A lot can change in a 24-hour time frame and this holds true for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Now with a brand new shiny title, formerly known as Metal Gear Solid: Rising, the next installment in the Metal Gear franchise is set to embark to a place we never though it'd go - making it a true spin-off.
In one aspect this new storyline for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance could lower damage control if it is a flop. It has been recently made public that MGR:R will stand alone outside of the Metal Gear Solid series set in the future (after MGS4). Removing it from the timeline in between Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots helps lift weight off Revengeance's shoulders for Platinum if they were to fail in maintaining consistency in story for the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
The reasoning behind this decision, Platinum wanted to "show off what they can bring to the series," which is smart on their part for reasons stated above. Inconsistency in the Metal Gear Solid timeline could cripple the franchise and lose many longtime fans.
From the updated official site of MGR:Revengeance:
The main character, Raiden, was once feared as the child soldier "Jack the Ripper" on the front lines of the First Liberian Civil War. Now, his combat mastery is channeled through a cyborg body as the strikes from his high-frequency blade slice even massive assault drones in two. Raiden is contracted for VIP protection, military training and other duties by PMSCs (Private Military and Security Companies) in a developing country piecing itself back together after a bloody civil war. Little does he know that the stage is set for a clash with an enigmatic force of countless cyborgs.
From what was shown at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards and from the plot synopsis released today, any MGS fan knows that this is a little bit out of the ordinary. Between the brutal slice and dice action and the lack of Solid Snake, this game will definitely test whether or not Platinum has what it takes to live-up to the Metal Gear name.
This title could potentially bring in a new crowd of fans with the amount of action displayed in the first Revengeance trailer. There was no sneaking around as Raiden took to the sky to take down Metal Gear Rays. Side note: did Raiden look like Sonic the Hedgehog running around in that train tunnel?
It has been a long time coming since the teaser trailer from E3 2011 earlier this year and it looks like MGR: Revengeance is getting off its feet, but will this game be effective enough to keep loyal fanboys/girls happy? If this doesn't work, perhaps Metal Gear Solid 5 will suffice?
More is to be revealed as a new video entitled, “The Truth Behind RISING," will be launched on the official Konami site on December 13 - exploring the nature of the relationship between Platinum and Kojima Productions.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengence is set for development on the PS3 and Xbox 360 and scheduled for a 2012 release.
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