METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE

Once again Platinum Games conjures up an action-packed masterpiece. Swordplay has never been this much fun.

90%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, stability

96% User Score Based on 34,864 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 16 reviews

Platforms

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About

In METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE, play as Raiden, a powerful cyborg ninja, and use your High Frequency katana to slice through enemies in this thrilling action game. The PC version includes all DLC missions and customizable body upgrades. A new "Cutscenes" option allows you to rewatch any cinematic at any time.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE screenshot

+16

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 34,864 reviews

story1.8k positive mentions

grinding79 negative mentions

story
5,204 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The story of "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" is often described as over-the-top, absurd, and filled with humor, making it both entertaining and memorable. While it may not reach the narrative depth of other entries in the Metal Gear series, it effectively combines action and philosophical themes, particularly around war and identity, with a campy tone that resonates with players. The game features a relatively short main story, typically lasting around 5-8 hours, but offers significant replayability through additional missions and DLC content.
- “The story is a thrilling rollercoaster, seamlessly blending action and narrative depth.”
- “The narrative unfolds through a series of well-crafted cutscenes and in-game dialogue, immersing players in a complex and thought-provoking storyline.”
- “The story is engaging and fluid, even if some elements seem a bit ridiculous.”
- “The story is probably the least political, philosophical, emotional, or intellectual in the Metal Gear franchise (aside from maybe the original MSX title). The characters do have motivations and philosophy to their actions, but it's mostly nothing that hasn't already been explored before in the franchise.”
- “The story is more of a vessel for some of the most bombastic action sequences I have ever seen in a video game with a kick-ass heavy metal soundtrack.”
- “The story is a typical Metal Gear affair, full of twists, turns, and political intrigue, but it lacks the depth and complexity of the mainline games.”
music
5,099 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, with many reviewers calling it a "banger" soundtrack that perfectly complements the fast-paced action and intense boss battles. The dynamic nature of the soundtrack, where vocal tracks kick in during critical moments of combat, enhances the overall experience and adds depth to the characters and their motivations. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a masterpiece, making the game a must-play for fans of action and music alike.
- “The soundtrack will never stop being stuck in your head.”
- “Similar to other genre games like DMC or Bayonetta, you'll find yourself slashing, parrying, and dodging enemy attacks stylishly to a powerful soundtrack.”
- “The music effectively complements the game's high-energy combat sequences, intensifying the action and adding emotional depth to key moments in the narrative.”
- “Good game I enjoyed it back then in the days when it just came out, but the problem about the Steam version is that half of the audio is missing. As long as being engaged in a fight, there’s no music. While having several dialogues with your NPC partners, sometimes it comes to missing sound. That’s not good, please fix it because it’s pretty hard to play when you hear nothing sometimes.”
- “The soundtrack is sometimes relegated to background noise rather than supplemental to gameplay.”
- “The music is pretty much overly dramatically, whimsically, weird j-pop of some screaming teen about to climax over hatsune miku.”
gameplay
4,087 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The gameplay of "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" is widely praised for its fast-paced, hack-and-slash mechanics that allow players to slice through enemies with precision using the unique "blade mode." While many players find the combat satisfying and exhilarating, some criticize the poorly explained mechanics, particularly the parry system, and the frustrating camera controls that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game is celebrated for its engaging gameplay, memorable boss fights, and an outstanding soundtrack, making it a standout title in the action genre.
- “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance features smooth, fast, and energetic gameplay that truly makes you feel like a cyborg ninja. It's as cool as it sounds.”
- “What sets this game apart is how consistently exciting, bombastic, and satisfying the gameplay feels overall.”
- “The unique slicing mechanic, known as 'zandatsu', allows you to slow down time and precisely sever enemy parts, making combat incredibly satisfying.”
- “The game itself is okay, except for the parrying mechanic, which is trash.”
- “Godawful tutorials and terrible at explaining mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, and the mechanics are poorly explained, making it frustrating to learn.”
graphics
1,100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
45%
5%
The graphics of "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" are widely praised for their impressive quality, especially considering the game was released in 2013. Many reviewers note that the visuals have aged well, showcasing detailed character models and environments that enhance the overall experience, despite some minor graphical glitches and limitations in resolution options. Overall, the game's art style and cinematic cutscenes contribute to a visually captivating experience that remains appealing even years after its release.
- “Absolutely beautiful game, amazing graphics and models for its time, 10/10”
