A new trailer revealed at the Spike Video Game Awards 2011 on Saturday has now come to light - along with a smattering of new information on the latest entry in the Metal Gear saga - and it’s been very interesting. First off, the game’s name has now been revised, now known as Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Secondly, the game will now be set after Metal Gear Solid 4, effectively making it the next chapter in the Metal Gear series. While it’s speculated that part of this change was made in order to set the game in a more futuristic scenario with more cybernetic enemies (due to Japan’s unease at the portrayal of dismembering human beings), the changes to the game’s name and plot make me wonder whether this will be the start of a new “Metal Gear Rising” saga.

Perhaps the biggest announcement was that the game is now being co-developed with Platinum Games, the developers of Bayonetta and Vanquish. Seeing as the game is going to be oriented around fast-paced sword combat, Platinum should be a perfect fit, having shown their expertise with their previous work (including their history with Capcom and Clover Studios before they became independant).

The trailer shows Raiden fighting against military opponents, as well as Gekko and Metal Gear RAY units as seen in previous Metal Gear titles. The trailer shows a mix of the regular combat, as well as the cutting ability and other more cinematic moments (such as grabbing and throwing a RAY) that look as though they could be QTE or something of a similar style. It also appears that Raiden will have a sword-wielding rival, although it’s unknown who he is at this point. The trailer ends with Raiden talking in a gnarled voice, saying “I think it’s time for Jack to let ‘er rip!” – referencing Raiden’s darker alter ego (Jack the Ripper) that he dealt with as a child soldier, suggesting he may be regressing into his more psychopathic nature at some point.

The trailer has recieved a mixed reception, and I myself have similarly mixed feelings about the trailer. On one hand, and most of all, I am excited. Playing as cyborg Raiden is appealing, and the idea of Platinum Games taking the reins of a Metal Gear hack ‘n’ slash title sounds fantastic. The idea of Jack the Ripper making a return is also exciting – as the darker side of Raiden is something we’ve only really heard about in the past tense so far. As a standalone game, Revengeance is looking amazing and I’m sure it will be a great game with Kojima and P* working in conjunction. The issue that I have in the back of my mind, however, is how the game will reflect upon the Metal Gear series as a whole. The title is looking very over-the-top (in true Platinum Games style), while the series usually feels more serious, albeit with a few strange individuals in the mix. While I’m looking forward to playing as Raiden, there’s a worry that the title won’t have that gritty, almost realistic style that the series is known and loved for, and I fear that the storyline might undermine the events leading up to it and how the story concluded with MGS4. That said, I have a great deal of trust in Hideo Kojima watching over the project, so I think I’ll need to hear more before jumping to any conclusions.

We’ll supposedly be hearing more information on the game this week, so keep an eye out for more news soon. In the meantime, check out the trailer below for the first real trailer for MGR: Revengeance.

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- Leon

A Metal Gear title is coming to Xbox 360.

Titled “Metal Gear Solid: Rising”, Kojima stated that the title would be coming to Xbox 360, while the teaser-image of Raiden (now confirmed) appeared on the screen behind him. Little is known about this title – but the words “Lightning Bolt Action” replace MGS’s typical “Tactical Espionage Action”, perhaps suggesting that the title may be more action oriented.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcrlEsSAPSM]

This has obviously caused a bit of a rift in the ranks of the PS3 fans of MGS – many people feel that MGS should be exclusive to the console. So far, it has not been confirmed that Rising will be released on PS3, and it seems there are mixed sources – some claiming it to be an Xbox exclusive, others saying it isnt. Will have to wait and find out.

The teaser site countdown has now ended – displaying a promotional poster for MGS: Rising, and appears to have room to add a few more bits of information as time progresses. This will undoubtedly contain more information after tomorrows announcements at E3.

Still, its very exciting – a new Metal Gear, a new console and a new protagonist – we could be in for something very interesting.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayZG-RJCUYs&hl=en&fs=1]

This to me was something special, the fight even involved Mantis reading and avoiding your every move, until you figured out the trick – to switch your controller to port 2 to block his psychic power and prevent him from doing so. Even when I recently replayed Metal Gear Solid Mantis threw me yet again – with a sudden comment that I was a fan of Castlevania – which was true in its own right, but even more eerie since my friend was playing ‘vania right next to me. I personally love when games break 4th wall, and Kojima is incredibly good at it.

Yet again, come Sons of Liberty, and Kojima was at it again. Near the end, when things start to get a bit weird, the Colonel starts speaking strangely and coming out with very odd lines… the game begins to try and trick you, looking as though the game over screen has come up with the famous words “Fission Mailed”. And then, good enough to even freak me out – the Colonel starts screaming at you to switch the console off. It probably didn’t help I did this in the middle of the night, but it sure as hell gave me the creeps.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTd_9FVupMg&hl=en&fs=1]

And to top it off, MGS4 manages to take the Mantis thing even further – with a new Mantis. But instead of simply breaking the 4th wall, the game almost taunts you to try.. see how far you get trying to switch controller ports with a PS3. The game double bluffs you into trying things, using the experiences of MGS1 to throw you completely. Clever, and highly enjoyable. And you can just imagine Kojima, sitting with a grin on his face, succeeding to baffle the audience once again.

Now this isn’t so much about his trickery, but his love for riddles and clues. And as the fans seek desperately to find what’s next to come, he enjoys to taunt us with just enough information that we see something that intrigues us further, yet tells us nothing.

You may already know what I’m talking about – Kojima’s new teaser website. Kojima has officially stated that he is now working on a new title in the Metal Gear saga, so we know this much. The site bears a simple flash animation of a torrential storm, with nothing but  countdown ticking down, constantly. Now, if you pay more attention, there’s actually more to it than you might notice at first.

