In many respects, Snake Eater is the perfect Metal Gear Solid title. It takes the core mechanics of the franchise and twists them, making for a far more tense and savage experience that focuses on nature and the environment over hiding behind walls and watching a radar screen. Likewise the game's story and characters are expertly crafted, in some ways topping what the original MGS entry did so well. The addition of touch screen commands and menus, plus the improvements to the overall control scheme, are certainly welcome, making an older game play reasonably well almost a decade later.
However the game isn't without its flaws. The design does have its limitations, particularly in the face of other more modern offerings. The camera, despite being fully controllable, still gets in the way, and the fact that you really need the 3DS's Circle Pad Pro accessory is a bit ridiculous. Likewise the game's cumbersome frame rate issues are a significant distraction.
If the chance to play one of the better action-adventure games of the past 10 years appeals to you, there's just one more question to ask yourself - portable or console. On the PlayStation 3, you can get three MGS games, including this one, for roughly the same price as Snake Eater 3D. There are certainly some differences (mainly in control), but the fact that MGS 3 is better suited for a home experience should not go unnoticed. That said, what is on the 3DS is still a great game - one worthy of your attention, particularly if you've never played it.
