakes stealth mission deep in the jungle. Snake’s objective is to prevent a revolutionary nuclear weapon, the Shagohod, from falling into the wrong hands.

Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the entire Metal Gear franchise, is one of the most renowned video game designers. Known for his over-the-top narratives, he delivers yet another intricate experience with the third entry in the MGS saga. The game is packed with twists, turns, and iconic characters. Some, like the young Ocelot, are surprisingly funny. The story can sometimes feel overly complex and difficult to follow, but the emotional depth of Naked Snake’s moral struggles becomes increasingly apparent throughout his journey.

A Classic in the Stealth game genre

Stealth games challenge players to think strategically, avoid detection, and use the environment to their advantage. These games usually feature spies, thieves, and assassins. The Metal Gear Solid series’s cinematic story and innovative gameplay stand out. Dynamic camouflage systems, close-quarters combat, and survival elements ground the game in realism. These changes make the experience more customizable. Players can choose to maximize stealth and planning in each scenario.

The boss fights take place in unique locations designed to complement the abilities and themes of the respective boss. For example, one of the most famous battles in gaming history spans three large jungle areas where a senior sniper patiently stalks Snake. This forces players into a tense game of cat and mouse where their skills are tested.

Stories of unsung heroes

Hideo Kojima’s games always feature profound underlying messages. Despite portraying a soldier as the main protagonist, MGS has an anti-war point of view.

To accomplish his mission, Snake must face his longtime mentor and one of his only true friends: The Boss, a legendary soldier. Branded a traitor to her country, The Boss’s apparent betrayal casts doubt on everything Snake believes in, blurring the line between friend and foe as the mission unfolds.

The story challenges Snake’s moral beliefs, forcing him to confront the weight of his actions. One of the most haunting sequences is the river battle, where Snake confronts the ghosts of every enemy he has killed – a decisive moment that reinforces the game’s anti-war message.

By the end of the game, The Boss reveals that she was never indeed a traitor. In a selfless act of sacrifice, she willingly took on the role of a villain to preserve world peace, knowing she would be remembered in history as a traitor rather than a hero. This revelation sets the stage for one of the most emotionally charged final battles in gaming history – cinematically crafted to highlight the sacrifices of those who save the world from the shadows.

Old graphics or timeless aesthetic?

The game was initially released for PlayStation 2 in 2004, and its graphics feel dated by today’s standards. However, thanks to the excellent lighting, bloom effects, fog, and other visual techniques, Snake Eater has aged remarkably well, maintaining a profoundly immersive atmosphere.

The game has been praised for its attention to detail, especially in the jungle sequences. Animals and fired shots will make single blades of grass move, making hunting and fighting more realistic. The so-called “PlayStation 2 aesthetic” has recently gained popularity in the indie scene. Popular games like Lethal Company use advanced Unity shaders and filters to achieve a similar visual style using low-poly assets. That said, Kojima’s true strength has always been his cinematic storytelling approach, elevating the experience beyond mere graphical fidelity.

Immersive Sound Design in Metal Gear Solid 3

The soundtrack perfectly captures the game’s tone, blending epic and melancholic compositions that enhance each scene. One of the most memorable moments is the “ladder sequence,” where Snake climbs a seemingly endless ladder for nearly three minutes, accompanied only by the game’s theme song. This scene is deceptively simple but deeply innovative, breaking conventional game design expectations. Kojima gives the player space to think, unwind, and take in the experience. Slowing down the gameplay seems counterintuitive, yet Kojima’s latest game, Death Stranding, continues this approach. The music blends in and out of moments of silence, much like in the wildly popular Minecraft.

Voice acting is also a significant factor in making MGS so iconic. David Hayter has voiced many versions of Snake, and Kiefer Sutherland recently took on the role. The voice acting is overly theatrical, as is the entire tone of the saga. Hideo Kojima’s signature style combines self-aware silliness and serious social critique.

Metal Gear Solid: Delta

While Snake Eater offers solid replay value due to its branching narrative and varied gameplay options, there are no multiple endings – only minor differences in certain scenes. Players can adopt different playstyles, whether stealth-focused or more aggressive. For example, players can beat the game without committing any murders, which will change the river scene mentioned earlier. If one plans on playing it today, a fair warning: the game’s 2004-era controls can be frustrating, and movement isn’t as fluid as in modern titles.

This is where Metal Gear Solid: Delta comes in handy, but first, it needs some context.

The relationship between Konami and Hideo Kojima has deteriorated over the years, ultimately leading to a complete split in 2015. The fallout became evident following the announcement of P.T., a highly anticipated project meant to be the next entry in the Silent Hill series, developed in collaboration with Guillermo del Toro. Konami canceled the project and removed Kojima’s name from future Metal Gear Solid credits.

However, this was not the end of the Metal Gear franchise. Several projects have been released since then, and during the PlayStation Showcase 2023, Konami officially announced Metal Gear Solid: Delta—a full remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The game will be released in August 2025 and will feature modernized graphics, updated controls, and additional game modes.