The most celebrated aspect is how faithfully the developer has honoured the original. While Metal Gear Solid Delta keeps the vast majority of the content intact, it introduces refined graphics, control schemes, and camera angles. In particular, the new control scheme and 'New Style' camera are being praised for helping modern players engage more dynamically with the action. Other quality-of-life improvements, such as a shortcut to quickly swap camouflage, are also welcome additions.

The visuals, powered by Unreal Engine 5, have also drawn significant praise. The cutscenes, characters, maps, and environments have all been polished to a high sheen. Many outlets are rightfully impressed that one can now experience the critically acclaimed story of the original with such superior fidelity. That said, some have noted occasional frame rate stutters in certain segments.

However, the game has sparked a bit of a divide precisely because it changes so little. Beyond the controls and graphics, the story, gameplay loops, cutscenes, and characters remain virtually identical to the predecessor. Some critics argue that this leaves modern players dealing with dated tropes and mechanics. Consequently, the game is being caught in a tug-of-war between being hailed as the 'gold standard of remakes' and being criticised for playing things a bit too safe.