How to Beat The Sorrow in Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater

By Daniel Hidalgo | 2025-08-31 10:49:58
The encounter with The Sorrow in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a profound departure from any other boss fight in the game. It is less a test of combat skill and more a haunting, interactive reflection of your actions throughout the entire campaign. This guide will break down the mechanics of this unique sequence and provide two clear strategies to overcome it, ensuring you understand the consequences of each choice.

Understanding The Sorrow's Trial: A River of Consequences


Forget about ammunition and CQC throws; this "battle" is a psychological journey. The Sorrow forces you to literally wade through the consequences of your actions. The length and difficulty of this sequence are directly tied to your playthrough. A non-lethal, stealthy run will result in a brief and easy experience. However, if you opted for a lethal, aggressive approach, you are about to face the spectral evidence of every single enemy you killed. This innovative design makes The Sorrow one of the most memorable and personal moments in the entire game.

Method 1: Endure the River & Claim Your Reward


This is the intended path for players seeking a tangible reward for their perseverance.
  • The Spectral Parade: As you move upstream, the ghosts of every soldier, guard, and enemy you lethally dispatched will appear before you. They cannot be fought; you must simply walk through them. Each contact will cause a burst of psychic damage, so a high body count means a longer, more dangerous trek.
  • Avoiding Psychic Blasts: The Sorrow himself will appear ahead, launching waves of energy down the river. Weave left and right to avoid these attacks and conserve your health.
  • The Final Blow and Revival: Upon reaching the end of the river, The Sorrow will confront and seemingly kill Snake. The screen will fade to black. This is not a Game Over. Do not reset. Instead, open your inventory and use the Revival Pill (also known as the Fake Death Pill). Snake will awaken, and the encounter will be complete.

  • Reward: Successfully completing the river walk grants you The Sorrow’s Camouflage. This exceptional camo suit renders Snake completely silent, eliminating all noise from his movements and making him nearly undetectable in future stealth sections.

    Method 2: The Quick and Easy Shortcut


    If your body count is high and the prospect of a long, tedious walk is unappealing, there is a much faster alternative.


  • Intentional Failure: At the very start of the encounter, simply walk into the river and letSnake drown. Hold the action button to submerge him completely until you get a Game Over screen.
  • Use the Pill on the Continue Screen: On the Game Over screen, you will be given the option to continue. Hold left on the D-pad to select the Revival Pill from the list of items. Using it here willimmediately revive Snake, bypassing the entire river sequence and ending the encounter.

  • Reward: This method is purely for progression. You will successfully move past The Sorrow but you will not receive The Sorrow’s Camouflage.

    Which Strategy Should You Choose?


    Your decision should be based on your playstyle and goals:


    • Choose Method 1 if you have a low kill count or if you are a completionist seeking the powerful Sorrow Camo for an advantage in later acts.
    • Choose Method 2 if you have a very high kill count and wish to save time and avoid afrustratingly long sequence. You sacrifice the unique camo for a instant completion.


    Ultimately,The Sorrow's battle is a moment of brilliant game design, holding amirror to your actions as Snake. Choose the path that best suits yourjourney.

    Tags: MGS Delta: Snake Eater
    Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X/S
    Genre(s): Action-adventure, stealth
    Developer(s): Konami
    Publisher(s): Konami
    Engine: Unreal Engine 5
    Mode: Single-player
    Age rating (PEGI): +18
    Video preview



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