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

The journey of Naked Snake in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is filled with brutal combat and stealth, but nothing prepares you for the surreal and psychological confrontation with The Sorrow. This member of the Cobra Unit presents a boss fight unlike any other, breaking the fourth wall and directly challenging the player's actions throughout the entire game.
This isn't a test of aim or reflexes; it's a test of conscience and awareness. If you're struggling to navigate this river of lost souls, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to secure victory against this psychic phantom.

Understanding The Sorrow’s Gameplay Mechanic

Before diving into tactics, it's crucial to understand what makes this encounter unique. The Sorrow cannot be harmed by conventional weapons. Your firearms are useless here. The entire "fight" is a symbolic journey down a spectral river, representing Snake's guilt and the consequences of his actions.
Most importantly, your playstyle has a direct and profound impact on this battle. The game tracks every enemy you've killed. If you've taken a lethal approach, using sniper rifles, assault rifles, and pistols to eliminate guards, you are in for a significantly longer and more difficult challenge. Conversely, if you prioritized non-lethal takedowns and knockouts, your path will be much clearer.

A Walkthrough of The Sorrow Boss Fight

As you begin the sequence, you'll find yourself wading upstream. Here’s what to expect and how to react:

The Eternal River: Simply move forward. There is no way to avoid the journey; you must see it through to the end.

Psychic Projectiles: The Sorrow will appear ahead and launch green, energy-based attacks at you. He telegraphs these shots, giving you a moment to react. To avoid damage, simply submerge yourself underwater until the projectiles pass over you.

Phantoms of the Fallen: This is where your past actions come to life. The spirits of everysoldier you killed will appear before you, each one reaching out anddraining your health if you touch them. To avoid them, weave left andright through the river. The more lethal your playthrough, the morespirits you will encounter.

The Cobra Unit Appears: Further into the river, you will be confronted by the ghosts of theother Cobra Unit members you have defeated—The Fear, The End, The Pain,and The Fury. Dodge them just as you would the soldier phantoms.

The Essential Secret to Victory

The final step is the most critical and has confused players for years. You will eventually see the floating corpse of The Sorrow itself.

• Do not panic when you touch it. Upon contact, Snake will suffer a fatal heart attack and die, leading to a classic "Game Over" screen.
• This is not the end.DO NOT select "Continue." Instead, from this game over screen, open your inventory and use the Revival Pill (also known as the False Life Pill). This special item will resuscitate Snake, cheating death and finally ending the battle.

Pro Tip: While you can technically use the Revival Pill to drown yourself earlyin the river to skip most of the phantoms, this is not recommended. Youwill miss the powerful narrative impact of the sequence and a uniquecameo appearance from The Sorrow that plays later in the story.

By mastering these mechanics and understanding the deeply personal natureof this confrontation, you can overcome one of gaming's most memorableand bizarre boss fights. Prepare your conscience, equip your RevivalPill, and brave the current to defeat The Sorrow in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.

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