MGR:R is a 2013 game in the hugely popular Metal Gear franchise started by Hideo Kojima released on the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, OS X and Android (Nvidia Shield).
This one isn't a Kojima game though, and from the moment you start playing that's something that becomes abundantly clear. Stealth is totally optional and killing everything in sight while looking as stylish as possible is the name of the game here, much like other hack n' slash games such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta.
This game has one big difference from those though, and it's the reason why I fell in love with this game:
The swordplay
You have normal directional attacks with the face buttons, however, you can hold down a button and activate "blade mode" which gives you total control over the direction you want to swing your sword. Couple that with this game's destructions physics where trees, cars, and all sorts of objects can be reduced to ash and enemies to blood pulps, it's one of the most enjoyable games featuring a sword-wielding protagonist you can find.
Of course in true Metal Gear fashion you have items that can you help out, such as recovery items, weapons and the classic cardboard box, but swordplay is the real highlight.
Cut cut cutty!
Gameplay isn't everything though, even if this game has you covered in that area.
The story here is set in 2018, 4 years after Metal Gear Solid 4.
In MGS 4, the Patriots were destroyed and splintered into multiple private military companies, these PMCs now don't have access to the abilities-enhancing nanomachines that were controlled by the patriots, so they resort to cyborg technology, with Raiden being one of them but that works for "a good cause" (whatever that means in Metal Gear).
The story is set in motion when Raiden is escorting the president of an unnamed African country when they're attacked by a PMC called Desperado Enforcement. Their leader, Sundowner, manages to capture the president and Jetstream Sam (Samuel Rodrigues), the best Brazilian character I've ever seen in any video game, attempts to stop Raiden and succeeds. The president is killed and Sundowner, the main villain, states his intent to destabilize nations and make conflict inevitable and never-ending, because that's how they make money.
The story goes ton of places and it's honestly pretty good, even if short. There are a lot of good cutscenes in between the missions and even some returning characters from past Metal Gear games.
The graphics are pretty good, not much can be expected from a 7th gen console game, but they did well here and there's not much to complain.
One area where they got it just right, just like the gameplay, is the music. It gets you pumped up and the boss fights are so incredible they're in my gym playlist. It makes the experience just that much better and I honestly think this is one of the games with the best soundtrack ever.
Take a listen to one of my favourite tracks:
It flows so well with the incredible gameplay that the only thing I can compare it to is Doom 2016 and Eternal.
It fits as well as the soundtrack to Burnout 3.
This game is for some reason underrated and probably did not sell too well. I know that because I got a PS3 copy for just $1 (USD) at a major retailer. And I don't see that price getting much higher, since it has a PC port which is a lot more convenient (and obviously can look and run better) than the PS3 or 360 port.
It's still a great game there, although I highly suggest picking it up on Steam during a sale as it comes with the Jetstream Sam DLC where you get to play as him and learn about why he's there, that adds so much to the story and makes you like that Brazilian so much more.
This is a must play for fans of Metal Gear, Hack n' Slash games or just action game fans.
It's not difficult but still has that sort of oldschool challenge to it where the game does no handholding and you'll definitely die a little before you pick up on enemy patterns and such.
It's a short game and intended for multiple playthroughs, but even if you just play through it once, you'll get your money's worth.
I just wish Konami made things like this again.