We’re back with yet another instalment of Respawning’s Let’s Talk series, where every Friday we get every one of our charismatic writers together to discuss a new topic! This week to celebrate the release of Astral Chain we want to talk about those times Platinum Games got us moist!
Platinum Games combat seems to just be perfection wherever they choose to stick it. I’ve played a bunch of Platinum’s offerings over the years and immensely enjoyed each. From witching it up in Bayonetta to fending off the nasty Decpticons in Transformers Devastation with vehicle mode uppercuts… But if there is one moment that sticks with more than the rest, it’s Metal Gear Rising: Revengance. Throughout Raiden’s Cyborg slicing adventure you get to feel like a ninja god with amazing finishers, massive action set pieces and of course the famous “Blade Mode” Where Raiden takes a deep breath, slows time and chooses where to cut up the baddie like me when I’m deciding how big a slice of cake I want. All these awesome slicey skills (that get you kills) come to a head with the boss battle against master of magnetism (no not THAT one), Monsoon. If you don’t learn to parry this fight is a nightmare only saved by the sick soundtrack! When you do successfully block a string of attacks from the meme loving bad guy you’ll feel like a cybernetic psychic master! That’s what platinum games do, there is never much of a real challenge but they make you feel incredible! Keep the hits coming guys!
Well my history with Platinum Games is a relatively short one given I’ve only played the first Bayonetta and a little bit of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. The little amount I have played, I’ve loved. With that in mind, I find it surprising that I’ve never checked out Beyonetta 2 but maybe that’s one for the future. As is Nier: Automata, I need to play this soon just to keep Javier happy! Watch this space!
RULES OF NATURE!
Metal Gear Revengence is an amazing title, and whilst it’s quite different than the rest of the franchise, it’s still an amazing entry into it. This entire game was a blood-pumping action fest, but the fights that stick with me most are probably the intro vs a Metal Gear Rex, fighting Mistral, and of course, Armstrong.
But let’s circle back to that intro boss, shall we? If there’s anything that could get one pumped for a game, it’s fighting a giant mech and going toe-to-toe with it. Blocking its blade, missile hopping and slicing, running down a clocktower…and the finale! Watch for yourself; this game is a series of wonderfully over-the-top moments with kick-ass music. You should definitely consider picking this one up.
Nier Automata is the best game on PS4 for it’s combat and it’s story. It is the flashiest most f-yeah game I have ever played and that’s all I will say about Nier Automata because honestly…
Just fucking buy it.
Admittedly I’m not a big action-combat fan! In fact I kind of suck at it… I just sort of mash buttons untill something works! I honestly don’t know how I even manage to play Overwatch! I guess though the closest thing I did sort of enjoy the combat in Spiderman from Insomniac because I seem to be alright with it! If Platinum have any games similar, then I could give it a try… Possibly because the gameplay appeals to my button mashing nature and I can achieve a decent combo just pressing a whole load of buttons!
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!! Need I say more?! Well I will to keep my integrity intact (stop laughing at me). Rising is batshit crazy, I adore it, and after getting it release day back in 2013 I couldn’t stop playing it for weeks after!
To pick just one combat moment from a plethora of crazy moments, it would have to be the Jetstream Sam fight for the incredible replay value to it, and because it’s such an amazingly cinematic fight. In fact I love it so much, I listed it in my top five boss fights of all time article, that you can check out here https://respawning.co.uk/games/alexxs-top-15-boss-fights-of-all-time-5-1/)
On the topic of Platinum Games, I also thoroughly enjoyed Bayonetta 1, but I want to make clear that I’m still pissed at the decision to make Bayonetta 2 and 3 Nintendo Wii U and Switch exclusives. I guess when Nintendo are paying through the nose for exclusivity, you can afford to tell some of your fans to fuck off.
Platinum are the kings of making me go WOAH and no game does it best like Metal Gear Rising. The first time you hears Rules of Nature after you block the attack of a Metal Gear Ray is the first time I felt like a man. Let’s not forget the ending of NieR Automata that we can’t even discuss ever. Good shit Platinum, y’all really do never lose your luster.
For me, nothing gets me fucking hyped as much as Bayonetta beating the crap out of Angels on a falling, crumbling clock tower… Or perhaps her smacking the shit out of Jeane anti-gravity style in a cathedral? Or maybe her punching a galaxy-throwing God in the face with a similar God weaved out of her own hair? Or perhaps her slapping Angels like a bad child whilst riding on top of a fighter jet? Or facing off against a legendary Lumen Warrior on a platform on a rushing, endless river of blood?
…You know what? Just put the entirety of Bayonetta on here for me. There. Platinum, Bayonetta 1 and 2. All you need to know. Ciao.
