It’s hard to believe that Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was released nine years ago. It was a hit and its popularity has sustained for all this time thanks to its awesome combat, banging soundtrack, and countless Internet memes. And if you haven’t played it before, you may be tempted to give it a try. However, you’re probably wondering how Rising fits into the wider Metal Gear story. Is Metal Gear Rising canon?
Firstly, let’s examine how Metal Gear Rising came to be. Back in 2008, the Metal Gear saga was supposed to conclude with Metal Gear Solid 4.
MGS4 wrapped up the stories of all major characters, including Solid Snake, Big Boss, and Raiden. Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima intended for it to be the final instalment in the series.
Raiden – who is Rising‘s main character – was reintroduced in MGS4 as a cyborg ninja. This creative decision was made following fan backlash to his surprise debut in Metal Gear Solid 2.
The Raiden character was widely criticised in that game, primarily due to his omission from all promotional material prior to release. Fans were expecting to play solely as Snake, and were disappointed to have to play as Raiden instead.
Fans eventually warmed to Raiden, thanks mostly to his role in MGS4. His improved popularity prompted Kojima Productions to plan a new Metal Gear game around Raiden as the cyborg ninja.
The game began development as an MGS2 and MGS4 ‘interquel’ which would show Raiden’s transformation into the cyborg ninja. Progress was slow and it was eventually cancelled at Kojima Productions. PlatinumGames took over and released the game we know and love today.
But what happened to the original plan for its story? And is Metal Gear Rising canon?
Is Metal Gear Rising Canon?
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was originally titled Metal Gear Solid: Rising. And its setting – in between MGS2 and MGS4 – made it a clear part of the wider Metal Gear narrative.
However, when PlatinumGames took over its development, the game’s story changed. This included its setting. The game would now be set after Metal Gear Solid 4 and take place four years later in 2018. But is the game actually considered canon? After all, its hack-and-slash action is vastly different to anything that came before it.
Is Metal Gear Rising canon? Yes – Metal Gear Rising is canon and the last chronological instalment in the Metal Gear series. However, it is a spin-off with few returning characters and minimal links to the stories of the previous games.
Metal Gear Rising doesn’t impact anything from previous Metal Gear instalments and feels almost entirely separate from the games that came before it.
While the final game in the series – Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – was released two years after Rising, its plot was unconnected.
Will there be Metal Gear Rising 2?
There have been several hints at a second Metal Gear Rising game. Hideo Kojima himself has expressed interest in Metal Gear Rising 2, as has Raiden voice actor Quinton Flynn. However, nothing has ever been officially confirmed.
Ongoing disputes between Kojima Productions and Konami seem to be the primary reason a new Metal Gear Solid game hasn’t been made. And while Konami did attempt to resurrect the series with Metal Gear Survive, that game was widely panned and there has been no talk of Metal Gear Rising 2.
Have you played Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance? Would you play a sequel? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
