REVIEW

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Review: Get to the Chopper

(XBOX 360, PS3)

Platinum's latest delivers stylish action in spite of its Metal Gear baggage.

By Bob Mackey 02/18/2013

Header

Metal Gear Solid 4 may be one of the most polarizing games of this generation, but supporters and dissenters alike can come together and agree on one point: Director Hideo Kojima really goofed with his choice to depict the outrageous acrobatics of Raiden's new cyborg form exclusively through non-playable cutscenes -- a decision that seems like an intentional tease, given that Guns of the Patriots features a creaky and cranky old man as its protagonist. And Kojima certainly isn't above yanking his audience's chain; remember, 2001's controversial Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty came into being largely as an elaborate and masterful prank engineered to prove its director's point about the control and flow of information. We have only short attention spans to thank for the fact that games journalism as an institution wasn't dissolved shortly after Sons of Liberty's release.

That said, the announcement of Metal Gear Rising Revengeance (nee Metal Gear Solid Rising) oh so many years ago came off as a true act of contrition on Kojima's part; not only would his own Kojima Productions finally let players step into Raiden's robo-high heels, Rising would also take the form of a true action game, moving away from the methodical style that defines the studio's output. The once-infallible Kojima would finally be doing something different, all the while making up for past hubris brought on by the breakout success of 1998's Metal Gear Solid -- until, that is, Kojima Productions quietly cancelled the game in 2010 due to the team's inability to mix stealth and Raiden's particular brand of swordplay.

Wait a minute -- was he just screwing with us all over again?

In the middle of this mess, developer Platinum Games swooped in to rescue KojiPro's once-abandoned project -- even though the former's particular style of action games (built on the foundation of 2001's Devil May Cry) doesn't exactly mesh well with the intricate-if-clumsy realism of the Metal Gear series. Thankfully, Platinum just pays lip service to the mechanics you'd expect to see in typical installment of Metal Gear: Codec conversations interrupt the action solely to mask loading times, stealth rarely matters, and projectile weaponry makes for such a slow and inefficient means of attack that you're better off just sticking with Raiden's katana blade. And, considering Platinum's track record, this focus on their area of expertise stands as the wisest of wise decisions; the Metal Gear elements of Revengeance feel vestigial at best, and incongruous at worst, but its sublime fighting system ranks up there with some of the studio's finest work.

As expected from a Platinum game, Revengeance focuses on presenting a series of battles in which the player must master the strict rules of an elaborate fighting system. And while the phrase "deceptively deep" might have been overused into meaninglessness, no other term better describes the two-button setup found in Revengeance. The game's battles, oddly enough, play out like an advanced version of Punch-Out!!, and knowing how to counter soon becomes a necessity when dealing with some of Raiden's beefier foes. Before most enemy attacks, a flash of light indicates Raiden had best get ready to counter (performed by hitting the weak attack button while jamming the analog stick in the enemy's direction). Do it too early, and you'll simply block the attack; perform this action just before you're struck, and you'll counter with your own attack -- which you can often chain into combos that sometimes lead into QTE-style finishing moves.

It's a system that feels frustrating initially, because countering doesn't seem to always work reliably; but once you take on the same enemy several times, how their attacks play out and the way you're intended to respond soon becomes second nature. And some of the most rewarding moments of Revengeance come when you determine how to deal with enemy attacks that don't telegraph themselves in any way. Knowing how to react on the fly -- even in the middle of your own attack animations -- stands as the most useful skill for Revengeance's fast-paced battles.

