Editor’s Note: Now onto number six of our twenty-five most anticipated games of 2012. After culminating a comprehensive list of the confirmed games for next year, the MediaKick team voted on the games they are most looking forward to for next year, and after processing the results through a methodical algorithm we’re here to bring you the results. Taking a closer look at both what we know so far and why the team are excited for each game, we’ll have an article at midday everyday until Christmas – when we’ll reveal our most anticipated game of 2012. Be sure to check out the previous games so far if you haven’t already - #25, #24, #23, #22, #21.

“The blade is in your hands”. This is the slogan that the debut trailer for Metal Gear Solid: Rising ended with to roaring applause. Taking place between the events of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Rising will have you taking control of katana wielding Raiden. And this is no normal Metal Gear, the series’ key tagline “Tactical Espionage Action” has been replaced with the more cryptic “Lightning Bolt Action”, suggesting a less tactically focused approach and possibly more ‘shocking’ weapons at your disposal.

If your appetite hasn’t been whetted by the above and announcement trailer alone then the information that came with, and since, the reveal certainly will. Rising promises to be an all out hack’n'slash affair with some stealth thrown in. This isn’t the stealth that Snake taught you either, this is described as ‘Hunting Stealth’. Becoming the hunter, attacking at speed with acrobatic flair and attempting to absorb power from items or weapons will all be part of the refocused gameplay. My excitement is palatable at the prospect of using fast paced, more action driven stealth rather than playing the waiting game, it all appears to be a much more enticing experience.

You’ll also notice from the trailer the attention to detail, both in the slicing action of your katana and the blood splatter from the violent strikes. It all looks very kinetic and the freedom at your fingertips is what’s most intriguing. Key to gameplay is ‘zan-datsu’ (translated ‘cut and take’) which involves “cutting” through enemies and “taking” parts from the bodies of dismembered enemies. Rumoured parts include life, energy, parts, ammunition, items, and occasionally information. Methods of attack seem to be decidedly up to the player, chopping off certain limbs or even the end of a weapon, it will totally change the landscape and dynamic of your enemies and the environment (for example in the trailer, look at the ease in which those pillars are destroyed).

What I am most looking forward to however, is simply being placed in Kojima’s world once more. Through the entire series of Metal Gear, there have always been standout moments that have truly stayed with me throughout my gaming sphere – such as the tanker level at the start of Sons of Liberty. I vividly remember waiting with baited breath to play though this once more after playing the demo, and then to see Ocelots arm, it sent chills down my spine! It definitely deserves a place on our 2012 most anticipated list, the team at Kojima Productions have truly mastered the art of storytelling, comedy and gameplay to almost sheer perfection and I cannot wait to finally get my hands on it for Xbox 360.

It’s not just me excited either, Harry here at MediaKick had this to say, “While the Metal Gear series for me ended with MGS4, I can’t help but feel excited for Rising and the chance to play as Raiden. Lightning Bolt Action sounds too intriguing to ignore, and any game from the mind of Kojima that gives us further insight into the Metal Gear universe is a game I want to play and experience. Plus, slicing watermelons with Kinect: sure, why not?” I couldn’t agree more.

Fellow writer Igor is also very much looking forward to the latest Metal Gear game, ”What happens when you take one of gaming’s most iconic franchises, flip it on its head and reveal it to the masses? Chaos. Metal Gear Solid is a gem in the video game industry, one that has single handedly evolved Tactical Espionage Action as a genre. Moving the stealth series into a hack’n'slash direction is intriguing, exciting and at the same time, damn near terrifying. I don’t know what I want from Metal Gear Solid: Rising, something spectacular, or damage limitation until the next proper Metal Gear Solid game comes out. I am excited because this is a project that could make me eat my own words and because of this air of mystery surrounding the possible outcome, I can’t wait to see the final product.”

We won’t have long to wait to hear more on it either, with news that the truth about Rising will “finally be revealed” at the VGAs in a few days time. Who knows what that could mean, but one things for sure, I can’t wait.