Essential Tips for Completing Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

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Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is finally available, letting players relive what many consider the best Metal Gear Solid game. This remake features improved gameplay features, beautiful visuals, and the same voice cast we’ve come to love over the years. If you enjoyed the original, this version will definitely satisfy that nostalgia.

However, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, you might notice some changes in this remake that could throw off even veteran players. There are several things to watch out for before you begin your covert mission into the USSR’s Tselinoyarsk.

When starting your first game, you’ll be asked a simple question: “Which METAL GEAR SOLID (MGS) game do you like?” with eight options. Your choice will determine the equipment you receive in the game, but the description doesn’t detail what each item does or its advantages. Some options provide much better benefits than others, so you might want to pick the answer that best matches your preferred playstyle.

All Question And Answers Rewards

Answer	Equipment	Bonus
I’m playing the MGS series for the first time!	MUMMY (Uniform Camo)	Prevents Snake from Bleeding
I like MGS 1!	AUSCAM Desert (Uniform Camo)	Doubles Snake’s recovery of LIFE gauge
	DPM (Uniform Camo)	Reduces damage taken by 1/3
I like MGS 2!	DESERT TIGER (Uniform Camo)	Suppressors won’t deteriorate
I like MGS 3!	FLECKTARN (Uniform Camo)	Batteries won’t run out when used
I like MGS 4!	BROWN (Face Paint)	Underwater or gas O2 won’t deplete
	GREEN (Face Paint)	Grip gauge won’t deplete when hanging
I like Peace Walker!	BANANA (Uniform Camo)	Food tastes better to Snake
I like MGS V!	NATIONAL FLAGS (Face Paint)	N/A
I like everything in the series!	GRENADE (Uniform Camo)	Grants Snake infinite grenades

Completing the game on any difficulty will unlock the other equipment for future uses in New Game Plus, but wearing these items may prevent you from earning certain in-game titles tied to difficulty levels.

Your Difficulty Choice Is Permanent

After selecting your approach and style, you’ll choose a difficulty level—this decision cannot be changed later. The options include:

Very Easy: Focus on story.
Easy: Good for beginners.
Normal: Recommended for first-time players; balanced challenge.
Hard: For those familiar with the series looking for a challenge.
Extreme: Best for series veterans; very difficult.

If the difficulty feels too tough or too easy during your run, your only choice is to finish or restart with a different setting. Most players should aim for the normal difficulty, but checking out a detailed guide might help you pick the best one.

Dragging Bodies Is Beneficial

Taking out enemies has its advantages. When enemies are knocked out or killed, their allies might discover the bodies, raising suspicion and alerting the area. To prevent this, you can hold the “Square/X” button to drag bodies to concealed spots like tall grass, lockers, or containers. Hiding bodies keeps areas quiet and can also yield extra supplies—enemies often drop items like ammunition, food, grenades, or equipment when moved.

Exploration Is Crucial

Staying in one spot isn’t always efficient. Exploring every corner of each zone rewards careful players with useful gear—such as weapons, camouflage, and face paints. Collectibles like Kerotan Frogs and GA-KO Ducks unlock potent camouflage options, making subsequent runs easier even on the hardest difficulties. Always take your time to look around; many rewards are found off the beaten path.

Be Mindful of Your Camouflage Index

Your Camouflage Index, visible on the far right of your LIFE Gauge, indicates how well you blend into your environment. Moving around causes it to fluctuate in real-time. If it gets too low, enemies will spot you more easily. Using the Survival Viewer, you can review all camouflage options and their effectiveness for your current surroundings. Hiding in tall grass or against structures boosts your concealment. Regularly swapping camouflages and face paints to match the environment is vital; staying out of sight reduces the risk of detection.

Prioritize Being Non-Lethal

While combat might seem tempting, a non-lethal approach offers significant benefits. It can unlock special equipment, unique uniforms, and titles, like ones preventing leeches or reducing weapon sway. Defeating certain bosses non-lethally can also give you powerful items or weapons. Performance in non-lethal runs can earn you in-game titles and achievements, some requiring you not to kill any human enemies throughout the game.

Manage Your Stamina

Stamina affects many aspects of your gameplay:

Recovery rate of LIFE gauge.
Hand stability when aiming weapons.
Grip strength when hanging.
Oxygen capacity when submerged or in gases.

You must monitor and recover stamina by eating food, with preferred tasting foods giving better boosts. Be wary of spoiled food, which can harm your health and stamina recovery—discard rotten food immediately. Certain ailments like leeches or wounds can drain stamina if left unchecked; they can be cured with items like cigars or medical kits.

Patience Is Key

Stealth is the cornerstone of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Patience and careful observation of enemy patrols will greatly improve your success. Enemies follow specific patterns, allowing you to strategize your movements. By studying their paths, you can sneak past patrols, land quiet takedowns, or set up sleeping darts at just the right moment. Moving slowly and deliberately will help you avoid detection and conserve resources, especially if you’re playing on lower difficulties where Sensor Items can make sneaking easier. Use all tools at your disposal to stay hidden and eliminate enemies quietly.