Spot Art

Of course, the elaborate slicing and dicing of humans and scenery -- the highlight of the game's early footage -- plays a major role in Revengeance, though, sadly, the fun physics toy nature of Raiden's sword sees little use outside of battle. If you're coming into Revengeance expecting puzzles akin to those that took advantage of Half-Life 2's gravity gun, prepare to be disappointed; precision slashing really only matters in battle, though you're free to chop up furniture, trees, and street signs at your leisure. Along with clever countering, the game's fighting system requires careful monitoring of Raiden's blade meter, which fills as he successfully pulls off strings of attacks. Hit the right button when this meter is full, and the action will temporarily slow down -- a Platinum special that bafflingly has yet to get old -- allowing Raiden to expertly slash at his enemies' weak points. If you manage to slice through a tiny square indicated by the GUI, Raiden will pull off a move called Zandatsu, which allows our protagonist to rip the core from a cyborg's body, granting him full health and a complete recharge of the blade meter.

In early stages of play, most of the weaker enemies can simply be slashed in half without much work; but later, the game tasks you with removing specific parts before the juicy core makes itself accessible. This mechanic absolutely shines during Revengeance's prolonged boss battles, which often have Raiden destroying the parts of massive, hulking robots with all of the ludicrous theatrics you'd expect from the lovechild of Platinum Games and Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Rising Revengeance features some absolutely out-there choices I wouldn't expect an American developer to make, and some of the more extreme set pieces will leave your jaw hanging from their utter absurdity.

Spot Art

It doesn't always work, though. Revengeance has some issues with tone that I'd like to call "Devil May Cry Syndrome"; basically, it's extremely difficult to tell what I'm expected to take seriously -- a problem compounded by the fact that Revengeance attempts its own Metal Gear-style philosophizing that mostly falls flat. And the music -- my god, the music. While the songs you'll hear in the levels themselves sound pleasant and serviceable, the bosses feature some of the worst/best tunes I've heard in some time -- in fact, when the lyrics kicked in during my first boss fight, I had to pause Revengeance since my uncontrollable laughter was starting to get in the way of me playing the damn thing. If you like Nickelback, you might disagree with my take; but if you like Nickelback, I'm not sure I care what you think.

At its worst, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance has the feeling of a rescued project; the parts that don't belong stand out as the remnants of Kojima Productions' original vision (whatever that was), and the game doesn't feature the laser-precision focus on core mechanics found in other Platinum productions like Bayonetta and Vanquish. But while it relies on the same slow-mo mode used by Platinum since Viewtiful Joe, Revengeance still offers an exceptional and rewarding set of mechanics to master, and a fighting system that feels original in its execution. Revengeance isn't Platinum at the top of their game; it's the studio making the best of a bad situation -- even so, a troubled Platinum production still has plenty to offer.

Write Your Own Review

See all Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Reviews >

Comments (34)

About 4 hours in
Posted: userComment.createdDate by gensurvivor

The game is a B or B- and for me the most annoying thing is the camera, which leaves you open to getting your ass handed to you, although not as bad a Resident Evil 5 as you can defend yourself. If you like cutting up cyborgs while listening to metal music with a side of Metal Gear then this is your jam. Platinum knows how to put it all together.

Flag | Reply

Eh ..
Posted: userComment.createdDate by demonicon77

I bought this game ..havent played a Metal gear game in years lol... I like the demo to be very honest..but now after playing it the backgrounds are dull...and feel empty...the Music i heards far fits pretty good. but What really sold it was the fact Platinum was involved and Bayonetta was so bad ass..In fact bayonetta is def top 3 game for me ...its "that good" and recommend people go pick it up to show paltinum and how they shine . But honestly I came off finishing dead space 3 and jumped into this. I know two diffrent games but being completly honest I would give this game c+/B- range..

Flag | Reply

Pretty great game
Posted: userComment.createdDate by WhiteLongSword

They could've really polished weapon switching. And using those Homing Missiles/Grenades -- impractical at times.

Flag | Reply

Bottom line
Posted: userComment.createdDate by DavdaKeiff

The B score aside, upon reading the review, this certainly looks like a game I'd like to pick up. I think I agree that the review itself says a lot more than the score does.

Flag | Reply

Yup-nya...
Posted: userComment.createdDate by madhat

Kojima's screwing with us again... or rather , he just did... again...

