Then again, you can perform ZanDatsu on multiple enemies at once, evening the odds. The enemies have gotten a little smarter compared to past games though, and should provide a great challenge. Raiden comes well equipped with heavy melee combo attacks that can come in handy, though some of those moves also deplete his energy meter.Īll of the sleek visual elements of the Metal Gear franchise are present in Revengeance, but some fans may wish that Platinum could have improved the engine in order to push the graphics a little further than what was presented in Metal Gear Solid 4. The katana adds a very fluid feeling to the game, and it's easy to forget that other moves are available because the slicing and dicing is so fun. Fortunately, the routine became fun with practice. At first it was a bit difficult using both joysticks to line up the enemy and the slicing angle accordingly, and then flicking the right joystick to follow through. Speaking as an avid MGS fan, this new type of gameplay did take some getting used to.
This action reduces Raiden's power bar, but he can refuel by defeating enemies or finding energy within each level. Using the right stick to re-angle your sword's path of destruction, multiple cuts can be performed in a matter of seconds, obliterating opponents and objects alike. Once an angle has been chosen, all that is needed is a little flick of the right joystick to complete a cut. Using the joystick to position the camera, the right joystick is used to aim the angle at which you'd like to slice. To slow down the action and hack apart an opponent using the high frequency katana blade, the controller's left bumper must be held down. Instead of button smashing, we are given joystick flicking. The Metal Gear Rising: Revengeancedemo presented at E3 2012 was not a part of the core game, but a VR training mission tutorial designed to help players understand the mechanics of the sword-dicing rage fest known as "ZanDatsu." The controls are fairly simple, but for MGS fans more accustomed to stealth than action, the new controls could take a little time to master. Although Platinum's work may not appeal to every living Metal Gear Solid fan, players who love action games should definitely check out Revengeance. That's exactly how everyone should take this game, as a spin-off.
All that we have seen and played of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance thus far suggests that credit must be given to Kojima Productions for showing so much faith in Platinum Games' ability to deliver an entertaining Metal Gear spin-off.