Released in February 2013, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was developed by Platinum Games Studio with Kojima Productions Studios directing the game direction and story. This game serves as a spin-off of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, produced by Kojima Productions Studios, and is set a couple years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Instead of following the series main character Snake, it follows the story of Raiden, a soldier-turned cyborg, trying to make a living for his family by working for a local Private Military Corporation (PMC) and aiding in war-torn countries for peace. For me, I hold this game as a good example of how a spin-off should be, considering the source material and its mythos. However, some reviews of the game have decided to play a fast card and never tried to push themselves, believing games should just finish itself. The review above is a perfect example of lazy critics wanting an easy experience.
Story: In the review, the reviewer stated the story of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was nonsensical and wasn't worth following. My answer to that is to go back to Metal Gear Solid 4 because that story was confusing if you had not experienced the other games in the franchise to get the full story. In Revengeance, the story is simplified with Good vs. Bad with a side plot of kidnapped children being harvested for organs and used as child soldiers. Okay, that side plot is morbid but it helps strengthen Raiden's resolve to stop the bad guys and their plans. Sprinkled in this story, as with all the Metal Gear Solid games, are various political commentary about the world and some of the issues, like war and how it's an industry and why it should continue. It also shows Raiden's progression as he must realize his true self and stand by his own morals. While the story is overly simplified, it is by no means nonsensical or convoluted.
Gameplay: Instead of the traditional stealth gameplay that was the cornerstone of all the Metal Gear Solid games, the game utilizes Raiden's lightning quick swordplay and ninja-like movement as the new backbone of this spin-off. The game revolves around a cool mechanic which involves a slow motion
ability that would allow you to cut your opponent in any way as long as you have energy and when you cut at a specific spot, you can de-spine an enemy cyborg and replenish your own
energy and health. While the combat is fast-paced and solid, the reviewer seemed to dislike this combat for being too frustrating and cited its difficulty and AI combat ability on harder difficulties. For me, these words are signs of a critic being lazy and wanting an easy experience to get it over with quickly. They even stated that they couldn't complete the game on the standard difficulty--normal. The combat may not be deep, but the gameplay is satisfying when you commit yourself to understanding the adaptable enemy AI. Another highlight of the game are the boss fights that feature different strategies and amazing dynamic rock music (An example). A negative for this game is the camera as it mostly crams itself on your back as you combat against various opponents when next to walls. I can agree with the reviewer in the camera frustration.
Final Notes: While there are more topics to cover, they are not as prominent in the review I counter. Instead of a serious story like the other Metal Gear Solid games, this spin-off is all kinds of over-the-top and shows no signs of caring. This spin-off is all tongue-in-cheek and is having fun with itself and all of the clichés with the Metal Gear Solid games. I mean, look at this:
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| This is a senator with body-enhancing nanomachines. And he just beat up an advanced cyborg (Raiden) with his fists. He's no joke but a joke at the same time. |
No way this can be interpreted as a serious story when you a character like this. Despite not having the complexity of other Metal Gear Solid games, it's Metal Gear RISING and follows its own story rather than relying on its main series. A fun game and well worth the time when you see this as its own story and not related to the other games.
-Nikki "Nikolas" Pham
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