Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a Metal Gear franchise chapter that takes place four years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The gameplay is notably different from the rest of the series, with fast-paced action gameplay reminiscent of Platinum Games’ MadWorld or the Devil May Cry series. Raiden, the cyborg ninja formerly the primary character in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, is the protagonist. Following the destruction of the shadow organization The Patriots in MGS4, numerous private military corporations have focused on building cyborg superhumans. Raiden is among them, usually working in security for PMC Maverick Securities alongside Boris, Courtney, Doktor, Kevin, and Sunny. During one of the missions tasked with ensuring the safety of an African prime minister, the rival PMC Desperado Enterprises intervenes and murders the politician. Raiden is severely injured but returns to investigate Desperado’s plans. In separate chapters, Raiden must battle the members and several cyborgs as powerful as himself.
The gameplay is hack-and-slash in nature. Raiden’s primary weapon is a high-frequency blade that he uses to string together mild and powerful strike combos. After fighting bosses, different weapons can be obtained for new assaults. Secondary weaponry, such as rocket launchers, missiles, and grenades, can be brought for use in other attacks. He can also enter a bullet time blade mode, which allows him to execute exact slices. This is used to target certain limbs, chop them off, and manage zaibatsu. The latter will enable him to chop off and retrieve bodily pieces containing digital information or goods and grasp the enemy’s power units, which resemble a blue spine. All health and fuel cells are restored when this procedure is completed successfully. These fuel cells are essential to activate the blade mode. However, the bar can also be replenished by collecting electrolytes from defeated foes and performing general assaults. Blade mode can also be used to destroy pieces of the environment or to disarm enemies. A ninja mode can also be unlocked, allowing you to run significantly faster, dodge incoming bullets, and perform attacks such as dashes and slides. These can be extended by jumping into the air to prolong the combo. As in Assassin’s Creed III, this ninja mode is also employed to automatically run, jump, slide, and climb over and under barriers and structures. Eventually, a more powerful ripper mode is acquired to access the blade mode.
In comparison to previous games, stealth is of lesser relevance. Levels are made up of various linear parts with some minimal exploration. It is possible to approach an enemy from behind to perform a ninja kill, attack with a one-hit kill from above, or slip past surveillance cameras at particular times. Later, drum cans and cardboard boxes can be used to conceal yourself. Raiden may also create a holographic distraction by throwing a photo frame. A visor can be used to view item chests in the environment, the next goal, and enemy positions. Many levels contain cutscenes and interactive sequences, often with fast-time events, in which Raiden runs across bridges and walls or jumps from one rocket to another to confront a helicopter in the air, frequently with over-the-top brutality.
A different menu communicates with the other team members while playing. Battle points are the in-game currency that may be spent on improved body armor, more robust health, fuel abilities, weapon modifications, and new skills that enable more general moves or specific weapons. Hidden chests can be found while playing to unlock up to 30 virtual reality missions that can be performed outside the story mode. Other secret compartments provide concept art via a collection menu.
