Shigenobu Matsuyama (Producer) has been interviewed by Kotaku. In amongst the claims that Metal Gear: Rising is going to make some bold changes to the key gameplay of the series so far is this handy little quote:
You could actually have a no-kill completion [in Rising]. There will be a lot of mechs and cyborgs, but if you slice them up, that will be considered as a no-kill as well. You’ll have the freedom of killing humans, of course, but you can proceed through the game without killing a human being, but slicing up mechs and cyborgs.
So you can run through the game only killing robots and never physically harming a human enemy. Matsuyama also mentioned the options available to get around enemies, including cutting their weapons or simply looking so hard and ninja-like that they run away (hopefully peeing themselves as they go). It’s not all about letting you get to the end with a clean conscience though. Matsuyama also wants enemies to clearly express pain so that the game isn’t just “slice ’em up, dice ’em up” and the player can see the consequences of their actions.
Matsuyama is keen to point out that although he won’t be censoring or editing the graphical violence in order to achieve a lower age-rating, he doesn’t want there to be rewards for killing human enemies.
I want to emphasize that I will never reward a player for killing human beings in the game. I won’t make it easier to clear the game [that way]. I will probably make it more difficult.
So that’s graphic violence, stealthy ninjas that are so mean-looking people run away and the full consequences of our actions being shown by pained yelps coming from our enemies. Sounds like a winner to me.
BetaGhast
You could do no kill runs in all MGS games, im almost half way through my MGS4 no kill run.
PoorPaddy89
No-kill runs are so satisfying on MGS4. Is it just a no-kill run or are you going for the Big Boss emblem? I’ve gotten Big Boss twice – it’s actually reasonably easy when you know certain tricks. The only real bitch is the motorcycle chase when you can’t heal yourself.
BetaGhast
Just a plain old no kill run, on Big Boss Hard for now, and will do another on Big Boss Extreme.
PoorPaddy89
Weirdly I had more of a problem with Liquid on Big Boss Hard than on The Boss Extreme. I beat him first go both times on BBE runs. Probably because I was playing it so safe!
Christ, I love Metal Gear. Just ordered vol.2 of the saga dvds on ebay. vol.1 is hard to find and a bit more expensive, plus i dunno if it plays with english subs.
Shakugan
Use Solar Gun on motorcycle chase.
PoorPaddy89
Can’t use it unless you’ve done a no-kill playthrough beforehand though, or at least collected the 5 dolls. Plus its the only weapon on the chase you can run out of ammo with. Best tactic I’ve found it spam sleep grenades for the first two parts, then you’re free to go fairly wild with the solar gun on the third part. This is only for a Big Boss Emblem run though. Any other case and it’s much easier!
Shoobaloo
No reward for killing people? Some people would think that hearing a character yelping in pain and watching a gruesome death is a great reward.
Danza Di Fuoco E Ghiaccio
I will slash thier fingers off is that possible?
hazelam
i swear i remember something like that was said for one or more of the other mgs games, and that didn’t happen, there were bosses for a start that you absolutely had to kill to continue the game.
PoorPaddy89
Definately not in 3, 4, or Peace Walker. 2 I don’t think you have to kill, but I’ve not played it in ages. You have to kill some soldiers plus bosses in 1, though.
Deathbrin
Probably not as you could stamina kill the bosses aswell.
PoorPaddy89
Can’t do stamina kills in the first one.
Deathbrin
I thought there wasn’t an announcement you could, either.
solidsteven
killing in rising will be fun you get to chop them up and choose what parts to chop.
Quinlank
Not liking the looks of where this game is heading so far. Seems to just be copying Afro Samurai’s “dismemberment” system, but MG Rising seems to be a lot more pleased with itself about how it looks in action.
Possibly I’m a little burned out from hack and slashers after the rush of them at the start of the year, but I hope they get back to basics for MGS5.