Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance review

I'd say that an essential part of the game (the parrying system) being completely unreliable is a serious flaw, and the fact that it's visuals (aside from the pre-rendered cutscenes) are utterly outdated, means that this game in no way deserves anything above a 7. Just because it's Platinum doesn't mean it's good. Look at the shitty job they did with porting Bayonetta to the PS3. I'll be avoiding this on the basis of the mainstream gaming press, yet again, ignoring serious issues in favour of giving the game an undeserved high score.

...And you say this without playing the game yourself, so how the fuck do you know if it's deserved or not? Your entire comment screams that you haven't even touched the demo, yet you're making assertions left and right as if you had already beaten the game.. Obviously, you're just hellbent on not liking the game, but it frankly sounds like it stems more out of irrational prejudices rather than actual experience or facts, don't blame the press for your own idiocy.

Ok, I have played the demo, and if it hasn't changed from that then I'd say it's not worth buying. And you absolutely can't say i didn't play the demo; I wrote a VERY lengthy analysis of it, which I would link to, but I don't want to risk the wrath of the moderator gods. Besides, I did find the parry system to be really aggravating, and incredibly cumbersome to use. Plus if you take a look at the textures at even a remotely close distance, they look incredibly flat, and certainly not up to 2013 standards. Compare the game to something like Uncharted or Halo 4, you'll see what I mean. All I meant by the press thing was what I always say: form your own opinions instead of taking reviews as dogma. I found that some areas of the game had serious problems, which I was hoping would be addressed by the professionals instead of having to write it on my blog. You can't say that the lighting for the game isn't flat, and that the urban environments (at least the bland corridor presented in the demo) weren't almost empty aside from the scripted enemy encounters. The entire thing just felt like a funnel, which MGS simply isn't known for. I'm simply trying to present a reasonable response as to why I felt the game fails on a couple of fundamental levels (seriously, would a dodge roll or dedicated block button have been that bad?), I'm not attacking the game or the review (this is my favourite gaming site, as the reviews are usually absolutely spot on), so I wouldn't expect to be attacked in return. It's simply my opinion, and to me the game needed a bit more dev time, just to get it closer to what we saw at E3 2011, because that looked like a great game.

Yes, a great game of which you saw only a couple of seconds of, no one ever actually got hands on on it, and was SO Fundamentally flawless, that Foxhound team didn't totally scrap it because they couldn't figure out how to make an actual, functional game out of it *rolls eyes* And I'm glad you played the demo, and yes, forming your own opinions is the best way to go about it, and it's exactly what I've done as well. Yes, the game isn't the prettiest nor the most detailed graphically, but it's not meant to be an exploration game, it's meant to be an ACTION game, which means the focus is in the actual combat, making sure the flow is fast and accurate, and that the enemies gets sliced satisfactorily when cut by a blade. You're not meant to stop and watch if the light pole nearby has detailed rust textures or not. And so, the parrying system. The game is trying something different, but instead of adapt and try to actually get the system, you instead bitch and moan that they didn't fall back on the usual tropes they used in the past. Obviously, they could have added a dodge button if they wanted to, but decided not to because they wanted the player to actually try and master their new system. I CAN understand if you don't like it, that's fine. But again, as someone who HAS played the demo numerous times, and has formed his own opinion, I actually heavily disagree with the review here, for me, the parrying system not only does work just fine, it's can be actually very forgiving once you get the hang of it. And I like the feeling of it. Bottom line, yes it's fine to form your own opinions, but when doing so, then be careful with how you say it because then, you risk sounding like a pompous ass. " I'll be avoiding this on the basis of the mainstream gaming press, yet again, ignoring serious issues in favour of giving the game an undeserved high score." This quote, by the way, definitely sounds like you're attacking the review, and making it sound like it's not trustworthy, it also makes it sound like you know what games actually deserve more than everyone else. Is what I'm getting at.

