Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance steered the Metal Gear series away from stealth mechanics toward stylized action, courtesy of PlatinumGames, a studio specializing in dense, fast-paced combat systems. Players take on the role of the cyborg Raiden, a former child soldier and katana-wielding ninja who, after leaving government service, works as a private mercenary fighting a private military company spreading chaos across the world.

The game's key mechanic is the so-called Blade Mode, which lets players slice enemies and the environment with precision in any direction in slow motion, resulting in flashy battles and boss fights, quite literally cut to pieces, full of charismatic, over-the-top theatrical villains. The combination of fast parrying, aggressive combos, and the ability to regenerate health by ripping out a defeated enemy's core creates a distinctive identity, quite different from the main series' slower, tactical tone. On PS4 the game ran smoothly and made use of a stylized, metallic-glossy visual style backed by an intense rock and metal soundtrack that underscores the boss fights.

The game also included side VR missions in the style of the series' classic training simulators, plus a chapter-rating system based on speed, style, and accuracy that encouraged repeat playthroughs and honing combat skills. The game world, though told fairly linearly, offers small detours within each chapter with side battles and collectibles that reveal further layers of Raiden's traumatic childhood.

At release, Revengeance was praised chiefly for its precise combat system and unforgettable, over-the-top dramatic moments, despite the campaign's relatively short length. It is still regarded today as one of the best action titles of its generation and a showcase example of Japanese studio collaboration that managed to combine the serious Metal Gear brand with a genuinely tongue-in-cheek yet mechanically deep take on action.

Why play it: For fans of precise combat systems and over-the-top dramatic moments, Revengeance offers one of the best action titles of its generation, despite its relatively short campaign.