Metal Gear Rising was quietly cancelled before Platinum Games saved it

Translated Japanese podcast has inside info on the newly reborn Revengeance

Words: Henry Gilbert on December 12, 2011

Metal Gear Rising was quietly cancelled before Platinum Games saved it

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Most of the gaming world was taken by surprise this weekend when they saw Metal Gear Solid: Rising recreated as the reimagined Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. In fact, since it leaked hours early, we’d say even the game creators were surprised when it happened too. Now that this new reality has set in, more information has slowly been leaking out, including behind-the-scenes drama, last minute saviors, and story details.

As translated by Andriasang, the team at Kojima Productions was in love with the cut anything ability of the game, but was having trouble with all the other aspects of the game. After mapping story and setting, the team was couldn’t really make it all work together. Ultimately Kojima felt the game couldn’t be completed, at which point it was cancelled without a word to all the fans awaiting Raiden’s solo adventure.

Fortunately for admirers of the cyber ninja, people from developer Platinum Games one day visited the studio and saw the current state of Rising. They then offered to take the game to the finish line and rework the material that had been made up to that point. When they took over they decided to rename the game to create more distance between Rising and the Solid series, though that doesn’t totally explain an insane subtitle like Revengeance.

One small story detail slipped out as well, namely the timeframe of the title. Though Rising was originally announced as taking place between MGS2 and MSG4, now it’s taking place after 4. Konami was silent on why, but hopefully we’ll know more soon, as our interest in the game is certainly… Rising… Sorry.

Platforms:

Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Topics:

Kojima , Konami, Metal Gear Rising, metal gear solid

31 comments

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J-spit - December 13, 2011 11:12 a.m.

Looks like an appropriate Platinum product. Who heads that anyway? Is it Shinji Mikami? Google time!
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jackthemenace - December 13, 2011 9:45 a.m.

Oh man, can't believe I managed to miss that trailer O.o After seeing it, and thinking about it, it's obvious Platinum aren't going to be taking this too seriously- hence 'Reveangance'. I'm super excited about this, even if it IS a huge departure from the other Metal Gear games, Since I LOVED Bayonetta, and both Madworld and Anarchy Reigns look ridiculously awesome. One thing I am a little confused about is how Jack still has his Cyborg Ninja mode- wasn't that removed after 4? Unless this takes place between 4 and the epilogue... Or his suit's, like removable. Anyway, on the whole, I feel even better about this NOW than I did LAST year at it's E3 'reveal'. Platinum can NOT screw this up- it's perfect for them. Also, love the new art style for the lettering, and the metal soundtrack. I'm totally pumped for it.
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VigotheCarpathian - December 13, 2011 8:39 a.m.

Looks like Bayonetta with Metal Gear characters. Which I like as Bayonetta is one of my fav games of this generation. Oh and to the guy that said "pass on this and wait for Bayonetta 2" I wouldn't hold your breath for that mate.
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Y2Ken - December 13, 2011 6:49 a.m.

Good work Platinum Games for taking this on. Personally I'm interested to see their twist on Metal Gear lore, and to be honest I feel they're one of the most appropriate developers given their crazy nature.
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inkyspot - December 13, 2011 4:52 a.m.

Love the respect they showed for people who was waiting on this. "Let's not tell them, maybe they will go away and not care" Thanks for the consideration for the supporters of this title.
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SHADOSTRYKR - December 13, 2011 5:49 a.m.

My exact thoughts....when were they going to tell people it was cancelled? and how long has it been cancelled without telling fans?
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MeanwhileGuy - December 13, 2011 2:21 a.m.

I'm much more interested in why the original game wasn't working. The fact that Platinum have taken over is a downright shame, as Vanquish was generic as could be and Bayonetta simply sucked, mostly due to horrible graphics and controls, so I'm not holding out much hope for MGR, which I'm still going to call Rising, not the bloody stupid "Revengeance" title that sounds like it came straight out of a direct-to-video kung fu movie from the 70's. It looks like they're possibly using a new engine as well, that and the character animations, especially during the segment of combat that was shown, look stiff and out of date for this generation. I much preferred the smooth, controlled look the game's combat had before, not this over the top, overly silly insane stuff like throwing a Metal Gear Ray. One final thing, I agree with Taterboob up there, the game's original story setting was much more interesting, moving the story to after MGS4 simply makes no sense.
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VigotheCarpathian - December 13, 2011 8:43 a.m.

