AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

You can just tell Filmic Novel always wanted to write Misaki's story since the very beginning given the incredible amount of passion and care bleeding through every facet of Extra2.

A Masterpiece, I have no words.

Misaki Tobisawa, You rocked my world.

This review section is an absolute disgrace and honestly that's a good thing. If it has made even a single person not want to read the VN then it has been a net postive for us all.

Given the state of the fanbase these past few months i don't think it'd be controvertial to say that nothing is less needed in the world right now than another person's opinion on Fullmetal Daemon Muramasa.

This game is not for you.

Desperately clinging to the only meme that defines his remaining identity, if there’s any at this point, is the role of a medic, someone who saves lives, someone who refuses to let go of lives he was determined to save, someone who wished for… peace. Except it’s nowhere to be found, it was never a thing to begin with. He can no longer save lives, instead every action he takes leads to another being lost. Spreading the venomous seeds of revenge, forced to play the role of a legend who perpetuates this futile cycle of hatred against his will. He has no meme or gene to pass on. No one will remember him. No one will speak of him.

"The man who abandoned his entire existence, just to give the one woman he loves a reason to exist..."

YUUYA FUCKING BRIDGES

I KNEEL

If anyone has read my MGS4 review, you must be aware that Metal Gear Solid 4 poses the question, “What if we were robbed off our senses?” (I deleted it now lol, but yeah you basically need to know that MGS4 is all about how your "sense" is being suppressed by the system)

Revengeance completely flips it over its head and inquires the opposite, “What if we let our free will, our feelings, our “sense”, overflow without any restrictions? What if everyone was allowed to do whatever the fuck they wanted?”

In Metal Gear Rising, a few years have passed since the world got rid of the “robotic ways” of waging war. Of course, it hardly means that the society is any better. In fact, it’s worse than ever before. There is nothing to hold back one’s free will. Crime rates are higher than ever before. Criminals are the most dangerous they have ever been. Of course the police the exists, but they are nothing but pawns controlled by something that pertains a much stronger will. World Marshal Inc. is now the largest PMC company in the world, they control everything, whilst taking advantage of one’s free will. The person in question does not care because their wish is being granted so they will happily do what they are being told to.

The characters in Metal Gear Rising are maniacs, they enjoy war and violence in one way or the other, it satisfies their instincts. In this society, the one with the “stronger” sense, the stronger will, will persist. The weak will perish. Characters like Blade Wolf are exploited by characters like Mistral, someone with a stronger “sense” presides over the weaker. Characters like Sundowner who think war and violence is something beautiful, and fun, in an almost passionate way. That “sense” of passion has led him to being as powerful and dominant he is. Characters like Monsoon, who think in this society it’s “kill or be killed”. They all have embraced their animalistic desire and instincts. Is it fair to even call them Humans anymore? How does that make them any better than Animals infact?

There are also characters like Jetstream Sam, someone who was a descendent from a strict Japanese heritage, he had very strong feelings for his family’s ideals, rules and heritage. But all of it was shattered once he met someone with a much stronger “sense” for what he believes in, Senator Armstrong. He was unable to defeat him with his “ideals, rules and heritage”. What he believed in for his entire life shattered in the blink of an eye was a major hit on Sam’s psyche. Notice his theme?

“I don’t know the season
Or what is the reason
I’m standing here holding my blade”

He doesn’t even know what he is fighting for anymore. This is what leads him to conform to Armstrong until he re-discovers himself. This is a testament to how one’s rules, ideals or heritage nourished through generations mean nothing in this fucked up society, if the force with which you enforce your will, your “sense” upon the other is strong enough.

Metal Gear Rising aims to showcase the chaotic side of humanity. The cycle of Violence, Vengeance, Hence “Re-Vengeance”. The Strong flourish, the weak either conform, or perish. This is what happens when you allow free will and our “sense” to flourish too much.

Evident through the game’s direction and presentation of it’s themes being ironically over the top, ridiculous and chaotic. Much more than previous Metal Gear games. The “Memes” that we post on the internet are a product of one’s “chaotic” feelings to make fun of something. The fact that Metal Gear Rising is one the most meme-d games to death is no coincidence, but again, entirely intentional.

Metal Gear Rising does not intend to contradict MGS4’s message or anything, rather both are a nuanced portrayal of how “too much” of about anything can be hazardous. What sets us apart from animals is our ability to control our instincts, desires and reason. That is another very important aspect to what makes us Human.

Edit: Not a fan of what I initially wrote here, since it was too comparative, an outlook I have grown to avoid since then. I believe the game should be judged on its own first and compared later.

Regardless my feelings about the game remain unchanged.

Has several glaring flaws in its game design, like the badly implemented affinity system and bland side quests, that really subtracted from my enjoyment. The Battle system is pretty fun and decently designed, had fun with party builds though a certain character is useless after a certain point.

While the ost itself is good, I don't find the sound design to be particularly exceptional. Visually the game is gorgeous, took several screenshots. And very well optimized.

The Story is alright. There's nothing remotely interesting about the cast. I guess I like Melia somewhat since I fw with characters of that archetype. The plot is your usual schtick that starts off with a life-changing event from the protagonist that sets him and the rest of the cast on an adventure and things eventually escalate to become a tale about finding meaning in your identity. Has some cool moments in the final chapters though the overall execution is barebones. But in the end, it's pretty well-rounded overall for what it is. If you just want a fun adventure that keeps you entertained for most of its run, this is a solid choice, since the narrative's pacing is actually pretty tight, and remains consistent.

It's a pretty fun time. Decent game.