Well obviously I'm not a professional journalist, but I like to think I know what a decent game looks like (though personal judgement is obviously subjective. Example: I can't stand Gears of War, but like The Force Unleashed II). And I'm in no way calling MGR a bad game, it's good, I was impressed with various elements of the demo (the cutscenes and the overall Metal Gear feel, as well as the perfectly smooth 60fps, which shows just how well Platinum have taken to the PS3 tech), but to me it's just not as great as other reviews are making it out to be. In my mind it's more of a 7, which is still a very good score, as people seem to have sadly forgotten, so I'll probably pick it up a few months down the line, as I don't really want to pay £40 full-price for a game with a 4-6 hour campaign (according to other sites), excluding VR missions. I get that it's purely an action game, and Platinum are up there with the best, and the combat does flow seamlessly when you manage to get multiple attacks in at once (carving up Gekko was incredibly satisfying after spending so long hiding from them in MGS4), I just couldn't adjust to the parry system within the brief time the demo allotted. Maybe it'll be different when I play the full game, who knows? I'm certainly hoping it'll suddenly click and I'll be able to enjoy the rest of the game. But I can't help shake the memory of the empty urban environments, and the basic running and jumping almost felt like they belonged on PS2. Maybe the demo was just a poor representation of the finished product, I don't know, but it just didn't feel like a great game to be. A good one, yes, but deserving of 8's, 9's and even a couple of 10's? No, not to me. And yeah, that does sound fairly aggressive, but that did come after reading about 15 very high-scoring reviews and feeling frustrated when my favourite site does the same, even with mentioning the parrying system and visuals. But I can't help but think that the parrying system could have been implemented a little better, I love the idea of it, as it forces players to adapt to a steep learning curve and play more tactically, instead of button mashing, but I would've loved a dedicated button for it, and have the combat be a quasi-hybrid of traditional hack n' slash and the more timing-based Arkham City approach. Now that would've been amazing. Yes, I know that the E3 2011 demo was essentially a tech demonstration, but I still would have liked to play that game. The physics and animations looked better, and Raiden's basic movement looked like it flowed more than Platinum's animations. I understand the reasons for Koj handing it over though, as if he'd continued with the game it most likely would have fallen short of expectations, and I'd rather see a good Metal Gear game from a different dev, rather than an occasionally brilliant one marred by technical issues and (I'm guessing) a very patch-work feel to it. So in essence what I'm saying is that I'd like to see some more grounded scores (both the official Xbox and PS magazines have given the game a 7, which I entirely agree with) that take into account a combat system which will not be to everyone's liking, and in a game based purely on making you feel like an unstoppable cyborg ninja, that does feel like a major problem.

...Wait, so you get that personal judgment is purely subjective, yet you got frustrated because you didn't agree with the majority of the gaming press, and you'd rather have THEM adhere to your own personal feelings of the game? How is that in any way reasonable and mature? You just acknowledged that the game did some things very well, and that it's a good game overall, but for you, it's only a 7, that's fair, that's your opinion and expressed like that, it's totally valid. But then, how does that make other people thinking better of the game any less acceptable? Obviously, a lot of others (including myself) thought that the positives far outweighed the negatives, and as such, it warranted the game to have a high score. It's difference in opinions, so again, how is that a bad thing? And actually, for me, from what I've played and from what I've seen, this game deserves higher than an 8 even, yet you didn't see me raging and calling this site or others bias because they didn't agree with me, now did you? I just don't get the mentality of "Because I think this way, EVERYONE ELSE should think like me!", seems like a very narrow, selfish way to think, at least to me.

Basically, had your original post been something along the lines of "Eh, y'know, I don't entirely agree with this review, this and this issue really bother me a lot, feels like a 7 to me." And left it at that, no one, including myself, would given you any crap about it. But the moment you start calling everyone else biased because they didn't AGREE with you, that's when you just step a line.

I in no way think others should think like me (if we all thought the same, debates would be SO boring), I tend to be highly opinionated, which does tend to disagree with people, hence the debacle here. And I don't want to accuse people of being biased, even though pure objectivity is impossible. Though my choice of words did kinda suck, as it was a fairly knee-jerk reaction I was having at the time. I disagree with publishers paying for reviews and positively spun press, as most sensible folk do, and I wouldn't even dream that GR would do that, because the staff obviously love games, and I usually agree with most things they post.. Let's just leave it at what you managed to sum up so nicely: "Eh, y'know, I don't entirely agree with this review, this and this issue really bother me a lot, feels like a 7 to me." Because that does accurately reflect my feelings. Apologies for causing any issues, and can we agree on Platinum being a great developer, who obviously meant well with the game.

No worries, and thank you for at least getting my point, and that we were able to end up having a rational argument in the end. Your initial reaction did rub me the wrong way, but I also admit I came in too strong, and with insults even, which is something I seriously need to learn to control ^^; But yes, agree to disagree certainly seems to be the course to go here, and I'll reserve any further opinions of the game until I can actually play it (Which hopefully will be sooner than later.)

Cool man. Hey look, an argument on the internet that didn't devolve into cursing and insults to the respective parties' person and sexual preference. Truly, hell has now frozen over. And as far as the game goes, I'll definitely play it when it comes down in price, and who knows? It might be a pleasant surprise and end up being great. Though speaking of Metal Gear, I'd be incredibly surprised if Ground Zeroes isn't a PS4 launch title. Bring on that press conference!

Haha, well, those kinds of arguments aren't as rare as you'd think, at least, I've found that in this site, I have a 50/50 chance on getting into an argument with someone that can end up being reasonable enough. XD And well, I'm reserving any thoughts and predictions on that next console until I see it. Mainly because I'm pretty sure I'm not going to jump into the next gen for at least 2 more years.