I know its your opinion and all but if your really being fair I don't think you can say Bayonetta "totally sucked". Graphics were good on xbox, bad on ps3 and the controls? I never found them "horrible" at all.
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avantguardian - December 13, 2011 1:08 a.m.

this looks appropriately bat-shit insane. fingers crossed.
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LTS - December 12, 2011 11:53 p.m.

after Duke Nukem Forever... I dont' really have high hopes for a "game almost cancelled and saved by another developer" type of deal.
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FOZ - December 13, 2011 9:21 a.m.

1. Rising wasn't very far in development. Duke Nuke switched engines and restarted development over and over again. 2. Do you even know who Platinum is?
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Errrrbo - December 12, 2011 10:23 p.m.

Going from cancelled to being developed by Platinum Games is like worst case scenario to best case scenario. Platinum Games developed Vanquish, which is one of my favorite games of this generation and clearly shows PG knows how to do over-the-top action. I think Rising is going to be fun as hell.
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SGTCOOL - December 12, 2011 10:13 p.m.

Takes place after 4? Okay. Well. That completely ruins the character arc or Raiden as according to the Metal Gear series. So no thanks Platinum Games. I love your products. But this is simply not for me.
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angelusdlion - December 12, 2011 10:22 p.m.

Way to jump the gun there. Could you at least wait until you know the general plot or not?
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taterboob - December 12, 2011 11:39 p.m.

The original story they were going with was very interesting, so I'd say that Mr. COOL's criticisms are valid. There is a HUGE chunk of time unaccounted for in the MGS timeline between 2 and 4 that has the potential for many interesting stories to be told. One such story was Raiden's evolution from wuss to badass cyborg ninja, and his mission to rescue Sunny from the Patriots. At the end of MGS2, he vows to rescue Sunny, then, at the beginning of MGS4, Sunny is with Snake and Otacon with no other explaination than "Raiden rescued her". How did he rescue her? Why is he a roboninja now? That's like reading a good book with the middle chapters ripped out. In addition, by placing the story after then end of MGS4, you are invalidating the resolutions that it brought. By the end, Raiden was given a regular body once again and had reunited with his son and the love of his life. His fight was over. If MGR's story so far is any indication, he then said "nevermind, bye family!" and zoomed off in a new robo body and joined some cyber ninja organization. As a longtime fan and follower of the Metal Gear story, I don't like it.
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SGTCOOL - December 13, 2011 7:36 a.m.

Exactly Mr.boob. The "Reveneance" may possibly refer to his family being murdered for some reason. And perhaps Snake is briefly brought back for some tactical wheelchair/colostomy bag action. I just want no part of it. I'll just wait for Bayonetta 2.
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alphafour - December 12, 2011 9:59 p.m.

It looked a little bit silly the first time I saw it but now it looks very silly. Silly is ok if I'm playing Angry Birds but not when I'm tucking into a Metal Gear game.
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IceBlueKirby - December 12, 2011 9:39 p.m.

I'd like to formally thank the folks at Platinum for saving one of my most anticipated game releases, and I know they're going to do awesome things with it. ^_^
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MasterBhater - December 12, 2011 7:30 p.m.

I hate how some MGS fans have ripped on this game so soon after it's announcement. You wanted it badly. You knew it would be hack and slash. You begged for it to return, and look, the people who made Bayonetta and Vanquish (two amazing games) are now at it's helm! I say it's awesome that Platinum has picked this game up after Kojima decided to trash it. Also, they call it Metal Gear RISING for a reason MGS does not = MGR. MGSolid Snake, MGRaiden
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KaizerKid22 - December 12, 2011 6:53 p.m.

Ballin'...Just,Ballin'.
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