It’s a complicated situation when it comes to Metal Gear Solid Delta. The upcoming Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater remake doesn’t have any input from mastermind Hideo Kojima, and the game’s recent Xbox Showcase preview was lacking that ultra-specific visual panache the PS2 original reveled in. However, producer Noriaki Okamura confirms that MGS Delta will come equipped with a Legacy Filter to honor those glorious yellow and green color tones.
In a new interview with the official Xbox Podcast, Okamura reveals how Metal Gear Solid Delta is set to include a certified nostalgia hit in the new Xbox game iteration. “You can use a more contemporary over-the-shoulder viewpoint, which we call New Style, or we have Legacy Style with the overhead camera like the original,” Okamura explains. Including the fixed perspective-style camera found in the original Metal Gear Solid 3 iteration is a huge win for Kojima fans, even if Konami isn’t choosing to tribute him directly. Not only will Legacy Style emulate the point-of-view from the PS2 classic, but Okamura adds that “Legacy Style also applies a visual filter to more faithful create the screen look of the original game.”
Okamura doesn’t clarify whether this filter is exclusive to the Legacy Style toggle, though. It would be a shame if this was locked to this camera perspective, as the visual design of Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater is just as iconic as Big Boss himself.
Undoubtedly one of the best games in the franchise, Snake Eater’s departure from the teals and colder visual ethos seen in Sons of Liberty would set off a chain of games using Snake Eater’s dirtier green, brown and yellow tones. Notably, MGS Portable Ops and MSG Peace Walker would continue this color scheme, following Big Boss’ endeavors after the events of Snake Eater.
With Kojima not involved with the project in any capacity, the Legacy Filter could be seen as an unofficial nod to the franchise’s creator. It is unlikely that Konami will acknowledge Kojima’s input in the final game, but a small token of appreciation would go a long way with fans as a gesture of goodwill. Aside from paying homage to Snake Eater’s older color scheme, we know that the current-gen remake will consist of mostly original dialogue recordings. So, don’t worry, David Hayter isn’t getting replaced by Kiefer Sutherland again.
However, recently, Major Zero actor Jim Piddock confirmed that MGS Delta will include “some new recordings with original [material]. I AM Major Zero and always will be. Over and out.”
In other gaming news, here are several important Xbox games that were missing from Xbox Games Showcase, and we got hands on with The Finals Season 3 ahead of launch later this week.