Raiden: Keep him or kill him off?

[Nick Hexum]

In a recent interview, Hideo Kojima stated that Raiden was a one time character, and that he would not be in future installments. I think this is mainly due to the amount of death threats Kojima has recieved for "betraying" fans of Snake. I too did not like Raiden at first, but as I saw his skills improving, I liked him even more. And the final battle totally changed my mind about Raiden. I say, keep him, but in the next game, make it look like Snake has taught him how to be a man, and how to kick more ass. What do you guys think? Keep him, or get rid of him?

[Ryo Hazuki]

I liked Raiden, he was no Snake but he was still cool especially towards the end. Even with that I still want Snake back. Or even better for MGS3 play as Raiden the same amount of time that you got to play as Snake in MGS2, and then switch characters like they did in MGS2. The thing that pissed me off with MGS2 had nothing to do with the game, it was people's reactions. Let me explained, I go into game chat rooms all the time, and when MGS2 first came out everyone loved it, but then a week later the new EGM comes out, and they hate on Raiden and the story to MGS2. That night I go into the chat room, and now everyone is hating on the same things that were stated in the EGM review. That just pissed me off so much.

[Cheese Biscuits]

Personally, I hated the fuck out of him. MGS is about Snake, goddamnit. And I hated the plotline from the moment I finished the game. But, the gameplay rocked. Badass game other than Raiden and the twisted-to-hell plotline. Do I want to hear how Otacon was screwing his stepmother while his dad was drowning? No... no I do not.

[OvermindX]

What I think people fail to understand, and this is coming from and interview with Hideo himself, is that the reason Raiden was there was to tell Snake's story from an outside perspective. Snake is still the main character of the game. It's just from a different perspective.

[Nick Hexum]

Exactly.. If you played as Snake the whole time, you would not like his as much. I thought he was cool in MGS1, but I liked him even more after MGS2 because you get to see him from another perspective and fight along side of him.. And I hate the fact that people complain about this game just because of Raiden. I agree that the plot does become too convoluted towards the end, with all the double and triple crosses, but complaining about an excellent game just because you don't like the main character is dumb. If Kojima doesn't direct another Metal Gear game, it's gonna be because of the constant string of people telling him he shouldn't have put Raiden as the main playable character. The man became physically ill while making the game he was obsessing over, and some people just spit in his face for his gutsy decision. But that's just my opinion, which I guess is biased because I like Raiden.

[Imperator GAC]

Nick, you are biased because you like him. You say that someone can't bash a game just because they don't like the main character? That's ridiculous, the main character of a game or movie makes or breaks that particular game or movie. It's rare that a person likes a movie that they hate the main character of. They go hand in hand. No one's saying that the graphics or gameplay sucked, only that Raiden was a bore to play and that the plot was extremely confusing. I understand that the story will be fleshed out in future games, but while playing it, I just wanted to get it over with. They suspense that MGS1 had was not there.

I beat it a day after I got it so I didn't have time to read reactions. All I remember is thinking what a disappointment it was.

[Nick Hexum]

Hey if you don't like Raiden that's fine, but there's no way you can say it's a bad game just because of him. Just ask anyone what their least favorite thing about the game was,and the answer you get will most likely start with and R. Hell, that would probably be my answer too, being as though Snake is my favorite hero in ANY game. Not liking Raiden but liking the game itself is fine, I just have a problem with people who tear apart the whole game just because of him. And the story is alittle weak, but that's a whole other topic. But if someone finds Raiden to be just OK, do you really think that they'll say the game is just OK, also?

[General Logan]

I enjoyed the game immensely, but the plot went wacko too often. I liked that it started off where the other left off, with Ocelot's escape with the Rex data.

I liked the idea of using Big Shell as a cover-up. Inside US coastal waters. Excellent.

But things went haywire. It's like they just brainstormed as they went along with the plot, and never went back to clean it up very much.

I played the game through once, had a great time with it. But I would much rather just get out orginal MG:S and play it again.

Raiden was not bad, but I was distressed to know he would be my main guy for the "Plant" portion of the story (like 3/4 of the game). Seeing Snake in action was good, but they could have done more with that.

As far as Raiden gripes, I have only one. Naked Raiden should not be allowed to do cartwheels viewed from overhead. Enough said.

[Imperator GAC]

Well, I don't hate the game, but my dislike for Raiden and the story really made my overall experience with the game less than I thought it would be. I'm not tearing it apart nor being especially harsh with it. I just didn't have fun with it. I remember MGS and I remember skipping classes for a day to complete the game. Just sitting there by myself ignoring work and calls to party because I had to destroy liquid. MGS2 just failed to inspire me and I believe it's because I didn't like the character you play as.

An example I would use is a movie like Pearl Harbor. Technically very well made but people just didn't like the characters or the story and continues to rip it to shreds. It's hard to like any game or movie if the characters piss you off despite how well that product is actually put together.

Now I didn't set out to feel this way. I was very excited to get MGS2 and I played through it very quickly, but something was just missing.

[General Logan]

Raiden's Underpants.

[Nick Hexum]

I just read yesterday that MGS3 will be made, but Kojima will not be fully in charge of it, and Raiden will not return. I don't like Konami's idea to not include Raiden.. I think it would be better to have Raiden in the game, but maybe with a smaller role. But I was finally starting to like him and I'm going to be upset if they just kill him off or pretend like he wasn't in the last one. Any ideas on how they should bring him into the next one? Maybe if Raiden was captured and Snake goes in to rescue him, then once he's free, you play as him. Any other ideas?

[Cheese Biscuits]

I, for one, would like to see him shot in the head by Snake. I can see it now...

Raiden: "Hey Snake, I noticed these suspicious guys carrying guns a while back. They were wearing black masks and had big swastikas printed on their backs... OH! and they were holding dead babies. So... uh, should I go after them or what?"

Snake: "That's it, I have had enough of you."

*POP!*
*THUD!*

Snake: "I have been wanting to do that for so fucking long. I need a smoke."

[Jacob Singer]

I guess I didn't dislike Raiden because MGS2 was the first Metal Gear game I ever played. I thought the character fit in fine, and kinda liked having the uber-capable Snake taking a background "mentor" role. Thought I can certainly understand other's affection for Snake, he seemed more derivative than Raiden. To me. :)

If the game had pared down the plot a bit, and left out some of the vampire/superhero shtick, it would have been perfect.

[Imperator GAC]

General Logan's End Table:
Raiden's Underpants.Haha, it was a little shocking but who here didn't repeatedly have Raiden do twirls in an attempt to see how far they went?

I also agreed with the vampire bit, and the lady luck character. it was no longer like a military operation. Way too cartoony and no longer believable. It just didn't seem like Raiden had the personality to be a member of Foxhound.

They don't have to use Snake, but create a character that's likable and return it to the realm of military espionage. (Despite the big mechs)

[Michael Rabattino]

I admit, I did make him do twirls when he was naked just to see if they made a mistake and you could see......something.

[Nick Hexum]

Just try getting spotted by a guard and then run into the room you were held in and lean up against the vertical bed, and the guard will walk in, take a look at you and say "I wish I had that" and then leave the room. The camera angle is hilarious also.

[DJ Dylan]

Keep him, but give him a supporting part in the game. No more main character for him.