"War has changed." A quote from Old Snake that every Metal Gear fan is likely familiar with. But it's not just the war that has changed; the Metal Gear series itself undergoes a major transformation with "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance." For the first time, Konami has relinquished control, handing the reins to Platinum Games. An epic story meets fast-paced combat. Perhaps Hideo hasn't just shot himself in the foot?
To put everyone's minds at ease: He definitely didn't! Metal Gear Rising surpasses all expectations and astonishes with its humor and uncanny depth, as well as sword fights that are a joy for any gamer. Even if you wouldn't really expect any of that at the beginning.
Revengeance takes place several years after the events of "Guns of the Patriots." Raiden now works for a private security firm tasked with protecting the President of Pakistan. The opening sequence, filmed during a limousine ride, reveals much about the transformation of the war economy and society since the collapse of the SOP system, when the convoy is suddenly attacked. Tanks and soldiers are simply sliced to pieces by cyborg ninjas, and the President is kidnapped. Utter chaos!
For some, this premise might seem clichéd and boring. The drab environment and the not-so-new challenges—swiping through waves of enemies and running from point A to point B—aren't exactly compelling either. But the way "Metal Gear Rising" evolves is simply unique. Raiden himself also undergoes a transformation. As the story unfolds, he increasingly has to confront his past as a child soldier, as well as his current situation as a ruthless robo-ninja. He slowly evolves from Raiden into his alter ego, "Jack the Ripper." It's a truly gripping transformation. The game is full of surprises and twists that you would never expect, and it gradually becomes addictive.
From stealth to hack and slash
Raiden, armed with his high-frequency blade, sets out to fulfill his goal of protecting the weak. He encounters many cyborgs along the way, who try to stop him. But this poses no problem for him, as he simply shreds them into countless pieces. All you have to do is press square and triangle to unleash the wildest attacks. It's incredibly easy to use and encourages you to constantly explore new combinations. While this might sound simple, there's much more to it than that. You have to learn to read your opponent and adapt your attacks accordingly. Those who try to play defensively have already lost. Those who want to win must fight.
The entire combat system is refined by the so-called "Blade Mode," in which the camera zooms in on the action in slow motion, allowing for precise cuts with the analog stick. Surgical procedures on arms and legs are therefore no problem. It's actually a wonder the German ratings board (USK) didn't intervene, as the humanoid enemies regularly lose their limbs in a bloodbath or are sliced in half. For many, this might simply seem brutal and senseless, but this element is precisely what makes the game so compelling. Bridges and walls can also be cut through to bring them, and the enemies on them, down. Quick-time events make the battles even more spectacular and fast-paced, but no matter how fast the combat gets, it never feels chaotic. This is a factor that other games have failed miserably at.
Throughout the game, Raiden continuously develops—both technically and psychologically. He obtains new weapons from boss battles and earns points through strong performance in combat, which he can use to purchase new upgrades and abilities. The role-playing elements don't disrupt the gameplay at all; instead, they integrate seamlessly into the narrative.
All in all, the gameplay is exceptionally well-designed. Variety is constantly offered, whether you have to run across a collapsing bridge as fast as possible, fly through a building with a glider, or sneak around as a small robot to reach your goal. New DLCs, in which you take control of cyborg dogs or other machines, are already in development.
It takes a while to get hooked on the game, but once you do, it won't let you go.
Visually still a highlight
Anyone familiar with Hideo Kojima and the previous Metal Gear games knows that Konami's titles are synonymous with top-tier visuals, and Rising is no exception. The environments are incredibly realistic, and Raiden's cyborg body, which is frequently showcased, constantly reveals new details to discover, for example, when Raiden closes his visor or sheathes his sword.
The battles are a true feast for the eyes. Cutscenes make up a large part of the gameplay, which isn't at all disruptive; on the contrary, they're very fitting and perfectly typical. These sequences are reminiscent of great animated films like "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." Graphically, there's absolutely no difference between the actual gameplay and the cutscenes. The integration of the futuristic society, where codec conversations take place via video call or we're accompanied by a robot dog, blends seamlessly into the environment, both graphically and in terms of gameplay. Simply superb.
The camera significantly enhances the action of the game. After spectacularly dismembering a cyborg or a gecko, the camera zooms in close or films from a different angle. This increases the immersive experience and the fun factor. In short, it's a real visual feast, with new details to discover time and time again.
The Metal Gear Factor
Konami made the right call when they clearly differentiated the new title, "Metal Gear Rising," from previous installments. Revengeance is significantly faster-paced and more action-packed than its predecessors, and with its story of a former child soldier battling overwhelming odds and his traumatic past, it's more profound than, for example, Sons of Liberty. But just because the gameplay deviates from the norm doesn't mean that many typical Metal Gear elements are retained. You can still hide from your enemies in classic cardboard boxes, discover pictures of scantily clad women, and encounter all sorts of little jokes. VR missions can also be uncovered and unlocked. All of this breathes life into the game, capturing the spirit of Hideo Kojima's masterpiece, which fans and newcomers alike will enjoy. A brilliant combination of humor and depth. Thumbs up!
