Reviewed On: Xbox 360

  Available For: Xbox 360, PC, PS3

  Publisher: Konami

  Developer: Platinum Games

  Genre: Action

  Age: 18 (PEGI)

  Price: £39.99

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THE SWISS, French, and Dutch are famous for their cheeses – although in the gaming world, the ultimate cheese came from Japan during the mid-90s.

Games were beginning to receive intricate plotlines with voice acting, but the actors used were generally unknown, and the dialogue teaming with poorly translated and largely unnatural chatter. Games like Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid were involved in this adolescence of true gaming narrative – it was part of their charm and beauty.

Action takes place four years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4, and follow the story of Raiden, a cyborg ninja battling against the wrongful doings of Desperado Enterprises, a private military company with global reach and incredible power.

Metal Gear Solid’s creator, Hideo Kojima wrote the plot behind this spin off and although it was developed by Platinum Games, a newcomer to the series, its roots are clearly Metal Gear Solid in terms of story, aesthetics, and general feel.

Development shifted to Platinum Games because of their experience with fast-paced action, and because Revengeance has seen a massive shift in gameplay style.

Although there are stealth elements still present, the main focus is on fast-paced swordplay and the building of combos. Virtually everything standing is sliceable, and acute control of slicing movements means they can be diced exactly as desired.

The best way to think of Revengeance is as a cross of Metal Gear Solid and Ninja Gaiden. But things aren’t as monotonous as many other hack-and-slash games; frequent boss-battles, sub-bosses, set-pieces, and animation sequences help to keep things flowing and remain fresh. Every new enemy brings a new challenge and requires a new way of thinking.

Upgrades are purchasable between missions, adding new moves and attribute upgrades to Raiden's cybotic suit.

These provide new missions with the excitement of trying out the newly acquired moves. Never do the moves and combos overwhelm, as intuitive and brilliantly mapped controls make play feel natural.

As ever in the Metal Gear series, visuals are top notch. Mechanized equipment whistles, turns, grunts and groans in spectacular style as everything from cybernetics to futuristic helicopters pack an incredible level of detail.

Expect loads of cheese, oodles of meat-headed action, and truckloads of slick gameplay – it’s a sci-fi action enthusiast’s paradise.


  SCORE: 9 / 10

  PROS: Great graphics, brilliant gameplay, and an awesome amount of retro cheese.

  CONS: After completeting single-player and having a good play of the VR missions, there's nothing much else to do..