Metal Gear Solid Delta Walkthrough: Escaping Groznyj Grad and Surviving The Sorrow’s River of Souls

The legend has returned, and with the release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, players are rediscovering why Hideo Kojima’s masterpiece remains the pinnacle of tactical espionage action. One of the most intense and narratively significant sequences in the game occurs during the middle act: the daring escape from the Soviet fortress, Groznyj Grad, followed by a supernatural confrontation with the ghostly figure known as The Sorrow.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the latest 4K gameplay footage to help you navigate the prison break, survive a high-stakes chase, and emerge victorious from the haunting River of Souls.

Phase 1: The Great Escape – Breaking Out of Groznyj Grad

Timestamp: [0: - :45]

After a brutal torture sequence at the hands of Volgin, Snake finds himself stripped of his equipment and locked in a cold cell within the Groznyj Grad torture room. In Metal Gear Solid Delta, the enhanced visual fidelity makes the atmosphere even more claustrophobic, but the classic mechanics remain as clever as ever.

How to Escape Your Cell

There are several ways to escape, but the most iconic—and the one demonstrated in our walkthrough—involves the Fake Death Pill.

The Trick: Use the Fake Death Pill from your survival menu. Snake will collapse, appearing dead to the guard on duty.
The Opening: Once the guard opens the cell door to investigate your 'corpse,' use the Revival Pill immediately.
Neutralization: Quickly perform a CQC (Close Quarters Combat) move or a roll to knock out the guard before he can sound the alarm.

Pro Tip: If you have the food that the guard throws at you, you can throw it back to build a rapport with him, leading to a unique cutscene, but the Fake Death Pill is the most efficient route for a quick exit.

Phase 2: Stealthy Navigation through the Military Base

Timestamp: [0: - :30]

Once outside the cell, you are in a vulnerable state with no weapons and limited camouflage options. This segment tests your fundamental stealth skills. In the remake, the lighting engine creates dynamic shadows that you can use to your advantage.

Stay Low: Stick to the shadows and crawl beneath vehicles or behind crates.
Watch Patterns: Guards in Groznyj Grad follow strict patrol routes. Use the third-person camera to peek around corners without exposing Snake's position.
Objective: Your goal is to reach the northwestern part of the base to find the entrance to the sewers.

Phase 3: The Sewer Infiltration and High-Stakes Chase

Timestamp: [0: - :00]

The sewers represent a transition from pure stealth to high-octane action. As Snake moves through the damp, narrow corridors, he is eventually spotted, leading to a tense chase sequence involving attack dogs and Ocelot’s UNIT.

In this section, movement is key. The updated controls in Metal Gear Solid Delta allow for smoother transitions between running and diving. You'll need to navigate the maze-like tunnels while avoiding gunfire. Don't stop to fight unless absolutely necessary; your primary goal is the exit at the end of the tunnel.

Phase 4: The Waterfall Jump and Ocelot's Confrontation

Timestamp: [0: - :45]

The chase culminates in one of the series' most cinematic moments. Cornered by Revolver Ocelot and his men at the edge of a massive waterfall, Snake is forced to make a choice. The remake captures this moment with stunning detail, showcasing the spray of the water and the glint of Ocelot’s revolvers.

Snake leaps into the abyss, choosing a potentially fatal fall over capture. This isn't just a cutscene; it’s the trigger for the game’s most experimental "boss fight."

Phase 5: Meeting The Sorrow – Walking the River of Souls

Timestamp: [0: - :00]

Rather than a traditional battle of bullets, the encounter with The Sorrow is a psychological journey through a spirit-filled river. This sequence is a direct reflection of your playstyle throughout the game.

Understanding the Mechanic

The Ghosts of Your Past: Every soldier you have killed up to this point in the game will appear as a ghost in the river. If you played non-lethally, the river will be nearly empty. If you played as a lethal assassin, you will face an endless parade of tormented souls.
Avoid Contact: Touching a ghost will drain Snake’s health and stamina. Weave between them carefully.
The Boss’s Attacks: The Sorrow will occasionally fire spirit blasts. Watch for his movements and strafe to avoid them.

How to 'Defeat' The Sorrow

You cannot kill The Sorrow. The sequence ends when you reach his skeletal remains at the end of the river or when your health reaches zero.

Crucial Step: When you 'die' at the end of the sequence, do not hit "Continue." Instead, open your item menu and use the Revival Pill. This is the only way to wake up from the vision and proceed with the story.

Phase 6: Jungle Traversal and the Rendezvous with Eva

Timestamp: [0: - :49]

After waking up in the Tikhogornyj jungle, Snake is reunited with his equipment and must make his way to a hidden cave behind a waterfall to meet his contact, Eva.

This final segment of the walkthrough highlights the incredible environmental detail in the remake. The Tikhogornyj area is lush, filled with wildlife you can hunt for stamina, and features complex terrain that rewards exploration.

The Mission Strategy

In the final cinematic meeting, Eva and Snake discuss the final phase of Operation Snake Eater:

Logistics: Eva provides Snake with his lost gear and a new set of explosives.
The Target: The Shagohod, Volgin's nuclear-equipped tank, located back inside Groznyj Grad.
The Plan: Snake must sneak back into the heart of the base to plant C3 explosives on the fuel tanks to destroy the facility once and for all.

Key Takeaways for MGS Delta Players

Non-Lethal is Rewarding: The Sorrow’s boss fight is significantly easier if you use the Mk22 tranquilizer gun throughout the game.
Master the Menu: Quick access to the Fake Death and Revival pills is essential for the prison break.
Environmental Awareness: Use the new 4K visuals to spot camouflaged enemies and hidden paths in the Tikhogornyj jungle.

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater successfully preserves the soul of the original while providing a modern coat of paint that makes the world feel more alive than ever. Whether you're a returning veteran or a newcomer to the series, mastering these stealth and survival mechanics is your key to completing the mission.

What was your favorite moment from the Groznyj Grad escape? Let us know in the comments below! If you found this guide helpful, don't forget to like and subscribe for more Metal Gear Solid Delta walkthroughs.