This is what I've been waiting for ever since the Raiden vs. Vamp fight in MGS4 that took place as you had to kill all the Gekko's.

That part was cool but the WHOLE time I was thinking "Damn it gekkos, I wanna watch the awesome fight going on above me. Leave me alone!"

Hmm, might have to watch this one. I've never been a big fan of Platinum Games' style - but any game (demo) that allows me to absolutely slice to pieces all the scenery so that I can't even start the demo is a plus in my book. I spent 15 minutes just seeing what I could cut...and then realizing that after slicing the pier to pieces and the stairs I had no way to get to the actual mission on the street. Was fun though. I found blade mode to be a little jerky, but I'm sure that was me rather than the game itself.

I'd just like to mention that even after destroying the pier and the stairs, you can easily access the next part of the stage simply by ninja running towards the wall using the "R1" or "RB" button XD

D'oh :) Even better! Haha...I guess the trick is to READ the instructions in the demo. "I was elected to LEAD not to READ."

I did the same thing... Got too "blade mode" happy and destroyed the damned pier. I'll be picking this up as soon as I can. My only critique, judging from the demo, was the parry system, I got the hang of it, but it still was a bit of a pain.

I guess it's a matter of taste. It certainly isn't as easy or simple as pressing a button and blocking, or dodging out of the way, but I like that if you DO get the hang of it, parrying every single attack can feel very satisfying, as it requires actual timing and skill from the player rather than just pressing a button and hold it till the enemy has stopped attacking. That, and it reminded me of the parrying system in Street Fighter 3, except this time it's in a 3D enviroment! XD

I actually appreciate that it's a little more "difficult" - which really means it's just not as easy as we've been pampered with :) Then again gamers are a schizophrenic bunch - they simplified ACIII's free running to one button and people got pissed. Ah well. Hey BladedFalcon - you beat Dragon's Dogma yet??? :D

Hahaha! Yeah! absolutely! I actually finished it AND platunum'd it a few months ago XD Definitely had a blast with that game, sure, it wasn't perfect, and the story was an absolute mess with a few glimpses of genius trying to get out at the end. But man was it fun, just like the blade mode in this game, the climbing mechanics in Dradon's Dogma is the kind of innovation that seriously should be paid more attention to. I only wish they hadn't made the hunter so damn overpowered, longbow + that 10 arrows at once technique? turned anything into mush way too quickly and too easily XD

Every night when I'm watching TV my backlog just glares at me mockingly. Currently playing: Far Cry 3 Waiting: Arkham City, AC: Revelations, CoD: MW2 (yeah yeah), Dark Souls, Dishonored, Enslaved, MGS4, Mirror's Edge, Uncharted 3, XCOM: EU .........I....might have a problem O__O

Hahaha XD well, to be fair, I only finished Far Cry like, 2 weeks ago... But yeah, you definitely beat me by far in terms of backlog XD But hey, on the positive side, this also means taht you won't be in any hurry to get a new console any time soon! :D

Nope, but I still want to buy new games on release haha, my Amazon wish list is a mile long too - keeps me from forgetting.

Looks great, hope to be picking this up today. Raiden in a sombrero and poncho is priceless!!

Pre-ordered this from Amazon since Gamestop wouldn't let me pre-order and do in-store pickup. Glad to see it's getting good scores.

I love that you can still hid under boxes, but I am not sure that you are going to need to judgeing by what you can do with that sword.

Sombrero Boxes. ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

I am already dead set in playing this game, and what I have played from the demo further convinced me to do so, I don't think I'll consider this an 8 of a game when I play it, but it's still a pretty good score, AND I understand the criticisms, and they feel justified and valid enough... except for one. Ryan... I don't want to sound like a dick here... but are you sure you were doing the parrying right? Unless what was shown in the demo wasn't representative of the final game, I actually found the parrying system to be spot on... and with an actually very large window to get it right. I've played trough the demo 3 times yesterday and Sunday in anticipation, and yesterday I was able to parry pretty much every single attack the wolf boss and the geckos threw at me. Again, not trying to be a jerk, honestly, it's just that what you're reporting directly conflicts with what I experienced myself. But then again, maybe later in the game you'll face enemies or attacks in which parrying won't do it's job correctly? I guess we'll see once I get it though. The rest of the complaint though, I definitely don't challenge them, because well, the plain environments can already be felt in the demo, and as for the bosses... It's platinum games, if there's one glaring weakness these guys have, is that they are TERRIBLE at story, and specially at character development, so I am actually pleasantly surprised to hear that the overall story isn't utter crap XD Lastly, there is one issue i DID find in the demo, and I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned here, the camera does sometimes tend to move in very un-useful angles that either don't let you view the enemy that's going to attack you... or it can outright block your view from what you're slicing in blade mode. Not a HUGE problem because it only happened every so often in what I played, but I thought it would be mentioned XD