There has been much written about this game, especially in the past few years. This is for a good reason; it is genuinely an incredibly fun experience. I played it a year ago, and yet I still think about it every so often. It’s nothing like the other Metal Gear games, which emphasize stealth and tactic, while MGR:R is all break neck action and set pieces. They do provide so context to the story, but I personally didn’t find it confusing even without it. I would highly recommend it if you want fast action or just overall a fun time.
Story
In the near future, you (a cyborg ninja named Raiden) discover a secret plot to start another war in the Middle East, so that more money could be funnelled to autonomous war robots, thus you go rouge from your mercenary company to stop them. During your journey, you will fight gigantic twelve story tall robots, cyborgs like you, and the senator of Colorado. (Guess which one is the strongest)
Don’t get this game if you want a serious storyline. However, it does take itself seriously, which can make for some absolutely hilarious moments. Like the famous: “Memes, the DNA of the soul.”. Due to this, every character has a very memorable personality and their interactions are always engaging.
Some may call it anime-like, but I prefer to say that it’s made to be as hype as possible. It does away with any realism and has a moment that would make you say “Wait, why couldn’t I do that before”, if you weren’t already engrossed in its absurdness.
Reading into the dialogue, does reveal that there are some thought-provoking messages. Every character has their own motivation for why they fight. Understanding them is what elevates MGR:R to more than just fast action and crazy cutscenes. In fact, for me this makes the battles even more hype, as it turns them into clashes of motivation.
Gameplay
Contrary to its predecessors, MGR:R is a hack and slash game. Even for a newcomer to this genre, it isn't that difficult. Most of the time you be fighting enemies at close range, trying to hit as many combos as possible, only interrupting to block any attack being thrown at you. When an enemy gets too low health, you can enable blade mode to cut them into as many pieces as possible. And I do mean that literary, I almost crashed my game once. Doing so allows you to heal to max health. This in turn makes retreating pointless, as you need just one enemy to top up.
While there are combos, there is no style meter. The only thing resembling it is a rating at the end of each stage which takes into account kills, time, combo etc.
My favourite part of the game is definitely the boss battles. Each one is a test of a certain skill, culminating in the last one that test everything you’ve learned. They have just the right number of predetermined parts and skill required to make the player feel like a total badass. Also, just have to say, the final boss – literally the best boss battle ever.
Graphics
For a decade old game, I can’t complain. I would even say It's pretty good. During fights, you get all of these sparks and various other vfx that really add to the feel of cyborg combat.
Some may find the washed out early 2010 style unappealing, but I find that it lets the bright colours, that come from combat, stand out more.
Atmosphere
There are few games that can be entirely described by a single 1-minute clip. Just look up Rules of Nature on YouTube.
Music
Hands down my favourite video game ost ever. First, having lyrics in your songs, especially lyrics with actual meaning that also tells you more about the character – amazing. But that’s not all. You know how some games will have like a more powerful song for the second phase of a boss. Now imagine that instead the lyrics kick in. I am ascending.
Of course, it's metal. It's metal gear rising after all. Can’t say a favourite song, listen to the whole album. (I lied, its “The Stains Of Time”)
Conclusion
Average American Citizen
Story
In the near future, you (a cyborg ninja named Raiden) discover a secret plot to start another war in the Middle East, so that more money could be funnelled to autonomous war robots, thus you go rouge from your mercenary company to stop them. During your journey, you will fight gigantic twelve story tall robots, cyborgs like you, and the senator of Colorado. (Guess which one is the strongest)
Don’t get this game if you want a serious storyline. However, it does take itself seriously, which can make for some absolutely hilarious moments. Like the famous: “Memes, the DNA of the soul.”. Due to this, every character has a very memorable personality and their interactions are always engaging.
Some may call it anime-like, but I prefer to say that it’s made to be as hype as possible. It does away with any realism and has a moment that would make you say “Wait, why couldn’t I do that before”, if you weren’t already engrossed in its absurdness.
Reading into the dialogue, does reveal that there are some thought-provoking messages. Every character has their own motivation for why they fight. Understanding them is what elevates MGR:R to more than just fast action and crazy cutscenes. In fact, for me this makes the battles even more hype, as it turns them into clashes of motivation.
Gameplay
Contrary to its predecessors, MGR:R is a hack and slash game. Even for a newcomer to this genre, it isn't that difficult. Most of the time you be fighting enemies at close range, trying to hit as many combos as possible, only interrupting to block any attack being thrown at you. When an enemy gets too low health, you can enable blade mode to cut them into as many pieces as possible. And I do mean that literary, I almost crashed my game once. Doing so allows you to heal to max health. This in turn makes retreating pointless, as you need just one enemy to top up.
While there are combos, there is no style meter. The only thing resembling it is a rating at the end of each stage which takes into account kills, time, combo etc.
My favourite part of the game is definitely the boss battles. Each one is a test of a certain skill, culminating in the last one that test everything you’ve learned. They have just the right number of predetermined parts and skill required to make the player feel like a total badass. Also, just have to say, the final boss – literally the best boss battle ever.
Graphics
For a decade old game, I can’t complain. I would even say It's pretty good. During fights, you get all of these sparks and various other vfx that really add to the feel of cyborg combat.
Some may find the washed out early 2010 style unappealing, but I find that it lets the bright colours, that come from combat, stand out more.
Atmosphere
There are few games that can be entirely described by a single 1-minute clip. Just look up Rules of Nature on YouTube.
Music
Hands down my favourite video game ost ever. First, having lyrics in your songs, especially lyrics with actual meaning that also tells you more about the character – amazing. But that’s not all. You know how some games will have like a more powerful song for the second phase of a boss. Now imagine that instead the lyrics kick in. I am ascending.
Of course, it's metal. It's metal gear rising after all. Can’t say a favourite song, listen to the whole album. (I lied, its “The Stains Of Time”)
Conclusion
Average American Citizen