Flag | Reply

Making fun of Nickleback
Posted: userComment.createdDate by alexthe

Got old when everyone started making fun of them 7 years ago, get with the times old man!

Flag | Reply
- hmm
  Posted: 03/25/2013 by StRiFeboi
  
  nah
  
  Flag

After beating Monsoon last night....
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Pookiechan!!!

I pretty much have to agree with this review. Despite how amazing it is, the combat is more or less glorified by the animations rather than actually being something you have to actively think about that tests your skill (hard mode feels more like a normal mode). Still a great game though, but I definitely knew it would fall short of the hype. The environments are generic, despite the awesome action that takes place in them, and codec calls need to die. Especially the ones in this particular installment. In the other MGS games, codec calls came at perfect moments. In this one, they come at teh worst times, and you really just want to skip them; nothing about the dialogue during the codec calls is engaging or makes you want to listen. Some of the voice acting is laughable if you're playing with a friend as well...

Flag | Reply

I was originally skeptical about the music...
Posted: userComment.createdDate by HENSHIN!

But after hearing it in the came I felt a lot better. It certainly isn't the best thing I've heard in years, but it works really well with the style of the game.

Flag | Reply
- actually
  Posted: 02/20/2013 by Pookiechan!!!
  
  although the instrumentals are more metal oriented, the voices, the singer, and yes, the overall "feel" of the songs are very Nickelback, especially with how cheesy and "direct" the lyrics are.
  
  Flag

awesome review
Posted: userComment.createdDate by the_last_mandalore

you saved me 100 dollars ....

Flag | Reply

Liked the demo...
Posted: userComment.createdDate by lokey013

I was trash at it but I did like the game from what was presented....maybe I could give this a go.....
Right after The Witcher 2 hah

Flag | Reply

:D funny
Posted: userComment.createdDate by nipsen

""Devil May Cry Syndrome"; basically, it's extremely difficult to tell what I'm expected to take seriously "
What if(!) that was the point they were trying to make! No, just kidding, I know exactly what you mean. Still.. I think you're really expected to take everything as a complete joke. And then, maybe, on your own, possibly manage to pick out something that you can take as a semi-serious point. Once it's been translated a few times back and forth in your own head. It's like Tarantino, just more elaborate.
Imo, that's the biggest problem the "let's look at this Japanese game adopted for the west" approach has. It's not supposed to be serious. It's supposed to be weird, and occationally thoughtful. That's how 99% of anime series is made as well. Everyone is dead serious about making it the best it can be. The plot is elaborate as heck, and the character with the strange suffix that only one of the other characters use is a deep socio-political statement. The fanservice is specifically adjusted by a massively complex slice of experienced and trained pervert opinion. And the girl stereotypes are placed with scientific accuracy and relation to each other for maximized attention grabbing, etc. The most attention in the entire episode apparently goes into the angle of the hands when Naruto shoots fireball-beams out of his ears, etc. The actual screenplay rivals a very good film, etc.
But I don't think you're really meant to take anything happening very seriously as a viewer. That's the kind of thing that leads to "Yeah, actually slicing your enemies up in tiny little ribbons IS the meaning of life, isn't it!". I mean, I don't want to say this, really - but are they actually overestimating some of their audience here? With MGS2 as well - I know people who sat down and thought critically about the roller-blade bomber (he uses roller-blades to get around, because he's so heavy - makes perfect sense! :D), and that ruined the experience for them.
So they just didn't expect fiction with an elaborate setup like that, that required something of your imagination? Meanwhile, winning all wars, against everyone, everywhere, with one gun - perfectly normal, and every commentary is poignant description of the horrors of war. Or something. Not completely sure how to explain this.

Flag | Reply
- ???
  Posted: 02/20/2013 by 6StringSamurai
  
  Your write-up doesn't make any sense. What is this in regards to?
  