Firstly, there are letters and symbols that appear in the lightning flashes – the symbols  ‘e’, ‘E’, ’3′, ‘P’, ‘R’ and something that resembles a ’5′ or an ‘S’ As always, people will take their speculation and make what they will of it. E3 perhaps? A ’5′ for ‘Metal Gear Solid 5?, but that doesn’t explain enough to really know the truth. As always, its just a matter of time. The site is slowly adding more to it – one countdown seems to run into another, but this is all we’ve seen thus far – except for one image I have yet to mention.

Yes, I know what most fans would think the second they saw this face: “Big Boss.” Sadly, the problem with Big Boss is that with so many clones we can’t actually know for sure which Snake this is – is it Big Boss? Is it Solid Snake, somehow young again? Or is it someone else entirely – Solidus, or another clone we have yet to consider? Also, Kojima stated that the symbol on his beret would have some significance. It appears to be some sort of globe, but what does it mean? Is it related to Outer Heaven? And whether it matters or not – his Beret is actually worn the opposite way round to Big Boss in MGS3. Subtle, but Kojima has mentioned that he wears something different (although the actual object stated was blanked out in the interview in question – which suggests it is in fact relevant.

On the topic of the emblem upon the beret, Kojima stated “It’s not only an emblem, but for the game, it will be a new type of system.” What does this mean? A new system? Who knows what on Earth he’s talking about. An excerpt from Famitsu’s interview can be found at the end of this article.

Leaked scans from Famitsu have revealed another, similar, image – of another character. The most common belief is that the character is Raiden – but as always theres speculation. Is this Raiden? Or perhaps someone else? It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had a new Ninja in the series (Grey Fox, Mr X, Raiden). Raiden translates in Japanese as ‘thunder and lightning’, so looking at the stormy theme of the teaser site, I believe (and personally hope) that this is a nod towards him.

Another point that I will mention is that both characters have their eyes covered. Obviously, if the first is in fact Big Boss, we already know why. But if it’s Solid? Who knows. Even more so, why does ‘Raiden’ have a bandana covering his own? Is it symbolic in some way?

On that note I will say – if it is indeed Big Boss and Raiden, it is important to point out that they currently have no relevance in the same time zone – Big Boss vanished after Zanzibar, looking considerably older than in the teaser shot, and Raiden didn’t become a Cyborg until after Sons of Liberty. So the idea that they could be in the same time period for the same game is pretty unlikely – unless theres some kind of wierd time travel or two part story.

So what does this mean? Is this Metal Gear Solid 5? Is this two titles – perhaps a PSP game and PS3 game? (Portable Ops 2 could explain Big Boss, and perhaps a PS3 Raiden game?) Who will be the lead role of whatever game this turns out to be? We can only speculate – but the one thing I am confident in is that when E3 rolls around, we can expect some big Metal Gear news.

Famitsu Interview with Kojima:

The X’s denote the blanked out words. Don’t expect to understand much, but it is an interesting read nonetheless.

Famitsu: Is the generation XXX?

Kojima: No, it’s XXX. If I were to say it all, perhaps XXXXX. I’m currently doing the game design and direction.

Famitsu: Really!

Kojima: I believe Japan will be the focus, but it will be sold throughout the world. Within me, this is XXXX. I won’t say it’s X, but I am making a proper story, and it is being made by the MGS4 staff.

Famitsu: Really! That’s amazing

Continued…

Hamamura: XXXXXXXXX’s XXXXXX?
Kojima: But, XXXXXXXXX. It’s XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.
Hamamura: Ah! I get it!!
Kojima: “XXXXX XXXXX XXX”. Well, it’s not “X”, but a “X” kind of feeling. That’s him. I can’t say the title yet, but it’s this kind of feeling. But it’s the Metal Gear saga’s tradition.
Hamamura: The time period is XXX?
Kojima: No, it’s XXX. I’m saying everything, maybe XXXXX. I’m designing and directing all of this game.
Hamamura: Wha!
Kojima: I think the focus will be domestic, and we’re launching it globally. For me, this is like “XXXX”. I won’t say “X”, but a solid story has been created, and the MGS4 staff is making it.
Hamamura: Wow! That’s great.

Kojima: This time, only the image of this guy will appear. Then lighting. Just this appearing, I wan everyone to guess. This is how XX’s will be appearing.
Hamamura: This…is Big Boss?
Kojima: XX’s way of appearing is slightly different.
Hamamura: Eh? Different…?

Kojima: The emblem on this guy’s hat is important.
Hamamura: The emblem isn’t a fox. There’s like a world map thing drawn.
Kojima: It’s not only an emblem, but for the game, it will be a new type of system.
Hamamura: Is it XX-XXXXXXXXXX?
Kojima: Yes. You’ll while XXXXXXX. XXXX, etc. are a given, so they’ll be included. Ooops, I’ve said more than I was planning to. (laughs)
Hamamura: Hahahahaha! Well XXXXXX, it’s XXXXXXX? Also, where’s the game going to be set?
Kojima: The place is XXXXXXX. XXXXXXXXX happened, and it’s a XXXXX type of country. There isn’t XXXXXXXX in the country, but they do have XX like things and XXXX. At that time, XXXXXX come to where the guy is.

Kojima: The theme is XX. XXXXX kinda thing or XXX theme, or XXXXXXXXXXXX, or why is there X, that’s where we’re drawing. Maybe everyone is probably thinking, “This sermon again!” Maybe this sermon will become a genre. (laughs)
Hamamura: Ahahahaha!
Kojima: This is quite a deep interview.
Hamamura: So true!