One of many great games shown during the Xbox Showcase 2024 on 9 June was the next Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake. Officially titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake EaterThe new trailer gave us a fresh look at the beautiful updated graphics for the 20 year old game. At the same time, Konami also updated the Game website with new information, including an intriguing reveal that the damage will permanently scar Snake. This feels like a real Kojima-esque design flourish, and fans are absolutely loving it.
Under the “Lifelike Representations” section, the remake’s website describes a revamped damage system that focuses on permanent wear and tear. Damage to Snake’s body, including bruises and gunshot wounds, as well as damage to his clothing, are displayed in real time. “Every injury to his actual body leaves a permanent mark,” the brief description reads, “telling the story of each player’s unique journey through the game.”
Despite the jokes about how messed up you can make Snake look at the end of the game, players are really excited about this feature, especially how well it fits in with the series’ odd choices. MGS Games are known for their strange design flourishes that seem to have no real purpose other than complexity. In MGS2 You can watch a cup of ice cream melt in real time, in the original MGS3 You could win a fight against an ageing sniper, The endby simply waiting seven days in the real world until he dies of old age. As absurd as these features may seem at times, they always add to the depth and immersion of the world. The improved damage system of MGS Delta feels like a logical next step for the series and many consider it a true Kojima-level choice.
As for the scope of the new damage system, Konami hasn’t given any further details on the expected impact, other than what’s explained in the brief description on the website. My guess is that any damage taken by Snake can be healed (it is a video game, after all), but will leave a permanent scar, eventually creating a series of failures or near-deaths with a unique death for you. Perhaps death will leave a particularly deep scar on Snake, reminding you when and why you failed. Either way, it’s an intriguing taste of what’s to come in the future. Metal Gear Solid Delta.
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