  Flag

They Say A Hero Can Save Us
Posted: userComment.createdDate by kadrom

Cmon Bob, Nickelback couldn't shred this one out:

Flag | Reply

Not Sure
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Furysetzer

Exactly WHY Raiden is back after MGS4. I mean, it wrapped up his storyline after all. I would have preferred a new protagonist myself. After nearly 5 years, is this really the next MGS game? Is OG Snake in this one? Don't really care about Naked or Raiden. What about Grey Fox's kid? Can I get some Solid love?!?!?

Flag | Reply
- Before it became Revengeance
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by kadrom
  
  I believe the original plot for Rising was supposed to be an interquel about Raiden's rescue of Sunny from the Patriots, which would explain how he became a cyborg in the first place. But when they handed the project off to Platinum, KojiPro didn't want to have to strap them with that plot baggage, so they made it a sequel so Platinum could do what they wanted. Which is why the game sort of hamfistedly had to bring Raiden back to being a cyborg after he left it at the end of MGS4.
  
  Flag
- Also
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by LulaU2
  
  Kojima also stated that he wanted to make this (or a similiar) game with gray fox instead.
  That would be neat
  
  Flag
- It`s
  Posted: 02/22/2013 by GomezGomita
  
  a SPIN OFF!!! ... and don`t you think It`s a little late (and stupid) for bitching about that particular issue?
  
  One more thing, Etsu Tamari (KONAMI) wrote the script on this one so... in case you don`t know who he is, he also wrote the scenario for MGS4.
  
  Flag

Has anyone noticed
Posted: userComment.createdDate by V4Viewtiful

That Platnium games are one of the vast few companies that show the main character get beaten up? I like that

Flag | Reply

Why didn't Jose do this review?
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Zero_Hikari

I'm very confused, if the point of your reviews it to let us know what games to buy and what games are superior to the otherwise why are two games from the exact same genre reviewed by two different people on the same website? How do you know if DmC's A is equal to Revengences B if the same person isn't even reviewing both titles? Macky' standards might be completely differen than Jose's and vice versa. As a consumer I don't understnad how you can do this. It completely removes all relevancy of the score in comparisons to games of the same genre.
In the future would 1UP please mandate reviews to genre so we can have consistancy in scoring accross the board. An RPG expert, an action game expert, a fighting game expert, these would be appriciated and woul make games reviewed in he same genre and their scores have consistancy in criteria accross the board.

Flag | Reply
- 1Up isn't supposed to be a generic reviews site
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by AnalTyrant
  
  The whole point of a smaller site like 1Up is that we get different reviews and input from a few writers with specific view points that are fairly clear. They don't need to have one person review every game of a given genre, instead we get interesting feedback from different perspectives that are clear with the given discussions. 1 Up has been very clear about what they're doing for the last several years, not sure why you're expecting something different.
  
  Flag
- Why don't YOU review it?
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by TheGreatMoltar
  
  Have you ever considered that someone new or unfamiliar to this type of game might want to know about it? That's not to say Mr. Servo is unfamiliar with this game, but we'll operate under that assumption because you seem to give off that impression. Anyway, if someone who is an "expert" (nonsense terminology; nobody is an "expert" in what a game should be like) in the genre like Jose, then I would have to assume he's being a little bias. Conversly he could be extreamly picky and think he know exactly what an action game like this should be like. "C MINUS!" he would exclaim. At the end of it all, a review is an opinion and nothing more. ANYBODY is allowed to have an opinion. Even Bob Mackey without his "expert" opinion.
  
  Flag
- Agree
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by 6StringSamurai
  
  I agree with AnalTyrant. I don't like Bob Mackey's review style at all. He is extremely inconcistent.
  
