PAX Prime 2012: Hands on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance *Chop Chop Chop*

When we got wind that Platinum Games was getting their hands on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, we knew the results would be explosive.  After spending some time with Konami’s Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance I’m fully convinced that we’re all in for a hell of a good time.

Hands On: Platinum Games, known mainly here in the states for Bayonetta, are quite possibly the masters of the modern action brawler.  With precision controls, ridiculous combos, and insane-O boss battles, it’s easy to see why so many other developers have tried to rip off emulate their style.

Back with a Revengeance:  Yes, “revengeance” is a made up word that spell check really hates. No, “revengeance” doesn’t roll off the tongue no matter how many times you say it.  Yes, “Revengeance” is fun as hell to play.  In this installment of the Metal Gear saga, players take control of the ninja-cyborg Raiden shortly after his cybernetic trasformation.  Basic combat controls were   simple and utilized two buttons on the 360 controller and air juggles were a breeze to pull off.  Like Bayonetta, MGR: R appears to be a game that’s simple to play, but a real challenge to master.  I can say with confidence that players will have no problem kicking ass with Raiden even if they don’t excel at action brawlers.

The Chopping: Like any good Japanese action game, the “special move” is where the magic really happens.  Raiden has the ability to charge his power meter and unleash a barrage of charged katana attacks that carve enemies into itty-bitty pieces…  literally.  When activated the speed of the world slows down to a crawl allowing Raiden to swing multiple times before his target can react.  Unique to MGR: R is the way in which this is done; using the left thumb stick the player can control the angle of the blade, while the right thumb stick controls the slice itself.  The result are highly precise strikes that can be used to hit very specific areas of a target.  Heck, I once chopped off every limb on a guard in under 3 seconds just to see if it could be done.  This carnage, while extreme,  is an incredibly satisfying gameplay experience.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is scheduled for release on February 13 2013, and we think things are looking great.