The long-awaited remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, brings Hideo Kojima’s classic masterpiece back with breathtaking visuals and modern gameplay mechanics. As Naked Snake, you’ll infiltrate the Soviet jungle during the Cold War, relying on stealth, survival skills, and tactical espionage to complete your mission.
This comprehensive walkthrough provides a step-by-step guide through the story, boss fight strategies, survival tips, and stealth techniques to help you succeed. Whether you’re a first-time player or a veteran of the original Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, this guide will help you master every mission.
Getting Started: Key Gameplay Mechanics
Before diving into the missions, it’s crucial to understand the core gameplay mechanics in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater:
- Stealth First – Avoid direct combat when possible. The game rewards patience and tactical planning.
- Camo Index – Pay attention to your camouflage index; blending with the environment is critical for avoiding detection.
- Survival Viewer – Manage Snake’s injuries, hunger, and stamina by using the survival menu. Healing wounds and eating food is vital.
- Close Quarters Combat (CQC) – Master CQC techniques to silently neutralize guards.
- Limited Ammo – Ammunition is scarce. Conserve bullets and rely on stealth takedowns or traps.
- Radio Support – Use the codec to contact allies for tactical advice, lore, and tips.
Walkthrough by Mission
Mission 1: Virtuous Mission
- Objective: Infiltrate the jungle and rescue Sokolov.
- Step 1: Upon landing, crawl into the tall grass and equip camo suitable for jungle terrain.
- Step 2: Move north slowly; avoid unnecessary confrontations. Use binoculars to scout guard patrols.
- Step 3: Collect survival items—herbs, mushrooms, and small animals to keep stamina up.
- Step 4: Enter the facility quietly and proceed to the cutscene where you meet The Boss.
- Tips: This mission serves as a tutorial, so experiment with CQC and camouflage here.
Mission 2: Operation Snake Eater
This is the true beginning of the game.
Jungle Entry
- Stick to the high grass and avoid alerting guards.
- Knock out enemies silently with CQC or tranquilizer darts.
- Collect Russian rations and ammo along the way.
Crossing the Rope Bridge
- Be cautious; guards patrol heavily.
- Use the sniper rifle to silently pick enemies if you prefer ranged combat.
Meeting EVA
- EVA provides critical story support. She gives you supplies and updates your objectives.
- Pay attention to her dialogue—it hints at future challenges.
Boss Fight Strategies
The Pain
- Location: Swamp area.
- Strategy: He controls swarms of bees. Use grenades or automatic weapons to disperse the insects.
- Tip: Hide underwater to avoid taking damage from his hornet attacks.
The Fear
- Location: Forest canopy.
- Strategy: He uses extreme agility and poisoned arrows.
- Solution: Use thermal goggles to track his movements. Bait him into revealing his location and strike quickly.
The End
- Location: Multiple jungle areas (sniper duel).
- Strategy: One of the toughest bosses. Use the directional mic to track his breathing. Alternatively, sneak up behind him for a stealth takedown.
- Secret Trick: Change your console’s internal clock to a week later—The End dies of old age.
The Fury
- Location: Underground facility.
- Strategy: He uses a flamethrower in close corridors.
- Tip: Keep moving, stay behind him, and fire when safe.
The Sorrow
- Location: Dream sequence.
- Strategy: You cannot kill him. Instead, walk through the river and survive the ghosts of enemies you’ve killed.
- Tip: Killing fewer enemies earlier in the game makes this fight easier.
Colonel Volgin
- Location: Fortress.
- Strategy: He uses electricity-based attacks.
- Tip: Dodge his lightning strikes and use heavy weapons. Use CQC sparingly—he counters quickly.
The Boss
- Final Battle in the field of white flowers.
- Strategy: One of the most iconic fights in gaming. She uses CQC and your own techniques against you.
- Tip: Anticipate her throws and counter with quick reflexes. Stay patient and exploit openings.
Survival Tips
- Food Hunting: Capture snakes, birds, and fish to keep stamina high. Some foods spoil, so eat fresh.
- Medical Care: Treat specific wounds correctly—burns require ointment, cuts need sutures, bullets must be removed.
- Camo Optimization: Constantly switch camouflage based on terrain. Jungle, swamp, snow, and indoor areas all require different setups.
- Weapon Conservation: Use the tranquilizer gun as your primary weapon to save lethal ammo for boss fights.
Advanced Stealth Strategies
- Distraction Tactics – Throw empty magazines to lure guards away from patrol routes.
- Noise Management – Move slower in grass or crouch-walk indoors to avoid detection.
- Enemy AI Exploits – Guards investigate noises but return to routine if undisturbed. Use this pattern to sneak past.
- Non-lethal Approach – Tranquilizers, CQC chokeholds, and camouflage allow you to ghost through missions.
Endings & Unlockables
- Multiple Endings: Choices during missions impact dialogue and the ending sequence.
- Unlockable Camos: Special camouflage patterns can be obtained by defeating bosses non-lethally.
- Secret Weapons: Completing the game with a non-lethal run unlocks unique items like the Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle.
Final Tips for Mastering Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
- Be patient—rushing leads to detection and wasted resources.
- Always scout ahead with binoculars before advancing.
- Conserve healing items for boss fights.
- Experiment with both lethal and non-lethal strategies for variety and replay value.
Conclusion
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is more than just a stealth-action game—it’s an immersive survival experience set in the Cold War. With this complete walkthrough and strategy guide, you’ll navigate every jungle path, defeat every boss, and uncover the story of Naked Snake’s transformation into Big Boss.
Whether you’re aiming for a perfect stealth run or just trying to survive, these detailed tips and mission steps will ensure your success. Embrace patience, strategy, and adaptability, and you’ll conquer the challenges of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
