Should you’re a Steel Gear fan, then likelihood is your stance on Steel Gear Delta to this point has been cautious optimism at greatest. Konami hasn’t carried out a lot with the collection because the departure of its creator, Hideo Kojima, however the current launch of MGS: The Grasp Assortment Vol. 1 and the remake of Steel Gear Strong 3: Snake Eater exhibits the Japanese writer beginning to reclaim its most iconic and standout collection.
At at this time’s Xbox Video games Showcase, Konami provided up the primary gameplay trailer of MGS Delta, although it ought to be stated that whereas that is all in-game an entire bunch of it consisted of cutscenes. The method Konami is taking with Delta prioritises being devoted to the unique sport, however with a shocking visible overhaul alongside bringing the controls and a few mechanics extra in-line with modern expectations. And I most likely would not have referred to as it “beautiful” earlier than this trailer.
The look of Delta blows me away as a result of, truthfully, I did not know if Konami nonetheless had it in them. However the jungle environments listed below are visually a number of the greatest I’ve ever seen, irrespective of the map structure underpinning them, with the air so moist at factors you’ll be able to virtually really feel it in your pores and skin. At one level you see Snake wading via swampwater with the crocodile cap on, earlier than a drone’s searchlights swoop over the floor, the solar blazing over distant hills because the floor ripples, and not directly captures what Snake Eater at all times appeared like in my creativeness.
Different observations: the CQC system appears to be fairly in-line with what we noticed in MGSV: The Phantom Ache, which is nice. The animations have been overhauled with actual sensitivity to their accuracy and pace. At one level Snake crawls backwards and goals, which is new. Each gameplay sequence proven is current within the unique sport. The atmosphere layouts appear completely unchanged. And it ends with out giving us a launch date.
The one repeated criticisms I’ve seen of the trailer to this point relate to the character fashions of Snake and the Boss, which is at all times going to be a type of super-subjective calls. For my cash they give the impression of being unbelievable and handle the not-inconsiderable process of recreating a PS2 mannequin’s traits whereas balancing the massive improve in visible constancy. I would go towards the tide on the Boss particularly, who right here appears to be like stern, perhaps a bit weary, and noticeably older than Snake.
This component of Delta specifically was at all times going to be a thankless process, however I believe Konami’s carried out pretty much as good a job because it may have. Notice additionally that within the cutscenes the lip-syncing animations have been vastly improved over the unique, although nonetheless retain wonkiness in elements.
I did not need to get my hopes up about Delta, however Konami has one way or the other acquired me hyped. Not that my expectations are too wild: MGS3 was a PS2 sport and, with how intently Delta is hewing to the supply materials, that is undoubtedly going to really feel archaic in some methods. Nevertheless it’s additionally one in all my favorite video games ever, with one hell of a visible shine-up and some trendy quality-of-life enhancements. For me it is a should purchase. However whether or not Delta’s odd mixture of outdated and new will attraction to the mainstream viewers should be seen.