- “The graphics are cutting edge for its time, showcasing a level of detail that enhances the overall immersion.”
- “For a game from 2013, its visuals still look remarkable, and though the story's over-the-top nature and overall absurdity make it worthy of the absurd amount of memes that it has generated, it is still enjoyable enough to play through multiple times.”
- “The graphics certainly haven't aged particularly well, but the music is great (especially if you're into that genre) and the cutscenes are iconic.”
- “Running above 60fps is impossible, and resolutions above 1080p require a mod which can cause the graphics to occasionally bug out.”
- “The graphics are definitely dated, but the combat and story are amazing.”
humor
1,018 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" is widely praised for its absurdity and over-the-top nature, blending campy dialogue with serious themes in a way that often results in genuine laughter. Players appreciate the memorable characters, hilarious one-liners, and the game's self-aware satire, which contribute to its status as a "funny meme game" within the gaming community. Despite some critiques of the fandom's humor, the game's comedic elements are seen as a significant part of its charm and appeal.
- “The dialogue is hilarious while touching on interesting political ideologies.”
- “It's so outlandishly funny and cool that you just can't help but smile and laugh.”
- “The story is a mix of funny, silly and serious, which makes it quite interesting to follow.”
- “So fun it makes you forget how insufferably unfunny the fandom is.”
- “If you ignore the really unfunny memes surrounding the game, it's actually a masterpiece.”
- “I neither know if it had a rushed development nor I care, it's a boring experience at the end with generic plot points, laughable dialog but not on purpose, unfunny dialog again not on purpose and a whole lot of filler.”
replayability
457 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
The game's replayability is generally regarded as high, despite its relatively short main story, which typically lasts around 5-8 hours. Players appreciate the variety of difficulty levels, unlockable content, and additional modes such as VR missions, which encourage multiple playthroughs and mastery of the combat system. While some reviewers noted a lack of depth in replay options, many found the engaging gameplay and collectibles sufficient to keep them returning for more.
- “The game is also full of replayability, and if you liked the gameplay, you'll probably find yourself replaying it again a few more times (I myself have replayed it about 10 times already).”
- “Despite having such a short story, the game is really replayable; for example, everything you have when you beat the story saves, and you can play every mission you want while still having all your stuff.”
- “The replay value in this game is simply amazing, with many weapons, combos, and difficulty levels that unlock only after the first playthrough, incentivizing the player to start the story again and get better at the game and upgrade available gear even more.”
- “The only downside is that the game is a little short but it has a lot of replay value.”
- “The game is incredibly replayable and has secrets that you will undoubtedly miss on your first playthrough.”
- “The main story is too short in my opinion (DLC adds a bit more backstory) but the game itself lacks replayability; once you defeat the big bad boss, it's over, no reason to continue playing except for achievement grinding or maxing upgrades.”
optimization
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many praising its performance on both PC and consoles, particularly highlighting the PC version's superior graphics and smooth framerate. However, some users reported significant optimization issues, especially on lower-end systems and with certain hardware configurations, leading to stuttering and performance drops. Overall, while the game is generally well-optimized and runs smoothly on a variety of setups, there are notable exceptions that detract from the experience for some players.
- “The game's PC version is especially well-optimized, offering better graphics, performance, and options than the console versions.”
- “This game is actually surprisingly very well optimized for PC and runs great on low-end machines.”
- “Amazing game, from the graphics and the character design to the beautiful port to the PC with impressive optimization; this game is a must-play.”
- “This is a game that aged poorly and is not optimized for current PCs.”
- “The most irritating thing about this game is how it isn't as optimized as most games are now.”
- “The game lacks any sign of optimizations and it feels as if the devs didn't even bother with such a 'trivial' thing.”
grinding
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
45%
53%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the challenge and the satisfaction that comes from grinding for upgrades and achievements, others find the repetitive nature of combat and boss battles frustrating, often requiring excessive effort to progress. Overall, players suggest that a significant investment of time is necessary, making it less appealing for those who dislike grinding.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Gameplay is fun but tedious.”
- “Don't know why just about every enemy can stun you but it can be really tedious with how many times you have to shake the left stick (plus the grabs and other quick time events).”
- “The combination of the poor camera, inconsistent controls, and the game's love of taking control away from the player in the middle of combat makes for an unfun and tedious combat system.”
stability
127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
1%
85%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including game-breaking issues and frustrating camera problems. While some users found the game enjoyable despite these issues, others described it as a "buggy mess" that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires significant improvements in stability, particularly in its PC port.
