The next console Metal Gear game, Metal Gear Solid Rising, will bridge the gap between Metal Gear Solid 2 and MGS 4, the game's developers revealed at E3 this week. Plus, we'll finally find out how Raiden became cool.
Metal Gear Solid Rising producer Shigenobu Matsuyama told reporters here in L.A. that the game will explain how Raiden transformed from the unpopular hero of MGS2 to the cyber-ninja badass for whom gamers now loudly cheer.
The game's director, Mineshi Kimura, said that his goal is to make Raiden play as impressively as Raiden moved in the MGS4 trailers. Those were the trailers that had Raiden using his sword to slice enemy fighters and mechs to pieces, so that is an admirable goal.
The two man provided some hints about gameplay. Matsuyama said that Raiden will be able to cut open cyborgs and mechs and claim the guts inside, which might include life, energy, parts, ammunition, items and sometimes even information. He said we will have to strategize about what we have Raiden take, and that that will distinguish this game from other action games.
Director Kimura said that he wants players to be able to "Cut at will", using Raiden's swords to slice anything at any angle. The sword can be used to kill or merely injure, depending on where you slice. He refrained from explaining the controls but said they'll have to be fun. Yes, please!
Some fans have been wondering if Rising chucks the MGS series' trademark stealth. No, the developers said, there will be "stealth elements." But they said that it will be speedier stealth that utilizes Raiden's agility. Comparing the nimble Raiden to aging MGS hero Solid Snake, Kimura said, "so you don't have to worry about back problems like Snake had in the past."
Kimura said he wants the stealth to involve heights, which sounded like he wants Raiden running on rooftops and such, though he did not specify.
Both seemed proud to be working on a Raiden game and explain this character's back-story. The adventure will bridge MGS2 and MGS4. (If you are wondering why they didn't mention MGS3, that's because that game takes place before MGS2 and 4). Rising will explain Raiden's drastic character transformation from solider to cybernetically-enhanced swordsman.
The Rising creators want players to feel the awesomeness of Raiden's blade. They want it to feel like an effective weapon to wield against anyone and anything. They talk about the "feared power" we will have with Raiden's blade. They sound determined to make Raiden's second star turn at a Metal Gear Solid game one fans will love. Don't hate on Raiden this time, people.