  TheGreatMoltar: Everyone is allowed to have an opinion but that doesn't count when you are a gaming review/news website that basis product quality on a review score.
  AnalTyrant is saying this: I can't stand puzzle games. I find them boring. It could be the greatest puzzle game in the world and I would still probably give it a C-. So why have someone like me who never plays puzzle games or really knows anything about them review a puzzle game simply because it needs to "get reviewed" by someone. So anyone who might be interested in puzzle games will read my review and think why should I spend $60 on a game that's mediocre. That's an expensive chance. Also, lost sales for the company who produced that game.
  So I agree, this website should align their reviewers to review their speciality genres. A lot of people don't find RPG's fun. So why the hell have someone review an RPG when you barely even play or enjoy them?
  
  Flag
- Seems Fair
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by Pacario
  
  The review seems fair--his main points of contention are with the story and music, which are both elements that can be judged objectively. Does the music enhance the atmosphere or mood of the game? Is the narrative coherent? These are pretty basic areas of judgement.
  Of greater challenge is how a critic should score a game with these and other failings in mind. This is where subjectivity rears its head, and is why I prefer broader scoring systems--usually simple, five-point scales.
  
  Flag
- Dude the world doesnt revolve around you
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by darrinA
  
  That's the sun's job.
  Let 1UP do its own thang.
  I really liked this review.
  
  Flag
- Reviews...
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by bobservo
  
  (Warning: I'm currently feeling extremely loopy from cold medicine, so I hope this makes sense.)
  It's a complete mistake to compare scores between games; I would say that all of us at 1UP judge a game based on what it sets out to do, though our reviews are definitely informed by past experiences. It's possible that I could play DmC and dislike it more than Jose, just as it's possible that Jose could play MGRR and enjoy it more than DmC. This is why scores are stupid, and also why you should ignore them. We probably wouldn't be using them if they weren't a fundamental part of the way our review template is designed.
  And for the record, I have a great familiarity with Platinum's (and Clover's) output, as my various references in the review should have made clear. I don't think it's necessary to have such knowledge to give a fair assessment of MGRR, though.
  
  Flag
- Also
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by jparish
  
  Jose wrote quite a bit about MGR:R before launch, which involved a preview event in which travel and lodging was provided by Konami. We try to avoid having people review games when they've been hosted by the publisher. Not that Jose's opinion would be swayed by something like that, because he's a classy dude and a professional, but we want to avoid the appearance of impropriety -- even if no one knows about the behind-the-scenes details that affect our choice of assignments.
  Bob knows both Metal Gear and Platinum, and he wrote a very intelligent, insightful review in which both his opinions and his score were supported by the text. Not sure what more you can ask from a reviewer (besides the ever-popular "please reaffirm my personal biases").
  
  Flag
- And there it is
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by haonetat01
  
  If you're own reviewers think that having a grade next to a review is stupid and should be ignored then I think it may be time to get rid of that system. Why should give a second thought to 1up's reviews when the reviewers themsves don't like the system?
  
  Flag
- Scores...
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by bobservo
  
  If you can't determine what writer a thinks about a game without some sort of ratings system which reduces their complex thoughts and feelings into a single character, then that writer isn't very good at his or her job. I actually wouldn't mind review scores as a whole if people didn't fixate on them so pathologically; more often than not, review scores distract from and even give people excuses to ignore the text we writers labor and obsess over. That's my take on things, anyway.
  
  Flag
- We'd kill review scores if we could, actually
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by jparish
  
  Basically, what's stopping us from phasing them out are technical issues we can't resolve at the moment. When 1UP gets its long-awaited redesign/revamp, review scores may well be thrown out altogether.
  
  Flag

"Look at this photograph"
Posted: userComment.createdDate by Wakkawipeout

"Everytime I do it makes me laugh
How did our eyes get so red
And what the hell is on Joey's head?"
Classics, Bob Mackey. Classics.

Flag | Reply
- If only
  Posted: 02/19/2013 by jparish
  
  one of the minigames involved zandatsu-ing that thing off Joey's head.
  
  Flag