- “This game is actually surprisingly very well optimized for PC and runs great on low-end machines.”
- “Looks great and runs great, even on my potato.”
- “Would only like to add that there is no need to be afraid of the very high system requirement; my computer is way below the minimum official requirement, but the game still runs great.”
- “Game doesn't really work, it's a total buggy mess.”
- “This game is by all means a buggy, janky, and unpolished piece of shit.”
- “I really like the game so far but as of the blade wolf I can't get further because one, it's really hard and two every time I die the game hard crashes on the loading screen and freezes my computer to a point I can't even shut down using its shut down button; I have to pull the plug.”
emotional
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of responses, from laughter to tears, as players connect with the characters and their journeys, particularly Raiden's struggles. While some reviews criticize the story for being shallow or convoluted, many highlight the effective character development and impactful moments that resonate emotionally, especially during boss fights and key narrative scenes. Overall, the game balances humor and serious themes, creating an experience that can be both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
- “The game's writing and character development are noteworthy, as they effectively convey the emotional depth and complexity of the game's cast, including both allies and adversaries.”
- “The end of the story is just too emotional and I couldn't get up from bed after I finished the game, for an average 1 day and 14.8 hours.”
- “I cried at the end, best game I've played all week.”
- “Extremely boring story with lots of loose ends, a bunch of weird characters from across the world, and cringe dialogues, including Raiden saying 'you're looking good' to a little girl (who also happens to be a skilled engineer).”
- “The voice acting is atrocious across the board, but that is due mostly to the confusing and boring storyline.”
- “Boring story that makes no sense (what am I fighting, alien robots?)”
character development
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
48%
7%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising Raiden's complex arc and emotional depth, while others criticize the inconsistency and lack of depth compared to previous titles in the series. Many players appreciate the vibrant character designs and engaging boss fights, but feel that the narrative often sacrifices character exploration for fast-paced action. Overall, while the game excels in gameplay and aesthetics, its character development is seen as either impressive or insufficient, depending on the player's perspective.
- “The game's writing and character development are noteworthy, as they effectively convey the emotional depth and complexity of the game's cast, including both allies and adversaries.”
- “Character development is outstanding.”
- “He also goes through an interesting character development arc, an arc that stays true to his personality in both previous MGS incarnations while also pushing him forward as a person.”
- “It's a fast-paced story about Raiden throwing all of his character development out of the window; continuing the themes of war economy creating morally bankrupt politicians, PMCs, and hyper-advanced weapons.”
- “The biggest weakness in the story is Raiden's 'character development' at a certain headquarters' entrance.”
- “The lack of character development prevents one from really becoming attached to the characters, or even their input into the overall story.”
atmosphere
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
42%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive audio design, featuring a blend of intense soundtracks and environmental sounds that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the beautifully rendered environments, which range from futuristic cities to industrial settings, each contributing to a distinct and captivating atmosphere. The synergy between the gameplay and music is highlighted as a key element, creating a memorable and engaging atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “From the clang of metal during combat to the atmospheric environmental sounds, the audio design adds another layer of polish and quality to the overall experience.”
- “The game's environments are beautifully rendered, ranging from futuristic cities to industrial complexes, each with its own distinct atmosphere and intricately detailed set pieces.”
- “The combination of intense heavy metal riffs, futuristic beats, and haunting melodies elevates the game's atmosphere to new heights, creating an unforgettable synergy between gameplay and music.”
- “I played MG on PS2 when it was very little known and I see a massive move away from the atmosphere and type of game.”
- “This game's atmosphere is so drastically different from the main Metal Gear games that without the brand name, you could mistake it for another game.”
- “And well since I'm a fan of MGS, this doesn't have anything to do with the old games, by that I mean the 'ambient', the atmosphere, and so on.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
30%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the absence of aggressive microtransactions and view it as a tribute to the franchise, others criticize the presence of in-app purchases and intrusive ads that detract from the experience. Overall, opinions vary from seeing it as a solid game to feeling it serves primarily as a cash grab.
- “No focus on microtransactions like modern games, a whacky fun story, cool gameplay with sword mechanics never made before or after, and a godly soundtrack.”
- “Microtransactions (although I would kill for the ability to make Raiden look like Snake).”
- “Free, but has microtransactions and/or donations.”
- “I click 'play' on the icon in my library and a window pops up offering 'play', 'about', 'support', 'more games', 'register online', 'in-app purchases', and 'options'.”
- “Do not buy, this whole game is just an advertisement for PMCs and artificial chins.”