Is Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance A Good Game? An In-Depth Review
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is an intense hack-and-slash action game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Konami. As a spin-off of the main Metal Gear Solid series, it departs from stealth gameplay in favor of over-the-top stylistic action and intricate combat.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Yes, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is widely considered an excellent hack-and-slash game thanks to its slick cyborg ninja action, in-depth combat system, and crazy boss battles.
It offers a thrilling change of pace for Metal Gear fans.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at Metal Gear Rising to see what makes it a standout action title. We’ll cover the story, gameplay, boss fights, soundtrack, and more to help you decide if it’s a good addition to the Metal Gear universe.
Story and Setting
One of the most intriguing aspects of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is its captivating story and unique setting. The game takes place in a near-future world where cyborg technology has become a reality. Players take on the role of Raiden, a cyborg ninja with a troubled past and a thirst for revenge.
The game’s setting is a blend of futuristic cities and war-torn landscapes, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience.
Protagonist and Supporting Cast
Raiden, the protagonist of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, is a complex and multidimensional character. Originally introduced in the Metal Gear Solid series, Raiden has undergone a significant transformation in this standalone title.
As a cyborg ninja, he possesses incredible agility, strength, and swordsmanship skills. Alongside Raiden, players will encounter a diverse cast of supporting characters, each with their own unique personalities and motivations.
From the enigmatic AI companion, Blade Wolf, to the charismatic and formidable Desperado Enforcement leader, Jetstream Sam, the game’s cast adds depth and excitement to the overall narrative.
Revengeance Plot Summary
The plot of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance revolves around Raiden’s quest for revenge against the private military company Desperado Enforcement. After a devastating attack on a peaceful African nation, Raiden embarks on a mission to stop Desperado and uncover the truth behind their actions.
As the story progresses, players will encounter thrilling boss battles, intricate plot twists, and thought-provoking themes such as the ethics of advanced technology and the consequences of war. The game’s narrative is skillfully woven together, keeping players engaged and eager to uncover the next chapter of Raiden’s journey.
Connections to Metal Gear Lore
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is set in the same universe as the widely acclaimed Metal Gear Solid series, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise. The game incorporates several references and nods to its predecessors, allowing players to delve deeper into the intricate lore of the Metal Gear universe.
From familiar characters and organizations to subtle Easter eggs, the game rewards longtime fans with a sense of nostalgia and continuity. However, even for those unfamiliar with the series, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance stands on its own as a thrilling and satisfying experience.
Core Gameplay and Mechanics
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance offers an exhilarating hack-and-slash combat experience that is sure to captivate players. The game’s core mechanics are finely tuned, providing a seamless and satisfying gameplay experience.
Hack-and-Slash Combat
In Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, players take on the role of Raiden, a cyborg ninja armed with a high-frequency blade. The combat system is fast-paced and fluid, allowing players to engage in intense battles against a variety of enemies.
The game incorporates a combination of light and heavy attacks, allowing for a wide range of combat strategies. Players can also utilize a dodge mechanic to avoid enemy attacks, adding an element of skill and timing to the gameplay.
Blade Mode and Zandatsu
One of the standout features of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is the Blade Mode. This ability allows players to enter a slow-motion mode where they can precisely target and slice through enemies and objects with surgical precision.
This mechanic not only adds a visually stunning element to the gameplay but also serves as a strategic tool for dismembering enemies and acquiring vital resources.
Zandatsu, another key gameplay mechanic, allows Raiden to harvest energy and health from enemies by performing precise strikes. This mechanic not only rewards skillful play but also adds a layer of depth to the combat system, as players must carefully time their attacks to maximize their resources.
Parrying and Combos
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance features a parrying mechanic that allows players to deflect enemy attacks and counter with devastating blows. Mastering this mechanic is crucial for success in the game, as it not only provides a defensive advantage but also opens up opportunities for powerful combo attacks.
The game encourages players to experiment with different combos, providing a wide array of moves and abilities to unlock as they progress. This allows players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences, whether they prefer fast, agile attacks or slow, heavy-hitting strikes.
The depth of the combo system ensures that combat remains engaging and offers a high level of replayability.
Boss Battles
One of the standout features of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is its thrilling and intense boss battles. These encounters with formidable foes provide some of the most memorable moments in the game.
Memorable Rogues Gallery
The game boasts a diverse and intriguing roster of villains, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. From the charismatic and enigmatic Sundowner to the sadistic and unpredictable Monsoon, players will encounter a rogues gallery that keeps them on their toes.
These boss battles not only test your combat skills but also offer an opportunity to delve into the motivations and backstories of these fascinating characters.
