Metal Gear Solid 3 remake faces odd limitations on console

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater modernises the iconic PS2 stealth game with updated visuals and Unreal Engine 5, but console performance is already raising concerns—especially on PlayStation 5.

While the game reportedly plays well on PC, early analysis from Digital Foundry shows that the PS5 version struggles to maintain consistent frame rates, even in performance mode. Though it targets 60fps, frame drops are common—especially in dense jungle areas and underwater scenes, where performance can dip to the mid-40s or lower.

The PS5 Pro version fares no better. Instead of offering distinct graphics modes, it combines everything into a single “enhanced” mode that uses aggressive upscaling from a sub-1080p resolution to try and maintain 60fps. The result is noticeably muddier visuals, especially in distant textures, and distracting flickering and shimmering effects—issues similar to those seen in the Silent Hill 2 remake.

The base PS5’s quality mode delivers improved lighting, shadows, and draw distance, and typically maintains 30fps. However, even that mode isn’t perfectly stable, occasionally dropping frames during explosions or heavy action.

Given that Metal Gear Solid Delta is largely a remake of an older game, some players expected smoother console performance—especially this close to launch. These shortcomings don’t necessarily break the experience, but they highlight a lack of optimisation that could affect enjoyment, especially for those not playing on high-end PCs.

The game launches August 26 for Deluxe Edition buyers, with a day-one patch still possible to address some of these issues. However, with early access just hours away, expectations for major performance improvements at launch are limited.

For now, players with access to a powerful gaming PC may want to start there for the smoothest experience.