While 4 was extremely well received by critics, one consistent point of contention with the entire franchise has been its use of cinematics. It isn't uncommon for players to be sidelined for 20 minutes at a time while the games' stories progress.

Idle thumbs may become more active in the latest entry of the highly venerated franchise, though. According to Metal Gear Solid: Rising director Shigenobu Matsuyama, Rising's cut-scenes will be significantly shorter, while the story will take a backseat to the action.

Speaking with Eurogamer, Matsuyama agreed the that the convoluted Metal Gear universe had become "mental" with recent iterations and will not be a focus of Rising. "I'm not saying the story is not important, but that was specifically tailored by Hideo Kojima. Since I'm not him, I'm not going to base my game on a very heavy scene. The story will not be in the centre. It's more katana action. I have to play a different style," he explained.

Fans of Metal Gear's complex lore shouldn't take that to mean the narrative will be low quality, though. Matsuyama said, "The story will be there, because I believe (in) a good-quality story background."

With the doors to the Tokyo Game Show opening later this week, expect to show off more on Rising then.

By Nicholas Gasse