Epic Cyborg Showdowns
The boss battles in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance are nothing short of epic. As Raiden, a cyborg ninja, players engage in intense combat sequences that push their reflexes and strategic thinking to the limit.
The battles are visually stunning, with explosions, acrobatic maneuvers, and high-speed swordplay that will leave players in awe. Each boss encounter feels like a grand spectacle, with the game’s dynamic and responsive combat system allowing for a wide range of attack options.
Strategies for Defeating Bosses
Successfully defeating the bosses in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance requires more than just button mashing. Players must develop strategies and exploit their enemy’s weaknesses to emerge victorious. Some bosses may require precise timing and quick reflexes, while others may require a more strategic approach.
Experimenting with different weapons, techniques, and tactics is key to finding the most effective strategies for each boss. Additionally, paying attention to the bosses’ patterns and learning their attack tells can give players a significant advantage.
While some boss battles may initially seem challenging, the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from overcoming these formidable foes is unparalleled. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance’s boss battles offer a perfect blend of excitement, challenge, and storytelling, making them a standout aspect of the game.
Presentation and Visuals
When it comes to presentation and visuals, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance truly excels. The game offers a slick cyborg ninja action that is both thrilling and visually stunning. Players take on the role of Raiden, a futuristic ninja equipped with a cutting-edge cyborg body.
The game seamlessly blends fast-paced combat with cinematic moments, creating an immersive experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
Slick Cyborg Ninja Action
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance delivers an adrenaline-pumping gameplay experience with its slick cyborg ninja action. The game features intense sword fights, acrobatic maneuvers, and epic boss battles that will leave players breathless.
The combat mechanics are incredibly fluid, allowing players to chain together combos and execute devastating finishing moves. It’s a game that truly captures the essence of being a powerful ninja warrior.
Colorful Visual Style
One of the standout features of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is its colorful visual style. The game’s environments are richly detailed, with vibrant colors and stunning backdrops that bring the futuristic world to life.
From sprawling cityscapes to lush jungles, each location is beautifully rendered, adding to the overall immersion of the game. The attention to detail is evident in every frame, making it a visual treat for players.
Smooth Animations and Effects
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance boasts smooth animations and impressive visual effects that enhance the gameplay experience. The character animations are fluid and responsive, making every action feel satisfying and impactful.
Whether Raiden is slicing through enemies or dodging incoming attacks, the animations flow seamlessly, adding to the overall sense of immersion. Additionally, the game features stunning visual effects such as slow-motion sequences and explosive particle effects, which further enhance the intense action on screen.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Reviews and Reception
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance received generally positive reviews upon release, with critics praising the exhilarating action and cutting mechanics. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 83/100 for the PS3 version and 82/100 for the Xbox 360 version (source).
Many reviews highlighted the satisfying combat, with GameSpot calling the action “riveting” and IGN stating “the combat system is simply unmatched.” While the game was praised for its gameplay, the story and writing received more mixed opinions.
Overall, critics agreed it delivered an adrenaline-fueled experience for hack-and-slash fans, though lacked the narrative depth of other Metal Gear titles.
Impact on the Metal Gear Franchise
Despite dividing some hardcore Metal Gear fans, Metal Gear Rising brought a renewed energy to the storied franchise. It proved Metal Gear could successfully branch into new genres beyond stealth action.
Revengeance’s over-the-top cyborg combat and mechanics like Zandatsu introduced a more fantastical, sci-fi element to the typically grounded Metal Gear world. The game’s popularity led to an expansion of Metal Gear spin-offs and more experimental side stories.
Though not considered canon, Revengeance demonstrated Metal Gear’s flexibility and inspired future titles to push the series’ boundaries.
Potential for a Sequel
With its cliffhanger ending, energetic combat, and fan demand, there is strong potential for a Revengeance sequel. However, developer PlatinumGames has stated there are currently no concrete plans (source).
Director Kenji Saito expressed interest but said it would be challenging without publisher Konami’s support. While unlikely in the near future, fans still hold out hope. A sequel could build upon Revengeance’s combat system, introduce new enemies and blade mechanics, pick up Raiden’s story, and deliver another dose of the lightning-fast, cyber-ninja action that made the first game a hit.
Conclusion
With its intense action, satisfying combat, and over-the-top boss fights, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance delivers an exhilarating experience for hack-and-slash fans. It successfully branches out the Metal Gear formula into new stylistic territory through PlatinumGames’ signature combat.
Despite some minor issues with the camera and story, Revengeance earns its place as one of the best action games of its generation. For those seeking a unique cyborg ninja thrill ride, Metal Gear Rising is definitely a cutting-edge choice.
