Metal Gear Rising Revengeance is slated for a January release with a great deal of anticipation surrounding the title.
While it does belong to the venerated Metal Gear franchise, there is a great deal of weariness from some regarding the game's radical shift in tone and gameplay. With Ninja Raiden taking over as protagonist, the title is shifting away from its espionage roots toward a more action packed thriller.
New Trailer
In order to increase the anticipation for the title, Konami has just released a new trailer with its most prominent moment featuring Raiden hiding in a trademark Metal Gear Box. Most of the four minute trailer features action scenes showcasing Raiden's different combos and attacks. At about the two and a half minute mark however, the trailer shows Raiden fending off incoming enemy attacks with his sword rather than with Quick Time Events. This indicates that the game will require strong timing and reflexes from the players. It also shows Raiden as being able to destroy pillars to create walkways for himself.
Early Critical Response
Early reactions from pundits indicate that the title's action is frenzied and fast paced with Gamedot.com's David Owen stating that "Metal Gear Rising has come together rather well. As you'd expect from Platinum the combat is stellar, with enough depth and variety that should keep it fresh and rewarding, and the frequency of jaw-dropping set pieces is bound to keep you ploughing onward. If you're hoping for a new Metal Gear Solid, you might want to wait for Ground Zeroes. If you just want to have a lot of fun with the combined lunacy of Platinum and Kojima Productions, this is definitely worth checking out when it's released next year. This is Metal Gear, but not as we know it.
Joystiq's Mike Schramm states that "So far Rising is a stellar action title. Both Platinum and Kojima Productions have clearly committed their own special talents to the title, and though the spin-off's origins were reportedly rough going, the end result is a very smooth mix of the Metal Gear franchise and Platinum's action expertise."
Shack News's Ozzie Mejia elaborates and notes that "Revengeance may be cut from a different cloth from the Solid series, but it is unquestionably a Metal Gear title, through and through. Beyond the heavy-handed story, over-the-top boss encounters, and surprising stealth sequences, you can see the Metal Gear DNA in nearly every aspect of the game, from Raiden's Codec to the cardboard boxes scattered in the environment. Eleven years after MGS2 introduced the world to Raiden, Rising finally makes him feel like a worthy successor to Snake's mantle."
The title is slated for February 19,2013 release date on the PS3 and Xbox 360.